P38 4.0 VS 4.6 HSE
Discussion
Looked at few 4.6 HSE's recently at around the £3K mark. I have not been particularly impressed with their condition. Rotted air suspension, broken air con, electrics etc. A freind of a freind is currently selling a 98 4.0 SE which looks to be in stunning condition. New air suspension compressor and bags fitted last year and full LR service history. Other than the extra horse power and slighly better equipment levels is there a good reason to hold out for 4.6?
Resale value I guess.
As you say, the equipment levels are reduced, but in this class of motor, the SE spec is poverty spec when compared to a Vogue with all bells and whistles.
Is it worth looking harder for HSE's or Vogue's? (I think the Vogue only came in 4.6 flavour)
ETA: Remember that anything before 2000 will have Lucas Gems electronics - hence problems! ANything after 2000 should be Bosch electronics and much more reliable.
As you say, the equipment levels are reduced, but in this class of motor, the SE spec is poverty spec when compared to a Vogue with all bells and whistles.
Is it worth looking harder for HSE's or Vogue's? (I think the Vogue only came in 4.6 flavour)
ETA: Remember that anything before 2000 will have Lucas Gems electronics - hence problems! ANything after 2000 should be Bosch electronics and much more reliable.
Edited by Meeja on Wednesday 8th July 14:32
I had a 4.6 HSE for a while, to be honest I think you would be better off without all the bells & whistles on a 10 year old plus car. Thinking about it, personally I wouldn't bother with a P38 at all. I think a good late Classic is better, or a new shape now that some are under £10k.
Ramthorne said:
I had a 4.6 HSE for a while, to be honest I think you would be better off without all the bells & whistles on a 10 year old plus car. Thinking about it, personally I wouldn't bother with a P38 at all. I think a good late Classic is better, or a new shape now that some are under £10k.
Agree 100%The P38 took the late classic and expanded on all it's weakest points!!
BLUETHUNDER said:
You really are not going to get a lot for your budget,only bags of trouble. With your budget i would be tempted to go for a 4.7 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
The problem is I have had a Jeep. Mopar parts prices are astronomic. While it is possible get parts from the USA at far more reasonable prices it's a lot of hassle. For the price I paid to have a single wheel bearing replaced on my Jeep I could have had all four done on a Range Rover. Mopar wont sell you just the bearing they will only sell you a hub and bearing kit.If I could find a soft dash Range Rover LSE in good nick that would be ideal. Most of the ones I have seen need loads of work doing though.
plasticpig said:
BLUETHUNDER said:
You really are not going to get a lot for your budget,only bags of trouble. With your budget i would be tempted to go for a 4.7 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
The problem is I have had a Jeep. Mopar parts prices are astronomic. While it is possible get parts from the USA at far more reasonable prices it's a lot of hassle. For the price I paid to have a single wheel bearing replaced on my Jeep I could have had all four done on a Range Rover. Mopar wont sell you just the bearing they will only sell you a hub and bearing kit.If I could find a soft dash Range Rover LSE in good nick that would be ideal. Most of the ones I have seen need loads of work doing though.
You are not going to get a decent classic for that money. Classics are now at collectors status. And anything of decent condition will command a fair price. A friend of mine just payed close on £10,000 for a very nice soft dash 3.9 Vogue to add to his collection.
Dont be under the impression that a P38 will cost less to repair than a Jeep either. They wont. The Jeep is basically simple compared to the P38.
I had a p38 and it drained my money in a big way. I've since bought 2 200 tdi disco's and would never consider going back to a p38. 1 is a monster truck offroader now and the other a jap import with less than 50k miles on it in immaculate condition. I am awaiting the time I have the money to step up to a TD5 disco in the same leather spec as my P38 (only part of the P38 I adored) with less miles than my current jap import disco lol.
My wife and I love her P38.
It is a 97 4.0SE and it has been a real work horse over the last 4 years and has a value now of virtually nothing, but we never think twice about jumping in and shooting off somewhere in it.
The aircon doesn't work, the front-passenger door is no longer on the central locking, the exhaust is blowing a bit (Holts gum to the rescue) but it stilll wafts along beautifully and since my 911 has been in bits over the last week I have loved driving it to work.
If you buy with your eyes wide open and are not really bothered about resale value ( I will keep ours until it stops working completely) then it is a gret car.
I would buy another one tomorrow BUT I would not pay more than £2k - £3k and certainly not worry about the 4.6 slight extra grunt as you aren't goning to notice it that much.
It is a 97 4.0SE and it has been a real work horse over the last 4 years and has a value now of virtually nothing, but we never think twice about jumping in and shooting off somewhere in it.
The aircon doesn't work, the front-passenger door is no longer on the central locking, the exhaust is blowing a bit (Holts gum to the rescue) but it stilll wafts along beautifully and since my 911 has been in bits over the last week I have loved driving it to work.
If you buy with your eyes wide open and are not really bothered about resale value ( I will keep ours until it stops working completely) then it is a gret car.
I would buy another one tomorrow BUT I would not pay more than £2k - £3k and certainly not worry about the 4.6 slight extra grunt as you aren't goning to notice it that much.
A bit late to this thread, but I have just returned from my second 1500 mile round trip to Scotland since I bought my 97 4.6 Autobiography last December, for £2995 (89k at that time)
9000 faultless miles to date. Have changed the oil (engine & diffs) and bought 2 tyres and quite a lot of petrol. Everything still works.
Hauled the family fantastically 80-90 all the way.
Still love it.
9000 faultless miles to date. Have changed the oil (engine & diffs) and bought 2 tyres and quite a lot of petrol. Everything still works.
Hauled the family fantastically 80-90 all the way.
Still love it.
eliot said:
Triple7 said:
Good luck!
Only other thing with comparing the 4.0 with the 4.6, is that the increased bore the cylinder walls can become thin and wear through on high milers.
WRONG! bore on the 4.0 and 4.6 is identical - 4.6 has a longer stroke.Only other thing with comparing the 4.0 with the 4.6, is that the increased bore the cylinder walls can become thin and wear through on high milers.
A common misconception
When I was looking or my P38, I had an "Arthur Daley" type character telling me that the 4.0 that he was selling was far superior to the 4.6 or exactly that reason (He soon cottoned on that I had done a bit of research, and knew some o the major pitfalls)
When I explained that the bore was the same, but the stroke was longer he wouldn't have it - and fiercely defended his view..... even fetched his spannerman out of the workshop/lockup/chop shop to back him up.
Spannerman pointed out to Mr Daley that in this instance, the (potential) customer was right....
Walked away from that one for a multitude of other reasons!
Triple7 said:
Ok, it's the stroke, but is it not true the cylinders can wear through on the 4.6?
I believe that the problem is equally prevelant on the 4.0's as well.Triple7 said:
That's why I had no issue buying a mint 4.0. Never had an issue with her....
But according to your profile you sold your 4.0 at 70k miles.... I believe that the engine problems usually manifest themselves in cars with upwards of that mileage (Unless they have been really poorly treated/not maintained)Gassing Station | Land Rover | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff