I saw an advert for a white RR 1997 for £8995 with 77k mileage, petrol auto. I presently have an L405 which as it is diesel has the worry of oil dilution. Car dated 2016. Is the 1997 can well built and what should I look for. Thinking of selling my car and buying that one so I can do more short journeys. Any thoughts thanks

Probably goes without saying..but have you driven a P38? While they're a nice drive, they're a very different beast to the modern stuff.

For some reason, the P38's don't seem to rust like earlier RRC's or even the L322, but there's still a very long list of things to check.

1997 will be a GEMS system, the 4.0 seems to be better than the 4.6 but both are prone to slipped liners and coolant issues. Squeeze the top hose after a run to see if its rock hard. Look for mayo in the oil filler cap. If its on air, check it all goes up and down, people remove the EAS in the pursuit of reliability but it spoils the way the car drives. Check all the buttons work, the autobox changes smoothly and remove the fuse box lid on the drivers seat and check its got all its fuses. There's loads of buying guides out there.

I've had a 1996 HSE, 2001 Westminster and a 2002 SEA and I like them, I used them for long journeys, never had any issues with any of them once I shortened the central locking antenna. Regular oil changes are the secret and do things when they need doing.

Oh and blend motors for the HEVAC, it was along time ago, but seem to remember when they were shot there was a little book in the HEVAC panel.

Thanks for that. Glad rust is not a problem, and I will check the points you raised . I have not driven the car and appreciate it will lack the drive ability of a more modern L405. I bought 2 years a 1978 Mgb gt and love it, one of the reasons that it is more simple , no airbag, power steering but no worries about error lights going on. If still available I will get a test drive.

Found these

https://classicsworld.co.uk/guides/range-r...s-guide-2/

https://www.landrovermonthly.co.uk/article...nge-rover/

There's a nice one owner Blue 4.6 HSE UK for sale on AT at the moment, looks like its been cherished.

Plenty of info . Thanks

Just 1 point what company is AT?

Autotrader  John
2008 Stornoway Grey 3.6 Tdv8 Vogue
2005 TD6 Java Black Vogue - Written off!!
GAP iiD BT
2003 Discovery TD5 Auto, Nanocom Evolution - gone to a new home!
MasseyFerguson 152 - No electronics!! - Sold

Of course

Later years are preferred to 96 and 97 year vehicles, they just seemed to have more electrical gremlins.

I’d avoid one which has been put on springs, a daft exercise when the air sus is easy and relatively cheap to fix.

Agree completely, I think at the time people didn't understand or want to try and understand EAS.

From my own experience of running a P38 from new in 1999 and for ten years on, and personally maintaining it once out of warranty - I would say as far as the EAS system was concerned generally people did not understand the system but also code readers for fault finding and clearing were not as readily available as they are today.

From my experience the EAS system was not as robust as the later generations. Airbags for example would be very tired after 5-6 years of average miles pa, often cracks would be present.

If you got a fault you had to take it to the dealer just to get the fault cleared at dealer prices. That was until someone, I think in the US came up with a program you could download for free to reset the EAS faults, but this was probably around 2006-7.

I think out pure frustration and spiralling costs people reverted to fitting springs.

My car had £8000 worth of warranty work done - examples I can remember faulty heated seat, replacement gearbox and a steering wheel. Quality was not great. However as mentioned, besides the tailgates they were not as prone to rust as the L322.

Overall though a good vehicle. If I were to buy one today I would probably go for a diesel. It just seems to be a stronger engine. Kevin
2012 L322 Westminster 4.4 TDV8
1999 P38A 4.0 SE - Sold