P38 or Classic

Hey all,
I've managed to get my hands on 2 range rovers and wondering which to keep...first is a rr classic 3.5 efi 1988 and the other is a 4.0 se 1996 p38 with coil suspension...the chosen vehicle will be used for touring and offroading (about a 50/50 split) so in either case i will raise it, change the tyres etc etc...
i guess my preference is towards the newer one but worried about all the ecu problems ...what say you all? any info is very appreciated

classic.Bits for offroading are easier to get, guards etc.

i have both models there are fors and against,s the classic does just what it sez on the tin,,the p38 is a pain in the a --e sometimes but when it runs troublefree oooooooo boy its superb if its runnin i never use the classic till needed you get into it and wonder what the hell,s wrong then you realise its ok its got square wheels compared to the p38 .............yer pays yer money an yer takes yer choice buddy...........goony,s right tho more stuff available for the classic an cheaper anorl there,s some bargains outhere best o luck mate ....dave

hmm...food for thought...i've read up on some of the 4.0 probs (though it seems not as troublesome as the 4.6) and my plan is to go to mongolia so the simpler the better i suppose...prob stick with the classic as i've read some horror stories about the 4.0 computers....

Hi.

Used to own a 38... but it dissapeared and i then ran a stage 1 v8 109 for a while whilst sorting my life out and loved the simplicity......plumped for a 94 soft dash classic...thought about changing it for another 38 after my brother (Skirrab) bought one but but am constantly put off by the memories of cold mornings when the heater motors packed up, not coming off the bumps stops....sorted in your case...new engine from rpi, balancing and vibration problems, lpg nightmare.........but when it went right, which it did for 50,000 odd miles when i first bought it (Sold it with 232,000 miles on clock, ex police car) it was great.
Have put what equates to 4 inch lift on the classic as it was factory lowered, seemed to be a mangement special order apparently. It is currently being unrusted at the welding shop and i have just got (literally) some nice alloys (or alli's if we're nerding!) off ebay for it...

Classic is much easier to customise for off-roading due to availability of bits. Plus the Classic has a 100in wheelbase and the P38 108in.

yep...i'm sold on sticking with the classic...i'll prob stick a single point lpg on her to sustain the economics and give her a proper service...one good thing is that there is no rust underneath and very little on the body itself (just a couple of spots on the bonnet etc)..will post some pics once shes good to go thanks for your comments!

bonnet, tail gate are steel, pretty much everything else is alloy.You'll know when it rusts!

goonarmy said:

bonnet, tail gate are steel, pretty much everything else is alloy.You'll know when it rusts!

Click to expand...

Yeah. The bits fall off :hysterically_laughi

Go for the classic!! The old 3.5efi is simple when it comes to electrics (only one ECU) & has the strongest block of any Rover V8. Pre Oct '88 they didn't have that bloody silly VCU in the transmission either. The only downside is possible rampant corrosion, compared to the P38 which is (so I understand) much better protected. If you've got £ to throw at a classic then spend it on protecting/repairing the structure & bodyshell before adding expensive accessories. Good examples are getting like rocking- horse droppings.