Buying a used Range Rover

spanners · Post by **spanners** » Thu Aug 27, 2009 11:35 am

Hi, looking to buy a 98-2001 Auto Rangy, ideally a 4.0 but not fussed if a good 4.6 comes up, plan to convert to LPG.

Apart from the obvious and the block/cooling loss problems and that all the pricey electrics work is there anything clever I should be checking for? Anything that may stay hidden but could cost a fortune? distinctive noises? (apart from the required smooth rumble that is!)

Thanks in advance!

Will.

ChrisJC · Post by **ChrisJC** » Thu Aug 27, 2009 12:18 pm

I believe that wheelbearings are very expensive to change.

Also check that the air-suspension works properly.

Chris.

kiwicar · Post by **kiwicar** » Thu Aug 27, 2009 1:46 pm

check the front swivel bearings of the front hubs by driving it in the inside lane of a motorway at about 65mph and see if it tries to follow the ruts, if it meanders side to side in a pretty vague fassion they are worn , if it "snatches" they are worn and someone has tried to discuise it by over tightening them.
Mike

HairbearTE · Post by **HairbearTE** » Thu Aug 27, 2009 9:50 pm

Some of the range rovers have very large brakes, I believe Brembos were a factory option. Replacing them from a dealer would be very expensive but I could get you a deal on that stuff if you need.

spanners · Post by **spanners** » Thu Aug 27, 2009 11:10 pm

cheers chaps, that's a good tip, well worth knowing.

I tested one today that had a leaky heater ( drips and soggy drivers footwell) am I right in thinking that is O rings and presumably a pig to change? lots of dash/console dismantling required?

dnb · Post by **dnb** » Tue Sep 01, 2009 10:32 pm

The O ring itself is easy to replace, but taking the dash out of a P38 range rover looks to me to be a huge job, and all of it needs to come out as far as I know. (I am dreading the heater in mine leaking)

If you have the time to spare and can get it with an exceptional discount, then it may be worth considering.

I managed to find a near perfect (only a couple of stone chips) low mileage 2001 4.6 Vogue with full service history for a very good price at the beginning of the year, so there are bargains to be had if you can find them. Unfortunately it didn't have the Brembo option

But it did have satnav, electric seats and everything else

The gearbox on the early P38 seemed reluctant to downshift at high load/low revs when I test drove one. I am fairly convinced this isn't good for the engine. My "Thor" P38 seems to be more sensible with the gears. And it even returns fairly good MPG all things considered - better than the 4.0 and earlier 4.6.

spanners · Post by **spanners** » Tue Sep 01, 2009 11:14 pm

In the end I passed on it, figured there would be better to be had and today found a really nice '96 4.6, only 66000, full main dealer history and spotless pretty much everywhere, It appears to have been driven to the golf club for most of it's life, drives beautifully and an unusual colour, willow green.

I tested some real dogs but like you say there are some good ones out there.

Just need to sort out LPG on it now so I can feel a bit better about running it!

Eliot · Post by **Eliot** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 8:41 pm

here's my pictorial buyer's guide:
www.mez.co.uk/p38.html