1989 Range Rover Classic V8 - serviced.. 25 Aug 14

[oasis6x]

So, I've acquired this range rover v8 which has been sat dry stored in a barn for a decent amount of time. It's a v8 auto with pretty low mileage, no major signs of rust aside from bubbling on the back doors and I reckon I can get it started too.

Is it worth saving? It seems to be a pretty early one compared to the ones in ebay at the moment, it's F registered which correct me if I'm wrong is about 89?

Major snags I can see is one back corner is lower than the rest and there's no back seats. It smells of lovely foisty velour too.

Pics from today after a quick jet wash

imgur.com/geLnyE8.jpg
imgur.com/UlHkDj6.jpg
imgur.com/dmwohJB.jpg

I really want to know what It would be worth with a test on it and if it's worth saving?

[omega]

that's not a f reg unless its a private plate

[oasis6x]

Ah ok, i don't know then. I pick up the paperwork tomorrow. Its certainly on an f plate. What makes you say that?

[oasis6x]

DVLA says its an 89, which is a bit later?

Manufacturer ROVER
Model RANGE ROVER VOGUE EFI A
Type ESTATE
Doors
Year 1989
Colour SILVER
Engine size 3528
Transmission
Fuel PETROL
Date of 1st Registration 19 Jan 1989
Vehicle Registration Mark F*** ***
Number of previous owners 6

[squonk]

Exposed door hinges and the lower but covered fuel flap along with the earlier dash style suggest that it is either an 86, 87 or 88 model. So if it is an 88 it could be an F reg. Late 88 would have hidden door hinges.

In good/reasonable condition with a full test and back seats fitted it could make £1500. Classic Range Rovers are picking up value rapidly as most have either been off roaded to death or eaten by rust. Looking at the interior I'm guessing its a base model. I like the selection of wheels, Discovery on the back and Range Rover LSE on the front!! what's on the other side?

[oasis6x]

Jul 9, 2014 17:30:06 GMT squonk said:

Exposed door hinges and the lower but covered fuel flap along with the earlier dash style suggest that it is either an 86, 87 or 88. So if it is an 88 it could be an F reg. Late 88 would have hidden door hinges.

In good/reasonable condition with a full test and back seats fitted it could make £1500. Classic Range Rovers are picking up value rapidly as most have either been off roaded to death or eaten by rust. Looking at the interior I'm guessing its a base model. I like the selection of wheels, Discovery on the back and Range Rover LSE on the front!! what's on the other side?

I didnt even notice that! Ive never had a land/range so a lot of things ill have to read up on. If they're bringing that than its probably worth putting in for a test at least to see whats up. I don't have any plans for it, i actually ended up with it by chance.

Hopefully i can get it running up to temp etc tomorrow and give it the once over, make sure the auto box etc works and see what else is knackered. It looks like its got a lift kit on it which is pretty new - or at least all the dampers and whatnot look aftermarket.

DVLA says its a vogue, not sure what model this is.

[squonk]

Vogue is the base model (other than the Fleetline which was for foreign markets). The upmarket version was the Vogue SE. I have one of each (an 87 Vogue with an RPi 220bhp V8 and a 92 Vogue SE 3.9).

Check the rear crossmember and boot floor for rot, along with the door pillars, inner wings, rear arches (particularly where the seat belt mounts are) and inner sills. These things rot like mad and can be a massive weld fest even if they look good. The inner frame behind the rear quarters is also a rot trap. Attack it with a screwdriver, the MoT tester will anyway!!

[oasis6x]

Jul 9, 2014 17:41:00 GMT squonk said:

Vogue is the base model (other than the Fleetline which was for foreign markets). The upmarket version was the Vogue SE. I have one of each (an 87 Vogue with an RPi 220bhp V8 and a 92 Vogue SE 3.9).

Check the rear crossmember and boot floor for rot, along with the door pillars, inner wings, rear arches (particularly where the seat belt mounts are) and inner sills. These things rot like mad and can be a massive weld fest even if they look good. The inner frame behind the rear quarters is also a rot trap. Attack it with a screwdriver, the MoT tester will anyway!!

Ok thats great, ill have a good poke about. I cant be doing with too much welding. The guy i got it off reckons he took it out and it failed a test last year (the only time its moved in a while i think) but it wasnt on welding, it was on a spring, loose bumper and other stuff.

What should i do with it if it is full of rust? I realise this is a stupid question but its sort of been inherited, and i don't know whether the usual way is to scrap, strip, sell as is etc? I'm not too swept up on older stuff.

[squonk]

If it is a problem I'd stick it on ebay as is. It'll probably still make £500+.

[oasis6x]

Jul 9, 2014 17:45:39 GMT squonk said:

If it is a problem I'd stick it on ebay as is. It'll probably still make £500+.

