Thanks for the advice folks ,but I can't shag a Disco so I'll keep the wife for now . I have been offered a Blue 1996 autobiography, but here's were I am going to need your help ,the guy was using it up until last year (its in the next road to me ) then he had a problem with the suspension and had tyre valve's fitted, the pump and hoses have been removed but he has kept all the bits,he then moved work and could not afford to run it so it's been standing for months the head lining has sagged and need,s replacing and at the moment the battery is as flat as a witch's tit . Its got six month's MOT no tax and I think it will need tyres. He wants
£500 do I try and charge the battery or put a new one on it on it and give it a run ,or walk away now , how easy is it to refit the air suspension and were is the best place to get a head lining ?.I do miss messing about with my old Discovery .
Stick a decent battery on it, as long as the air bags are still there, refitting a compressor and valve block is simple, but if it has been standing, budget to replace all the suspension air bags...can be done for around £200...island 4x4 is a good place for parts.
Tyres, budget £70-100 each corner for new cheapies....
Headlining is a faff to replace but can be done, check ebizzle or if you want a new one try Exeter Trim....not cheap, but not too bad...
Check to see if it is a genuine Autobiography, it should have a build plate under the bonnet on the slam panel....
Nothing on a P38 is difficult to spanner, it is just the electrical side of things....
There is a golden rule in Range Rover purchasing.... Never, ever buy a Range Rover with a fault unless you are prepared for and appreciate the potential, time, cost and frustration involved in repairing it.
DIY diagnostics are available for the P38 at reasonable cost now-a-days making them a more viable DIY vehicle, but they will keep you on their toes with regards electrical faults.
You can get hold of the EAS diagnostic cable and software from Datatek (Member on here) for around the £20 mark to sort that out.
P38's chassis' don't tend to be badly affected by rust, although the tailgates can be a rust trap, but no where near as bad as Classics and Discos..!!
A P38 is a comfortable drive and you wouldn't want to be without it...but stick around on Landyzone, most problems on the P38 have been well documented and help is always available, as well as constant **** taking and laughing!
Test it out, if the engine and gearbox are sound with no abnormalities, then £500 ain't bad...but be prepared to spend a bit on it to get it up to snuff....
My P38 is a bit rough round the edges, but I use that to haul stuff about as I don't want to ruin the interior on my L322..
