Rangerovers -are they really that bad ?

Barr

A friend of mine is thinking of buying a 1996 Rangerover 2.5D

Everyone he asks about them says their nothing but trouble with the likes of cracked cylinder heads and the air suspension breaking down.

Would ye agree their more trouble than their worth or have people had good experiences with them?

ALSO would anybody know is there a way of checking the air suspension if its working properly?

Thanks

BeardyGit

Barr wrote: »

A friend of mine is thinking of buying a 1996 Rangerover 2.5D

Everyone he asks about them says their nothing but trouble with the likes of cracked cylinder heads and the air suspension breaking down.

Would ye agree their more trouble than their worth or have people had good experiences with them?

ALSO would anybody know is there a way of checking the air suspension if its working properly?

Thanks

I'm assuming you're talking about a P38 - The one made in the late 90's. If so, the cracked head/slipped liner issue is only relevant if you're looking at the petrol v8's - 3.9 litre and upwards. The 2.5 DSE is a BMW power plant and doesn't have any such issues, as it's completely different to the big bore Rovers v8's with iron top hat liners etc. So, engine-wise, no problem. Apart from it being a bit underpowered in general.

When it comes to the EAS (air suspension), it's a hassle and a headache, but it doesn't have to be. There's a very simple conversion available to switch in coil springs for the airbags, and a bypass module for the EAS and self levelling contoller in the ECU. It's worth it. Or, if the plush ride afforded by the EAS is part of the appeal, buy a Rovercom for about 300 sterling and he can reset anything that starts acting up, including when it decides to self level like a drunk....All cock-eyed and all over the place

Apart from that, if it's his main driver, tell him to keep the AA cover up to date (including homestart), make sure it has a service history (I mean that - Don't buy one without), keep 1k in the bank for sudden failures, and make sure he's not in a hurry to get anywhere, ever. They're lovely yokes, but they're slow and heavy. And they break down a bit. And they break hearts. But they're lovely anyway.

I'm a big fan of the Landrover/Rangerover marque (I own a 3.5 twin carb range rover classic.....ambulance....at the moment, and I'm looking at a 4.2 V8 Discovery I, which is based on the RRC), but they're not for the faint hearted.....None of the older Landrovers are. Sadly, the P38 was kind of out on its own, not really based on anything before it, so it was a whole new development without years of refinement etc., and while there have been a few who have taken on the P38 as a suitable platform for modifications and improvements, most have just put up with them for what they are....A rather posh headache....

That said, a clean, well maintained and unabused one could be a very rewarding vehicle to own. Best bet is to get a specialist or genuine enthusiast to give it the once over - There are too many things (aside from air suspension) that you need to know about if you're thinking of sinking a wad into one...

Cheers,

Gil

discodaveirl

Range Rover are the best! If you want any advice go to www.clri.net Im a member.

BeardyGit

Actually, I'd go to www.rangerovers.net first if I were you. It's a US based site where the lads are passionate but practical about RR ownership. They state the failings instead of playing them down and talking up how great a range rover is, to the detriment of a prospective new owner. You need to know what you/your mate are getting into.

Then, once you're fullly up to speed on the basics and what to look for, drop into the lads on clri.net with specific questions and you'll find a wealth of information and enthusiastic help to be found. They're all bang on lads over there but they're complete landrover nuts (me too), and sometimes mistake faults for character of the marque....

Anyway, later folks,

Gil

PS; Howaya DiscoDave!

colm_mcm

discodaveirl wrote: »

Range Rover are the best! If you want any advice go to www.clri.net Im a member.

He's asking if they're troublesome. (which they are)

Rory123

Seeing as some of you guys are in the know...
My brother just took delivery of his new 08 commercial disco 2.5. He specified it with everything on it (practically everything except the tent that goes on the tailgate for camping)... runner bars, 20" storm (i think thats the name) alloys, phone kit, LR towhitch, air suspension, black leather with grey piping, and so on....
He has to keep it til Jan 2010 due to something about his business. Anyway he has offered to me and promised a good deal for it then (2 years will go by very quickly).

My question is should I bother to start putting a few quid aside for it now or are the newest LVs still going to give trouble in in a couple of years.

Thanks for advice, but please don't bother recommending other years or models... I'm only interested in this particular vehicle as I will know its life story and I know he takes good care of his cars, but I understand that LV still may not have ironed out the glitches yet.

Barr

Rory123 wrote: »

Seeing as some of you guys are in the know...
My brother just took delivery of his new 08 commercial disco 2.5. He specified it with everything on it (practically everything except the tent that goes on the tailgate for camping)... runner bars, 20" storm (i think thats the name) alloys, phone kit, LR towhitch, air suspension, black leather with grey piping, and so on....
He has to keep it til Jan 2010 due to something about his business. Anyway he has offered to me and promised a good deal for it then (2 years will go by very quickly).

My question is should I bother to start putting a few quid aside for it now or are the newest LVs still going to give trouble in in a couple of years.

Thanks for advice, but please don't bother recommending other years or models... I'm only interested in this particular vehicle as I will know its life story and I know he takes good care of his cars, but I understand that LV still may not have ironed out the glitches yet.

I dont think the discos ever gave much trouble , even the old ones were ok.

The new ones are supposed to be gig improvement over the older ones .

The only concern would be the air suspension if its anything like the Rangerovers.

Rory123

ah I just heard there were a few glitches with the later of the old ones and the early disco 3's.
The air suspension can give awful trouble on discos too apparantly.

DonJose

Tell your buddy to check out the following link, it lists the most common faults,

http://www.whatcar.co.uk/used-car-summary.aspx?RT=2244&type=1