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Range Rover 4.6 HSE

P

Peter_5041291

Hello all,

Anyone out there tow with one of these machines. No doubt they`re very capable, but how reliable are they?

Comments would be much appreciated.

Pete.
 
If you can afford one, do you need to ask? Seriously, I believ that LPG conversions can make the running costs for fuel a bit more tolerant, but maintenance i suspect is very expensive.
 
Is it the P38 that you are asking about? We recently were considering purchasing a Range Rover (all be it diesel), the RR is a very complex peace of machinery. The early P38's did come in for a fair amount of critisism but most problems had been fixed on the later cars. they have air suspension which gives an excellent ride and alters height acording to speed. If you are looking at one it is important that it has a full service history by a RR specialist and that the servicing has been undertaken within the mileage and times specified by the manufacturer.

They are prety reliable cars , albeit if a problem does happen it can be costly to fix. Some owners have replaced the air bag suspension with coils due to the complexity of the system. However this doesnt give as smooth a ride and you loose the ability of being able to adjust the ride height at the push of a button.

All in all a lovely car butcostly to run. If you get 18mpg solo you are doing well.
 
Del is right in all his comments, but doesn't mention the dreaded cracked liner syndrome.If the engine overheats AT ALL, that,s the end of it.You need to know every little detail of its past before buying,as it is one of the most complex bits of kit I've ever come across. Any repair bill starts at
 
Am I really that predictable emmerson? LOL!!!

All comments above spot on - lovely vehicle but that 4.6 engine is a bit of a liability. Can be cured if caught early. It is called "porous block" as this seemed to explain the symptoms where the metal between the cooling water chanels and the combustion chamber goes porous. The signs are water in the oil and oil in the water. If a lot of water vapour in the exhaust - walk away!!

Or buy it for less than a
 
He-he! Knew you wouldn't be able to resist that one, Clive! Btw, As I think I've said before, I run a 4.2 LSE on LPG which for me, is just about the perfect towcar.However, just lately it has developed a problem that neither time nor money seems able to fix.It has suddenly started not starting, if you see what I mean! There is no pattern to it, it will be fine for weeks, then one day won't start.Place a fan heater under the bonnet for 30mins, and away we go, for another couple of weeks, then the same again.Between myself and two local LPG and LR independents, we've replaced all the ignition, plus all the temperature sensors, but I still have the problem.When it does go, there is no sign of a problem,but the garages cannot fix the fault if the fault isn't there when I take it to them. And yes, they've been out to it too. Any thoughts, or should I just set fire to it?
 
Hi emmerson

Always liked the LSE - my old RR was great but those rear doors were so small. When I got into an LSE - quite a revelation.

Presumably the starter turns?

I ask As I had a problem with the ignition switch on mine - one aof the wires had hardened and broke then made only an intermitant connection.

If not that and the ignition bits all replaced and checked out, then have you checked that the advance ****** on the Distributor is working? They can get stiff and/or if the vacumn pipe is split or leaking it may not be re-setting itself ready for restarting.

Other things particular to LPG - as its calorific value is lower than petrol, it needs the plug gap to be about 75 to 80% of what it should be for petrol. As plugs wear the gap can become more than is optimum for LPG.

Also my particular bug bear with anything LR - Lucas electrics!!

I do not feel happy unless the electric bits are coverred in WD40!

Hope this helps!

Don't burn it! I am sure there is a rescue home for LSE's
 
Hi Clive. It's had a new starter too! All the things you've mentioned have been looked at. There's a little gremlin in there somewhere who only comes out occasionally, and hides whenever a techy goes near the car!Much as we love the car, we are seriouly thinking of getting rid,cos we can't have an unreliable car.Fortunately, we have a 1969 Morris traveller as stand-by. That never fails to start! What price modern technology?
 
I know what you mean. The ABS light lit up but would not go out about three weeks after I bought the Discovery. Checked all that I could but no luck - did find a split in the cruise control pipe tho and fixed that so when I tried it, that worked fine.

Took it to a LR specialist and got them to put it on their diagnostic setup - most impressive.

It said "ABS pump not working when asked". Now considering the first garage at this point immediately said "New Pump" (
 
Peter,

I was considering a P38 then did some research - the conclusion was only buy if you are a UK flag waving machoistic and have a bank balance the size of the Queen, God bless her!

