Range Rover P85 2.5DSE

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Datatek

Datatek

Well-Known Member
Posts
45,023
Location
Near Poitiers SW France
I used to run a Pajero which, foolishly I swapped for an Xtrail, not good! I don't do a lot of off road but I can't get up the road from where I live in winter without a 4 X 4.

Looking at buying a P38 for a bit of luxury in my old age. Got to be a diesel as it's much cheaper than petrol here in France.

Is the P38 really as bad as it appears on this site? To be avoided?? Guidance please. I'm handy with a spanner!

Can anyone give me an idea of on road fuel consumption please.

Thanks.
 
it'd be more sensible to move to the top of the road!

they are very good cars but unfortunately have thier issues!

remember most of us found this site by having a problem with thier p38 thus most of the stuff on here is problems so doesnt represent a true image of the p38
 
hi DATATEK,i run a P38 diesel down here in the south of france,very rugged terrain and pot -holed roads so the perfect vehicle

I get around 24 to the gallon or 11L/100km,so not bad really when you consider you've got a car that can go anywhere and zip you down to Barcelona in true style
 
wot tyres do you have on your X-T. I have found no probs with mine, and my hill is, at the moment just rutted sheets of ice. 2wd vehicles are finding it impossible. I do have GG AT2 tyres and use lock 4wd - but slow and steady and it just crawls straight up.
 
Hi Datatek, I'm of the opinion that the reason the P38 seems to have loads of problems is that most of the peeps here have came to the forum, after buying a P38 that requires fixing or are die hard Land Rover types and now require luxury. Plus are fed up paying main dealers prices and wish to get their hands dirty or just save money.

If you are willing to get your hands dirty and save money then I would also consider purchasing a "Faultmate from Blackbox Solutions expensive I know (about 600 euros) but for single vehicle licence you get a full software program to Analise any faults with your vehicle. Could save your self loads of money in the long run by not having to go to the main dealers.

An alternative program for the air suspension is available for free from here you will have to buy a special cable to connect the computer/laptop to the vehicle at around 30 Euros.

As for fuel I get around 30/33 m.p.g. on a run 22/25 around town out of my diesel.

Buy a vehicle with full service history, yes there are rubbish P38's out there, but search and you can find good vehicles out there, A good place to start is here, a list of common problem that can be had with P38's it is long but they are repairable and fore-armed is fore-warned.

Try asking at a main dealers to see if they have any traded-in P38's for sale quite often they hide older vehicle for sale out the back, you might be lucky and find a P38's that been looked after, no expense spared.

Good Hunting.

Where in France do you live???

I have relations at Gourdon near Sarlat..

hth

zzr
 
Last edited:
Datatek,

I bought my 1996 DSE in 1999.
Since then, I have driven in through most of Europe, SE Asia, and lots of offroad in Australia. I had the opportunity of selling the vehicle in Thailand (for a good profit) but I kept it and shipped it to Aus.

Over here in Aus, the diesel variant is unique. As far as I know, Im the only one over here with one. Im very handy also with a spanner, and if you are and are prepared to learn a bit of its idiosyncracies, then you will have a fine vehicle.
 
Mad Hat Man

I had Brigestone Dueller tyres on my Xtrail. the Xtrail was good in 4wd mode just so bl***dy fragile turbo, intercooler plastics useless handbrake, design fault according to the dealer, unfixable! and the factory "Birdview" GPS was totally useless, spent most my time off road if it was to be believed!! Actually on the A28 etc.

What my wife called a girls car
 
Hi ZZR 1200 is that a Kwak? I have an FJR 1300. Too old for the out & out sports bikes now.

Thanks for the info, very helpful. A P38 it will be. Hopefully a left hooker but not too bothered.

I live near Poitiers SW France.

Thanks again.
 
Datatek said:
Mad Hat Man

I had Brigestone Dueller tyres on my Xtrail. the Xtrail was good in 4wd mode just so bl***dy fragile turbo, intercooler plastics useless handbrake, design fault according to the dealer, unfixable! and the factory "Birdview" GPS was totally useless, spent most my time off road if it was to be believed!! Actually on the A28 etc.

What my wife called a girls car
Click to expand...

cant comment on the sat nav - mine is a petrol. Yup - the turbos are known to injest themselves - never get a doozil X-T (too late). The handbrake is a bit like a landrover handbrake - it is really only a parking brake as the shoes are mounted inside the disc brake hub, therefore very small and by default very inefficient - but they do work - yu just need the pull the handbrake up to the roof;).
 
zzr1200 said:
Hi Datatek, I'm of the opinion that the reason the P38 seems to have loads of problems is that most of the peeps here have came to the forum, after buying a P38 that requires fixing or are die hard Land Rover types and now require luxury. Plus are fed up paying main dealers prices and wish to get their hands dirty or just save money.

If you are willing to get your hands dirty and save money then I would also consider purchasing a "Faultmate from Blackbox Solutions expensive I know (about 600 euros) but for single vehicle licence you get a full software program to Analise any faults with your vehicle. Could save your self loads of money in the long run by not having to go to the main dealers.

An alternative program for the air suspension is available for free from here you will have to buy a special cable to connect the computer/laptop to the vehicle at around 30 Euros.

As for fuel I get around 30/33 m.p.g. on a run 22/25 around town out of my diesel.

Buy a vehicle with full service history, yes there are rubbish P38's out there, but search and you can find good vehicles out there, A good place to start is here, a list of common problem that can be had with P38's it is long but they are repairable and fore-armed is fore-warned.

Try asking at a main dealers to see if they have any traded-in P38's for sale quite often they hide older vehicle for sale out the back, you might be lucky and find a P38's that been looked after, no expense spared.

Good Hunting.

Where in France do you live???

I have relations at Gourdon near Sarlat..

hth

zzr
Click to expand...

Datatek said:
Hi ZZR 1200 is that a Kwak? I have an FJR 1300. Too old for the out & out sports bikes now.

Thanks for the info, very helpful. A P38 it will be. Hopefully a left hooker but not too bothered.

I live near Poitiers SW France.

Thanks again.
Click to expand...
40mins north of Bordeaux! Small world.:cool:
 
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