Thinking of a P38 - so coming into the lions den!!

Right ho - here goes

Got a freelander at the moment (go on, abuse me), which we will never, ever get rid of (til it breaks again!) but we have been offfered a P38 off a friend for a very low price..

Heres the spec

4.0 HSE auto
94k
Full history
Multipoint LPG conversion 2 years ago, with fresh certificate, and two underslung tanks.
Suspension converted to springs
02 onwards headlights and front Grille
2000 my
Red
Leather interior etc etc..

Been offered it off my mate for £2250

Ive always loved P38's, and this looks the business. He's ownes it for 8 years, and its been very relieable.. No faults, no warning lights etc etc..

Ive always said though that if i ever did get a p38, it would be a diesel..

Im worried about cooling issues on the v8.. Could all you experienced RR bods out there give me an idea on

a) the most common problems on the V8 to look for
b) anyone with a LPG p38 comment on the running costs and any problems with running LPG
c) opinions on weather to get a petrol V8, or get the 2.5 diesel

Cheers

No offence intended but judging from the posts about P38's I think you should seek psychiatric help. These cars were aimed at the very well heeled originally & the fact that many subsequent owners, having bought them cheap, go for LPG conversions tells it's own story. Good luck anyway.

The cheap asking price of the P38 is always the carrot that makes the heart rule the head. "It's so cheap to buy I'll swallow the running costs" But believe me those running costs can spiral out of control. I've just posted my annual fuel bill of over £3000, throw in tax, insurance and a bit of maintenance and its costing me over £100 a week to keep a motor on the road thats covering less than 7000 miles.(And thats without any major issues). Affordability is not just the issue, sometimes spending that sort of cash on what can't be described as a Classic, but saw the production line a long time ago just ****es you off!!

In your favour its on LPG to reduce the fuel bill. Against is the lack of EAS one of the best features on a P38 and I would advise you at least test drive one on EAS as you will find a difference.

They cost an arm and a leg to keep on the road but when they run right they do put a smile on yer face, just a shame the smile is soon wiped off as you pull into another petrol station.

Good luck with it if you decide to go for it.

any range rover is better than a freelander imo

I've got 2 P38`s and I will sell either one for a song. Both are very clean, they never breakdown and cost next to nothing to run. I got mine either end of a fabulous rainbow a couple of years back and they truely are a treasure to own....

Stick with your first thoughts and get e diesel.

Get a petrol, diesels are for defenders and lorries not a gentlemans carridge, besides the bm derv in the Rangie has head and head gasket issues. I will say I would look for one with the eas as this is a big part of the car and when you have such a prestigous car its nice for it to be as it should be.

marmitemania said:

Get a petrol, diesels are for defenders and lorries not a gentlemans carridge, besides the bm derv in the Rangie has head and head gasket issues. I will say I would look for one with the eas as this is a big part of the car and when you have such a prestigous car its nice for it to be as it should be.

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HGF and head failures are mainly associated with the car being allowed to overheat due to other problems. The incidence of failure is much lower than the V8 failures. The diesel is also more economical than the V8 will ever be, even on LPG, mine averages 24mpg brim to brim and close to 30mpg on a run

Datatek said:

HGF and head failures are mainly associated with the car being allowed to overheat due to other problems. The incidence of failure is much lower than the V8 failures. The diesel is also more economical than the V8 will ever be, even on LPG, mine averages 24mpg brim to brim and close to 30mpg on a run

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Well said .

i don't think that's cheap for a car that's had the front end pimped, the suspension stripped and is converted to gas. but then you drive a freelander so we might have different standards.

Thanks for all the comments chaps..

My heart still says if i get one, a 2.5 d will be the one to get.. so after all the comments, i think ill say thanks but no thanks to this 4.0 one ive been offered. It sounds alsothat it MUST have the EAS working to enjoy the full benefit of the RR...

Hope you all have a happy, healthy and successful new year.

And don't forget the V8 engine failures, slipped liners entailing a replacement engine block......

newcyboots said:

Thanks for all the comments chaps..

My heart still says if i get one, a 2.5 d will be the one to get.. so after all the comments, i think ill say thanks but no thanks to this 4.0 one ive been offered. It sounds alsothat it MUST have the EAS working to enjoy the full benefit of the RR...

Hope you all have a happy, healthy and successful new year.

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Happy New Year and best of luck searching for a P38

If you go for the diesel have a good test drive because if it hasn't been chipped/remapped etc you will think there is something wrong with it, there probably isn't, they really are that sssslow Your Gaylander will feel like a Formula 1 racing car in comparison.

The diesel ain't that slow, just need a divers boot on the throttle, it has a long travel before it responds.