Looking to buy an LR4 and have some questions

[Tiger]

Hello! I am new to this forum and have really enjoyed reading it so far.

My wife and I are in the market for a new car for her (25-30k budget, possibly a bit more) and she loves the LR4. I have been doing a little research but am very new to Land Rovers. I grew up working on Jeeps from Willys to most recently a JK. I am willing to do some of the maintenance work myself.

I know that LR4s came with a V8 or V6 depending on the year. Which is preferable from a reliability standpoint? Any other advise about year models to avoid or seek out? Any must have features? Any options to avoid? She will not be doing much if any offroading

Any and all advise is appreciated! I look forward to hearing from you all

 

[TheWidup]

The big things would be:
2010-2012 - make sure that crossover pipe and timing guides have been done
2013 - it's magically delicious and the last year for the V8
2014-2016 - V6 (really the V8 with 2 deleted cylinders). The killed the locking rear diff without getting the HD pack and those are really hard to come by.

Generically - I think the consensus is 2013 is the gold edition especially with Lux + HD.

 

[Tiger]

Great info, thanks! Are the crossover pipes and timing guides not an issue for the 13s?

 

[scott schmerge]

Great info, thanks! Are the crossover pipes and timing guides not an issue for the 13s?

Crossover pipe is an issue at about 70k miles no matter if it’s a ‘13 or not.

In ‘13, the back of the soft aluminum guide got a steel button. This has reportedly helped the timing guide issue but not eliminated. Reports are frequent oil changes do more to eliminate the issue than the updated guides. I’d say it’s common sense, no oil should go 15k and expect to have anything left, synthetic or not.

My ‘10 with intervals of 5000-7500 and 125k has no timing noise and original guides. Knock on wood. There was a report of one at 300k miles and original guides...just sayin’

 

[avslash]

I don't think anyone, except perhaps Land Rover can give you a statistically valid answer to that questions.

We have lots of anecdotal evidence of the following:

Lots of 2010-2012 have required chain system replacement
Some 2013's have also required chain system replacement
Some 2013+ have required chain system replacement.
Any 2013+ should have received the updated chain guides
Some later production 2012's should have received the updated chain guides
There are documented cased of 200K-300K mile 2010-2012's on the original chain system

Confused yet?????

Bottom line IMO, find the best condition truck with the option set you desire, perform any deferred maintenance, and then keep up with it going forward. Change the oil after no more than 5,000 miles.

Hope you find a good one. They are fantastic vehicles when maintained.

2012 on original chains here....knock, knock, knock

 

[scott schmerge]

I don't think anyone, except perhaps Land Rover can give you a statistically valid answer to that questions.

We have lots of anecdotal evidence of the following:

Lots of 2010-2012 have required chain system replacement
Some 2013's have also required chain system replacement
Some 2013+ have required chain system replacement.
Any 2013+ should have received the updated chain guides
Some later production 2012's should have received the updated chain guides
There are documented cased of 200K-300K mile 2010-2012's on the original chain system

Confused yet?????

Bottom line IMO, find the best condition truck with the option set you desire, perform any deferred maintenance, and then keep up with it going forward. Change the oil after no more than 5,000 miles.

Hope you find a good one. They are fantastic vehicles when maintained.

2012 on original chains here....knock, knock, knock

Avslash says it better than I do!

 

[Tiger]

Thanks y’all!

So should I be looking for a V8 over a V6 model?

Any must have options?

 

[scott schmerge]

Thanks y’all!

So should I be looking for a V8 over a V6 model?

Any must have options?

V8 no question. One that has been well maintained and preferably has had timing chain and crossover pipe addressed.

I wouldn’t worry about the year. 2010-2013 are all great choices. You’ll know when you find the right one. Pay for a pre purchase inspection with a good independent

 

[Tiger]

Would a dealer be a good place to get it inspected?

 

[ryanjl]

If you do opt for a '14 or newer, and plan on taking it off road at all, the HD package is a must. Only with the HD package will you get a center diff with low range option, and it comes with the electric locking rear differential.

On '13 and older, the two-speed center diff was standard, and the HD package only included the rear locker. Nice to have, but not nearly the same "must have" as the '14 and later.