Looking to buy an LR4 and have some questions

Tiger said:

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

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You’ll pay a lot more for the inspection. Depends on the tech you get there at dealership. In my experience, the better mechanics end up at a independent that specializes in Land Rover. With an LR4, you don’t need someone who is up on the latest tech.

If there’s a dealership around, chances are there’s also an independent somewhere close by.

Where are you located? Hopefully someone one here can help you out with an independent they trust.

Thanks- I’ll do some research. I am located in San Antonio, TX

Mine is a 2010 HSE LUX with 196,000 miles. I love this truck and would recommend it to anyone looking for a great smooth ride, power, maneuverability, road visibility, being able to haul stuff and people, dependability in weather and road condition or off road. I'm sure I have missed a couple of points but it's really a wonderful vehicle. There are some maintenance items mentioned previously and you will replace brake pads a little more frequently because this is a heavy vehicle. Other maintenance items seem to be on par with other makes and models of vehicles. Take care of your vehicle and it'll take care of you. If GPS is important to you some of the older models like mine no longer of updates available but who cares, that's what smart phone apps are for.

You mention that this is for your wife and I can't think of a better, safer vehicle to put her in. A plus is the electronic air suspension that will lower the vehicle to make it easier for her to climb in and out of. Advice offered by the other forum members are spot on and I would stay with the V8 as I like being able to call on the power and torque when needed. Good luck in your search and decision.

My wife also prefers the LR3/LR4 Body.
Disappointed with the look of the D5 - but just our opinion.
Nice inside - Agreed there.

Myself Prefer the V8 over the V6
(which they've had a V6 Option in early years - but admit the SCV6 of 14 was good)
But probably lower Total cost if you end up with SCv6 and newer with less miles
-- Others can confirm - SCV6 many models didn't have a Low Range Transfer Case.


Engine like others said be aware of the timing chain issue...
but its a hit and miss - Good info in above posts

Lower Control Arms (bushings and ball joints easier to replace control arms)
Upper not as major but possible.

- Be prepared over next 5+ years for
TieRods
Front Struts - Maybe and depending on if over 80k miles then expect that as well.

those 3 things above really tighten things up.
Axle and Hub not sure haven't replaced but is something being considered.
LR4 seems cheaper on that than my D2!
Propshaft and driveshaft - Keep an eye on them

PurgeValve Canister
that and possible Fuel Low Pressure sending unit (top of tank plastic cracks and smells up the Cab with Fuel Vapor - Generally won't show Errors until it gets really bad, if you smell this - I recommend not smoking in the car)

Steering ~10-13 - TSB should have replaced Steering Gear under warranty years ago - However if the PowerSteering system wasn't flushed there is a vibration that can be heard because the new gear is not being lubricated. - doesn't get lubricated properly unless system is flushed - was not in TSB not sure if it ever made it into one.
- Took me a year to get that resolved and get rid of the noise.

Have noticed some issue without the Trans Case Damper - some never notice - vibration @ ~1800-2,500 rpm range without
Trans also has a damper on it - but LR3 seemed more likely to need that replaced - cluck when stopping / starting not in Lower control arms

Maintenance -
V8 LR4 requires two air filters - Not sure about intake for V6 LR4 but figure it also requires 2 also
Oil can Be Drained from base - requires removal of ~8-12 bolts to remove plate to drain
(Dealer uses vacuum- I prefer draining but that is me)
Brakes and Pads - Always a Tricky Combo
Have used and run slotted and dimpled. difficult to get a good cost effective combo that stays clean and quiet.
should be able to get two sets of pads per rotor but depends on how heavy of a brake user driver is.. (I'm a little heaving on stops - generally stop too hard - but rarely use on slopes/grades and gear down instead, California Mountains.)

Sat Radio not great - don't expect much from it. Basically works in places it shouldn't but wide open areas with lots of towers and ham bands - it won't work or cuts out like crazy.

Tow Package - make sure you find a used hitch adapter on ebay and the wiring kit to get 7 pin and trailer brake installed isn't bad but is nice to have.

also invest in a tool like IID - Gap tool.
Saves a ton of time diagnosing and is nice to have for other features as well.

the others covered the other biggies but depending on mileage there are some expected gotchas coming
very few are major and can be waited out.

Tires are also a biggie - 18" can be done on LR4 but requires some work - just is possible and makes tires more cost effective but 19's are starting to be cost effective as well now.
AT / MT over Highway but that is preference. LTZ / MT tires look much better on the LR4 than standard Highway tires.

also check out https://texasrovers.com

One of the few advantages of the 14+ is the 8HP ZF transmission. I much prefer it over the 6HP that 10-13s had. Love the 8hp in anything it comes in(and it comes in a lot of vehicles) Also maybe the facelifted headlights are prettier. Otherwise, 2013 is a good year. I love my 2013 HD. That v8 is a great engine. Vroom. Would love the 510hp sc version, but can't have it all.

Thanks you guys, has anyone used Hill Country British? They seem to have great reviews and are pretty close to my house. I am considering using them for an inspection

TrinidadLR4 said:

One of the few advantages of the 14+ is the 8HP ZF transmission.

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Has anyone tried to Franken-fit the 8-speed tranny onto a 5L V8 engine? Since the 6-cyl 2014+ engine is the same block with a couple of cold cylinders is there some other reason it would not work? I'm probably missing something obvious, either that or the 6-speed trannys are still running well enough that no one has tried. Curious...

I know one issue is that the 8HP lost the mechanical linkage and went to the stupid electronic shifter, so you'd have to retrofit that somehow....

Hi! I had a 2006 HSE V8 - LOVED IT - drove it until the suspension went out and was more expensive than worth it to repair.

Land Rover tried to get me over to the Discovery but didn't like at all. Not a V8 and handled like a go cart and back end too small. I'm a decorator and collector and I need to transport things sometimes.

I settled on the 2015 LR4 HSE Luxury Edition - I bought 2 years ago so you can probably get one for your budget. I live in the Midwest, this handles snow, ice and heavy rain nicely. I purchased from dealer in FL, only thing I am missing is mud flaps for when I visit job sites.

I just went for 48k maintenance and have had zero issues.

I think your wife would like this SUV - not sure what the Luxury has beyond HSE - maybe the wood trim and leather seats? It is a V6 but I feel it has same power as my V8 did. I get TONS of compliments on my car and it is fun to drive.

Feel free to ask me any other questions!

Good luck with your search!

modernartgirl said:

Hi! I had a 2006 HSE V8 - LOVED IT - drove it until the suspension went out and was more expensive than worth it to repair.

Land Rover tried to get me over to the Discovery but didn't like at all. Not a V8 and handled like a go cart and back end too small. I'm a decorator and collector and I need to transport things sometimes.

I settled on the 2015 LR4 HSE Luxury Edition - I bought 2 years ago so you can probably get one for your budget. I live in the Midwest, this handles snow, ice and heavy rain nicely. I purchased from dealer in FL, only thing I am missing is mud flaps for when I visit job sites.

I just went for 48k maintenance and have had zero issues.

I think your wife would like this SUV - not sure what the Luxury has beyond HSE - maybe the wood trim and leather seats? It is a V6 but I feel it has same power as my V8 did. I get TONS of compliments on my car and it is fun to drive.

Feel free to ask me any other questions!

Good luck with your search!

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Didn't your V8 only have 325hp? 4.4 engine. The LR4 V8's are 5.0 with 375hp...Maybe that's why your V6 feels like the V8, missing 50hp