Should I buy a (p38) Range?

[JohnnySplat]

Okay, so right now I drive a '97 BMW 528i, and it's been a great car, but I am looking for something with a little more... capability. I need awd or 4wd for some semi-nasty weather conditions (mostly snow), and a decent chassis / engine for some light towing (atvs). I've looked around at a lot of vehicles, and the main problem is I want those capabilities without sacrificing the luxuries of my Bimmer. The X5's cost too much, the Merc's are ugly as sin, but the Range Rover seems to be a good fit. I would be looking at '01-'02 models, between $15-18k usd. The main thing I want to know is... am I going to regret it? I'm sure that as a package (ride quality, creature comforts, off-road prowess) they're great vehicles, but I haven't heard much either for or against LR's as far as reliability goes. Are they cursed with British electrical troubles? Do the air suspension systems have costly failures? How's the customer service? Basically what am I getting myself into here?

Any response would be greatly appreciated, I really want to know as much as possible about this before contemplating a purchase. Thank you.

- JohnnySplat

[Funrover]

Well my parents have a 1997 P38, it has been a great car and has served us very well. They pull a 27' 4 season camper all over, drive it in bad weather, take it 4-wheeling etc etc. Do I think this is a great car, YES! But the P38 is prone to many issues, we have had problems along the way. There are many eletrical issues and the air ride suspension can become a pain. If you don't mind extra in maint. issues yeah get it. I love my parents rover and I would get one if I had the $$ to. but if you have the ability I would jump up to the MKIII rover!

The biggest issue we have had has been with 2 items:

1.Air Ride (EAS)
2.HVAC(heat and AC)

Other than that is has been little annoynces in it's 113,000 miles. Are they tough YOU BET, will you get home YOU BET, will all the luxuries work, Not Always!

[TerryS]

The bad rap P38s have gotten have come mostly with air suspension and electrical issues in the pre '99 1/2 models. In late '99, they went to Bosch engine management which was a huge improvement. They still suffered with air suspension failures, but thiss is a very simple and inexpensive fix: Replace it with a coil spring setup from AB or RN.
I have always loved the look of the '01 and '02 P38s, and they can be had quite reasonably (under $12k) but if I hit the lottery, I'd have to have a Mk3. The one thing lovers of all current models benefit from is the incredibly horrible plummet these cars take in the used market. A 2003 Mk3 can be had for under $30K. My sister and her husband stopped at the LR dealer near them in VA yesterday to check on a car for me, and my bro-in-law, who had a classic, was amused by the $105,000 price tag on the Westminster sitting on the floor. I told him not to sweat it, wait for the car to be 2 years old and he can buy it for well under $50k

[Thor]

P38's look like tall London Taxi's to me.

Terry, I was under a RR3 (thankfully it was up on the lift at my mechanic's place) they look really cool. The only problems I noticed are, too hard to trim the fenders for 35's, and a live axle swap looks really difficult due to electrics and would probably yield a 16" lift!

[JohnnySplat]

Are the air suspension system failures usually isolated (one bag) or full system related i.e. the electronics related to the bags? Also, would the '03 and newer redesigned Disco II's be a better choice in any way?

I know BMW bought Rover in '94 and at some point thereafter sold it or some part of it to Ford. When did Ford get involved and how has their influence changed the vehicles? (I can't imagine them making things much better than BMW)

As far as the p38, I really like the overall package, it's just down to reliability issues. I'm glad to hear they aren't mechanical problems, I really don't want to get stranded somewhere, but the little electrical issues can be pretty aggrivating if they're too frequent. Are most of the problems with them (electrical or other) associated with high mileage, (as far as that applies to electrical, I just mean from long term use of buttons, suspension control systems, traction systems, and seat adjustment motors, etc.) and if so, roughly when do they begin having major issues, like needing to have all the air bags replaced or things of that nature?

[XtremeMarine]

If you just swap out the Air suspension for coils, you'll be far happier, and get rid of half of the problems the P38 has. Go for an 02' model, and buy the longest extended warranty package you can afford. You'll love the truck, but you'll be thankful for the piece of mind the extra warranty will give you. Check out Bear Valley Vehicle Sales Inc. - In the Valley Where the Bear Goes for a good one.

[basobomber]

i love my 96 p38. it still has air suspension (no problems) just looked after it and it is great. i have had a e36 e34 and e38 728i and loved em all. but the range rover is by far the best car i have ever had.

[JohnnySplat]

Well I've kept an eye out and found a pretty nice looking RR at a dealer nearby. It's clean looking and has relatively low miles. It's right about at the point where I would suspect the air suspension might need replacing which I'm assuming is why it's cheaper than you might think. It's listing for $14k, which means $12-ish otd of course. I'm going to go take a look at it this weekend, any advice on what to look for? If the air suspension needs replacing, I actually wouldn't mind doing it, just to know that it's been done so I wouldn't have to worry about it for 40-50k miles. (At least that's what I've heard they're usually good for.) Does anybody know what that would set me back, parts and labor?

I'm still going back and forth between the Disco II and the P38. The Disco is reputed to be a little less troublesome, but the Range is really more my style, and the interior reminds me of home (BMW).

Heres the link if you want to take a look. Freeman Motor Co - European and Asian Import Motor Cars in Portland and Bend, Oregon

Thanks again, you guys have been really helpful.

[XtremeMarine]

That's a nice looking truck. Close to the end of the run. No differences, mechanical or cosmetic between the 01 and 02's. Low mileage. 4.6 instead of 4.0. Rather individual color. Nice color scheme overall. If you can get it for between 10 and 12, then drop 2k into a coil spring conversion; it'd be a good investment.

[XtremeMarine]

Their Bend dealership has an 01 model 4.6 with only 40k miles for 15k.

[cellulararrest]

Just make sure it's '99 and up. Should be fine. Like TerryS said, before '99 is when they had all the really major problems.

[YellowFever]

As far as air suspension goes, I read on another site that Arnett I believe it is, makes replacement bags that are far superior to the stock bags. Anyone out there try them?

[cellulararrest]

Haven't tried them, but have read that they are very much superior. If I had a P38A, I'd give those a shot before swapping to coils. They're incredibly easy to change.