I Bought the Most Unreliable Range Rover! Will it survive 6 hours home?

[@alastairmcmurray4873]

In 1999 I went with my dad to buy a new P38 V8 Automatic Range Rover form the dealer in Manchester. It is 2023 and he still has it as his daily driver. It has let him down a few times but he likes tinkering with it. He has rebuilt the engine, fitted new air springs and new head lining along with some electronics mods to reduce the sensitivity of the remote opener sensor which was causing the battery to always go flat. Oh, he also drilled holes in the spare wheel well as it used to fill with water!

[@megatronskneecap]

They're great looking cars but they're just so depressingly over engineered for the 90's. This stuff was still new in the early 2000's so todo it in the early 90's was amazing but caused a stupid amount of unreliability.

[@kathykirby5837]

Oh fantastic! I have 2002 Vogue SE p38, and I love it! It's been brilliant and we have travelled all over in it. Ours is still on air suspension and i will always keep it. We have only had to replace the pump, and its great to be able to lower the car to get out.

[@LivingWithAClassic]

That’s great! Wish mine was a Vogue but maybe some day

[@kathykirby5837]

​@@LivingWithAClassic ours is the last run, limited edition Vogue Se. One of 300 in Alveston red. I'd attach a pic if I could 😊

[@LivingWithAClassic]

@kathykirby5837 sounds like a lovely car

[@DavidSmith1307]

"Don't need the remote". Famous last words. Better make sure the tumblers in the driver's door work and that you know the EKA code!!

[@DavidSmith1307]

And if you only have one key NEVER close the doors with the key inside. They love to lock their own doors...

[@LivingWithAClassic]

I do have the code and I can also input it with the Nanocom

[@PortugalCarp]

Well done, the P38 is still a true Range Rover and a fantastic off roader. We had one, a 2.5DSE for over 10 years (till our Ex mechanic killed it) and we still miss it to this day.

[@LivingWithAClassic]

I hope to try it off road some day

[@PortugalCarp]

@@LivingWithAClassic We put springs on ours too along with orange poly-bushes, some great LSDs (both front and rear) from Ashcroft Transmissions and EBC disks and pads (the Green ones), ah, and some brilliant Grabber AT2 tires from General.

[@Land_Raver]

If you need a key contact, Les Edwards at Classic Rides North Wales.

[@JagdgeschwaderX]

Thanks for that comment, does he still do them? I need another one.

[@JagdgeschwaderX]

Found his website, you are a true gentleman. Thanks again mate!!

[@Land_Raver]

@@JagdgeschwaderX yes. He is still doing keys.

[@jonathanallen2388]

This is my favorite Range Rover, the P38 model. I know this color and it looks great; it just fits their style! I love road trips and glad to see this one. I’m excited to see what comes next for this vehicle!

[@Thanos.m]

Congrats Adam! I absolutely love p38 my dad has had his 4.6 for 20 years always love driving it when I visit. A few things I've leaned from all those years I would urge you to get you keyfob rebuilt having a working keyfob can save you a lot of hassle. Its shame you don't have air suspension as it does make a huge difference but I understand your reason for not wanting it. Good that you have a nanocom you do need a scantool that can talk to it. The transmission should have a separate oil cooler at least the 4.6 does. Also do check the condition of the fan and fan clutch I had the fan exploding and going through the bonnet this summer. Anyways really excited about this one!

[@jamesmacdonald3090]

Nice! I have an L322 and several late P38s, 2.5 diesel and 4.0 thor. I have owned RR since late 80s and love them. I find that some owners are unreliable rather than the cars. If you can turn a spanner then they make good sense and as reliable as any other 20-30 year old vehicle which tows, takes kids to school, tip runs, move furniture and commutes whilst being able to tackle the local quarry at weekends! I can't think of anything this age which is still capable and or still on the road in great numbers?

[@naiche.]

You have an eye for a bargain, she will make a great addition to the channel!

[@andrewoliver7991]

Still the sweetest sound on the road.

[@rosshannemann7772]

Looks like a rare diamond in the rough Adam

[@marksoutherton8888]

Love the P38. The first mod you should do is replace the EAS especially if you want it for towing, You will also get a much more comfortable ride. They are also not as problematic as they are made out to be. I’ve owned mine for 12 years now and use it daily, when I first bought it (12 years ago) I replaced the compressor and all 4 air bags and have not had a problem with it since. You get a lot of people that have never owned one saying that the air suspension is problematic but it’s a very simple system and like anything else just fix it so that it’s working properly and you won’t have to worry about it anymore.

