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rewmer

rewmer

Well-Known Member
Posts
2,082
Location
Clacton, Essex, UK
This is just a quick post to all those out there that are thinking of buying a P38 and have stumbled on this forum and now are having second thoughts.
Remeber you are in a help forum, so it stands to reason that there are going to be many pages of people with problems - but, remember this. For every owner that has a problem, there are many who dont. I am now on my second P38 - MOE (nice colour eh ?) the first one I had for three years and appart from service items the only thing on it i changed was a bulb to the HEVAC. My second one I have had for a year and so far I have had to change the HEVAC water temp sender - £11. I have changed the discs to drilled / grooved and upgraded the pads to Green Stuff, but that was through choice, not need.

So the bottom line is, dont be put off, there are good and bad, and you generally get what you pay for. i have just finished a 1000 mile tour of the south coast in climate controlled V8 powered comfort. awsome. - Waits for explosion outside as all four airbags give out in unison...:D
 
Hear Hear (or however you spell it).

I've had problems with mine, but they were all down to bodgit servicing by the previous owner (one bolt is obviously enough to hold the fuel tank in etc)... Now I'm starting to get on top of them I'm really starting to enjoy it.

People shouldn't be put off by the posts on here. People rarely post to say that their car is running fine!!

Guy
 
at least with the wealth of knowledge on here the most common and even some of the more obscure are identified. reading through the forum will give any new owner a good background of potential faults to look for.

even after all the grief ive had i'm still happy with it.
 
Definitely the most rewarding car I've ever owned!

In the 35,000 miles since cracking its head (which it did the day after I bought it) it has not once let me down. A holed radiator (caused by a bolt missing from the intercooler) was the only time that a mechanical fault stopped it from getting me to and from work. Not bad for a car renowned for its poor reliability.
 
I am new to this forum,but would agree that most people on any forum usually only go on when something is wrong or to slag off a said item,so get positive tell the good things about it.I have a p38a diesel and its a great piece of kit,crap when i bought it because it had been got at by clowns.Made in 1996,I acquired it in 2006 for £2500 and after a bit of work putting things right with the help of the RAVE CD a good set of tools(minimum is Halfords Pro) the EAS kit from the internet I have managed to make it a good reliable workhorse for little money.Service regulary and dont use cheap oil and filters,pressure wash under the vehicle to stop build of the metal eating stuff(mud)and it should be good for many years.I would recommend a RR P38a to anyone who wants a REAL motor to tow with,general use,a workhorse and to top it all out a real comfortable ride.
 
Too right! I may be moving to the other side of the world soon but I ain't sellin' my P38 here (I'll never get the money back on it for one!:rolleyes: ) and instead looking to get another over there (steering being on the wrong side and all). The only sad thing is that as these cars are getting older they change hands more than once, people skimp on maintenance and its harder and harder to find a decent one. As for reliability, folks in here are all straining to keep their cars as close to nickel as possible because it inspires you to want to do that, so of course it can seem never-ending. But its got nothing to do with how bloody unstoppable and damn nigh bomb-proof these beasts are. You can have bits hanging off, others billowing smoke and a christmas display on the dashboard and the begger will get you home.
 
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I'll go along with the rest. Most of the problems relate to a P38 which has just been purchased and obviously the faults are inherited by a buyer who probably bought his first P38 and is unfamiliar with the unique traits they have. Some poor sods, as has recently been seen by posts, have bought cars that have virtually broken their hearts (And wallets) before they have had the chance to get the "Experience" of owning and driving one. I, like many on here have dug deep into the pocket and spent a fortune on Swarfega and Kleenex to wipe the tears away. But..I, as most, have got a reliable car which costs a fortune to fill up..which is my choice, and yet, I am over the moon with it 12 years on, I love driving it and would not sell it for another 4x4.
To those of you out there that are currently pulling your hair out (Mine has already gone!) just hang in there, the crowd on here will do their best to sort things out and help..and wind everyone up at the same time!!
:crazy_driver::tea::smokin:
 
Must agree with all the above bought my p38 4.6 on a 96 plate and apart from a compressor seal 2 rear airbags its never let me down even towing a 2 ton caravan it just keeps on going wish i hadnt said anything dont like to tempt fate
Cheers Alan
 
kooky_guy said:
People rarely post to say that their car is running fine!!

Guy
Click to expand...


Mine has been running just peachy since I bought it, apart from slight cruis control issues. £3 for a bit of hose and £5 for an actuator from a scrappies :)

(Also £100 a month to keep it drinking, but shhhhh!)
 
I am so pleased with the Manual 4.0 SE I bought (which the missus drives every weekday and I only get my hands on at the weekend), that I bought a 4.6 HSE Auto (my car) which arrives in the Islands (Falkland) this weekend. Yippeeee I can't wait.

I have found that this forum is full of really knowledgeable people who bend over backwards to help, oh and take the **** something chronic as well. Long may it continue.
 
mines been fine since i sorted the few problems it had,but sadly its going to have to go soon as ive just been told ive lost my job and will be finished in january:(
 
I bought my 1995 2.5 DT 18 months ago with a full service history and 86,000 miles on the clock.

I've covered about 12,000 miles approx, I have a firms van so its a weekend and holiday motor and my other half has her own car.

As stated above its all about catching up with the maintenance, I've done the following so far:

Repairs under the bonnet

I have replaced the radiator, thermostat, viscous fan assembly, and the serpentine belts, the engine over heated while towing a trailer which weighed approx 3.5 tons...;)..:rolleyes:...last year. After replacing the above I haven't had an engine cooling problem since, the radiator and viscous fan appeared to be the original 1995 units.

A replacement battery with 1000 amp cca sorts the starting.

Air-con regas.

Interior

After about 2 months the book symbol appeared on the HEVAC, I replaced one of the blend motors (top r/hand side), the heater 'O' rings (started to show signs of leaking when the engine overheated) and the temp sensor on the heater pipe.

Underneath the vehicle

The high/low ratio selector motor unit failed, due to the position sensing contacts in the blue cap failing, whether this was due to lack of use by the previous owners, who knows.

A complete set of air-springs and retaining clips.

Now the only time the my "Gentleman's Conveyance" has really let me down, but still got me home, was when the clutch cross shaft roll pins sheared, forcing me the use the starter in 1 st gear to pull away and some very careful clutch-less gear changes.


Labour

I trained as a commercial vehicle fitter, so all the repairs I've done myself, so main stealer prices aren't a problem. Service parts (oil n filters)aren't expensive, its just finding the motivation.

I do have the eas software and lead.


The to do list

I need the bite the bullet and stump up the 150 quid for the alarm remote module and then save up for a large donation to the good folks at 'Black Box Solutions' for an extreme.....:eek:

And maybe a diesel tuning box/chip if one turns up at the right price...



Would i recommend a P38, yes, just find a good one or be prepared to fix the problems.

hth

zzr



PS: I've also replaced the rear exhaust section.


 
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I got my P38 DSE at the beginning of March this year, I'm the 3rd owner. It's a bit like a blonde.... high maintenance!! So far it's let me down once due to water in a height sensor connector (stupid design). Easily fixed even though I was on holiday with the caravan as I had the EAS softare with me on my laptop.
So far I have replaced all 4 airbags, they had not actually failed but were in poor condition, I have also replaced a window regulator and the air con condensor. The oil cooler pipes also need replacing.
All in all it's a great car and I actually like the fact that all the info is available and I can save a fortune doing my own servicing and repairs unlike my last car.
 
I bought my 1999 p38 RR Vogue 4.6 Special Edition in 2004 after looking for the "right" one for about 6 months (even then there was dross around with these motors!). It was a single owner main dealer maintained vehicle when I bought it with full service history. I resisted the urge to have an LPG conversion done, for which I am now heartily grateful as the savings from the LPG I am sure would long have been spent in sourcing replacement engines!! As a female driver without the strength to do massive engine rebuilds myself, I was anxious to avoid some of the nightmare scenarios that crop up on this forum quite often these days, although I will attempt smaller jobs myself and have saved a bit doing so. Main dealers are prone to ripping off female car owners even more than blokes, believe me!!:eek:

In the early years, very little "went wrong" and except for normal tyre and fuel running costs, and oil changes every 3000 miles. It used to average up to 22MPG, but then I was doing very long runs every day. In 2007, the EAS started playing up a bit and I had a manual system fitted to inflate manually if I was on a long journey. Its been a great boon to have!!!
Eventually, I had all 4 airbags replaced and the compressor refurbed. No probs since.

