your opinions of the p38 RR handling

mystic.bertie · Jul 5, 2009

SpudH said:
Couple of things:
I'm nearly sure the 19" wheels use spacers to make them fit and this can lead to unusual handling qualities even though the lower profile tyres should in theory help. I believe as previously posted 18"s with Pirelli Scorpions appears to be the best handling combination.

If the MOT is anything like our DOE test (which I'm almost sure will have used the MOT as a template) it will not necessarliy identify bad shock absorbers. The pass/fail is based on discrepancy across an axle, If both shocks are equally bad it will pass whereas 1 good 1 bad on an axle will garner a fail. Over here 4 equally bad shocks will pass a DOE test. Fitting high quality gas shocks such as Bilstein or Koni will revolutionise the roll qualities of your RR.

As previously posted running at motorway height permanently should reduce roll also. If you have plenty money putting Arnott Gen III airbags under should stiffen it further.

Another rarely mentioned aspect to RR ownership (and indeed any permanent 4 wheel drive jeep I've driven) is how you actually drive the vehicle. You have to power these cars through a bend or they understeer and roll appallingly. Get your braking done before you turn in and when you get back on the power you will feel the car stiffen up and tighten its line. If you drive it like a front wheel drive car it will not thank you.

i have been under the front and nothing looks amiss, i dont have anyone to bounce the car or shake the steering so i was not able to test very well for now. The shocks look as though they would be easy to change is this the case and how much are a set of 4. ?

i will try assessing how i drive it through corners, i may be cruising round corners instaed of having the power on.

i dont know if there is spacers fitted, do you mean spigot rings due to the bore and hub sizes being different ?

gtland · Jul 5, 2009

At least you know the anti-roll bar ain`t hanging off! Shockers about £15 - £65 each. I had a leaking shocker so replaced the lot. Guessed with 150k kliks the others weren`t far behind. I went for Britpart super cellular. Noticably firmer now. They`ve been on 2yrs now with no probs. Should hope so too. Don`t want to change `em every week. They`re mid-price. Koni & Bilsten do have very high reputations but are about twice the price... up to you. Basically a nuts `n` bolts job. Shouldn`t have to play with the eas etc. Have you checked out the link on this site to down load RAVE? good bed time reading. Also since you new to the p38 may I suggest checking out some other threads about EAS faults & getting cabling & software before you really need it. Storey Wilson`s videos etc are a true education!

djorgensen · Jul 5, 2009

Get one of the EAS leads from ebay

and configure the EAS to be lower in the motorway mode. It will wont roll as much as its already low. You will be suprised how long you can make it go before you're hitting the bump stops

gtland · Jul 5, 2009

P.S. As you are new to the P38 make sure you have the EAK code for it. Learn from this fool: as I never had mine (and never knew what one was) I had a very inconvenient week with my own car pushed to one side, and had to ride my motorbike to work.

mystic.bertie · Jul 6, 2009

thanks guys ill try and get the software and lead as it will be very handy

i drove 130 miles today and i loved driving the rangie (apart for corners and roundabouts) i would like to get the handling stiffer and as shocks are not that expesive i might try this first to see if it makes a big improvement, gtland did i see you fitted new shocks by britland, how did you find the rangie handled after fitting these shocks ?

the only suspension issue i think i have is steering shake going over a very uneven road and today i noticed it juddered when braking over a rough road although the steering is great on normal roads

gtland · Jul 11, 2009

HI. Sorry to be late getting back to you, but no time to get on net during working week. I have the Britpart Super Cellular shockers fitted for coupla years now. They are noticably stiffer than standard. Less roll on corners but less comfort on bumpy roads.. you pays your money `n` makes your choice... If you can afford it source some good adjustables. Adjust for a smoother ride with your mum in the passenger seat cruising main roads, and get under it and tweak them up for pushing on a bit on twisty lanes. Or do what most do and leave them in a compromise position depending what type of use is normal for you. Hope you`ve had luck contacting another P38 owner nearer you than I am. Trying swopping cars for a few miles can highlight faults that can sneak up on us as we become accustomed and make allowances for our own cars faults.

kernowdragon · Jul 12, 2009

Yeah SpudH is right wheel spacers (spigot rings) must be fitted with the new RR wheels otherwise you'll introduce a whole load of problems which won't help the handling any, and may still be there to some degree even with them according to some owners.

I'd check these are fitted first, as putting some in if they're missing is easiest and cheapest and will give you a more realistic starting point for working on any other issues.

Although I don't have experience of running anything bigger, the 18"s seem fine onroad, and I have a set of 16"s for offroad, which can be a tad bouncy onroad. The P38's handling is certainly way better than most 4x4's when working as it should, the G-Wagon was horrible to the point you wished they'd fitted grab handles on the drivers side!

your opinions of the p38 RR handling

mystic.bertie

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gtland

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djorgensen

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gtland

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mystic.bertie

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gtland

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kernowdragon

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