Living up to its unreliable history

I loved both my LR4s and the RRS and did find them capable off road. None of them gave me any problems and were very reliable. The new one, I find duller and unappealing than anything else in the market. I test drove it and it did nothing for me. So when it came time to replace our 2013 LR4 I could not get a new Discovery. Had LR continue to make the LR4, I’d probably be on my third.

I bought both LR4s, RRS and LC new. I don’t mind paying the price for having a new vehicle (car, suv, truck or motorcycle) and I’m fortunate that i can afford to do so. I also haven’t kept a vehicle for more than 5 years and my record is 65K miles (on our last LR4).

When I tests drove the LC it captured my attention and brought back memories (I owned a few LCs +20 years ago). Back then I bough used, put +100K miles on cars and beat them up like crazy. Never had any issues with my LCs.

I really hope LR turns around, finds its way back to its roots and comes up with a new version of my beloved LR4. Then I will get another one.

Great advise from everyone. Thanks.

alexcorral said:

I bought both LR4s, RRS and LC new. I don’t mind paying the price for having a new vehicle (car, suv, truck or motorcycle) and I’m fortunate that i can afford to do so. I also haven’t kept a vehicle for more than 5 years and my record is 65K miles

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My record is 72k, but that’s the lowest mileage I’ve ever had.

I can't quite tell if this is related to some of the things being said in this thread... but it might be.

There is a lifecycle to car forums of all brands, regardless of reliability (and I know that LR has a certain bad history with it).

I have seen this before several times. A great example is with my 2006 Infiniti G35x sedan. I bought it new. I joined g35driver dot com forums a few years before that I think. The forums start out with new owners, shiny new, under warranty, etc. Some of us modded the crap out of them, but a lot of people paid to have it done. Eventually people move on, some sell, new owners of used models show up, more mods, etc.

Then, after several years, none of them are under warranty anymore. A good number of issues show up, very common ones. DIY guides and helpful members stick around. Owners either get frustrated and sell, or pay through the nose to keep them running... or the last category.. DIY owners. Owners willing to not only learn all the issues but fix them on their own.

I feel like that last category is where you really need to be to own any vehicle with character long term. You have to be willing to know your vehicle like no one else, and you can't do that without doing work yourself. Or you have to be really lucky, or just throw money at mechanics and parts. I know a few good mechanics, but honestly almost none really know these trucks that well. Even dealerships will guess, throw parts at things and generally suck.

My G35x has 108k miles on her. Today I did a coolant drain/fill, transfer case fluid, front and rear diffs. Recently did drive belts, door seals, spark plugs, front wheel bearing. All in my garage (with only assistance with a bearing press at a friends shop). Plenty of other little problems that i know I will likely get with it, but I know what to watch for and I am confident I can fix them when they do. Cam position sensors, my exhaust is getting leaky, my struts probably need replaced soon, etc.

This is all just an observation of course. But I see the forums changing. Sucks that some people have had bad luck, but I think the LR4 reliability is much better than LR3 and is more similar to other complex/expensive models out there.

I've always loved L319 even before I bought one. I think it helps to be a little fanboy about it or what is the point? why care so much and put all the work in if you don't. I think owning an "old" land rover is way cooler than owning a new one. Because anyone can 'pay to play'... the fine examples still rolling around after 20 years... those are the cool land rovers.

Heres my G35x today. (shes mostly stock now, used to be lowered on nice suspension and such)

[email protected] said:

You are absolutely right. I have had an LR3 for 4 years now and it is a piece of Junk. Absolutely baffling why people defend the Land Rover. The only reason I think people on this forum feel that the truck arn't junk is because they have their ego wrapped up in them or they have never owned a Honda, Toyota, Subaru. This cheep vs expensive gas , O2 sensor failing because of cheep gas it's all nonsense. Hey Land Rover if you are going to advertise that your stuff can go around the world let's do it with out having to have a full support crew with the car. BTW BMW Motorcycles have the exact same issues. They are both in the business of Maximizing profits for the dealers instead of making a car that lives up to the Hype. Also any one the want's to argue this point please explain to me why LR has one of the worst resale values of any car on the market. Where Honda, Subaru and Toyota have the highest.

