Have I just done a stupid thing?

Hello all,

I've been on here for a while but mainly lurking in the discovery 1 section...... anyhoo

I've now gone and bought an 01 4.0 Westminster as we're adding another small person to our collection and I fancy traveling in comfort with the same amount of space as the disco

Question is was this a sensible decision or have I been really stupid and should have got some soulless jap car instead?

Well if you allready have a disco you will know what to expect from the green oval, just add a bit more agro and you will be about right

Well if I wanted simple motoring the p38 would not be at the top of the list...... surely it can't be more agro than any of the other green oval vehicles?....... cue kiss of death

Bought mine to accommodate the little buggers.

Best family car I've ever had. Been little problem to own, big, safe, comfortable, cheap, loads of room for bikes and stuff, easy wipe clean leather seats, and old so it's less upsetting when they scratch the paintwork by climbing out of the sun roof to slide down the windscreen and jump from the bonnet "like a ninja".

You made the right choice.

Stevekennah said:

Well if I wanted simple motoring the p38 would not be at the top of the list...... surely it can't be more agro than any of the other green oval vehicles?....... cue kiss of death

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They are crap, however, I've had mine for 6 years and it has never let me down despite many niggles. I always carry the EAS software (I can supply) and laptop.
If I had the cash I would not be driving a P38.

I think the best way to approach these is to prepare for the worst, mindless optimism with a P38 is a bit like saying no reserving sunbeds to germans, it just doesn't work.

However when expecting the worst from time to time it can just be a simple thing which cues happy feelings and makes you like the car again...!

The only stupid thing you've done is buy a 4.0.... 4.6 all the way! (or if your wammers/datatek DIESEL (I had to shout over the noise ) all the way!)

Have you got it home yet?

I would say you should have bought a soulless nap

Mine has cost me 8k all in but I bought it as a renovation project but I have had a lot of issues, I guess it is now how I would have wanted to buy it but for like 4k!!

Plus with the cost of fuel 4.0 would not have been my first choice.

Keep saying I am going to sell mine but it is so comfy and was supposed to be cheap motoring.......ha ha I seem to be hanging on to it

Good luck anyway if it has extensive service history perhaps it'll be good transport, these cars are good if you can get a good one but that's rare........strangely they seem to hold their value...............

AP90 said:

..strangely they seem to hold their value...............

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But only after they have dropped to rock bottom compared to a Land Cruiser for example

yeah you shoulda bought the 4.6 but to late now so enjoy it, spend a lot of time reading the threads on here get your spanners out and get to know your new motor, welcome

Piccies please!

Stevekennah said:

Hello all,

I've been on here for a while but mainly lurking in the discovery 1 section...... anyhoo

I've now gone and bought an 01 4.0 Westminster as we're adding another small person to our collection and I fancy traveling in comfort with the same amount of space as the disco

Question is was this a sensible decision or have I been really stupid and should have got some soulless jap car instead?

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Well, it all depends on the condition of said vehicle when you bought it and whether you paid over the odds for it.

Has it any issues at the mo?

As you are no doubt aware, there are two camps on here - oil burners and V8 types - both have their good and bad points but the most important thing is that you're happy with your RR.

I have never driven a 4 litre so can't make a judgement on them but didn't someone on here say that plod used to have them in manual transmission spec so they have got to be reasonably useful.

To be honest, I've driven the 4.6 and in comparison to my 4.0 there isn't a huge amount in it. The 4.6 is a little more punchy off the line and mid range but as these were never going to win any races, I don't think it's a huge deal.

Thanks for all the "positive" replies....... I viewed quite a few before buying but they were tatty or on springs. Paid 2.5k for a nice Westminster on 94k with full service history which I believe is quite rare......

So what's the big problem with it being a 4.0??

Stevekennah said:

So what's the big problem with it being a 4.0??

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None really. The 4.6 has a stronger gearbox to cope with the extra torque, and perhaps the 4.6s have more toys available/ fitted as standard(???) but seeing as yours is a "limited edition" it probably has a few special bits on it already.

There were only 400 Westminsters made IIRC, 200 4.0 and 200 2.5.

In term of performance and economy I don't think there's anything in it in the real word, and i've got a 4.0 and a 4.6.

The sound system in the Westminster & Vogue SE is the best spec system available in a P38.

Guy near me sold his black 4.0 westminster a few months back to a dealer. Was a tidy example, maybe the same one????

Isnt the 4.0 ment to be only slightly faster than the 2.5? sure ive read that on here somewhere...

martynv8 said:

The sound system in the Westminster & Vogue SE is the best spec system available in a P38.

Guy near me sold his black 4.0 westminster a few months back to a dealer. Was a tidy example, maybe the same one????

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I thought they were only silver or grey?

Littelwill said:

Isnt the 4.0 ment to be only slightly faster than the 2.5? sure ive read that on here somewhere...

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The 4.0 GEMS is only just a tad brisker....When I had the 4.0 I used to claim I had diesel performance with a V8 soundtrack!!

quavey said:

I thought they were only silver or grey?

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Only available in 4.0 or 2.5, based on the SE (trim level 2) model and available in 3 colours...Blenheim Silver, Bonatti Grey and Java Black

Bumpers and sills colour coded and the 18" Hurricanes were Gunmetal grey.

Leather was Ash Grey with Charcoal piping and the wood was Poplar Anthracite. Carpets where Ash Grey also.

Sat Nav and a central 'fill' speaker in the dash compliments the 17 speaker system.

200 made; 150 Petrol and 50 Diesel...deliveries made to Customers in August 2001

Littelwill said:

Isnt the 4.0 ment to be only slightly faster than the un-chipped 2.5? sure ive read that on here somewhere...

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Edited for accuracy

Saint.V8 said:

central 'fill' speaker in the dash compliments the 17 speaker system.

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Where does that go? There's no room for any more speakers on mine!