[@AMERICANA-BOOMSTICK]

I’ve got a slight lean, when parked. Driving airs up fine no issue…. Dunno if I should tackle absorbers or ride height sensors…. Both are very decrepit 😂😂😂

[@andrewpickering5413]

You shouldn’t need to replace, there’s a company called X8R who sell kits to rebuild the compressor and valve block, it’s not overly difficult to do, bags will need to be replaced if they are the failure point.

[@steveadams8799]

Great to see a P38 in your fleet. I’ve had my Epsom green 1998 4.6 (GEMS) P38 for 17 years. It’s been a great reliable car. The only time it let me down and was indeed an air suspension problem. Luckily it was an easy inexpensive fix. I love the V8 soundtrack, and when the original exhaust needed replacing a full stainless system went on. I kept the centre silencer in place, so it’s a nice burble without being annoying on long journeys. I think the colour of yours is Woodcote Green and looks superb. Looking forward to seeing your progress with the P38.

[@LivingWithAClassic]

Glad you like it! I will be putting a stainless system on mine too. I think mine has some electrical issues but I’m going to try and fix all the issues

[@steveadams8799]

I think I’m wrong on yours being Woodcote green. After a bit more research I thinks it’s Kent Green.

[@dmcars147]

I disagree about being most unreliable. The later P322 with the self destructing 5.0 litre motors would give the P38 a run for the money. Miss my 2000 4.0 all the time! Good luck on the series.

[@LivingWithAClassic]

You’re right about the 5.0! I’m staying clear of that engine forever

[@JagdgeschwaderX]

Is that a 5.0 petrol? The 4.6 V8 in also prone to porous block/slipped liner issues which mine has, I wonder if they actually changed the engine when they moved to the L322. From what I understand the original Buick engine was bored out repeatedly and eventually ended up at the 4.0 litre V8, then BMW bought Landrover and decided that boring it out one more time to the 4.6 litre engine would be a cool idea.

[@18888888888888888886]

beautiful color. and this car is reliable it had a bad reputation because of two things going bad which are the air suspension (which is amazing after converting to coils) and the security lockout which can be manipulated and disabled for ever in the driver door lock. and do a search on the net for the BCM wire connection to remove the SLOW 55mph/80kph its a 5 mins job. PS. Gauge Temp sender is incorrect i believe the GEMS engine/P338 don't used the gauge sender with a green ring Check which part no is suitable by vin

[@lascm5237]

Tjena! Congratulations on the new purchase. P38 is the best looking LR after the Freelander 2 😁 🇸🇪🇬🇧

[@LivingWithAClassic]

They’re great!

[@swissroll5133]

An excellent purchase! These P38s are undoubtedly cool and really coming into their own these days. Can’t wait to see the videos on this. Nice one :)

[@wesleyconn620]

nice buy i have two and they are 0nly as unreliable as the maintenance done on them over the many years.

[@LivingWithAClassic]

Fingers crossed this one will be a reliable one

[@theopauw2830]

Not a big LR fan but these have been growing on me. Love the colour. Actually like the wheels but probably because they don't look "premium" - have a thing for base model luxury cars.

[@LivingWithAClassic]

I’m starting to love the color too!

[@davidMccabe-u9x]

Hi Adam. Love the p38.have one myself

[@c.johnstonblacksmith]

I have had three p38s and many other land rovers, the p38 reputation is not deserved imho. They are a little different, more complicated I guess but well built and overall quite reliable. EAS is the signature of a Range Rover, and is really quite easy to work on, just remember rubber components really have a ten year lifespan.

[@RickCT2000]

Love the RR. Great color. Nice radiator, transmission, brakes and tires. You’re golden with this car!

[@LivingWithAClassic]

Thanks Rick!

[@OscarHobson]

oh wow great timing for looking at youtube! i love an unreliable rangerover

[@LivingWithAClassic]

They're the best!

[@transitpassenger3948]

Good condition! Spare parts are sold, problems are solved! Great Range Rover, beautiful color. What kind of engine does it have 4.0?

[@TheDaf95xf]

Nice one Adam 👍🏻 looking forward to seeing you fix her up 😊🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@8000Christopher]

That was fun, thanks Adam !