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What year is your LR3 and how much did you pay?

I asked OP this question and got no answer; now I'm asking you.

You bought a vehicle in 2014 that was, at best, 5 years old and maybe as old as 10 years and you're basing your opinion on that? Regardless, you bought a luxury vehicle at a substantial discount and you're complaining that it has luxury car issues.

I've owned lots of Toyotas. Yes, they are reliable, but more than anything else the previous owners have more to do with how my experience plays out.

It's funny how you focus on O2 sensors. Do you really think Land Rover makes their own O2 sensors? My guess is that they are either Bosch or Denso, and I'm guessing if you look under a 200 Series Land Cruiser you'll find either Bosch or Denso O2 sensors.

ktm525 said:

The LR4 got hit last year and was in the auto body for almost 4 months. I was given an Expedition Max (new) to drive for that period and the ride quality was not at the same level (despite the greater wheelbase) of my at the time 7 year old LR4. The Expedition was ok and much better than the Denali (on 20" wheels)but nowhere near the LR. I made the mistake of poly bushings in my first LR3. It was a disaster and ruined the ride, I quickly swapped them for the hydro bushings.

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Here is a pic for fun

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That is a terrible looking wound - what the heck were you hit by? Why did it take four months to fix that, though?

The vehicle as 80k miles. It’s a 2013. I’ve owned it less than two months.
So everyone here is in agreement that leaking transmission, bad air sensors, and throttle dust and trim falling off are due to the previous owner?
The trim falling off may be a cheap new clip fix, but not no big deal when you’re doing 70 mph on the highway in pouring rain and late for an appointment.
Btw, I never had any of these issues on the following cars: Acura, Mercedes, Lexus, Toyota.

Mdurwin said:

The vehicle as 80k miles. It’s a 2013. I’ve owned it less than two months.
So everyone here is in agreement that leaking transmission, bad air sensors, and throttle dust and trim falling off are due to the previous owner?
The trim falling off may be a cheap new clip fix, but not no big deal when you’re doing 70 mph on the highway in pouring rain and late for an appointment.
Btw, I never had any of these issues on the following cars: Acura, Mercedes, Lexus, Toyota.

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Could well be. The LR4 is very capable off road and rated for very high towing loads. You have no idea what they did with it before. What if someone beat the hell out of it off-road? Or towed a huge boat often and never serviced the transmission? It could also be bad luck.

All I'm saying (and I am vehemently knocking on wood here), is that I've always taken excellent care of my cars, including cars that traditionally are not that reliable, and have hardly had serious issues. Luck? Perhaps. Could it be that I am meticulous about my cars, read about what to watch out for, etc?

We'll never know. But I'll tell you this: NONE of the cars I've bought from new, nor cars that had a solid history have ever given me any serious trouble.

Sell it. Buy a new one if you like it. Buy something else if you don’t (I got a LC). No sense in keeping a vehicle you don’t like just because a lot of people on a LR forum like it.

Also, buying new has it’s financial disadvantages but it does have its advantages when dealing with issues under warranty and having a good knowledge of vehicle history, service and maintenance.

Without mistreating our LR4 and doing all the annual services at the dealer, the new owner will have to replace bushings, and other known parts that wear and fail, that we never did. On our last trip to the dealer they quoted several thousand dollars of work to be done, including replacing the LCAs (they don’t do bushings alone). Between that and the tranny lag we decided to sell and get something new.

I have an 06 LR3 . The air compressor went and the brake switch and power window . Other than that just typical stuff . The biggest piece of junk I owned as a Toyota Celica . I'd say they were more finicky than poorly built and tracing issues can be a puzzle and seem strange like a bad brake light .