P38 v L322 costs and ease of maint'

Hi Guys.

Just thought I'd post the work done in the last 10mths to revive my p38.

I know there is much discussion regarding costs of P38 v L322 and as the L322 is no more reliable it would be interesting to see the cost difference if I had purchased an L322 and took on the same work.
Here we go.

Disks and Pads (mintex)
Brake pipes all round
Arnott air springs x4
EAS Compressor
4x tyres
Engine fluids and filter change
new drive belts
water pump
thermostat (modified)
Datatek aircon fan mod (great)
removed viscous fan
Air con condenser
Aircon clean and recharge
Windscreen
Exhaust (not downpipe and cat)
front door locks
Transmission cooler change and new fluid
Transmission cooler pipes
Waxoil
Washer bottle changed (ebay)
Wiper arms and blade all round
Engine mounts

Just one front L322 airspring would cost as much or more as your set of Arnotts.

Open a can of worms now !!

The l322 is more reliable then the p38, most people are just jealous of L322's and say there just as bad

Yes l322 parts are more expensive
But it's like comparing Audi parts as imposed to vauxhall parts ! Of course it will cost more because it's a better car

Bring on the lovely comments

Mechanical Parts Prices are fairly comparable with the P38 - I have just bought front and rear pads, Wear Sensors & Fitting Springs the lot came to just over £103....

The electrical items though are quite a bit more - Alternator is £400+ for example...

As for spannering - if you are willing to read the manuals and work carefully and methodically, the L322 is fine, just things are bigger, heavier and in some cases over engineered (read more to go wrong!!).

The L322 doesn't take to kindly to the typical P38 adjustment tool (4lb Hammer) but owner maintenance isn't to onerous....

P 38 Thor ignition coil £70 each 2 required.
L322 ignition coil £70 each 8 required.

Shall I mention the auto box oil ?

rewmer said:

P 38 Thor ignition coil £70 each 2 required.
L322 ignition coil £70 each 8 required.

Shall I mention the auto box oil ?

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What about the oil ? Lol

2.0_hippo said:

Open a can of worms now !!

The l322 is more reliable then the p38, most people are just jealous of L322's and say there just as bad

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L322 have plenty of very expensive problems, let us wait until L322s are 15+ years old and then judge relative reliability. I'm sure there are many people on here who can afford a L322 but don't want one - myself included.

2.0_hippo said:

Yes l322 parts are more expensive
But it's like comparing Audi parts as imposed to vauxhall parts ! Of course it will cost more because it's a better car

Click to expand...

We are not comparing an Audi with a Vauxhall, we are comparing a Range Rover with a Range Rover.

StuckAgainSteve said:

L322 have plenty of very expensive problems, let us wait until L322s are 15+ years old and then judge relative reliability. I'm sure there are many people on here who can afford a L322 but don't want one - myself included.



We are not comparing an Audi with a Vauxhall, we are comparing a Range Rover with a Range Rover.

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And there's no comparison
A different league all together lol

2.0_hippo said:

And there's no comparison
A different league all together lol

Click to expand...

L322s are more car like to drive - great if that's what you want. Many people happily spend £20K+ on a Defender, noisy, hard-riding boxes to many people - you could get a really nice L322 for the money - guess what? Some people prefer Defenders. Automatically assuming anyone who hasn't got a L322 is jealous smacks of snobbery. I could buy five new ones cash tomorrow - I don't want one - do you get it? So pack up your snobbery and accept the fact that not everyone defines their worth in the world by the value of their vehicle. Both are very nice cars, I prefer the restrained classiness of the P38 - I don't like bling. The richest person I know drives around in a battered old Granada Scorpio - he is worth over £100m and I like him all the more for that fact.

Back to the point many of the items on the list at the top of the thread are items you'd expect to replace as a matter of course (it's called servicing a car), the rest are items you'd expect to replace on an old car. It's undoubtedly cheaper to buy and maintain a P38 if money is the over-riding concern, got a good L322? - great. There are good P38s out there too - like mine which have been very reliable needing no more than fluids and the odd bit of TLC. If comfort is the #1 priority - buy a Jag - it is far more comfortable and reliable than a L322 - cheaper too.

Yes there are plenty other cars out there better than any range rovers
But why do we still buy range rovers even though we know there troublesome
No one knows
We just love them

I like my p38. Had it six years, was thinking about a L322 last year. But the old saying my Dad once told me. I could buy a new car for 20k or I could have 15k cash in my hand and my p38.
Started stripping the top end on mine today. May need a new block, I will find out tomorrow when I pull of the heads. The thing is, I would buy a bock and build up an engine. Just because I quite enjoy working in it.

Saint.V8 said:

Mechanical Parts Prices are fairly comparable with the P38 - I have just bought front and rear pads, Wear Sensors & Fitting Springs the lot came to just over £103....

The electrical items though are quite a bit more - Alternator is £400+ for example...

As for spannering - if you are willing to read the manuals and work carefully and methodically, the L322 is fine, just things are bigger, heavier and in some cases over engineered (read more to go wrong!!).

The L322 doesn't take to kindly to the typical P38 adjustment tool (4lb Hammer) but owner maintenance isn't to onerous....

Click to expand...

only a 4lb hammer i had to use my sledge hammer for routine servicing

Personally I love my p38 my father in law has a sport supercharger even tho it is nice to look and and drives well I much prefer the classy looks of the p38 less bling cheaper to run service etc it has a soft spot in my heart and I dnt think another range rover could replace it yes they aren't reliable I enjoy working on it! My father in law cringes wen it goes wrong!! I would two.

We are both alike I like mine he likes his and everyone is different it what u prefer and asking as it meets your needs who cares how much money you have

I've had both my p38 was a lovely car and had all the normal faults, the L322 broke me, 4k gearbox goes around 90'000 miles , turbo went 2k to fit new one then 2 fuel pumps went with 3 injectors. 2k to put right all this in 6 months....... If you have a deep pocket it's a stunning car to drive and own but the p38 easier on the pocket and to fix your self....... I would have another l322 tomorrow if I could.

steveh said:

I've had both my p38 was a lovely car and had all the normal faults, the L322 broke me, 4k gearbox goes around 90'000 miles , turbo went 2k to fit new one then 2 fuel pumps went with 3 injectors. 2k to put right all this in 6 months....... If you have a deep pocket it's a stunning car to drive and own but the p38 easier on the pocket and to fix your self....... I would have another l322 tomorrow if I could.

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You was unlucky with your l322

There are good one out there lol somewhere

2.0_hippo said:

What about the oil ? Lol

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What about the oil? lol

Gazza36 said:

What about the oil? lol

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Think he was groaning about the cost of the autobox oil.

Very cheap infancy if bought from the right place and not from Landrover lol