Attractive cream leather interior in good condition
MOT to February 2024
Parking sensors fitted
Optional electric glass sunroof
Tow bar
The Appeal
Twenty four years after the original Range Rover hit the showrooms Land Rover unveiled the second generation, known as the P38 or P38A. Beneath the all-new bodywork the chassis of the original remained, but much improved for strength and durability. Alongside a new diesel engine the venerable Rover V8 remained, but with capacity pushed out to 4litres and 4.6litres.
The new offroader was designed to push Range Rover upmarket to generate much-needed extra profits and make space in the market for the Land Rover Discovery. In 2001, seven years into production, Land Rover introduced the Bordeaux model to celebrate 30 years of the Range Rover. Limited to 100 petrol and 100 diesel examples the Bordeaux followed an attractive burgundy theme. These rare models are now sought after by P38 enthusiasts.
The P38 successfully replaced an icon, proving to be a capable off roader and luxurious on-road vehicle. This 2001 Bordeaux model has the 4litre 188bhp V8 engine and appears to be in very good condition, particularly considering that many P38s are used as the workhorses they were built to be. There is a good history file and a full 12 months MOT. Good P38s are becoming collectable, with values following suit. This rare special edition definitely looks the part. T00GoqXWY4WLi4TFYM821gtc8QaWmjykxiJPxaJ9.jpg328.93 KB
The History And Paperwork
First registered 30th September 2001
MOT to 1st February 2024
Seven owners from new
Stamped service history to 87,000 miles in 2012, then maintained by previous owner
Head gasket replaced in 2017 at 129,159 miles
Good history file showing ongoing preventative maintenance
New radiator and brake work in January 2021
Old invoices mostly covering period between service book and current date
Dark red carpets throughout in good condition, including boot
Land Rover plastic load cover
For the P38 Range Rover the firm dialled up the luxury. This is most obvious inside where high quality leather and wood veneers abound. There is also a sense of cohesive design to the whole interior that provides a more upmarket feel.
The Bordeaux special edition gave buyers a very distinctive and tasteful interior for their new Range Rover. The finish combined light cream leather – piped with red – with deep red carpets, the contrast working particularly well as the photographs show.
The interior of this 22 year old Range Rover has held up very well. There are signs of wear but they are generally typical of the age and mileage of this vehicle and do not appear to detract from the overall appearance.
The leather seats are in good, undamaged condition, just creases and weakening foam on the sides of both bases detracting. The door cards are also generally good, only a tear in the leather armrest of the passenger rear nearside door and the driver’s door detracting. The plastic door lock surround on the driver’s door is broken and there are also light scuffs on the panel.
The headlining is good, just some light discolouration visible on the fabric surround of the sunroof.
The most significant area of damage is to the centre console black plastic surrounds, which have various scuffs. An aftermarket stereo is fitted.
The digital mileage readout on the dashboard has a bulb out on the backlight on the right hand side.
The boot area is in very good condition, particularly considering that these vehicles are often workhorses. A Land Rover boot mat has likely helped here. The cover for the offside rear light is missing.rgbiixkVulYDJ7WkMxtmpjSKopwDG5qJdTmFdl8v.jpg285.77 KB
The Exterior
Bordeaux metallic paintwork in good condition
Colour coded Bordeaux bumpers
Rear parking sensors retro-fitted
Tow bar
Good underside and chassis with no structural advisories on the MOT
Side steps fitted
Quality Grabber all-terrain tyres designed for SUVs
The P38 cleverly evolved the classic Range Rover style whilst offering a much more modern and upmarket proposition to buyers. Many of the original’s design touchstones, like the hipped swage line and clamshell bonnet, were incorporated into the ground-up redesign.
The P38 Range Rover shape is particularly responsive to good colour choice and the photographs suggest that the Bordeaux metallic of this special edition is one of the most attractive options. Just 100 petrol and 100 diesel Bordeaux models were built for one model year in 2001. The enhancements included body-coloured bumpers.
For a capable workhorse one might expect these luxury trimmings to suffer once this Range Rover went to work. However the general condition of this example indicates that it has been cared for, both bumpers and the lower bodywork being in good condition.
P38s have a reputation for rust, enhanced by the nature of their use, but this one appears remarkably rust free. The usual weak spots in the sills, arches and door shuts all appear to be in solid, very presentable condition.
The front of the vehicle has various stone chips, including one above the nearside headlamp and there are light scuffs on the front bumper. Moving clockwise around the P38 the driver’s door mirror shows signs of delamination.
The lower valance of the rear bumper is cracked and a section missing beside the towing eye.
On the nearside the side step is dented and out of alignment.
All four wheels are generally presentable but show signs of light kerbing on the edges and some chips when viewed up close. They wear quality Grabber all-terrain tyres.
The underside appears very good, just some light surface rust visible. The chassis may benefit from a wire brush and undersealing regime to maintain its structural integrity.ucOuQCIl8j35wBIoidC10Tc3DfXJxqM5qISexviG.jpg315.47 KB
The Mechanics
188bhp 3950cc Rover V8 engine with later Bosch ‘Motronic’ fuel injection
Head gaskets replaced in 2017 at 129,156 miles
4spd ZF automatic gearbox
New radiator and brake work in January 2021
Stamped service history by Land Rover and others up to 2012 and 87,000 miles
Previous owner (from 2017 to 2023) was a mechanic who undertook all his own servicing work
The Rover V8 engine at the heart of this P38 is one British motoring’s icons, dropped into a hugely diverse range of vehicles from Range Rovers to TVRs. For its new Range Rover, the firm pushed out the capacity to 3950cc, which was good for a very useful 188bhp. This P38 has the later and more desirable Bosch ‘Motronic’ fuel injection system. The engine is mated to a 4spd ZF automatic gearbox.
The history file shows a stamped service book up to 87,000 miles in 2012. Between 2017 and February 2023 it was owned by a mechanic who undertook all the service and maintenance work so there are few records from this period. There are however a number of invoices from 2012 to 2016 as well as an invoice for head gasket work at 129,159 miles in 2017. More recently there is an invoice in January 2021 for a new radiator and brake work.
The MOT runs to February 2024 and the vehicle has only covered a few hundred miles since. There were two minor advisories, both for oil leaks which appear not to be significant or excessive.fy6UBLAGNhUdbDQcKEQb8yVDdJAtb74lrut7trDz.jpg366.53 KB
Summary
The P38 Range Rover took over the mantle from the original classic version and created something more luxurious and, arguably, even more capable. Good examples are becoming sought after by enthusiasts because they are very useable, whether you’re contemplating offroad or on-road journeys.
This very presentable P38 is one of the rare Bordeaux models, a stylish special edition that adds extra luxury to the already luxurious Range Rover package. The body and underside appear to be very solid and cared for and the durable 4litre V8 has the benefit of head gasket work. The interior retains its appeal after 22 years, helping to make this modern classic an appealing prospect.
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