Looking at changing our Frontera for 2001 Range Rover P38 2.5 diesel. Does anyone have any experience of towing with this model in diesel and if so how is it as a tow car. my only concern is the stated Torque of 198 compared to our current 260. Although HP is well up in the Range Rover.
Range Rover P8 2.5 diesel
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Auto diesel very sluggish on take off.Personally, I'd go for a very late M or N reg classic V8 and convert to LPG.Much better car, much better performance, much better economy.Ask CliveV
The 2.5 diesel BMW unit is smooth and reliable and from what I hear seems to get better with age!
Certainly those that have them say they have no trouble towing and the economy is good.
However, diesel Range Rovers fetch premium prices - everybody wants them. BUT those that have them tend to keep them if they are good ones!
So you have to ask yourself the question why is this one for sale.
If it does not have a full service history from a LR Specialist - walk away
If it clonks when you accelerate then take your foot off then apply power again quite hard - walk away
If ANY of the ancillaries do not work - walk away
If low range and dif lock will not engage - walk away.
P38's are great cars but there is an awful lot too them. Not helped by the fact that much of the switch gear is motor driven (what was wrong with bowden cables???)
Often these motors jam (they are 12v motors running at about 9.6v) and can be "kicked" into working again by applying 12 volts but you have to get at the motor.
Also when the motor does jam the ECU for that component shuts down and so has to be "cleared".
In many MANY ways Emerson is right - the Classic RR is far simpler, (it has good old fashioned cables!) good low mileage V8's are inexpensive and easily converted to LPG which at 40p per litre makes them cheaper to run than a diesel and they are better for the environment. If you buy a converted one - make sure you get the Certificate of Conformity from the installer. If it does not have one - walk away.
Sadly I have just sold my Classic Range Rover that was LPG converted (I still miss it!!!) and I could have sold it several times over.
I have bought a V8 Discovery that if it checks out will be LPG converted in the next month or two.
I find the huge door of the Discovery a pain when towing as you can not open the door to let the dogs out the back without faffing about with the jockey wheel. The Range Rover horizontally split tail gate is far better in my view.
However, the Disco up to 1998 was effectively built on the same 100 inch chassis of the classic Range Rover and has selectable Dif Lock which I prefer. I suggest that when you are looking at these type of vehicles and 4x4's in general that age is not the issue but condition and service history very much is.
If you really like the P38 - my advice would be (and I very nearly did this!!) - look for a well maintained V8 example that has knackered air suspension. Buy it for silly money (you can!!) then spend about
Certainly those that have them say they have no trouble towing and the economy is good.
However, diesel Range Rovers fetch premium prices - everybody wants them. BUT those that have them tend to keep them if they are good ones!
So you have to ask yourself the question why is this one for sale.
If it does not have a full service history from a LR Specialist - walk away
If it clonks when you accelerate then take your foot off then apply power again quite hard - walk away
If ANY of the ancillaries do not work - walk away
If low range and dif lock will not engage - walk away.
P38's are great cars but there is an awful lot too them. Not helped by the fact that much of the switch gear is motor driven (what was wrong with bowden cables???)
Often these motors jam (they are 12v motors running at about 9.6v) and can be "kicked" into working again by applying 12 volts but you have to get at the motor.
Also when the motor does jam the ECU for that component shuts down and so has to be "cleared".
In many MANY ways Emerson is right - the Classic RR is far simpler, (it has good old fashioned cables!) good low mileage V8's are inexpensive and easily converted to LPG which at 40p per litre makes them cheaper to run than a diesel and they are better for the environment. If you buy a converted one - make sure you get the Certificate of Conformity from the installer. If it does not have one - walk away.
Sadly I have just sold my Classic Range Rover that was LPG converted (I still miss it!!!) and I could have sold it several times over.
I have bought a V8 Discovery that if it checks out will be LPG converted in the next month or two.
I find the huge door of the Discovery a pain when towing as you can not open the door to let the dogs out the back without faffing about with the jockey wheel. The Range Rover horizontally split tail gate is far better in my view.
However, the Disco up to 1998 was effectively built on the same 100 inch chassis of the classic Range Rover and has selectable Dif Lock which I prefer. I suggest that when you are looking at these type of vehicles and 4x4's in general that age is not the issue but condition and service history very much is.
If you really like the P38 - my advice would be (and I very nearly did this!!) - look for a well maintained V8 example that has knackered air suspension. Buy it for silly money (you can!!) then spend about
Clive, I can't fault your last comment! Herself wants to know why I always drive with the window open!I had to convert my 4.2 LSE to coil springs.Trouble free now, and an easy job, but its not as nice a car now.Otherwise I agree with your comments.But, heavens to Murgatroyd, a Disco after a Range Rover? The man must be DE-Ranged! (sorry)
I know emmerson - it took some convincing!
However, what finally did it was the greater space in the back for our two large dogs as well as the fact that I sadly could not find a RR that was as good.
