1999 Range Rover 4.0 Vogue

Our example is a 1999 SE model featuring the 4-litre V8 petrol engine mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. The P38A iteration retained all the marque’s legendary off-road credentials, of course. Permanent four-wheel drive, viscous differentials and two-speed transfer box were retained to do the driver’s bidding once off the beaten track. The P38A added a sophisticated electronic air suspension system to the mix to effortlessly blend on and off-road capabilities.

Our example was manufactured in the summer of 1999 and first registered in July of that year. The first owner kept the Range Rover for a little under three years with the second keeping it for exactly a year. The third owner acquired the Range Rover in December 2002 and retained it for a full 19 years before passing it on to its fourth keeper in 2021.

Current owner, Tom, acquired the Range Rover via an online auction in May 2022. At that point the Range Rover had covered a little over 89,000 miles. Tom has added a further 6,000 miles, or so, to that total. He is now only parting ways with the Range Rover due to a surfeit of vehicles and a dearth of space, and time, to do them justice.

Our SE presents in its original Rioja Red (601) colourway which seems to suit its “car for all seasons and reasons” ethos. Our photographic package effectively captures the seeming originality of a car that has been regularly used and enjoyed. Clearly no garage queen but rather an honest and original example of the breed.

The paintwork appears to be original and seems to be in decent fettle and still able to provide a lustrous shine in all the key areas. As often seems the case with vehicles of this hue and age there is some lacquer deterioration in evidence. This is mostly confined to plastic panels such as the wing mirror housings and bumper covers. Given the vintage and type of vehicle, the presence of some minor scratches is unsurprising. The usual suspects for corrosion, however, appear in fine order with nothing of concern noted. The cabin glass and light lenses all appear to be original and present in good order throughout.

The SE sits on its original five, double spoked 18-inch alloy wheels. These are in a reasonable, overall condition with some loss of finish, minor marks and lacquer bubble in evidence. Finished in bright silver, the wheels are shod in a matching set of Avon ZX7 tyres in the factory specification 255/55 R18 configuration. These were fitted in September 2022 at 91,197 miles.

This SE is sumptuously trimmed in hand finished leather in an Ash Grey (U) hue. The leather of both front seats is in excellent condition with no imperfections noted. Even the driver’s side bolsters, a perennial wear point, is in an excellent condition. The front seats are heated and partially electrically adjustable. The rear seats are equally well preserved and identically timed. The leather throughout the cabin remains supple and soft and truly belies the age and dual-purpose nature of the Range Rover.

Another facet of the SE’s luxury ambiance is the hand finished dark burr walnut wood veneer that graces the dashboard and door cappings. This seems to be complete and in fine order throughout. The carpets are thought to be original and in a good, used condition. They appear to have enjoyed long-term protection from heavy duty rubber backed and carpet faced mats. Door cards present well and seem to retain their original speakers and door furniture.

The boot retains its original carpet set which appears to be in a good, used condition. This area is accessed via the signature Range Rover split tailgate which usefully doubles as a covered bench seat for all those rainy days at the races, polo or regatta. The underfloor area retains the full tool set, spare wheel and tyre and removable towing hook. A spare number plate for towing, and a new set of front brake callipers are also housed here.

Our inspection notes that all the Range Rover’s numerous interior refinements are in working order. This SE’s cabin, then, manages to fully retains that luxurious limousine-esque ambiance for which it has become famed. 

This P38A is fitted with the 4.0 litre (3,946cc) version of the erstwhile Rover V8 petrol engine. Originally rated at 190 bhp and with a meaty torque curve, this endowed this large SUV with a sub 10 second 0-60 mph time and a top speed easily into three figures. That somewhat misses the point of the second generation of Range Rover, however. The tuneful and flexible V8 mated to the four-speed ZF automatic gearbox is more suited to wafting and refined progress regardless of the conditions or the surface. The 1994 Range Rover brochure put it neatly by saying the SE is at home "wafting along a German autobahn, parked outside an exclusive London restaurant or venturing onto a remote trail in the Rocky Mountains."

During our visit the Range Rover started quickly and idled smoothly and cleanly. The very blustery wind sadly masks the smooth and muscular sounding V8 whilst ticking over and revving on our video. We can report, however, that it sounds very nice indeed. We were also able to witness the working of the three-setting air suspension. Access Mode, Standard Mode and High Profile Mode all appeared to work smoothly and efficiently.

The under-bonnet presentation of this example appears good overall and highly original. The original data plates are present and correct. It would look better still under here following a deep clean and diligent detailing. The underside of the looks solid and well preserved for a vehicle of this nature with no signs of significant corrosion or damage to be concerned with.

The current V5 is present in the name of the owner and detailing its five-owner history to date. The current MoT is also present in hard copy and is valid until January 2024. The previous MoT is also present.

Other paperwork includes the original owner’s manual and stereo instructions nestled in their original Range Rover folder. Other interesting documents include a number of invoices from the vendor's tenure. These detail the replacement of a rear air spring, new brake disks and pads, a new Bosch battery and a new set of Avon tyres as detailed previously. The vendor is also including the new front brake callipers for fitment by the next owner as required.

The original Range Rover was such a watershed model that replacing it always threatened to be Rover’s “difficult second album.” With the passing of time the P38A can be considered as a very sound replacement if not such a dramatic quantum leap forward as its predecessor represented. However, with Range Rover Classic prices heading for the stratosphere the P38A has become much admired and desired as a great value alternative which holds its own on today’s roads surprisingly well.

This example has an awful lot going for it. It is highly original and seems to have been looked after very considerately by its various keepers. This is especially true of the cabin which retains all the luxury and quality that so wowed owners back in 1999. With a sensible original mileage, nice bright paintwork and solid looking body work, this is the perfect example to remind you of why the P38A was peerless back in the mid to late 1990’s.

We are happy to offer this vehicle for auction with an estimate in the range of £2,000 - £4,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. Viewings are strictly by appointment.  To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.