p38 v's disco2

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bucks4x4

Member
Posts
48
Location
sheffield
Hi everyone i'm thinking of coming back into landrover ownership
In the past i've owned a classic range rover .disco 200 and 300 and also td5
i'm now looking at either disco2 or a p38
I'm fancying a v8 with lpg fitted for the sound but also could go diesel but i don't know what diesel engine is fitted in the p38 when they say bmw engine is it the td5 ?
What are your thoughts please p.s i don't want it for offroading just towing cheers peeps
 
I believe it’s the 2.5 BMW diesel, different to the Td5. It was more suited to the BMW saloon and not the Range Rover.

Just wondering whether a Cummins diesel would fit the Range Rover? That would be a great conversion!:cool:
 
2.5 straight six from BMW in the 38.
Discos rust, p38's generally don't.
P38'S have lots of electrical stuff that can go wrong, discos, not so much.
Rear chassis rot on the disco is what kills them.
P38'S can run biodiesel or even veg oil.
I've recently got one but haven't driven it yet, it's a fixer upper, so no idea how good/bad they are at towing.
 
What's Gems ?
I keep seeing p38 Gems v8 (I'm clueless when it comes to v8's but love the sound so might be tempted v8 with Lpg but do i go disco or p38 I have a nanocom for disco td5 which i could get codes and lead for p38
 
What's Gems ?
I keep seeing p38 Gems v8 (I'm clueless when it comes to v8's but love the sound so might be tempted v8 with Lpg but do i go disco or p38 I have a nanocom for disco td5 which i could get codes and lead for p38

If you look under the bonnet and see a big box its Gems, If you see a bunch of Banana's its a Thor. but dont worry, Not sure they fitted Thor to D2 (never looked) Same basic engine so don't worry. Its only an engine control system name really;)
Yes there are pitfalls with the V8 but also with the diesel, Its getting a goodun in the first place, that's the problem;)
TBH with the rust issues of a Disco, I would take the P38 for what you want, pretty much the same running gear (not identical) A bit more electrickery with the P38 but all can be dealt with here.

J
 
GEMS= Generic Engine Management System
The software in the Engine Control Unit/Module that runs the engine electronics. Later P38s from 99, I think, use the BMW engine management software used in their 7 series sedans. This is a Bosch system and I believe is considered to be better than GEMS. Engines with this system are commonly referred to as Thor engines for some reason I don't recall. At some point the P38 only came with the 4.6L engine with Bosch system.
 
P38's take a little more love and attention than a D2 but have a far smoother drive as a result, especially if still on air. Regarding the P38, the diesel is a little slow especially in auto form but is a totally different horse with the manual box. They respond well to an End Tuning chip and a decat though. Not much difference between the GEMS or THOR engines though, GEMS is a little more powerful but thats about it. I'd say go for a P38, but make sure you buy a good one, if you buy a ropey example it will give you lots of issues.
 
Td5 manuals tune up nicely for towing, but most D2s have no difflock. P38 at least has a viscous coupler one. I got a D2 only because of 7 seats. Otherwise i think id have got a p38
 
Hmm
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In terms of driving smoothness and power the P38 has the D2 beat in almost every respect, comfort, and power so long as the P38 is still on air

I'd also say the P38 diesel is actually slightly quicker and better at towing compared to the TD5 due to its more sensible stall on the converter, the TD5 Auto is almost always operating outside of its powerband.

Yes the P38 is slightly more complex electrically but to be honest the reward is a lack of rust, the P38's don't really rust whereas the D2 tends to turn to dust.

BUT!

They're both great motors ;)

Best drive a few and find out yourself ;)
 
P38 is M51 BMW TD6 (256T) although you can find ones with all sorts of engines jammed in there like later L322 engines or Mercedes. That comes with its own can of worms though.
youve already had Discos so why not try something different.
 
I think i've decided to go for p38 but do i go v8/lpg or diesel i'm thinking diesel . How do they compare to the td5 i'm not a speed merchant i only fancied v8 for the sound but i've read up and they suffer from overheating issues
Advice please v8/lpg or diesel
Which would you choose
If i put my sensible head on i think diesel but my inner child says v8
 
Both of them have their own overheating problems, diesels can cook heads too.

