2000 Range Rover HSE 4.6 4x4 - Worth it to build?

[Beachbum24]

Hello all,

This is my first post on OB, so please go easy on me.

I found a 2000 Range Rover HSE with the 4.6 with 222k miles for sale on CL for $1,300. Here is the catch; it needs a new transmission and the catalytic converter has been stolen.

Does anyone have any experience with this model / year and mileage?

I am pretty handy and can install the cat myself but I would have to send it out for the new transmission.

I live in N. CA if anyone has a spot for the transmission work.

My goal is to build the roof rack, front and rear bumpers myself. Mild lift so I can fit some bigger tires (33"?). Make it a nice clean camping rig.

My questions;

Transmission cost?
other issues with the rig for the mileage?
is it worth the money to put in? (I know this is a personal question, just looking to a vehicle to build).

 

[tjZ06]

Hello all,

This is my first post on OB, so please go easy on me.

I found a 2000 Range Rover HSE with the 4.6 with 222k miles for sale on CL for $1,300. Here is the catch; it needs a new transmission and the catalytic converter has been stolen.

Does anyone have any experience with this model / year and mileage?

I am pretty handy and can install the cat myself but I would have to send it out for the new transmission.

I live in N. CA if anyone has a spot for the transmission work.

My goal is to build the roof rack, front and rear bumpers myself. Mild lift so I can fit some bigger tires (33"?). Make it a nice clean camping rig.

My questions;

Transmission cost?
other issues with the rig for the mileage?
is it worth the money to put in? (I know this is a personal question, just looking to a vehicle to build).

The P38 Range Rover (that generation) is probably the generation that above all the others earned LR its horrible reliability reputation. I had a good buddy with one, and it actually wasn't bad to him, and to be honest I really like the rigs. But, you should know what you're getting into. At 222k miles if the engine hasn't been replaced or rebuilt it *will* be a problem soon.

The 4.6 V8 actually began life way back as the Buick aluminum V8, which was designed/engineered in the late '50s. As a very early all-aluminum design, they were plagued with issues due to casting and material technologies available in the time. Obviously it evolved over the years, and got better, then the tooling and rights were sold to Rover. Eventually it became the 4.6 in that LR RR HSE. While they got "better" over the years, they still love to blow head gaskets if they are overheated, even a little. Combine that with Rover's EFI and other electronics, and they *can* be a nightmare. There are other common issues, such as HVAC issues that require removing the entire dash to fix ($$$$$$$$$$$), air suspension issues (there are traditional coil-spring conversions to address this affordably), and generally any/everything electric.

Alllllllllllll of that said, they're not bad vehicles, and like I said I'm a fan. There are very few vehicles you can buy with a V8 and front/rear solid axles with multi-link suspensions. One of the few others are the WJ Jeep Grand Cherokees like I have, but they have their own issues as well (while not as fragile as the LR 4.6, the Jeep 4.7 isn't exactly bulletproof, they have HVAC and electrical issues too, etc.). Still, I would steer clear of a $1,300 222k mile P38.

-TJ

 

[diabetiktaco]

The P38 Range Rover (that generation) is probably the generation that above all the others earned LR its horrible reliability reputation. I had a good buddy with one, and it actually wasn't bad to him, and to be honest I really like the rigs. But, you should know what you're getting into. At 222k miles if the engine hasn't been replaced or rebuilt it *will* be a problem soon.

The 4.6 V8 actually began life way back as the Buick aluminum V8, which was designed/engineered in the late '50s. As a very early all-aluminum design, they were plagued with issues due to casting and material technologies available in the time. Obviously it evolved over the years, and got better, then the tooling and rights were sold to Rover. Eventually it became the 4.6 in that LR RR HSE. While they got "better" over the years, they still love to blow head gaskets if they are overheated, even a little. Combine that with Rover's EFI and other electronics, and they *can* be a nightmare. There are other common issues, such as HVAC issues that require removing the entire dash to fix ($$$$$$$$$$$), air suspension issues (there are traditional coil-spring conversions to address this affordably), and generally any/everything electric.

Alllllllllllll of that said, they're not bad vehicles, and like I said I'm a fan. There are very few vehicles you can buy with a V8 and front/rear solid axles with multi-link suspensions. One of the few others are the WJ Jeep Grand Cherokees like I have, but they have their own issues as well (while not as fragile as the LR 4.6, the Jeep 4.7 isn't exactly bulletproof, they have HVAC and electrical issues too, etc.). Still, I would steer clear of a $1,300 222k mile P38.

-TJ

I agree. As cool as they look and as comfortable as they are. No way would I take it for free even. Especially when reliability is key when taking long trips with no cell service.

 

[EXPO_D1]

Despite the nay sayers as an Actual Land rover owner heres my two cents.

if your looking for a land rover as an adventure rig and you can resolve the issues the mentioned above i would say at that price its a decent buy. that being said that generation is notorious for electrical issues and air bag/suspension problems. id suggest testing them all and inspection the air bags closely. feel free to ask any questions you may have.

To the concerns of LR reliability ive rescused more jeeps and toyotas and have the photos/video if anyone wants them. IMHO its rarely a mfg fault for trail failures, but typically the owners lack of maintenance and care :CHEERS:

 

[diabetiktaco]

Despite the nay sayers as an Actual Land rover owner heres my two cents.

if your looking for a land rover as an adventure rig and you can resolve the issues the mentioned above i would say at that price its a decent buy. that being said that generation is notorious for electrical issues and air bag/suspension problems. id suggest testing them all and inspection the air bags closely. feel free to ask any questions you may have.

To the concerns of LR reliability ive rescused more jeeps and toyotas and have the photos/video if anyone wants them. IMHO its rarely a mfg fault for trail failures, but typically the owners lack of maintenance and care :CHEERS:

Sure, can you send me all of those videos please? A 222k mile P38 is never a good idea regardless of what I own.

 

[tjZ06]

Despite the nay sayers as an Actual Land rover owner heres my two cents.

if your looking for a land rover as an adventure rig and you can resolve the issues the mentioned above i would say at that price its a decent buy. that being said that generation is notorious for electrical issues and air bag/suspension problems. id suggest testing them all and inspection the air bags closely. feel free to ask any questions you may have.

To the concerns of LR reliability ive rescused more jeeps and toyotas and have the photos/video if anyone wants them. IMHO its rarely a mfg fault for trail failures, but typically the owners lack of maintenance and care :CHEERS:

I don't think it's accurate to write-off my reply as a "nay sayer." Give it another read, as a previous LR owner myself I think it's fair. I didn't even say a P38 in general is a terrible idea, but I think a $1300 222k mile Craiglist P38 almost certainly is a bad plan...

-TJ

 

[EXPO_D1]

Despite the nay sayers as an Actual Land rover owner heres my two cents.

if your looking for a land rover as an adventure rig and you can resolve the issues the mentioned above i would say at that price its a decent buy. that being said that generation is notorious for electrical issues and air bag/suspension problems. id suggest testing them all and inspection the air bags closely. feel free to ask any questions you may have.

To the concerns of LR reliability ive rescused more jeeps and toyotas and have the photos/video if anyone wants them. IMHO its rarely a mfg fault for trail failures, but typically the owners lack of maintenance and care :CHEERS:

Sure, can you send me all of those videos please? A 222k mile P38 is never a good idea regardless of what I own.

Please send me your email

 

[Alanymarce]

I have never owned a RR. Friends have and some have had good experience however one went through 3 transmissions in 6 months before getting a vehicle he could trust to go anywhere. An acquaintance in Africa had one (1st generation) and loved it.

Perhaps the key question is "Where do you plan to go?". I''ve seen many RRs in cities and highways, and hardly ever on remote trails or "off road"; I suspect there are several reasons for this. One of these is probably reliability. If you plan to drive through Africa then I think it would be a bad idea, if you want to drive to Newfoundland and back it could be a great vehicle for that.

