Thinking LR3...am I crazy

[bbyer]

regardless of year, it is a hundred thousand dollar vehicle when fixing

I noted the comment above referencing the cost of a head light bulb. Here in Western Canada, a new LR4 Lux runs near a hundred thousand dollars - yes, sounds crazy but that is what they go for.

Used, my 2005 is probably ten thousand max.

The cost just to purchase an HID headlight bulb for either the 2014 or my 2005 is near two hundred dollars from the dealer - then there is the labour to install.

Needless to say, via the forum, I have learned how to replace the HID bulb, not so routine the first time I might add, and purchase a factory genuine bulb for maybe a quarter of dealer price.

That is for simple stuff - for hard stuff, I pay the dealer full list and suffer in silence as that is the way it is.

In other words, purchase price has nothing to do with repair costs; well it might inversely - the less the first cost, the more will be spent in repairs.

 

[jwest]

I noted the comment above referencing the cost of a head light bulb.

Needless to say, via the forum, I have learned how to replace the HID bulb, not so routine the first time I might add, and purchase a factory genuine bulb for maybe a quarter of dealer price.

I was not talking about a simple "bulb". I said lamp housing which was required for some older years if the unit failed. Cost was over $1000 for the whole unit. I think this might have been a P38 Range Rover in particular.

 

[gorilla33]

I too am thinking of a LR3
I have had a half dozen Range Rovers and Land Rovers
Some of the hit list
1994 Classic LWB- Rusted its way to an early grave
1998 Disco - Still rolling, sold it to a friend and we are still on speaking terms
1998 Range Rover P38- Not a fan- car was cursed
1991 Classic SWB- Best one yet
2003 Disco 2- Nice, closing in on being my favorite

So that track record considered- everyone in my Land Rover circle of friends love the LR3

I am considering a 2006 LR3 HSE with 110k miles. It will be doing short daily commutes- less that 15 miles each way, trips to the mountains (about a dozen per year- some in winter) and some trips to the beach (about 6 per year- in areas where you can drive on the beach)
What would you look out for and what- if any are the warning signs with the LR3 to stay away. Not scared of the general maintenance and my mechanic is great.
Thoughts???

 

[jwest]

I am considering a 2006 LR3 HSE with 110k miles. It will be doing short daily commutes- less that 15 miles each way, trips to the mountains (about a dozen per year- some in winter) and some trips to the beach (about 6 per year- in areas where you can drive on the beach)
What would you look out for and what- if any are the warning signs with the LR3 to stay away. Not scared of the general maintenance and my mechanic is great.
Thoughts???

everything i've read suggests 2007 or newer is noticeably better for reliability issues but the right price on an 06 could offset that if you don't mind being preemptive on your maintenance.

But why not just keep using the Disco2 ? Looking back, I would do that if I had the chance to do-over. From my pocket has left a ton of $ to buy, outfit, and maintain the 07 lr3 I bought new.

 

[gorilla33]

jwest,

thank you for your insight. The disco 2 has passed the 200k point and I was worried that as that number grows, so will the major problems. I was hoping a lower miles LR3 would be something I can drive for 60k miles and enjoy.
Thanks

 

[PaulLR3]

gorilla33, I think it is important to buy an LR3 that was well maintained and has the documentation to prove it. If nothing was replaced by 110K miles, you are buying a huge money pit. For example, I'm at 75K miles on my LR3 and I just spent $3K on new control arms, bushings, steering shaft, both front hubs and brakes. It drives like new again.

If I did not plan on keeping the LR3 long-term, I could have let these items keep wearing until I traded it in and the next owner would be stuck with all the repairs.

 

[gorilla33]

Paul
Thanks- I will be looking for that as I shop.
I had 2 questions for you.
First- other than the 3k you put into it how has the LR3 been, dependable? Useful?
Second- in the past there have been horror stories on bad electronics, or other bits just falling off- has that been a problem for you
Thanks

 

[PaulLR3]

Yes, our LR3 has been very reliable. We had planned to trade it in for a new 2013 LR4 before the V8 was discontinued. However, I decided to sell my Audi allroad instead and take over the LR3. The LR3 is far more reliable than my allroad and has more space for kids, gear, dog, etc.

No, nothing has ever "fallen off" the LR3. Build quality is very good from my experience. Both our LR3 and LR4 arrived flawless from the factory.

I think the electronic horror stories apply more to Land Rovers before Ford's ownership. Many of the electronics in the LR3 are Ford. And Ford invested billions in the LR plant before the LR3 went into production.

But be aware that the amazing traction control systems in the LR3 are linked together and small things can cause big problems. For example, if you buy an LR3, the first thing you should do is replace the brake light switch. It's $40 and easy to do. As I found out, when it fails, the vehicle lowers, the transmission goes into some sort of limp mode and the dashboard displays the "Christmas Tree of death".

 

[kameag]

Just bought a used 2006 LR3 a month ago (90k miles). Exterior and interior are in great shape. Took it to a Rover specialist before buying and he outlined everything that needed doing based on his inspection (control arms, brakes, etc.). I based my purchase price on what needed to be done so feel pretty good about it (so far). I'm a bit concerned with the potential reliability problems, but feel I should be good at least in the near term.

I'm going to look into the brake light switch replacement after reading above!

 

[theoryofjack]

I've owned an 2005 LR3 for ten years and it has 142k miles on it. Best truck ever. The issues I've seen and researched as ubiquitous with many LR3's is the following:

1. Hatch actuator (replaced it myself)
2. Sunroof drainage tube nib (replaced it myself...put in new tube as well)
3. Small steel compression 'thingy' behind ashtray. (you must remove entire facia just to get to the thing that activates the ashtray from behind...You know how you push it and it pops out...it'll stop popping out. Instead of replacing it I left it out)

Of course I've had to deal with bushing, brake and rotors...but that's going to be rather basic for such a heavy vehicle.
This 2005 LR3 has been the best vehicle I've ever owned. I drive a 2003 Discovery now as my wife drives the LR3.
For perspective sake I'm 47 yrs old and have owned/own the following:
2005 LR3
2003 Discovery 2
2000 Discovery
533i 1984 BMW
2002 4/Runner
2000 4/Runner
1997 Land Cruiser
1995 4/Runner
1992 325i BMW
1990 735i BMW
1980 Land Cruiser
1976 Saab
1976 Pinto... (I still have this thing in a barn on some land
I own and it still runs like a champ...never changed a thing...
I find that hilarious)