Returning to the fold--researching a 4.0/4.6 purchase! - Land Rovers Only

dwe · 09-23-2004, 01:01 PM

Hello,
I am a grad student, and after 4 years w/o a rover, I am looking at buying a 4.0/4.6! My last truck was a '92 classic, which had 225k miles on it when I sold. I had the truck for 5 years, and did all of my own repair on it, so I am somewhat familiar w/ rovers. I'm tall, and have always liked the 4.0's (interior headroom esp), but the price differences were too much. Now that they've come down, I want a rover again!
My budget will be about $10k, and I'll be ready to shop in december. I plan to tow a boat, and a car/trailer combo(about 5,500lbs). A 4.6 would be ideal, but may be out of my range (have seen a lot of trucks in the 7-10k range on ebay). What years should I shoot for, and what problem areas should I be aware of? I remember rumors of the '95's having problems (difficult heater core placement/fix, etc), and that '98's and up are better trucks. Most seem to say that the basic platform of the 4.0 line is solid, and that ancillary things will go bad. Blendor motors come up mostly. And also people say parts are a lot more expensive than in the classic. Also of expense is the eas--I've been told that the conversion is difficult with the computer, and that the kit is not approved. I plan to put atleast 100k miles on it, but I'm very diligent w/ maintenance.

Thanks!
David

CoachDitka · 09-24-2004, 05:17 AM

First, your budget of 10k is going to be almost impossible to go with. You might be able to get a 4.0 for that, but most likely it will not be in the best of shape. I shopped for 6 months and ended up with a 97 4.6 for 14,500. I would hate to see the miles and the condition of one that might sell for 10k. If that is a firm budget, maybe you should consider another Classic.

As far as maintenance, if you performed most of that on your old RR, then you should be fine. If you convert the EAS, it is a simple job, and many of the kits sell you a "black box" to "fool" the EAS computer, but that is a total scam. Take a peek over at Motocars-ltd.com for their kit. Personally I love my EAS and will never part with it, but many like the springs. If you don't do any crazy off-roading, just get a manual bypass kit for the EAS and you never have to worry about running on the bumpstops in fault mode.

-Coach

Curt · 09-24-2004, 11:21 AM

http://landroversonly.com/forums/showthread.php?t=468

I disagree, there are plenty in the $10k range...

Robrover · 09-24-2004, 01:56 PM

You could definetely find a P38 Rover for you price. Just expect high mileage. Also since you are handy and already had a Rover you should know what to look for. I passed on a few sub $10 grand Rovers and decided on a newer one (99). I am hopeful I made the right decision. Good Luck! BTW on EBAY there is a seller of Land Rovers his id is msemon he specialises in Rovers. Look him up he's a good guy too!

glenncof · 09-26-2004, 01:15 PM

I believe the 1999 RR and later has Bosch electronics (which is good). There were some issues with the prior ECU's making even the ones from junk yard expensive.

Also, I have heard about blown head gaskets. I think I witnessed one blow out on the highway, suddenly lots of smoke out of tail pipe.

Air lift suspensions also have negative history. First sign of trouble I would yank it out.

I suggest researching this and other forums.

Obviously it is very helpful you can do your own work. Most meachanics don't have the experience to deal with RR's. Research all problems completely via forums, Google, and a shop manual ... as you probably know.

Glenn
1991 RR with 169K mi.

golfpro · 10-05-2004, 03:54 PM

I just purchased a 1997 RR 4.0 for $10K. It has 71K miles on it and there isn't anything majorly wrong with it. As i go on, I am starting to discover all sorts of small stuff wrong with it that I am sure you could fix with no problem, but I am a golf pro who knows nothing about cars! But my point being, they are out there and you can find a nice one at $10k...good luck!

azpaquin · 10-05-2004, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by golfpro

I just purchased a 1997 RR 4.0 for $10K. It has 71K miles on it and there isn't anything majorly wrong with it. As i go on, I am starting to discover all sorts of small stuff wrong with it that I am sure you could fix with no problem, but I am a golf pro who knows nothing about cars! But my point being, they are out there and you can find a nice one at $10k...good luck!

and you being a golf pro.. you will have no trouble paying for repairs.

golfpro · 10-05-2004, 07:16 PM

I'm a broke golf pro though!

09-23-2004, 01:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
dwe Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 1 Gallery: 0	Returning to the fold--researching a 4.0/4.6 purchase! Hello, I am a grad student, and after 4 years w/o a rover, I am looking at buying a 4.0/4.6! My last truck was a '92 classic, which had 225k miles on it when I sold. I had the truck for 5 years, and did all of my own repair on it, so I am somewhat familiar w/ rovers. I'm tall, and have always liked the 4.0's (interior headroom esp), but the price differences were too much. Now that they've come down, I want a rover again! My budget will be about $10k, and I'll be ready to shop in december. I plan to tow a boat, and a car/trailer combo(about 5,500lbs). A 4.6 would be ideal, but may be out of my range (have seen a lot of trucks in the 7-10k range on ebay). What years should I shoot for, and what problem areas should I be aware of? I remember rumors of the '95's having problems (difficult heater core placement/fix, etc), and that '98's and up are better trucks. Most seem to say that the basic platform of the 4.0 line is solid, and that ancillary things will go bad. Blendor motors come up mostly. And also people say parts are a lot more expensive than in the classic. Also of expense is the eas--I've been told that the conversion is difficult with the computer, and that the kit is not approved. I plan to put atleast 100k miles on it, but I'm very diligent w/ maintenance. Thanks! David

09-24-2004, 11:21 AM	#3 (permalink)
Curt Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Venice FL Posts: 49 Gallery: 0	Check out this link http://landroversonly.com/forums/showthread.php?t=468 I disagree, there are plenty in the $10k range...

10-05-2004, 03:54 PM	#6 (permalink)
golfpro Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Gas City, IN Posts: 5 Gallery: 0	I just purchased a 1997 RR 4.0 for $10K. It has 71K miles on it and there isn't anything majorly wrong with it. As i go on, I am starting to discover all sorts of small stuff wrong with it that I am sure you could fix with no problem, but I am a golf pro who knows nothing about cars! But my point being, they are out there and you can find a nice one at $10k...good luck! __________________ 1997 RANGE ROVER 4.0SE

10-05-2004, 07:16 PM	#8 (permalink)
golfpro Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Gas City, IN Posts: 5 Gallery: 0	I'm a broke golf pro though! __________________ 1997 RANGE ROVER 4.0SE

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09-24-2004, 05:17 AM	#2 (permalink)
CoachDitka Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 79 Gallery: 0	First, your budget of 10k is going to be almost impossible to go with. You might be able to get a 4.0 for that, but most likely it will not be in the best of shape. I shopped for 6 months and ended up with a 97 4.6 for 14,500. I would hate to see the miles and the condition of one that might sell for 10k. If that is a firm budget, maybe you should consider another Classic. As far as maintenance, if you performed most of that on your old RR, then you should be fine. If you convert the EAS, it is a simple job, and many of the kits sell you a "black box" to "fool" the EAS computer, but that is a total scam. Take a peek over at Motocars-ltd.com for their kit. Personally I love my EAS and will never part with it, but many like the springs. If you don't do any crazy off-roading, just get a manual bypass kit for the EAS and you never have to worry about running on the bumpstops in fault mode. -Coach

09-24-2004, 01:56 PM	#4 (permalink)
Robrover Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 18 Gallery: 0	You could definetely find a P38 Rover for you price. Just expect high mileage. Also since you are handy and already had a Rover you should know what to look for. I passed on a few sub $10 grand Rovers and decided on a newer one (99). I am hopeful I made the right decision. Good Luck! BTW on EBAY there is a seller of Land Rovers his id is msemon he specialises in Rovers. Look him up he's a good guy too!

09-26-2004, 01:15 PM	#5 (permalink)
glenncof Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 95 Gallery: 0	I believe the 1999 RR and later has Bosch electronics (which is good). There were some issues with the prior ECU's making even the ones from junk yard expensive. Also, I have heard about blown head gaskets. I think I witnessed one blow out on the highway, suddenly lots of smoke out of tail pipe. Air lift suspensions also have negative history. First sign of trouble I would yank it out. I suggest researching this and other forums. Obviously it is very helpful you can do your own work. Most meachanics don't have the experience to deal with RR's. Research all problems completely via forums, Google, and a shop manual ... as you probably know. Glenn 1991 RR with 169K mi.

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