 

[diabetiktaco]

Please send me your email

ebeauchea at gmail dot com

 

[Beachbum24]

Well thank you everyone who has given input into the post. I think at this point I am going to pass on the project as it will have to much cost of ownership to get it where I want. I would have to swap axles, put a VW TDI in it, blah blah blah.

I will keep looking for a vehicle that will work with my limited budget.

Again, thank you for all the information.

 

[Sgtanderson]

Late to the conversation, but in my experience generally the import stuff can get very pricey, I'm very sympathetic to a limited budget, so I try stay domestic. Different people have different experiences and the makes all have flaws. Ive always had best luck with a Ford, I've always been hurt by Dodge and Chrysler products (which kept me away from Jeeps) and the GMC I owned was OK. Admittedly, I think a Chevrolet or GMC will always be cheaper to maintain and repair than most vehicles including the Fords I like. Just my opinion based on experience and years of hot rodding. I really think building and modifying a off road rig is just another brand of Hot Rod building. LOL

 

[tjZ06]

Well thank you everyone who has given input into the post. I think at this point I am going to pass on the project as it will have to much cost of ownership to get it where I want. I would have to swap axles, put a VW TDI in it, blah blah blah.

I will keep looking for a vehicle that will work with my limited budget.

Again, thank you for all the information.

What is your budget, and what are your goals? What type of "wheeling" and Overlanding? It sounds like you had something pretty hardcore in mind if you thought you'd need to axle-swap the P38.

-TJ

 

[diabetiktaco]

If you've got a limited budget and want to be able to fix it maybe look for a mid 2000's colorado or something like that. Depending on how far off the beaten path you want to go there's 1000's of other options. A CRV would be fine.

 

[systemdelete]

As a "project" land rover owner I'm happy to give my experience. The all aluminum V8 is high maintenance by modern standards, as is the running gear but doesn't require the expensive special tooling such as a Jaguar V8 or BMW V8s. Mine has been an absolute joy to work on with mechanical parts DRAMATICALLY cheaper then you might be lead to believe. The ZH 4hp22 variant transmissions they run are not difficult to work on and have been used in many models over the years.

 

[Beachbum24]

The vehicle that I want to have would be a mid 2000’s gmc 1500HD 4x4 crew cab 6.0. I have know that truck to be very reliable. Even the 1500 4x4 crew cabs are selling for $12k plus with a bunch of miles.

I would still be able to pull a toy hauler if I head to the desert or set it up for vehicle camping.

The issue with this truck is that are very hard to find and they come with a premium cost.

For now, I will search through the forums on cool ideas and see what’s out there to buy.

 

[LONO100]

I have owned many a vehicle and spent a lot of time turning wrenches. This is not a knock against LR so much as it is a warning that any 20 year old vehicle with 222k miles on it will present many challenges for it's owner. Unless you are an experienced mechanic, have access to or have a garage that you can perform work in, and have a a good amount of disposable income to spend on repairs, I would steer clear of this project.

A 20 year old or even 50 year old project sports car that you want to work on yourself or even have restored is a completely different animal than a rig you plan to take into the middle of nowhere. You break down in a classic sports car and you are still on a road and are one call away from a tow. You have a breakdown or failure on the trail, or maybe some lonely highway in the middle of summer or winter can be dangerous. I own a 17 year old truck that I have faithfully maintained for years and years. I know that truck inside and out, and finally, this year I bought a brand new truck after realizing that taking my son on 3 deep trips off road this summer had me worrying about failures and being stuck repairing a truck in the middle of nowhere with a 4 year old put more worry in my head than the joy I get from overlanding. We didn't have a catastrophic failures on those trips and my old truck handled busimess. But the worry in the back of my head while being out there with my young son was enough for me to pony up the cash for a new ride and eventually say goodbye to my awesome old truck. Reliability is the name of the game when the roads end, so sometimes the cheapest option or a good deal isn't always the best route to take. Maybe try to find a vehicle from this decade and go from there.