There are a few interesting and wrong points made in a few posts here.
First, NO 4.0 or 4.6 p38a is coil sprung in stock form. They are ALL use airbags for springs. That is how they raise and lower. If you wished to convert to coils, you would lose the ability to raise and lower the car at will. The 4.0 models usually come with 16" wheels, while the 4.6 comes with 18". If you wished to lift the car for more clearance, you CAN use a dealers computer to change the airspring values resulting in a higher ride at normal driving settings. There have been a variety of things done to alter the stock air suspension, with lots of good readings on www.rangerovers.net. If you used body spacers to lift the car without reprogramming the air suspension values, you could run into some serious problems such are the cones that the airspring mounts on clashing at lower settings.
While the 4.0 you drove was obviously a dud (the first 4.6 I drove also was a dud, and almost put me off buying one), you should definitely opt for the 4.6. It has more power, has been shown to be a bit more reliable, and comes with a heavier-duty transmission. You want to get a 99 or newer, as they use Bosch engine management instead of Lucas, a big improvement. I am also not sure of the other changes made in '99, but I believe my '97 uses a viscous coupling and not difflocks. Without checking, I believe that is the same throughout this model's years.
Just FYI, I replaced my Wagoneer with the Range Rover, and have been impressed in some areas, while not in others, such as highway manners that I have yet to correct, although I am working on it as I get time. Under 65mph it beats the Wagoneer handily, but it jumps around a LOT when I go a bit faster and the road is not perfectly smooth.
-Coach
First, NO 4.0 or 4.6 p38a is coil sprung in stock form. They are ALL use airbags for springs. That is how they raise and lower. If you wished to convert to coils, you would lose the ability to raise and lower the car at will. The 4.0 models usually come with 16" wheels, while the 4.6 comes with 18". If you wished to lift the car for more clearance, you CAN use a dealers computer to change the airspring values resulting in a higher ride at normal driving settings. There have been a variety of things done to alter the stock air suspension, with lots of good readings on www.rangerovers.net. If you used body spacers to lift the car without reprogramming the air suspension values, you could run into some serious problems such are the cones that the airspring mounts on clashing at lower settings.
While the 4.0 you drove was obviously a dud (the first 4.6 I drove also was a dud, and almost put me off buying one), you should definitely opt for the 4.6. It has more power, has been shown to be a bit more reliable, and comes with a heavier-duty transmission. You want to get a 99 or newer, as they use Bosch engine management instead of Lucas, a big improvement. I am also not sure of the other changes made in '99, but I believe my '97 uses a viscous coupling and not difflocks. Without checking, I believe that is the same throughout this model's years.
Just FYI, I replaced my Wagoneer with the Range Rover, and have been impressed in some areas, while not in others, such as highway manners that I have yet to correct, although I am working on it as I get time. Under 65mph it beats the Wagoneer handily, but it jumps around a LOT when I go a bit faster and the road is not perfectly smooth.
-Coach
