Hi forum,I'm wanting to start 4x4 driving(green lane)as soon as possible,I'm dead set on a P38 but not sure of year or engine size to go for?reliability is my biggest concern followed by budget(I'd like to spend £1000-£3000 on something with tax and m.o.t),I don't want to spend to much on my first vehicle as I want to trial 4x4 driving first.I'm looking at P38's around the £3000 price mark on eBay but not sure if I'm taking a risk buying from there even if I do know what engine to go for,any advice would be greatly appreciated with regards to buying and starting out in 4x4 driving,thanks,Mark.
P38 BUYING ADVICE FOR 4x4 BEGINNER
- Thread starter Brasser
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4.6s are the biggest engines but are more prone to engine problems,slipped liners,cracked blocks etc, also the least efficient but the most powerful.
4 litre not as prone to the problems as the 4.6 but has been known to happen,MPG not much better and a little less power, I've not noticed it much though.
Both are Rover V8s.
2.5 diesel is a BMW engine, gets 20s MPG but is underpowered for the Rangie in my opinion and has had a few issues too.
Common problems on them are, air suspension HEVAC systems and obviously the engine issues mentioned above which are often caused by cooling system issues on the V8s.
I've not had a P38 my brother did for a while and it didn't suffer the slipped liner problem but had various niggles, the air suspension went wrong but I remember it not being too pricey.I drove it a fair bit and it was a nice car but every time I got in it I used to be in fear of the dreaded 3 beeps from the computer.
A P38 isn't a car I would reccomend if you want to run one on a budget.
Have you considered a Disco instead?.
4 litre not as prone to the problems as the 4.6 but has been known to happen,MPG not much better and a little less power, I've not noticed it much though.
Both are Rover V8s.
2.5 diesel is a BMW engine, gets 20s MPG but is underpowered for the Rangie in my opinion and has had a few issues too.
Common problems on them are, air suspension HEVAC systems and obviously the engine issues mentioned above which are often caused by cooling system issues on the V8s.
I've not had a P38 my brother did for a while and it didn't suffer the slipped liner problem but had various niggles, the air suspension went wrong but I remember it not being too pricey.I drove it a fair bit and it was a nice car but every time I got in it I used to be in fear of the dreaded 3 beeps from the computer.
A P38 isn't a car I would reccomend if you want to run one on a budget.
Have you considered a Disco instead?.
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I still want to drive something that I perceive as an everyday vehicle that blends in so I'm not tempted by the Disco though from what I've read I'm aware it's up to the job a little more than a P38.it's not so much a budget with regards to running costs that I'm wary of but more the initial cost of the vehicle,if I decide 4x4 driving is not for me then I don't mind loosing a few hundred quid rather than a few thousand when I sell it on(I've never had much luck with reselling),just to get something thats running right for a few lane runs would be enough.from what you've said I think my first choice so far would be a 2.5 D (chipped for more power if I felt I needed it) or the 4.0 rover (expertly checked).would the standard road tyres be ok for someone starting out and is their really not a particular model or year P38 that stands out as one of the better ones or is it just pot luck?also if you where after a good P38 where would you look?
j the range
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look at the for sale page on here, try and take somebody with you. there is so much to look at on a p38, good luck in your search, and welcome..
nathan5346
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A p38 for a 1st 4x4 may well just put you off for life 
j the range
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it will if he gets a bad one..
bobbler
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if you just want to try green laning and run it every day why not look at a disco. P38s can be great cars but when they go wrong they can cost quite a bit to put right.
a disco can be had from around £500+ and although quite basic (sometimes a good thing ) still has decent on road manners while being more than capable for what you want to do.
a disco can be had from around £500+ and although quite basic (sometimes a good thing
) still has decent on road manners while being more than capable for what you want to do.To be fair an ES Disco is pretty much as well speced as a DSE P38.From what I know the later you buy, the better I believe they went from Lucas to Bosch electrics which are generally better about 1998?, someone with more experience with them will be more helpful on this I'm sure.
My advice would be buy as late as you can, check through its service history to make sure its had the common problems sorted and spend a little more and get a decent example rather than try and save on purchase price and buy a dog.
I still think a Disco would be a better first 4x4,or(I'm sure people on here will tell me off for this one) but I would consider a Landcruiser 80 too.
wiltshire landyman
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j the range
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hahaha i may be bring some **** on myself here, mine is a good one. well it has been this week..lol:doh:do they do a good one then
a p38 will empty yr wallet pretty damm quick
bushmanpm
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just as a different thought, rather than go through all the agro of buying, insuring, taxing & mot-ing a car, only to discover its not for you (which i doubt!) and then having all the agro of selling if you dont like it, have you thought about an off-road instruction day or some kind of vehicle hire? or possibly speak to local lane'ers and blag a lift (offer plenty of fuel/alcohol/pasties as an incentive!)
it is a gas, even though its mostly at slow speeds!
it is a gas, even though its mostly at slow speeds!
