I want a P38 Diesel

Hi out there

First off, I'm new to the forum so if i make any mistakes bare with me Second I'm danish so there is really nothing you can do about it

With that a side, here is my questions to all of you.

I want a P38 Diesel as our car number two. Today we have a Freelander as # 2 and I'm so full of it. Now I want a real Range Rover.

But I'm so afraid to buy the wrong thing, because i have no quality as a mechanic...

As I see it, the diesel is pretty good all in all, but the thing that scares me is the air suspension. Did they ever fix it on the late models or what should I be aware of?

And what year should I buy? Anything else I need to know about?

The car must drive every day, and now and the take us to our lake house in Sweden.

Hope you guys will take the time to help.

Have a nice day all.

Regards

Hans

The air suspension system is not the disaster that this forum makes it seem. Don't forget that many people only join here when they are already having problems. Big though this forum may be there are many thousands of Range Rovers and owners out there who have never heard of it.

Try to either arrive or at least drive past the car a good while before you said that you would and check what height the car is sitting at. Then, when the owner first offers to start it, be inside with all the doors closed and see if the air suspension responds almost immediately. If the compressor is faulty or there's a leak in the supply side the selling trick is to start the car with the door open and show you the engine, the exhaust, the boot etc. whilst the air pressure builds up.

Then put it to full height and get underneath to look at the air bags. If they look old then either walk away or get the price reduced. Switch the car off, close all the doors and listen for the clicks from the valves as it self levels for a few seconds.

Now is the time for the cup of coffee and a look through the car's history, without opening the doors, bonnet or boot. Take your time, you're waiting to see if the car continues to drop. If you can do this whilst casually leaning on the bonnet then you'll hear the valves continue to try and compensate for any leak.

As for the year, BMW took over in 1999 and made a few changes but the truth is that they are all getting old. A well looked after older Rangie owned by someone who understood and cared for it would probably be a better buy than a younger one that's just had the minimum done to get the book stamped.

@dogsbody.

Thank you very much for the fast reply, and all the details you deliver

I found one from 99 with a full service book. Has 188.000 km under and seems to be in a very good condition. Blue with beige leather. According to the owner he had some issues with the suspension in his owner period. ( last 8 years )

I'll go by him and check what you just wrote and see if we can agree on a deal

Its not that expensive to change it if they are to old. I just don't want to be one of them always standing on the side road not getting anywhere because of the suspension Truth is, i can't wait to get one. I think its an absolutely fantastic car from when cars still were made for men

If your worried get the eas software from datatek on here or a eas kicker, as above these cars are not the disaster people make out, they do take a bit of looking after though

The EAS is not a problem, lack of maintenance is. If the airsprings have not been replaced then replace them as soon as possible, they have a design life of 7/8 years 130/150 Kilometres. Leaking airsprings are a major cause of EAS failures. If the airsprings leak the compressor will fail due to overwork.
There are many other things that you need to think about, you must get the EKA code and radio code with the car and two key FOB's. With only one FOB if the batteries go you can find the car immobilised. The EKA code will sort it but a second working FOB is easier.
Do a search, lots of recent posting on the problems of P38's
:welcome2:

Thank you all for the info

This might be a stupid question, but what is a EKA code?

Found it hmm I would never have thought about getting that code… thanx again...

My P38 DHSE is up for sale in the For Sale section if you are interested.

DeRanged Rover said:

My P38 DHSE is up for sale in the For Sale section if you are interested.

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Thanx for the "heads up" but your steering wheel is kinda sitting in the wrong side But shure its a fine one you have there.

stooormien said:

Thanx for the "heads up" but your steering wheel is kinda sitting in the wrong side But shure its a fine one you have there.

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No, his steering wheel is on the right side. If it was on the other side you couldn't reach it from the driver's seat.

dogsbody said:

no, his steering wheel is on the right side. If it was on the other side you couldn't reach it from the driver's seat.

:d

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:d:d