Buying a p38a with problems...?

Hi there, new to land rovers, range rovers in general, I've been looking out for a cheap range rover p38 and came across one recently, which I viewed today, and told the guy I'd have a sleep on, the car has an air bag error and odometer error, the seller told me that the air bag is a common fault and odometer is because the mileage isn't correct! I'm just wondering if those 2 things could be linked and if it's gonna cost me the price of the car again to get repaired? Everything else seems perfect with the car, full service history etc etc, just looking for advice to either give it a miss or buy and repair!

Any help is appreciated

Thanks
Newbie

Airbags are not too bad, £250ish for a full set and you'll probably want to refurb the compressor too.

The odometer thing I believe is that its had either a new instrument pack or new BECM (the car's brain). The milage is stored in both these items and the error means that the values don't match, no idea how you fix it.

Keep looking! if it was a simple quick low cost fix he would of done it already to get max asking price!
No expert on this model myself but check out the probs on these on the forums may put you off
Good luck

Yeah there was no mention of these faults on the advert, give the seller his due he did say it was a trade in and all he had done was tax it, cracking car as well just don't think I have the money for a dealer to do it and experience to tackle it myself

It can be easy or hard I bought my P38 on chance it was a non runner key code lock out and so I got it for a few hundred pound with the help on here I have removed key code lock out fixed gearbox fault and changed all 4 suspension airbags. I'm really into it now And I'm working my way through the car. I knew nothing about car repairs let alone range rovers but its fun.

Your airbag fault does it have SRS light on. If so its impact airbags not suspension airbags. That can be really simple lead or light or something more sinister. But if you want the answers the senior members normally have most if them

I'm pretty positive it's just the the impact airbags as the suspension has been changed to coils as he said it was troublesome! Could this be the fault that the air suspension has been removed? Only thing that puts me off is that airbag faults are an Mot failure as for the odometer I'm not to sure, I plan to run this car until who ever dies first so not interested in re-selling. So mileage being wrong isn't to big a problem to me.

Oh sorry, totally getting my airbags mixed up.

No problems, thanks for your help anyway, it still has 8 months mot, surely plenty time to get to the Bottom of the problem? Maybe...

Goggztait said:

as the suspension has been changed to coils as he said it was troublesome!

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I'd walk personally. One of the best things about the P38 is the air suspension!

Mmmm not totaly writen off but would have to be cheep
how much is he after/what year milage ect...

I'm getting it for 1200, give or take a few pounds! The last stamp in the service book was in 2011 and was stamped at 120,000, clock says 96000 on it just now but I know that's faulty...

Sorry it's an N reg, which I think makes it a 95 model? It's the 4 litre v8

Walk away. There are plenty out there, its not cheap enough with the problems it has.

I bought an R reg P38a this week, with suspension airbag trouble and hot start issues. I will fix them up and will have a nice big motor for winter. I paid a lot less than your one.

Thanks for the advice guys, think I will pass on this one and hopefully something better comes along!

No i just bought a 98 diesel for £1100 with 120k genuine on the clock wich is nowt for a diesel it had no faults other than a rumbling wheel bearing and a few minor diys it has full stamps/resipts untill feb this year and the air springs still fitted and working
If you realy like it offer him no more than £700 cos it could end up costing £400-500 to put right

gfromleeds said:

no i just bought a 98 diesel for £1100 with 120k genuine on the clock wich is nowt for a diesel it had no faults other than a rumbling wheel bearing and a few minor diys it has full stamps/resipts untill feb this year and the air springs still fitted and working
if you realy like it offer him no more than £700 cos it could end up costing £400-500 to put right

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+1

Yeah the guy isn't negotiable on the price, and has just re-advertised on gumtree, listing me a time waster for wanting to "sleep on it" as there was a lot of more serious problems than listed! The joys of buying a used car...

run!

As he's tried to muddy your name I'd walk on that alone. As for the suspension. Depending on what's been removed it can cost a lot more to swap bag to air ride from springs. I was under the impression if a new dash was fitted the mileage will always revert to what the BECM has stored (correct me if I'm wrong). So if it's reading the clock mileage but saying there is a fault maybe the wrong dash has been fitted or there's deeper issues. So I'd keep hunting around. When I was looking for mine I saw perfectly serviceable cars for not much money than his asking. However I did have to travel in the end to get my current one.