P38 2.5 DSE Manual v Classic 300TDi/200TDi Manual

stutab · Apr 21, 2013

Hi all,

Opinion needed please.

I currently drive a 2.0i focus and getting 28mpg. I hate the car and want a better everyday car.

The two cars I am looking at is a 300tdi soft dash classic manual (if I can find one) or a P38 DSE manual.

I have found a 99 P38 DSE for sale for £3k, milage unknown atm. I have searched on hear and found the horror stories and a thread with the MPG which was good.

I know what to expect with the classic but other than air suspension problems and age related stuff not with the P38 so I am asking all you owners out there to give me your opinion. I don't want V8 LPG before everybody says get one instead.

This has to be my reliable everyday car for work that I can fix easily.

tridentbus · Apr 21, 2013

hello and welcome to the wonderfull world of the green oval .

ok i ll try and help last of the classics soft dash getting to be like hens teeth ... and people no it hence the price,nice drive but comfry and good engines ,just have to check and double check foe the rust rear end floor.sills etc ...
the later dse p38 s anit that bad finding a good one is the fun part get one and ya laughing ok miles to a gallon not as good as a eurobox but hey who cares ya can look over walls all day ...
i got a 4.6 hse ltd edition on gas use it every day never had a problem

,wouldnt go back to a euro box ever noooooooo.. air suspen all good .advice check check and recheck find the best you can afford theys lots around and you will smiling all day long ...hope i helped ... oh and get a nice colour ... blacks,blues,reds... or sliver .. good luck

Saint.V8 · Apr 21, 2013

I'd go for a P38....I love Classics, but as a daily driver, the P38 will be the better option!

stutab · Apr 21, 2013

tridentbus said:
hello and welcome to the wonderfull world of the green oval .
ok i ll try and help last of the classics soft dash getting to be like hens teeth ... and people no it hence the price,nice drive but comfry and good engines ,just have to check and double check foe the rust rear end floor.sills etc ...
the later dse p38 s anit that bad finding a good one is the fun part get one and ya laughing ok miles to a gallon not as good as a eurobox but hey who cares ya can look over walls all day ...
i got a 4.6 hse ltd edition on gas use it every day never had a problem ,wouldnt go back to a euro box ever noooooooo.. air suspen all good .advice check check and recheck find the best you can afford theys lots around and you will smiling all day long ...hope i helped ... oh and get a nice colour ... blacks,blues,reds... or sliver .. good luck

Cheers for the advice. I am rebuilding a 84 classic V8 so know all about the body rust. Look at the link below and for an eye opening rebuild

I have seen a nice light gold local to me on the web and e-mailed them.

Fuel wise I had a Fortrak and a shogun sport previously so know what to expect.

What do I check for on a forecourt?

chort · Apr 21, 2013

check that every button on the dash does what it is supposed to do a few times, especially the low range button (the motors are known to get stuck and fry the ECU). Check the service record, check the airbags for wear visually and the compressor strength by lowering and rising the car twice. Other than that, it's the usual stuff. Prefer mechanically sound cars to lookers. If you have the option, rise one of the front wheels of the ground and try to rotate front wheel slowly. It will take some force, but it should turn slowly, if not, viscous coupling is gone.

P38 2.5 DSE Manual v Classic 300TDi/200TDi Manual

stutab

Well-Known Member

tridentbus

New Member

Saint.V8

Dyed-in-the-wool 100% RR Junkie

stutab

Well-Known Member

chort

Active Member

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