peeblesman Posted February 25, 2012 Report Share Posted February 25, 2012 hi, looking for info on a range rover p38... its a a 1996 manual 2.5 bmw diesel engine ... daft question do they have a low range and diff lock like the discovery ? cheers folks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drut Posted February 25, 2012 Report Share Posted February 25, 2012 http://www.lr-mad.co.uk/en/p38-range-rover worth a look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V8 90 Posted February 25, 2012 Report Share Posted February 25, 2012 The only info you need regarding a P38 is - Dont go anywhere near 1 :no: Been a bit of a Landy Nut I bought 1 - my pride & joy - ouch !! Never again !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chr15j Posted February 25, 2012 Report Share Posted February 25, 2012 They don't like going over to low range and if still on the road should remain there as too fragile for anything more than a dropped curb. This was Advice direct from landy on my father in laws p38 4.6 hse. Needless to say we got rid ASAP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roo_tastic86 Posted February 25, 2012 Report Share Posted February 25, 2012 Nice looking vehicle, and a diesel a tad cheaper to run! Engines are straight 6 bmw engines, not to bad either. But be warned a nightmare to work on and parts seem expensive as well even for Land Rover. They have low range but not sure about diff lock, it'll be similar like discovery 2's. But no seperate lever like old disco's/defenders/range rover classics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pboro shot Posted February 25, 2012 Report Share Posted February 25, 2012 (edited) like all land rover variants they just need regular tlc the bcm(body control module) is a pain and a completly pointless iterm imo its basicly a unit that sends power to everything,including the engine ecu,gearbox suspension modules security etc ,the air suspension imo also needs chucking in the bin (and has been on my own rr) ive owned to many land rovers and worked with many of the older ones upto the wolf when i was in the army ,and also looked after a fleet that was used for towing prospec drilling rigs all had there problems but maintanance is the secret to all these sort of cars dont go near any lr that hasnt had atleast some proper servicing by a lr/4x4 specialist a £50 service from quick fit doesnt touch the surface the low range on rr is very good but selecting the correct gear is important,the center diff lock is automatic but not great but not many std ones that are ,if you need to select low range at anytime id be looking at tyres the road tyres are useless apart from on the tarmac Edited February 25, 2012 by pboro shot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beretta28g Posted February 25, 2012 Report Share Posted February 25, 2012 Didnt jeremy clarkson take one accross bolivia? if he did thats good enough for me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilR Posted February 26, 2012 Report Share Posted February 26, 2012 Didnt jeremy clarkson take one accross bolivia? if he did thats good enough for me! That was, as is now known as, the 'classic' version. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webber Posted February 26, 2012 Report Share Posted February 26, 2012 That was, as is now known as, the 'classic' version. I can confirm that it was the Classic RR that Clarkson utilised. I've owned a 4.6 P38 for several years. Its converted for Autogas, but thats what we do. I have the luxury of owning a garage manned by a 4 x 4 specialist. I couldn't afford to run the car without cheaper fuel and dads rates for maintenance and repairs. Its difficult to contrast and compare a high end luxury off road vehicle with say a Defender 90 high speed tractor. Both have their faults and quirks. Things can go wrong with any vehicle, correct maintenance and specialist knowledge are key. My car is now 13 years old, I've not spent a fortune on parts. I've replaced the alternator, air suspension air bags, ride height sensors, window regulator (pending). The BCM did cause some fun and games, but a specialist autoelectrician sorted the problem with a track of solder and a very reasonable bill. Obviously brakes, shockabsorbers etc. have been changed over time as required, but they would be required on any vehicle that was used to do sensible mileage. I can't advise as to the diesel version or its performance off road. I've never had mine stuck, close on one occasion, but I've never had to get out of the vehicle or call for a tow when off road. Call it luck if you wish. I'd like to think that its down to some degree of driver skill, reasonable tyres and a decent vehicle. webber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rangey Posted February 26, 2012 Report Share Posted February 26, 2012 They don't like going over to low range and if still on the road should remain there as too fragile for anything more than a dropped curb. This was Advice direct from landy on my father in laws p38 4.6 hse. Needless to say we got rid ASAP my p38 goes into low range most weekends and no probs.goes anywhere i care to take it and also pulled my mates disco out twice.used dailly for work and shooting every weekend.runs on lpg so cheaper to run than any 4x4 deisel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chr15j Posted February 26, 2012 Report Share Posted February 26, 2012 We just went by advice from LR Funny storey, father in laws prev p38 was LPG, ended up a burnt out wreck on a14 a few years ago all due to lpg issue afaik. He was a bit scared! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wickedwickedmotox Posted February 26, 2012 Report Share Posted February 26, 2012 Brother has a p38 diesel i have a disco2, we do a lot of towing with ours, upto 4 tons! eeek! rangerover is awesome air suspension is bloody brilliant as long as you keep service intervals ie air bags every 5 years same as my disco, both are autos neither has difflock just low range and traction control,range rover 99 also runs on neat wvo filtered down to 1 micron disco can only go half and half. I will say if you do buy they do always pick up faults and niggles but hey they were really designed for pulling horse boxes across muddy fields albeit very well. If you want supreme reliabilty go landcruiser there bullet proof and just require diesel! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pboro shot Posted February 26, 2012 Report Share Posted February 26, 2012 Brother has a p38 diesel i have a disco2, we do a lot of towing with ours, upto 4 tons! eeek! rangerover is awesome air suspension is bloody brilliant as long as you keep service intervals ie air bags every 5 years same as my disco, both are autos neither has difflock just low range and traction control,range rover 99 also runs on neat wvo filtered down to 1 micron disco can only go half and half. I will say if you do buy they do always pick up faults and niggles but hey they were really designed for pulling horse boxes across muddy fields albeit very well. If you want supreme reliabilty go landcruiser there bullet proof and just require diesel! they all have auto locking center diffs, works the same as old diff lock lever but auto but landrover like to call it traction control witch is in essense same thing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magoo the noo Posted February 28, 2012 Report Share Posted February 28, 2012 The p38 is a financial ticking time bomb. Stay well clear. I worked in a LR dealer for 6 years Regards James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catweazle Posted February 28, 2012 Report Share Posted February 28, 2012 The P38 has a viscous centre diff, which automatically locks if the front and back axles are at different speeds. It also has traction control which automatically applies braking to a spinning wheel in order to force the power to the other wheel on that axle. It works well, but it's a heavy car and that limits the off road capability. Mine actually sank up to the bodywork once whilst parked on soft ground. The low ratio is largely redundant on the petrol variant, you don't often need it with a 4.6 V8. I've been told the diesel is underpowered for the weight of the car, I think it's 125bhp compared to 225bhp for the 4.6. Air bags and compressors are the biggest problem, dump the standard Dunlop bags and fit Arnott instead, these won't leak so your compressor won't wear out. Simple. Download free EAS Unlock software, make a cable to plug into the EDB port, and you have total control of the air suspension system Want a suspension lift in HIGH mode ? Just program it in. Fancy it a bit lower for the motorway mode ? Program it in. I love mine and hate it in equal measure. It's very capable with the BFG muds on it, but very thirsty too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toby12 Posted February 29, 2012 Report Share Posted February 29, 2012 make sure the malfunction light is not on the climate control (looks like an open book) that will mean heater blend motors,tricky! make sure it starts ok when hot. the heater matrix has a tendency to leak at the o rings which means wet carpets,air suspesion can cause headaches,full power braking can have issues with pumps and accumulators wearing (hard brake pedal). make sure it has both keys,and they work otherwise you may get stranded when one packs up. headlinings are normally sagging at that age (spray glue will not work for long!) these are just a few issues i had with mine,there are plenty of others. that said i loved that car,just could not afford to run it. hope this helps! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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