[@LivingWithAClassic]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@johnmoruzzi7236]

Well done whoever helped you find and buy this car, what a great example ! As you said it's hard to make out the colour but it looks like a pale metallic green, very like on the new Defender that Harry Metcalfe from Harry's Garage / Farm ran for a year before going back to his trusty L322. The car looks so practical and understated next to the big blingy Supercharged L322 next to it !

[@LivingWithAClassic]

Seems to be a good example so far. It’s an odd color but I think it suits the car

[@johnmoruzzi7236]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pXXdmmeei9ClqLc@@LivingWithAClassic

[@Cole90900]

excited for this series!

[@jfv65]

Anecdote: i once bought a RR classic V8 Vogue. I drove it away but had to stop to get fuel. Guess what, it didn't want to start back up after refueling😂 Luckily i discovered that the wire to the starter solenoid had come off. 😅

[@LivingWithAClassic]

That’s an odd one, they usually love getting more fuel 😂

[@parrotraiser6541]

Another Chelsea Tractor joins the fleet. Driving it that distance after picking it up was an act of faith.

[@LivingWithAClassic]

I always have faith in Lucas haha

[@JagdgeschwaderX]

Hi good sir, where the heck did you get that interior/seats from? I don't think that's stock and it looks amazing.

[@davidjanes99]

I had one of these, years ago, a 4.6 Vogue.. When it worked it was great, (it would randomly pack up and the EKA sequence would never work!) decent Harman Kardon stereo, sat nav and all the other toys… 9 mpg in traffic wasn’t great though but it was surprisingly fast..

[@JagdgeschwaderX]

You get 15 mpg around town easily and I'm not being an ass but you do have to spend money on them like any car if you are getting problems then it's time to dip in to the P38 fund every owner should have 😂. I've had my 2001 4.6l HSE for almost 15 years. I had the heater matrix issue, replaced the BECM and the usual airbags/compressor replacements and it's been a great car. I paid £7000 in early 2010 and still have it whilst my wife has been through 3 replacement cars in that time so when you think about it it's been a great buy. Mine is looking tired and will probably need an engine rebuild/top hat liners plus a new head liner. For a while I was thinking about replacing it but then thought with what? L322s have their problems also and with any second hand car you are often buying someone else's problems plus the road tax in the UK after 2001 goes from £240 a year to around £700 if you buy an L322. I know what's been done to my P38 and so I've decided to keep it but all Range Rovers are money hungry cars which is why they have a 'reputation; because people don't keep up with the work due to the cost. I've driven mine from the NW of England to the South of France 3 times and it's been the best car I've ever owned and I've had some cool cars over the years. On fuel consumption I moved to a rural area where our main road is a 50 mph road 8 years ago and I get 17-18 mpg, it's still terrible but we also have a Passat as our daily workhorse which takes the brunt of our driving and that's not a cheap car to run from a service perspective as every service there's bushes, bushes and more bushes to replace lol. The worst thing about owning a P38 is finding a mechanic to work on it and that might be the issue you had, most people are clueless about them or won't work on them.

[@camperdane]

Awesome, looking forward to your upcoming videos. Can't beat a classic.

[@LivingWithAClassic]

More to come!

[@saftevand]

Love it, can't wait for the next vid 🙂

[@johndavey72]

Hi Adam . You're beginning to love that V8 music a little too much ! Your Jaguars are getting a little jealous 🤣🤣 Removing the air ride is a good choice and l probably think your P6 is easily getting 10 + more to the gallon than the P38 . Of course in WW 2 the P38 was a completely different mode of transport !!! Thanks Adam . 6

[@matsjohansson3074]

Nice chrome trim in the backseat, could it be for a Daimler coupe?

[@LivingWithAClassic]

It could be!

[@athulad]

Great buy ! look after the cooling system , and fit an external transmission cooler and an ATF drain and refill.Add an injector cleaner into the fuel tank at the next fill up,. Good luck !

[@LivingWithAClassic]

Thanks for the tips!

[@pstreetgarage7304]

Very nice truck. I do like the colour also. Seems very clean

[@LivingWithAClassic]

I really like the color too! Was unsure of it first but it has grown on me

[@shauntvr4312]

You got a nice rangerover 😊

[@LivingWithAClassic]

Thank you!

[@matsjigestam8538]

Nice color and interior.

[@LivingWithAClassic]

Glad you like it!

[@charliecoco2115]

I called it yesterday a Range Rover!

[@LivingWithAClassic]

Good guess!

