Potential P38 Owner

Ok chaps I need to pick your brains. I am considering the purchase of a P38 Range Rover powered by the 2.5 BMW diesel. I have been informed that the BMW engine is a bit underpowered for the vehicle. Most of my driving doesn't require immense power although I do tow a caravan. Will I be ok with the P38 and BMW engine? I currently have a 3.9 V8 Discovery 1.

Erm,

I like the 2.5 BMW lump.

Yes it isn't the fastest on the planet and wont beat GTI's away from the lights, but if given care will do anything you ask of it without a problem.

My last P38 was a DHSE, a great motor. I would recommend getting one of the many options for tuning boxes, this does make a large difference. I now have the 4.6 V8, which is a gerat motor, but there again others may disagree with that statement.

This is only my opinion. Others may differ, but you asked for a voice to speak out.

Good luck chap, the P38 is a great motor as long as you treat with love and care...

P.s - The rarer manual box, does offer better MPG, but the auto box is very smooth and may be better suited to towing needs.

I currently have the V8 petrol and love it. I'm not about to slate the diesel, I've read posts on them here and the opinion is as mixed about them as it is for the V8. The P38 is a great motor that once driven you never want to get out of, each journey is a joy. You need to keep up with the maintenance as with any other vehicle, this avoids a lot of the pitfalls you can read about. Make sure you check everything over thoroughly, service history, electrics, air suspension, cruise control (if fitted) low range, air con, etc. Also, take some time to search the forum, there is a lot of very good info here on the diesel and a lot of happy owners to boot.

Thanks for the replies. Does anyone also know if a chip upgrade affects insurance premiums.

yes





if yu tell the insurance company.

*looks over shoulder*

only if you tell them !

*checks again*

in seriousness, my insurance company didn't care as long as it was not a physical modification to the ECU or car systems, i told them it was for economy, you will find most boxes are plug and play. So easily removed.

And they do often help with the fuel thirst !

I used to have a P38 Diesel with a manual box. I'd never ever ever have another. Belting engine when fitted to a BMW but lacks low down torque and is very easy to stall with the manual box when towing. Lots of revs required when setting off. Very smooth when it's running though. Also the manual box is not the most reliable piece of kit, Mine broke the output shaft pulling out of a junction with nothing on the back (known weak point where a dowel pin goes through). One expensive rebuild later and I still ended up getting a replacement box 2 years further on. Clutch is very heavy too. I now have a 4.6 Vogue which is a totally different (and superior) drive altogether. Over the four years I had the DSE, I only managed to average 22mpg. I get 18 from the 4.6 so, with the price difference of petrol and diesel, why bother with a DSE? The 4.6 is chalk and cheese to the diesel. Personal choice at the end of the day.
Good luck with whatever you buy anyway. They're fabulous vehicles. When they're working.
Regards
Derek Ward

Thanks for the advice Derek. I certainly wouldn't want an engine that struggles when towing. My V8 tows effortlessly so maybe I should just hold on to it and look at an LPG conversion.

My 2.5 DT manual (95) will tow 2.5 tons happily, agreed not the fastest of tow vehicles, but it averages 34 mpg with 5 peeps plus holiday luggage on the motorway, 25 mpg around town and about the same with a 2 ton towed load behind it.

I will admit that it did overheat when I towed 3.25 ton behind it, but the old girl still has her original radiator in and it was a very hot day, theres a new one already purchased waiting to be fitted for that extra bit of cooling/weight when needed.

And yes they do need chipping, about 136 bhp in standard form, chipping takes it up to 162+ bhp approx and adds torque, just deciding myself which way to go "Superchip" or the plug in play box........theres not a lot of difference price wise...

34MPG? Was the engine running? Come on! And 25MPG with 2 tonnes behind? Sorry but no way. Disco TD5's just manage that with nothing on the back and they are more economical than a Rangie. Don't sound as nice though.
The diesel manuals tow OK once they're running but setting off from rest with any weight on the back, especially when you want to get onto a roundabout etc, can be a bit of a problem when you want to do it quickly. And I certainly wouldn't want to set off on a steep hill with any weight behind. Clutch wouldn't last long anyway. Auto's would obviously be better (although whether they're quicker from rest I wouldn't know).
Yer pays yer money and takes yer chance.

Derek, come over I'II show you how to get 34 mpg on a run. I agree there not fast off the line and they are hard to get rolling with a heavy trailer but it can be done.

Have you ever towed a 3 ton trailer behind a 2.25 ltr petrol 2/3 Series Landy let alone the diesel version, now they are slow.

My old 110 V8 HT (1984) used to average 8 mpg with a 2.5 ton trailer behind it and didn't pull that much different from the p38, give me a P38 diesel even with it faults anyday.

The only thing I miss on the P38 is the high/low ratio lever, now't like being able to change the transfer box on the move to make some fine tunes..

i am selling my 1995 P38 2.5 DSE if your interested i need a bigger engine to tow my van . The van is a big one.. i am looking for a 4.0 or 4.6 Range rover or a v8 Disco

Thanks for the offer jeff. However, I also have a big van and so am looking for some power with economy. I'm now leaning towards LPG.