I would say the V8 all day long, on LPG it doesn't cost an arm & a leg every time you visit a fuel station.
If you are towing alot then the V8 can get thirsty but it will tow pretty much anything and you don't notice it:).

Would it be your daily or second car? If its a second car I would say V8 again.
Getting the good 1 in the first place is the battle, If you see 1 that has a recon engine with "top hat liners" you are onto a winner.
Good luck in your search:).

J
 
It'll be for towing a caravan 1.8 tonne so i know it will cope and for commuting but i only do 20 miles a day 10 each way my passat estate will tow caravan just 1.8 t limit caravan is actually 1741kg but in my mind too close to the tail wagging the dog (hgv 1 driver 26years exp) but i want to come back into land rover world i like my classics cortina mk2 and sierra p100 owner aswell passat will be going f#ing boring eurobox
 
I think i've decided to go for p38 but do i go v8/lpg or diesel i'm thinking diesel . How do they compare to the td5 i'm not a speed merchant i only fancied v8 for the sound but i've read up and they suffer from overheating issues
Advice please v8/lpg or diesel
Which would you choose
If i put my sensible head on i think diesel but my inner child says v8
Depends what you are after. Apart from air suspension, the most issues you see on the forums for p38's are due to problems with the diesel engine. But maybe there are more of them vs V8's.

The V8's are faster and more refined and likely to come better specced.

So it really does come down to what you want.

Diesel autos are pretty slow and gutless. Although you can remap them. But there is no denying they will be a bit sluggish by modern standards. Diesel manuals will offer more fun, performance and mpg and can also be remapped. Not sure how common they are though. The BMW engine was the most powerful diesel engine used by LR at the time. But most say it suits a car more than a 4x4 and kind of needs to be 'driven' to get the most from it. Not 100% sure on mpg, but suspect mid 20's likely and maybe low'ish 20's for the auto.

The Td5 is probably a nicer and better engine overall. But the BMW unit isn't all that bad tbh.

As for V8's the 4.0 litre could be had with a 5 speed manual and is probably the most fun overall. But super rare or more common with the 4 speed auto. The 4.6 was auto only and a slightly stronger auto box than the other engines, but essentially the same to use.

Many 4.0 litre and diesels are low spec, while nearly all 4.6's are well specced. The 4.6 uses the same amount of fuel as a 4.0 the 4.6 also has [pretty good performance by modern standards still. Although being petrol you do need to use the revs to make the most of the power on tap. In terms of mpg, this is the big difference really. V8's will be in the teens, when I bought mine I'd get 16-20, although 20+ really is only on a run. It is now modded and doing more like 11-13mpg!!

If you want to go off road, post 1999 models should have 4 wheel traction control, while earlier models only had 2 wheel (rear).

Compared to a D2, the D2 has the edge if you want to seat 7 and they also could be had with ACE which is awesome. Otherwise I feel the p38 is superior to the D2 in every other respect. But the p38's are a bit more fickle and unique with some of their parts, although still generally very well supported. Budget to get yourself a diagnostic tool if buying the p38, it'll come in handy. Handy for a D2 too, but not quite as necessary.
 
Cheers for that going to look at a diesel auto tomorrow plus i have a nanocom but only unlocked for disco td5 i'll have to purchase unlock code for p38 if i buy it
 
Right fella's diesel purchased thanks for your help
This is where all the other questions start lol
First one here
Got up this morning and it is leaning down on drivers side drive up the road for a hundred yards and it pumps up but sat on drive pushing suspension up button with engine running doesn't do anything is this normal does it have to be rolling ?

Second
Recomendations of what material to get to do the roof lining typical sagging bad .Desperately needs doing
Cheers more questions to follow no doubt lol
 
As you now have a p38 best to ask questions over in the range rover section of the forum, the is a guide of checking the eas.
and a how to on the headlining.
 
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