Ah ok. at the moment its in the works car park as i can get away with it being parked there with a sorn etc. The only reason i ask that is storage at home is limited.

How are these viewed in the classic car world? I imagine it likes petrol.

[mdh]

It should get mid to late teens mpg.

As said earlier, early Rangies are going up in value now.

When you're looking for rust, check the front inner wings.

Also check all the switches inside work as some can be silly money to fix.

[squonk]

Jul 9, 2014 18:30:08 GMT mdh said:

It should get mid to late teens mpg

Ha ha, I wish. I've had Rangies for the last twenty five years and I don't think I've ever got one to do better than 14 mpg. Typically budget for 12 - 14 mpg. Towing a large T/A caravan I've had it down to 9 mpg!! Both of my current ones are on LPG so it puts the running costs into just about acceptable.

Jul 9, 2014 18:30:08 GMT mdh said:

Also check all the switches inside work as some can be silly money to fix.

Not likely to be a problem on this one as it is a low spec. The killer is electric memory seats. When the ECU fails (and they all do!!) it's £800 to replace - if you can find one. Unfortunately it is part of the MoT to check seat operation so it has to work. I created a work around using a bunch of relays. Electric sunroof controls can fill with water as they are up in the headlining but, again, there are simple work arounds. Thankfully most of the electrics are very simple so with a bit of ingenuity there is usually a work around or simple repair. Check out forum.lro.com/viewforum.php?f=33 for lots of useful info and rangerovers.net.

[mdh]

Jul 9, 2014 18:52:34 GMT squonk said:

Jul 9, 2014 18:30:08 GMT mdh said:

It should get mid to late teens mpg

Ha ha, I wish. I've had Rangies for the last twenty five years and I don't think I've ever got one to do better than 14 mpg. Typically budget for 12 - 14 mpg. Towing a large T/A caravan I've had it down to 9 mpg!! Both of my current ones are on LPG so it puts the running costs into just about acceptable.

Jul 9, 2014 18:30:08 GMT mdh said:

Also check all the switches inside work as some can be silly money to fix.

Not likely to be a problem on this one as it is a low spec. The killer is electric memory seats. When the ECU fails (and they all do!!) it's £800 to replace - if you can find one. Unfortunately it is part of the MoT to check seat operation so it has to work. I created a work around using a bunch of relays. Electric sunroof controls can fill with water as they are up in the headlining but, again, there are simple work arounds. Thankfully most of the electrics are very simple so with a bit of ingenuity there is usually a work around or simple repair. Check out forum.lro.com/viewforum.php?f=33 for lots of useful info and rangerovers.net.

You must have a lead foot! Exgf had an Se and we dropped a tweaked 4.6 in it with an LPG conversion.

Mixed driving gave 17mpg.

Yeah electric seat switches are a pain, an expensive pain at that!

[loudandproud205]

I've had 2 Range Rover classics and I to didn't see much over 15mpg. I now have a 3.9 Discovery and its returning average of 14-16.

All of my Range Rovers rotted really badly inner sills, boot floor, wheels arch/door shuts. Then there is the steel upper tailgate that opens itself once it gets old and rusted.

There not worth a great deal either, I sold my 94 200 Tdi £640 on ebay as it needed even more welding and I'd found a Japanese imported Discovery that was the most solid classic Land Rover I'd seen in a decade.

[georgeb]

Of course it's worth saving. It's a Range Rover and it's got a V8. Simples

[oasis6x]

Thats the attraction, that V8.

Ive been right round it today and all the inner arches are suprisingly solid and waxoiled. The bootfloor looks the same but i could only see from the inside.

The battery was obviously totally flat and i thought my works van might jump it off, but alas no. The battery is on charge now so ill know whather it runs ok tomorrow. When i tried jumping it off it just clicked away but all the interior worked, central locking, fans, wipers etc.

Its got the entire back bench missing and a side trim from the side of the boot. Also one side of the upper rear tailgate doesnt want to 'latch'.

I want to check the oil and water etc but couldnt see a radiator cap - only a big bleed screw bolt thing. Is this the only topup, ie no expansion tank?

Cheers guys

[squonk]

No, there is an expansion tank on one of the inner arches. Looks like it's worth sticking it in for test just to see whats needed.

[oasis6x]

Jul 10, 2014 17:56:35 GMT squonk said:

No, there is an expansion tank on one of the inner arches. Looks like it's worth sticking it in for test just to see whats needed.

Ah ok, ill have a nosey about to see if i can find it

[mdh]

Big black thing on the left behind the battery....

[squonk]

Jul 10, 2014 20:54:30 GMT mdh said:

Big black thing on the left behind the battery....

The picture you have posted is of a later classic. The earlier type (which the OP's is) looks a little different:



They have a metal expansion tank with an older type radiator cap.