Beskrivning
Fancy a high-spec V8 Range Rover for far less than you’d expect to pay for most V8 off-roaders? Step this way…
PRICE £POA
YEAR 2000
ENGINE 3946cc/ V8/ OHV/ Bosch fuel injection
POWER 188bhp@4750rpm
MAXIMUM SPEED 116mph
0-60MPH 10. 9sec
GEARBOX 4WD, four-speed ZF automatic
MILEAGE 99, 597 miles
MOT September 2021
CHASSIS NUMBER SALLPAMW31A452144
ENGINE NUMBER 58D05894A
COLOUR Epsom Green
INTERIOR Dark Granite Grey leather
WIDTH 1890mm
LENGTH 4712mm
BACKGROUND
It took Land Rover a while - 24 years, to be exact - but in 1994, the marque finally got around to replacing the first generation Range Rover. The old variant was a very tough act to follow - one of the reasons it lasted so long - but the Series 2 enhanced the original formula, packing in more equipment, luxury and trim levels to take the fight back to all the upstart premium SUVs that had followed the original Rangie.
Although officially dubbed the LP during production, most enthusiasts know the vehicle by its P38A designation. This is a mixture of its project designation - ‘Pegasus’ - and a reference to the location at the Solihull factory where development was carried out, Block 38A. However, it was also referred as ‘Discovery’ during its long gestation period, quite probably to confuse those in the media who’d got wind of the actual Discovery model before its 1989 launch.
The styling of the P38A was the work of Land Rover’s own in-house design team plus Italian coachbuilder Bertone. It took cues from the first generation vehicle - such as the clamshell bonnet with front ridges, distinct horizontal swage lines and a ‘floating’ roof - but made the shell more aerodynamic, stiffer and stronger. The long-lived and trusty Rover V8 petrol engine was carried over, in 4. 0 and 4. 6-litre form, while BMW provided its 2. 5-litre turbocharged straight-six diesel engine. Just before the new vehicle was launched, BMW increased its involvement even further, by snapping up the entire Rover Group.
The new Range Rover’s off-road abilities were as good as always, if not even better. But it also packed in the toys; it had air suspension and also was the first Land Rover product to be fitted with built-in satellite navigation or a television as options, for example.
Unlike its predecessor, the P38A had a comparatively short shelf life. With the resources of BMW behind it, Land Rover was able to develop an even more upmarket replacement - the L322 - in a much briefer timespan. After just seven years, the third generation Range Rover broke cover during 2001. Production of the P38A continued until 2002, by which time 167, 259 examples had been built.
THE VEHICLE
This Range Rover Country, with 4. 0-litre V8 petrol engine, was registered during December 2000. Finished in an attractive shade of Epsom Green, it came with Dark Granite Grey leather interior - a lot of P38As had lighter-coloured hide, so this one stands out because of that for starters. Its service book chronicles conscientious and regular servicing, mainly by Ribblesdale Land Rover in Settle, North Yorkshire, up until 72, 213 miles. After that, any work is recorded by invoices in the history folder. It all adds up to a Land Rover that has been looked after over the years, and verifies the current indicated mileage of 99, 597 miles. The sheaf of MoTs also back this figure up.
Also in the folder of paperwork, you’ll find its original owner’s manual, Land Rover assistance handbook, Panasonic audio equipment instructions and a shot of the Range Rover posing outside an upmarket hotel in France, echoing a publicity shot used by Land Rover when the P38A was a current model.
BODYWORK
This is a good, solid that has been cared for well over its 20 years of use. As you’d expect from any vehicle that has covered close to 100, 000 miles, there are a few age-related marks on the body here and there, but overall, everything is in very good condition and still looks tidy, presentable and worthy of rocking up in outside a salubrious hostelry in France - or anywhere else, for that matter. All panels are straight and even. There’s little evidence of punishing off-road use and the bumpers are clean and tidy.
Sidesteps are fitted - a useful and attractive feature on this Country variant, not found on a lot of P38As. Despite their intended use, it doesn’t look like too many people have stood on them over the years.
All the tyres are in good order and have plenty of tread left. In the case of the front ones - which are Goodyear Wrangler M&S 255/ 65 R16 items, the date stamp is 2019 - so they’ve barely been used. There’s another Goodyear at the rear, dared 2015, as well as a Barum Bravuris 4x4 255/ 65 R16 item, dated 2013. The alloy wheels display a few lacquer imperfections, but nothing particularly noticeable under normal viewing, as you can see from our photographs.
INTERIOR
For what is ostensibly an off-road vehicle intended for ploughing through the scenery, this Range Rover’s interior is very well-preserved. The grey leather seats, front and rear, have little patina aside from some light cracking, and are still firm but comfortable. The door cards and carpets have also lasted well, with the latter protected by fitted Range Rover rubber mats. There’s a smattering of walnut veneer - strips on the dashboard, plus centre console panelling, and aside from a couple of scratches on the wood on the passenger side above the glovebox, it’s holding up extremely well. The glovebox lid is a little ill-fitting, but some careful adjustment should sort this out.
A modern Pioneer radio/ CD player is fitted, which features an auxiliary input as well as a USB slot. There’s also air conditioning as well. Clocks can be temperamental on these Range Rovers, but the one here is working as it should be. A microphone for a telephone is fitted on the small ridge in front of the instrument panel behind the steering wheel.
The air suspension is operated by a switch on the dashboard - with off-road, normal, highway and unloading modes. The suspension operates quickly and effectively at the push of a button.
The capacious rear load area is finished in grey carpeting to match the rest of the cabin, and its condition is just as good as the rest of the interior. A smart rigid tonneau cover - which folds away neatly when not needed - hides anything in the back away from prying eyes.
ENGINE AND RUNNING GEAR
Underneath the bonnet, the engine bay hasn’t been detailed, so it looks like the working environment it is. But it appears stock, with no signs of DIY tinkering or plumbing, and areas such as the bonnet catch show signs of recent spray lubrication (which is also apparent in other areas on the car). All the fluids are healthy shades and topped up to the levels they should be.
These Rover V8 engines are known for their toughness if looked after - as this one seems to have been, judging by P38A’s service history - and in the comparatively relaxed state of tune utilised for Range Rovers, 100, 000 miles isn’t the vast mileage it would be in something of smaller capacity or with more power. So the 4. 0-litre unit in this one still feels very strong, with a very useful amount of muscle on hand if required. The automatic transmission handles its changes well, without hesitation or any noises that shouldn’t be there. The brakes are also extremely effective, and the Range Rover steers and handles well - with permanent four-wheel drive, it grips superbly in any conditions. The elevated driving position gives a commanding view of everything around - and generally lower - than you, while all the glasswork gives fantastic all-round visibility.
SUMMARY
These Range Rovers are incredibly practical and capable machines, costing between £36, 835 and £96, 840 when new. As P38As have yet to achieve the classic cachet of their predecessors, this is a good time to snap up a good example for a fraction of that sort of money - or, indeed, the price of many first generation models. And this is a good one; an honest machine in original condition that still looks very smart whether on the road or plugging through mud - which, with a P38A, you can easily and effectively do. All-in-all, a great deal of car for not a lot of money.
Whilst Greenside Cars Ltd has tried to ensure information and assessments are accurate and complete, we are aware that some errors and omissions may occur from time to time. We are not able, therefore, to guarantee the accuracy of information and cannot accept liability for loss or damage arising from it. We highly recommend that you examine any vehicle to check the reliability of the information supplied. Please contact us for further details, images, or to arrange a viewing of this Range Rover 4. 0 Country.