Go on to the RR Register and read some of the enthusiasts comments - blimey they must be nuts. If the car has done more than 80 k watch out cos the engines go big time around that figure and it doesnt matter what size they are it seems; and that's before you even think about electrics, AC and air "non suspension" . The small guy, Hammond, on Top Gear has one has one and loves it but admits bits keep falling off- he can probably afford to have them all put back, can you?

If you want a big offroader buy Jap or nearly new Korean - they do the job as well but more importantly they just keep on working. Don't listen to Clive either when he tells you that Japs are expensive to fix, for a start they just don't go wrong and secondly bits are as cheap or cheaper than LR.

For example I have just done a major srvice on my Trooper with new discs, pads, all the filters, timing belt, thermostat, complete fluid change and the parts bill was
 
PS.

Reading the foregoing back perhaps I was a bit harsh - they do have lovely leather seats and real tree bits on the dash and doors, the heated seats have almost certainly packed up though and the electric adjusters have siezed in the small person position, probably why hammond likes them - oh dear, here I go again!
 
PS.

Reading the foregoing back perhaps I was a bit harsh - they do have lovely leather seats and real tree bits on the dash and doors, the heated seats have almost certainly packed up though and the electric adjusters have siezed in the small person position, probably why hammond likes them - oh dear, here I go again!
Click to expand...
David, you are so right! As CliveV said some time ago, only three things go wrong with Range Rovers- Lucas, Lucas and Lucas!What a shame they didn't use Bosch.Their cars would then have beaten the world!
 
Hi David

I am tempted to say - have a look at what I actualy said - because I am not sure what part of:-

"These (compared to a P38) are simple and reliable and use CABLES to move vents and things. The idea of using motors is OK if Bosch or Japanese electrics - BUT LUCAS !!!!!

Forget it."

was ambiguous in any way. I am not a fan of the P38 but don't forget the deisel version has a very nice (!!) BMW 6 cylinder engine in it that goes "sort of ok" in standard trim, but can be easily tweaked to be a stunner.

I agree entirely with MH - most modern cars, be they European, US or Japanese are well built. But if you think a Japanese car is inexpensive - even your Trooper, I would say you are in for a rude awakening. However, both are excellent and capable vehicles.

Certain parts on the Trooper suspension/steering/axles are so expensive to replace that when they do wear the cost of repair is more than the car is worth.

On contrast most Land Rover's can just have that part refurbished, rebushed, - whatever - and it is back on the road. After all there has to be a reason why there are just so many old Land Rovers about but it is rare to see a 20 year old Shogun, or Trooper. Tho' having driven a Nissan Prairie in Africa, and whilst it is more basic than the Trooper or Shogun, it is an awsome beast that in my view derserves far more accolade than it gets.

But just poping back to the 4.6L varient of the P38 - some go on forever without problems - others seem to suffer the dreaded porous block (innacurate description) problem.

As I have said earlier - any one who has a good one should get the ECU remapped as the problem is not an inherant weakness in the design of that wonderful V8, but a problem inflicted upon it by the programming within the standard ECU.

Oh! David - if you want to talk about engine reliability have a look at any Trooper enthusiast Forum re the 3.0L diesel - now thankfully superceded!

Mainly because this engine had a self destruct mode that activated itself within a very short time. Isuzu lost a lot of credability and "fans" with the way they wriggled out of warrenty claims.

One of my clients had one and she lost thousands of
 
Hi David

I am tempted to say - have a look at what I actualy said - because I am not sure what part of:-

"These (compared to a P38) are simple and reliable and use CABLES to move vents and things. The idea of using motors is OK if Bosch or Japanese electrics - BUT LUCAS !!!!!

Forget it."

was ambiguous in any way. I am not a fan of the P38 but don't forget the deisel version has a very nice (!!) BMW 6 cylinder engine in it that goes "sort of ok" in standard trim, but can be easily tweaked to be a stunner.

I agree entirely with MH - most modern cars, be they European, US or Japanese are well built. But if you think a Japanese car is inexpensive - even your Trooper, I would say you are in for a rude awakening. However, both are excellent and capable vehicles.

Certain parts on the Trooper suspension/steering/axles are so expensive to replace that when they do wear the cost of repair is more than the car is worth.

On contrast most Land Rover's can just have that part refurbished, rebushed, - whatever - and it is back on the road. After all there has to be a reason why there are just so many old Land Rovers about but it is rare to see a 20 year old Shogun, or Trooper. Tho' having driven a Nissan Prairie in Africa, and whilst it is more basic than the Trooper or Shogun, it is an awsome beast that in my view derserves far more accolade than it gets.