In 2007, the aircon condensor was replaced , heater O rings, as well as a height sensor as the car looked a bit lopsided. The thermostat stuck open and there was a brief overheat, so thermostat was replaced.

Late 2007 / early 2008, there was an oil leak which ended up being from one of the heads, so the heads were reskimmed and redone and all hoses replaced at the same time.

Battery drain intervened and after three batteries and one permanently on charge, I changed the RF receiver. Window / sunroof switch panel failed - replaced myelf with a guaranteed used one.

Then, just as I thought I couldn't cope with any more expense from my big lump, the dreaded open book appeared on the HEVAC. The blends were changed, regassed......and......yet another condensor change. :eek:

Now nearly everything is ok - need to strip the passenger door lock as its not responding to c/l, but that's it for now.

Despite the expense and running costs, I love the old girl - she's been with me for years now and we know one another very well. I love driving her, used to all the foibles and tendency to tramline unless the pricey Pirelli Scorpions are inflated to exactly the right level.....:doh:

Lots of visits to the garden centre, diy shops, ikea etc, trips to the tip, towing trailers all sizes, very long country journeys and safe and comfortable commutes in snow, ice, floods and heat, weekend shooting trips and picnics, she's done it all. Hope I can keep her on the road for the forseeable future - I have no desire to change her at this point. 140 000 miles and ticking. :D
 
rangiegal said:
I bought my 1999 p38 RR Vogue 4.6 Special Edition in 2004 after looking for the "right" one for about 6 months (even then there was dross around with these motors!). It was a single owner main dealer maintained vehicle when I bought it with full service history. I resisted the urge to have an LPG conversion done, for which I am now heartily grateful as the savings from the LPG I am sure would long have been spent in sourcing replacement engines!! As a female driver without the strength to do massive engine rebuilds myself, I was anxious to avoid some of the nightmare scenarios that crop up on this forum quite often these days, although I will attempt smaller jobs myself and have saved a bit doing so. Main dealers are prone to ripping off female car owners even more than blokes, believe me!!:eek:

In the early years, very little "went wrong" and except for normal tyre and fuel running costs, and oil changes every 3000 miles. It used to average up to 22MPG, but then I was doing very long runs every day. In 2007, the EAS started playing up a bit and I had a manual system fitted to inflate manually if I was on a long journey. Its been a great boon to have!!!
Eventually, I had all 4 airbags replaced and the compressor refurbed. No probs since.

In 2007, the aircon condensor was replaced , heater O rings, as well as a height sensor as the car looked a bit lopsided. The thermostat stuck open and there was a brief overheat, so thermostat was replaced.

Late 2007 / early 2008, there was an oil leak which ended up being from one of the heads, so the heads were reskimmed and redone and all hoses replaced at the same time.

Battery drain intervened and after three batteries and one permanently on charge, I changed the RF receiver. Window / sunroof switch panel failed - replaced myelf with a guaranteed used one.

Then, just as I thought I couldn't cope with any more expense from my big lump, the dreaded open book appeared on the HEVAC. The blends were changed, regassed......and......yet another condensor change. :eek:

Now nearly everything is ok - need to strip the passenger door lock as its not responding to c/l, but that's it for now.

Despite the expense and running costs, I love the old girl - she's been with me for years now and we know one another very well. I love driving her, used to all the foibles and tendency to tramline unless the pricey Pirelli Scorpions are inflated to exactly the right level.....:doh:

Lots of visits to the garden centre, diy shops, ikea etc, trips to the tip, towing trailers all sizes, very long country journeys and safe and comfortable commutes in snow, ice, floods and heat, weekend shooting trips and picnics, she's done it all. Hope I can keep her on the road for the forseeable future - I have no desire to change her at this point. 140 000 miles and ticking. :D
Click to expand...

hello R G,did that hevac work ok on the beast.;)
 
Nidjet said:
I am so pleased with the Manual 4.0 SE I bought (which the missus drives every weekday and I only get my hands on at the weekend), that I bought a 4.6 HSE Auto (my car) which arrives in the Islands (Falkland) this weekend. Yippeeee I can't wait.

I have found that this forum is full of really knowledgeable people who bend over backwards to help, oh and take the **** something chronic as well. Long may it continue.
Click to expand...

hi,what does the fuel cost/litre over in the falklands,bloody long way to post a p38 isnt it,must have cost a sheckle or two.:eek::eek:;)
 
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