[@aaronjones1044]

ive been wanting a discovery 2 for some time so ill be doing a similar adventure to pick one up soon.

[@LivingWithAClassic]

I choose between one of these and a Discovery 2. Good luck with your Discovery!

[@ThirdAlternativ]

The P38 will be great for your channel! I would love the own one myself, but in Belgium they're next to impossible to tax and insure. How does it work for you in Sweden?

[@williamduncan5679]

Would have liked to have seen you fix😮 it up that would have been a great video to watch 😂😂

[@ratraceescaper]

I loved my P38 it was a 2.5td MANUAL. THE C2.5TD autos were gutless but the manuals with a performance chip really are great. What's better P38s don't rot. Love the colour of this one. My P38 was reliable apart from the air suspension that I replaced with springs and shocks. And best of all 32mpg average and 38 mpg on a run. Beat that with a modern range rover

[@LivingWithAClassic]

I’m starting to love the color too! Not a shade of green you see every day

[@ratraceescaper]

@LivingWithAClassic it's a rover colour but even then not widely used. I've seen it on 825s. I'm fairly recent to your channel but I'm really enjoying it. I've had many XK40s don't scrap your one.

[@jeffcarter7197]

Welcome to the most unloved, most unreliable Range Rover ever...but somehow I think you've got a good one. Looking forward to the modifications you have in store 👍

[@LivingWithAClassic]

I hope it’s a good one

[@dougknight1720]

Very interesting in this. I’ve had a lot of Land Rovers over the years and really want a P38, but living in Missouri now there aren’t many people that know them or will work on them…. Is it really a sensible option or a potential nightmare…😩😩

[@rafaeloreirorodriguez5278]

Get the service manual online, you will get surprised that P 38 just like L 320 or L 322 are not those nightmares to work on. As a comparison that nowone openly talks about Audis A8 or Q7 fitted with V12 turbodiesel are far worst to service and maintain but since is german almost nowone talks about it.

[@ThePapers-say]

They’re not the most unreliable at all. I’ve had mine for twenty years and apart from a few quid to get it through its mot, it’s a stonking vehicle. Not many vehicles of this type can pull 40tons, but the Range Rover p38 can. I know, I’ve done it with mine on more than one occasion. With a rolling resistance of course.

[@LivingWithAClassic]

It made for a good title. I don’t think they are either but a lot of people call them unreliable

[@ruk2023--]

If someone can afford to give away that gun cabinet with a P38 then they had plenty of money to keep it well looked after.

[@LivingWithAClassic]

It was home made and pretty crude. Looked better in pictures than in real life

[@2000halojones]

Great P38

[@grayfool]

When you said the self leveling suspension had been replaced, I suddenly realised you weren't playing Russian roulette with this car. We all know that V8 engine is a true classic. Good luck.

[@LivingWithAClassic]

Thank you! I think luck I’d needed with this one

[@paulie-Gualtieri.]

Excellent Adam, definitely will be an exciting video series. Looks very original and solid and a good starting point to improve upon. Later front and rear lights would suit the exterior colour and maybe doorcards with the wood trim.

[@LivingWithAClassic]

Yes it's solid old thing. Looks very good underneath also. I have bought later HSE wheels for it and a few nice upgrades.

[@paulie-Gualtieri.]

​@LivingWithAClassic Yes, it is certainly looks like a good one.

[@robertdnero2217]

'Brave' choice.. 😱

[@can-cruiser]

Yeah, read about Stockholm banning any ICE engines from 2025. Interested to see how will that work (if it actually does!)

[@Tipo107]

You’re like a Swedish Derek Bieri 🙂

[@LivingWithAClassic]

Thank you! One of the best compliments I have gotten

[@martinhibbert1428]

You must own shares in an oil company. If not you’re going to need some, owning 2 Range Rovers and a V12 Jag !

[@LivingWithAClassic]

It’s a few V12 jags 😂

[@martinhibbert1428]

@@LivingWithAClassic I also suspect you won’t be on Greta Thonbergs Christmas card list 😀

[@AddictedMotors]

Never seen those wheels IRL

[@davidbaker3270]

i seem to think they are called 100 plus personally i think they are horrible grotesque things yes i do own one but diesel

[@seanburke5686]

Omg 😂 positively the most unreliable car of all time 😢 had mine for 5years , time spent on the road,1 year , two recon engines and every mechanical part in the car has been changed and it's still sat on the drive unusable. They are a great car when working however should only be used if you don't mind walking half of your planned journey 😂

[@willylarsson1130]

Fin p38 du hittat.Har själv en 4.6 vouge 2000.Angående oringarna till värmepaketet så får du tabort sidopanelen till mittkonsolen,kapa värmekanalen till baksätet och borra med hålsåg i plasten.Det finns här på utube beskrivet 37:08 37:08 en

[@ned900]

DEFINITELY get the immobiliser disabled The car is very treacherous with the immobiliser active. Much friendlier car with it gone.