But just poping back to the 4.6L varient of the P38 - some go on forever without problems - others seem to suffer the dreaded porous block (innacurate description) problem.

As I have said earlier - any one who has a good one should get the ECU remapped as the problem is not an inherant weakness in the design of that wonderful V8, but a problem inflicted upon it by the programming within the standard ECU.

Oh! David - if you want to talk about engine reliability have a look at any Trooper enthusiast Forum re the 3.0L diesel - now thankfully superceded!

Mainly because this engine had a self destruct mode that activated itself within a very short time. Isuzu lost a lot of credability and "fans" with the way they wriggled out of warrenty claims.

One of my clients had one and she lost thousands of
Click to expand...
 
David W

Believe me if you thought I was patronising you then nothing could be further from the truth. The incident concerned in the story above happened when I worked for British Airways who had a real aerospace culture even when working on things like stairs, buses or de-icing rigs. The rationale was simple why put anything in danger - just do it right and as cheap as possible. So even things like engineers steps saw the inside of a workshop every six weeks.

One thing that you're absolutely right on is your point about the British car industry, accepting second best very often on some key parts this was absolutely true. The biggest problem we've all had is between differentiating past glory and reputation and continuing to maintain it. Take for instance the City Rover - one company near you has them flying out the door at under
 
Hi David

I am tempted to say - have a look at what I actualy said - because I am not sure what part of:-

"These (compared to a P38) are simple and reliable and use CABLES to move vents and things. The idea of using motors is OK if Bosch or Japanese electrics - BUT LUCAS !!!!!

Forget it."

was ambiguous in any way. I am not a fan of the P38 but don't forget the deisel version has a very nice (!!) BMW 6 cylinder engine in it that goes "sort of ok" in standard trim, but can be easily tweaked to be a stunner.

I agree entirely with MH - most modern cars, be they European, US or Japanese are well built. But if you think a Japanese car is inexpensive - even your Trooper, I would say you are in for a rude awakening. However, both are excellent and capable vehicles.

Certain parts on the Trooper suspension/steering/axles are so expensive to replace that when they do wear the cost of repair is more than the car is worth.

On contrast most Land Rover's can just have that part refurbished, rebushed, - whatever - and it is back on the road. After all there has to be a reason why there are just so many old Land Rovers about but it is rare to see a 20 year old Shogun, or Trooper. Tho' having driven a Nissan Prairie in Africa, and whilst it is more basic than the Trooper or Shogun, it is an awsome beast that in my view derserves far more accolade than it gets.

But just poping back to the 4.6L varient of the P38 - some go on forever without problems - others seem to suffer the dreaded porous block (innacurate description) problem.

As I have said earlier - any one who has a good one should get the ECU remapped as the problem is not an inherant weakness in the design of that wonderful V8, but a problem inflicted upon it by the programming within the standard ECU.

Oh! David - if you want to talk about engine reliability have a look at any Trooper enthusiast Forum re the 3.0L diesel - now thankfully superceded!

Mainly because this engine had a self destruct mode that activated itself within a very short time. Isuzu lost a lot of credability and "fans" with the way they wriggled out of warrenty claims.

One of my clients had one and she lost thousands of
Click to expand...
 
hi peeps. I've read all your comments,and agree with most of them. My 4.2 LSE has just been delivered back from the local garage after MOT and in spite of knowing about its starting problems, the garage owner has asked for first refusal if I decide to sell.Recommendation or what? This is RR no.5, I cannot really imagine driving anything else. CliveV, is there a cure?
 
Cure? emmerson??

Not sure but I do know it is infectious. I became infected after trying to tow a horse trailer of a wet field with a Citroen BX Estate (great car - more load carrying capacity than anything else I have had and that suspension is just superb)

I was helped by a guy in a Range Rover and was hooked - never looked back. Bought mine in 1998 with 75K miles for
 
Nothing on earth will persuade me that Range Rovers are anything more than a hole in the road that you throw money into!

New or old, you need more money than sense to even think about one.

h
 
Nothing on earth will persuade me that Range Rovers are anything more than a hole in the road that you throw money into!

New or old, you need more money than sense to even think about one.

h
Click to expand...
Here here - I would add that any trip over 50 miles should be in convoy with a recovery truck.
 
Yes well - the main reason I and others have a Range Rover is so we can look down on the poor.

You stay down there Gary & David and those of us with perhaps a higher station in life could waft past you in our Best 4x4xfar

LOL!!!
 
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