Incidentally - I know have another good example of "warranty claims" as was discussed on another thread. About a month after I had the new disco the ABS warning light failed to go out. Checked all the normal stuff - no joy. Took it to one place for a diagnostic and there Autologic machine said "the ABS pump will not work when asked" - They then told me it needed a new pump at several hundreds of
However, what finally did it was the greater space in the back for our two large dogs as well as the fact that I sadly could not find a RR that was as good.
Incidentally - I know have another good example of "warranty claims" as was discussed on another thread. About a month after I had the new disco the ABS warning light failed to go out. Checked all the normal stuff - no joy. Took it to one place for a diagnostic and there Autologic machine said "the ABS pump will not work when asked" - They then told me it needed a new pump at several hundreds of
Thanks for the feedback folks, got a test drive tommorrow lunchtime . It is a main landrover dealership selling the vehicle , they have emailed internal and external photos and definatley looks to be what we are looking for , the main thing will be on the PX they ofer us for our 2000 Frontera , although I have discussed that as well so looks promising.
I know emmerson - it took some convincing!
However, what finally did it was the greater space in the back for our two large dogs as well as the fact that I sadly could not find a RR that was as good.
Incidentally - I know have another good example of "warranty claims" as was discussed on another thread. About a month after I had the new disco the ABS warning light failed to go out. Checked all the normal stuff - no joy. Took it to one place for a diagnostic and there Autologic machine said "the ABS pump will not work when asked" - They then told me it needed a new pump at several hundreds of
I know emmerson - it took some convincing!
However, what finally did it was the greater space in the back for our two large dogs as well as the fact that I sadly could not find a RR that was as good.
Incidentally - I know have another good example of "warranty claims" as was discussed on another thread. About a month after I had the new disco the ABS warning light failed to go out. Checked all the normal stuff - no joy. Took it to one place for a diagnostic and there Autologic machine said "the ABS pump will not work when asked" - They then told me it needed a new pump at several hundreds of
Techys are very worthwhile if they know what they are doing - they can save you
Well went to see the Range Rover today, what a machine , more toys than a well known toy shop in London. leather seats that felt like armchairs, a ride so smooth that you felt like you were riding on a cushion of air (OK you are cause its got air suspension). So when does the Fronty go and the Range Rover take its place? The answer is it doesnt. This is an excellent car which is badly let down by a diesel engine which you can use a callender to record your 0 - 60 acceleration. Got back into the fronty and boy you appreciate the Fronties 2.2 diesel , and how responsive it is, so after looking all around for a replacement it looks like the current Fronty is ir replacable at present, that is unless i can find a very low mileage Olympus diesel at a sensible price.
Forget the diesel.I did tell you they were sluggish.If it has to be a p38 go for a 4.0 litre petrol and gas it!Better yet,do as I first suggested and buy a late model Classic.If it must be diesel, the last {pipe delimiter}Classic had the 300tdi.Much better than the BMW diesel.Happy hunting!.
Agreed - the 4.0L V8 is far sweeter than the 4.6. And on LPG will still do c. 20MPG or there abouts whether it is towing or not!
With LPG at about 40p per litre this equates to a cost equivalent of 38 to 40 mpg - far better than a diesel! And it has that sound!
Did I ever mention it is kinder to the environment as well!!
LMAO!!!!
Seriously - what mileage had the diesel RR done - they are known to get better and free'er with age.
With LPG at about 40p per litre this equates to a cost equivalent of 38 to 40 mpg - far better than a diesel! And it has that sound!
Did I ever mention it is kinder to the environment as well!!
LMAO!!!!
Seriously - what mileage had the diesel RR done - they are known to get better and free'er with age.
The RR had 48,000 on the clock. Pulling away onto a rounabout on the test drive was frightening, dread to think what it would have been like with the van on the back (shudder). Autobox was far to sensitive as well, least little extra presure on the pedal and she wanted to kick down.
Good old fronty gets into 5th when towing at 45mph and stays there regardless plenty of torque to over take, quick of the mark. Strange how a test drive can make you appreciate what you have got.
As for LPG if we had been able to find one already converted at a dealer then yes it would have been an option, but no lucj.
Good old fronty gets into 5th when towing at 45mph and stays there regardless plenty of torque to over take, quick of the mark. Strange how a test drive can make you appreciate what you have got.
As for LPG if we had been able to find one already converted at a dealer then yes it would have been an option, but no lucj.
I think Del, you have just underlined the reason for my anti-diesel prejudice. Slow and frightening - has always been my experience.
The one exception was a 2.8L Trooper that was great. Apart from the clatter at idle it was great - it really flew!
Not surprising then that the Frontera does well being a rebadged Isuzu built under licence.
The one exception was a 2.8L Trooper that was great. Apart from the clatter at idle it was great - it really flew!
Not surprising then that the Frontera does well being a rebadged Isuzu built under licence.
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