[@LivingWithAClassic]

PO said it was but I will double check that it is

[@ned900]

@@LivingWithAClassic the way to check is to disconnecty the battery If it starts looking for a code when you hook the battery back up, thenm itys not immobilised. Make sure you have the code before trying. A nanocom will make your life with this car way, way easier. They are too expensive, but you soon for get asbout the cost. Willow Green, which is what you have there, is the best colour I think.

[@LivingWithAClassic]

I have a Nanocom and it’s very useful. Slowing learning a lot about it

[@ned900]

Also, if you have the immobiliser neutralised, there is no need to use the keyfob, the electronic part of the key. I just use mine as a manual key. Way less pain in the balls. I disconnected the aerial on the back window, those systems are problematic and impactful, since they can leave you stranded. Better to jettison them.

[@xxbambamxx7261]

The swedish besikting are not worth anything, ive seen cars coming out of it with holes in the floorboards and rust as far as you can see 🤣

[@johnpark-jones4285]

The only bit of wood in that Range Rover is the gun cabinet in the boot.

[@anders4u222]

Would love to have one but it uses 3 times more fuel than my current car.. so I will pass.

[@LivingWithAClassic]

None of my cars are good on fuel but it doesn’t really matter. I love to drive them too much to stop

[@Ttoe280]

Looks good for 27 years old , with you on the wheels , they do not suit the car .

[@LivingWithAClassic]

I think you’ll like the new ones I have gotten for it

[@fortuner123]

A vid about buying a secondhand car. How tedious.

[@BIBIWCICC]

These will continue to be the most unreliable vehicles in the world due to their choice of engines, first they went with Rover engines (say no more) then BMWs leftover engines (BMW couldn’t wait to get rid of their stock) and then they went for the weakest Ford engines available. These are very popular in the UK mostly parked outside council houses.

[@brianyoung9014]

Just watch the front drive shaft.

[@LivingWithAClassic]

What should I watch for?

[@davidbaker3270]

whats wrong with drive shafts on my second old 38 never a axle problem just usual electric gremlins

[@filipvrbic5940]

Most unreliable Range Rover? Obviously u don't know nothing about range rovers then... Any car would be unreliable if is not serviced I have p38 for 5 years and I will never sell it.

[@LivingWithAClassic]

It’s a click bait title. Ever heard of it? Been daily driving it for months now

[@markpiercy133]

If it's that bad why buy it?

[@LivingWithAClassic]

It’s the reputation they have. I like a challenge and I want to try and prove that they’re good

[@markpiercy133]

Plenty of us own and run them, plenty will say they are rubbish and a good few will say otherwise. I've had mine for nearly ten year. Been through the list of things to fix and repair as with any 23yr old car. Part of the problem is the cost to repair and maintenance. Unfortunately not everyone's idea of the ideal car ownership so we all end up with someone else's cast off requiring a list or ignored issues therefore leaving it in an unreliable state. Not unlike any vehicle on the planet. As for a petrol V8, certainly not a choice for myself as the bmw m51 engine varient doesn't have the risk of slipping liners. Most of the owners that buy the 4.0 and 4.6l V8 will come up against the head gasket failure this engine is known for. Not all but most. Good luck with it and I hope you enjoy it. Just be sure to show the ups as well as the downs to prove reliability is maintained by the owner and not just build quality please 👍

[@LivingWithAClassic]

@markpiercy133 I always show both the ups and downs. My other daily is 50 years old and I run a classic Jaguar shop for a living. I don’t mind working on them and I in fact enjoy it

[@markpiercy133]

Sounds like your the man for this job then. So you'll understand very well from both the repair side and ownership of the vehicles. All the best from one garage to another keeping the old cars on the road😎👍

[@handhwiegman8115]

So many cars (JLR) … so little time… too bad we can’t have one of each. You motivated me to start my own channel. @oncaengineering.