Churchill Land Rover

Have you been considering: Should I Buy a Classic Range Rover? We Look at the Pros and Cons of buying a classic Range Rover. We discuss the common problems and things to check when buying a used classic Range Rover

Why Buy A Classic Range Rover? 

Although some original Range Rovers are old classics, they are still good and are capable of the same jobs as standard vehicles today, just without the special technology. Many of the early first-generation Range Rovers are considered classics now and can be used as normal vehicles. They are still practical enough as a family car as well as being capable of off-roading if needed. With this, many classic Range Rovers may still need some investment of time and money for them to be refurbished. .

Within the engine, three diesel engines had been fitted at the time. The first was the Italian 2.4-litre VM unit which had an unusual individual cylinder head design. The other two were the more dependable and practical of the designs, which were 200Tdi and 300Tdi Land Rover Units. With many of these diesel, they give good service, even if the service is relatively slow. 

What should I check?

When you are looking for a good Range Rover Classic, there are a few things that you should check. Checking for damage on the interior trim is important, which includes the headlining. Checking the chassis for rust is also a good start but checking the other body structures for rust is also essential. Some of these checks will include; rear tailgate, rear load floor, underbody, inner wings, A-posts and B-posts, and the door shuts. With the checks, you should be wary of any LPG conversions that have taken place unless they have been certified and serviced with them.  

Common Problems

Depending on the vehicle's age, body rot can be a serious issue and can also be expensive depending on the degree of rot there is. Also, conversions to the engine that are not standard can directly and seriously impact the vehicle's overall price. The impact on the price is that many consider the change to the engine reduces the car's authenticity. 

Range Rover Classic inspection checklist 

Trying to buy a good Range Rover Classic can be rather tricky today as many have already been sold or are in too bad of a condition for people to see worth in them. It would be best if you kept in mind a few things when deciding whether to buy a Range Rover Classic or not. Some of these include:

  Engine: 

The V8 engines were exclusively fitted to these Range Rover Classics until 1986, and the best way to keep the engine alive and the vehicle was to change the oil every 6000 miles or so. Without the oil change every so often, the camshaft wears down rapidly and worn down camshafts can soon lead to hefty repair costs later on, especially when it is cold. Concentrating on the oil pressure gauge can be useless if the Range Rover Classic is pre-1984 as many of the gauges aren't very accurate with their readings. Also, the engine has been known to work relatively good with low pressure anyway. 

  Gearbox: 

The handbrake works on the rear shaft of the transfer gearbox. If this is used to slow down the vehicle, it can damage the half shaft, prop shaft and even the brake shoes.

  Bodywork: 

The rust within the upper half of the tailgate is quite common, so checking the seams and bottom corners can be beneficial. The earlier car tailgates don't last very well. Ensure that the locks for the top half of the tailgate are not seized open.