bushmanpm
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same here, except one air bellow, the anti-interference thingymybobby for the rcl and general wear & tear, mine's bin good as gold for 3 years & is a 96 4.6/lpg
Thanks for the advice forum but even though I know very little of the P38 I think its had an unfair bashing,from what people have said here and various other sources the P38 must be the most unreliable vehicle in the world,anyway,tonight armed with what little I've learned I purchased a metallic grey P38 1999 2.5 DSE,130,000 miles with spring conversion for £2700,it has only 3 months m.o.t and is from Northern Ireland,I checked that everything works which took some time and all was well apart from the aircon does not blow cold(hopefully just needs a recharge),the lcd display for the heater controls do not illuminate(I'm told it's just a bulb) and the stereo is apparently not working due to a code issue,overall the interior is good and the exterior is very good with no rust or knocks.I looked underneath and everything was clearly dry,the engine bay was tidy and represented lower mileage but I was warned about a start issue regarding starting it with the right amount of throttle when turning the key,if started without a little throttle it takes longer to fire up,I'm not too worried about that as I have a friend who's a BMW specialist so I'm hoping he can diagnose the problem.on the test drive I was amazed at the acceleration as it really moves,it is certainly at least chipped,I drive a 280 bhp Audi and that does take off so I'm used to power.on the test drive the gearbox did exactly as it should and as it was told with kick down and so on,the general drive was solid with no knocks or noises though the front end seems really boaty.last week I test drove two 2002 crd cherokees and none of them felt as nice as this,in fact far worse.after driving it home 35 miles the fuel gauge didn't seem to move.I know for sure tomorrow when I get stuck into it I'm going find more little niggles and I wouldn't be surprised if an expensive repair is hiding in there somewhere as I know I got a good price on seemingly rogue reputation vehicle,it's a real good looking vehicle and the guy was shocked when I told him what I wanted it for as clearly it's never been off road,anyway,hope I'm not back here tomorrow requesting info on anything too major with egg on my face.
storm99
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Please learn to use paragraphs...i cant even be arsed to read the above..it looks like ants on a black pudding.
For a Scandinavian your attitude stinks,you're obviously a Tw@t,keyboard warrior or you don't have much going for you so you rub people up the wrong way to get a reaction to occupy your tiny mind.while my grammar isn't the best I feel I never fail to be clear and polite,I'm not here typing columns for a newspaper,I'm just here for friendly advice regarding Range Rovers so I fail to see your point.maybe I'll learn to use paragraphs when you learn some manners you worm,keep your presence on this site away from mine or even better try using a site among your own countrymen.
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ohh a ban I think your a
http://enjoylust.com/blogs/bo/boimages/wife_****ing_hard_cock.jpg
I didn't understand your words or why you sent porn with your quote?
storm99
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Well 'city boy' as you describe yourself, firstly i'm not Scandinavian.
Secondly, you will get a lot more advice and comments if you write in a manner which is concise and easy to read. There are thousands of posts on here every day so my best advice is 'keep it simple, stupid'.
Your method of posting and your reply show a total lack of respect for those from whom you seek a reply. If you can't be bothered to formulate a legible question, why do you expect people to reply in any other fashion?
As for 'keep your presence on this site away from mine'...who the fk do you think you are Mr 5 posts? What advice have you given? Or are you just another nooby that uses the forum for their own needs and gives nothing back? Do you really think your type hasn't been seen here before?'
See, I wrote all that without any insults at all...how polite of me.
I suggest you look around the forum and get a feel for the general manner in which humour and banter are mixed with excellent advice before you spit your dummy again, otherwise you are going to be very busy indeed mis-identifying peoples nationality and motives.
everyone else has been friendly giving me advice and private messages offering me vehicles and so on apart from you and your West Country barn dancing yes man friend Fanatic.I see why people prefer to PM when theirs jumped up Dandy boy's like you waiting to ridicule peoples post's for no good reason.who do I think I am with 5 post's and what advice have I given?nothing and none,I'm new to 4x4 driving so I have nothing to offer that's why this post is in the newbie section you stain.I guess you think because you've got more than 5 posts you've got the right to look down on newbies or people who don't type in a way you like,easy pickings,you must be busy ticking people off because as far as I can see almost everybody else is typing very much the same way as me,you need to get real but then I'm sure you're fully aware you can only get away with your cheek hiding behind a computer,I've seen your profile photo's chap and I know you don't run around in real life giving it stacks like you do in this forum,it's clear to see you're not the confrontational outspoken type(not in real life anyway)even if we are from the same country trust me when I say we are very different men,I sit in concrete boxes for people like you.just do as you would in real life and walk away.
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Fanatic - you git - I scrolled down to your post with the 'arty' photo in it just as my Boss walked past - I've just had to explain why I'm looking at P0rn on a work pc in work time.... Cheers Dude! :laugh: :laugh:
Brasser - please consider using paragraphs and possibly think before you post. Most people on here (including Fanatic and Storm) are incredibly helpful and will bend over backwards to assist if they can - getting lairy isn't going to help and I guarantee with a P38 you are going to need help - lots of it....
I wouldn't have bought a P38 purely for offroading - far too much to go wrong (although having a coil converted one is I suppose one less thing to go wrong) - but it is your choice!
Brasser - please consider using paragraphs and possibly think before you post. Most people on here (including Fanatic and Storm) are incredibly helpful and will bend over backwards to assist if they can - getting lairy isn't going to help and I guarantee with a P38 you are going to need help - lots of it....
I wouldn't have bought a P38 purely for offroading - far too much to go wrong (although having a coil converted one is I suppose one less thing to go wrong) - but it is your choice!
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