P38A 2.5 diesel- want one but scared!

I'm nearing 60 and I love my 110 to bits but cronky knees and back are taking their toll on me now.
I make biodiesel and I need a more comfy bus to run around in and love landrovers so a P38 diesel seems ideal being veg oil tolerant too.
However, I'm very old skool, never really moved with the times and I've never owned a car with ECU's or anything, my 200tdi 110 is joyously simple in that respect.
I know I'll need a nanocom? From what I've picked up from reading posts and maybe a few other tools too, mechanical stuff doesn't scare me , complicated electronics and auto boxes do even though I've never owned an auto.
Maybe auto P38's are better than manuals? Is there a particular year of P38 where niggles were ironed out or indeed, where they got worse?
I want a real clean one not a project, hoping to keep it that way.
Is there a comprehensive buyer's guide anywhere, I've found vague ones which have just scared me more.

Buy one, you won't regret it!

Come on @Flossie, you know it makes sense and there plenty of us about to ask questions with plenty of answers.
Mines a 1999 but a late one and I looooove it.

Love mine to bits. I wasn't sure about the auto box at first but it's smooth as hell. And after owning an Alfa Romeo for the last decade or so, they're **** easy to work on.

D2206 said:

Buy one, you won't regret it!

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I received a long email notification from you but it's not in this post.
Lots of useful stuff in it though thanks.

Flossie said:

I received a long email notification from you but it's not in this post.
Lots of useful stuff in it though thanks.

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Figured I was telling you what you already knew lol.

Tenebreaux said:

Love mine to bits. I wasn't sure about the auto box at first but it's smooth as hell. And after owning an Alfa Romeo for the last decade or so, they're **** easy to work on.

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Diesel auto or petrol? I do like the idea of an auto beings as it's my left leg that gives me most grief. Are the auto boxes long lived if maintained?

Buy a V8 and be done with it spend you money on petrol, after all the kids will only waste it

J

Flossie said:

Diesel auto or petrol? I do like the idea of an auto beings as it's my left leg that gives me most grief. Are the auto boxes long lived if maintained?

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Mine's a doozel. Wouldn't mind a V8 but I'd have to put the wife on a street corner to run it.

Tenebreaux said:

Mine's a doozel. Wouldn't mind a V8 but I'd have to put the wife on a street corner to run it.

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Petrol must be cheap over there.

D2206 said:

Figured I was telling you what you already knew lol.

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I have read about the leaks into the cabin from the heaters or blend motors whatever they are and the pain to replace involving dash out stuff. I also read posts from up to a couple of years back when they were current posts (so I've been thinking about a 38 for a while!) Useful stuff too like using Audi? Bits to fix leaky matrix's or something, don't recall exactly.
Just had another look at them ont net , lots of petrols not so many diesels and lots on springs which I don't want unless it's easy/cheap to return to bags..
Is there anyone with a 38 closeish to me? Telford, Shropshire.

tomcat59alan said:

Petrol must be cheap over there.

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Cheeky cnut!

Flossie said:

I'm nearing 60 and I love my 110 to bits but cronky knees and back are taking their toll on me now.
I make biodiesel and I need a more comfy bus to run around in and love landrovers so a P38 diesel seems ideal being veg oil tolerant too.
However, I'm very old skool, never really moved with the times and I've never owned a car with ECU's or anything, my 200tdi 110 is joyously simple in that respect.
I know I'll need a nanocom? From what I've picked up from reading posts and maybe a few other tools too, mechanical stuff doesn't scare me , complicated electronics and auto boxes do even though I've never owned an auto.
Maybe auto P38's are better than manuals? Is there a particular year of P38 where niggles were ironed out or indeed, where they got worse?
I want a real clean one not a project, hoping to keep it that way.
Is there a comprehensive buyer's guide anywhere, I've found vague ones which have just scared me more.

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My advice is 'go for it.' I'm starting the 6th year with mine and although there have been a few ups and downs I say that owning a P38 has been a positive experience overall.
Our 2000 MY diesel is our principal vehicle and we still love the imperious driving position and the whole 'gentleman's club' feeling. Thoroughly dignified transport for an OAP like me!
Try to find one from a good home. Poor, low budget maintenance will show up a range of annoying little faults in no time.
TBH, I don't think I would have stuck with it so enthusiastically if not for LZ and a reliable local indy place who understand that my repair skills are strictly old skool!

marjon said:

Buy a V8 and be done with it spend you money on petrol, after all the kids will only waste it

J

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Nope, diesel only for me. Bio costs me 20p a ltr to make , not purchased pump fuel since 2009

Flossie said:

Nope, diesel only for me. Bio costs me 20p a ltr to make , not purchased pump fuel since 2009

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so make it for 20p sell it for 80p and buy petrol or look for an LPG 1.

Oh and your not old ffs

J

marjon said:

so make it for 20p sell it for 80p and buy petrol or look for an LPG 1.

Oh and your not old ffs

J

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Yeah, I know, years of throwing motorbikes up the road and a nasty accident has worn out my spine and joints prematurely
I'm still 23 in my head

Flossie said:

Nope, diesel only for me. Bio costs me 20p a ltr to make , not purchased pump fuel since 2009

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They run well on bio although you may have to reseal the injection pump after a while and change the intake pump and filters but you probable know all that already, i ran mine for a bit on svo and it ran smother and quieter
the auto boxes are good they seam to be better than the new stuff
you will love it, i have had mine 13 years and its not leaving anytime in the foreseeable future especially as i have done a complete brake overhaul and just finished replacing every suspension bush.

Flossie said:

I have read about the leaks into the cabin from the heaters or blend motors whatever they are and the pain to replace involving dash out stuff. I also read posts from up to a couple of years back when they were current posts (so I've been thinking about a 38 for a while!) Useful stuff too like using Audi? Bits to fix leaky matrix's or something, don't recall exactly.
Just had another look at them ont net , lots of petrols not so many diesels and lots on springs which I don't want unless it's easy/cheap to return to bags..
Is there anyone with a 38 closeish to me? Telford, Shropshire.

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Coils to air depends on how much original is left. Mine was absolutely gutted. They even removed the airlines. So I haven't got round to putting it back on air. I am 10 years with my late 99 derv and love it. 260k mines and looks untidy because I got lazy caring for it, but is mechanically stout. Just some niggles that come from running anything as a daily on UK roads.
It is a shame I don't live in Shrewsbury anymore as I'd happily let you take her for a spin. There was at least 10 other P38s when I was in Shrews though, so plenty about.
I would steer clear of a preface lift, as that was before BMW tried to fix what Rover got wrong. Late 99s never got the headlights, but got all of the electrical fixes the facelifted 00s vehicles got.

Bix said:

Coils to air depends on how much original is left. Mine was absolutely gutted. They even removed the airlines. So I haven't got round to putting it back on air. I am 10 years with my late 99 derv and love it. 260k mines and looks untidy because I got lazy caring for it, but is mechanically stout. Just some niggles that come from running anything as a daily on UK roads.
It is a shame I don't live in Shrewsbury anymore as I'd happily let you take her for a spin. There was at least 10 other P38s when I was in Shrews though, so plenty about.
I would steer clear of a preface lift, as that was before BMW tried to fix what Rover got wrong. Late 99s never got the headlights, but got all of the electrical fixes the facelifted 00s vehicles got.

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See! That's something I didn't know!
Facelift around 2000..ta.

@RangeRoller dt has a complete air setup in his shed, iirc.