Looking into an LR3-what should I look for?

[Best4x4]

Hey Matt--

Feel free to give me a call ...everything that i've read in this thread is pretty dead on right... The LR3 is a truely amazing truck. I can find whatever you need, plus you can get it certified OR not the shop/service process is the same on both....


Kelly Graham
615-277-5306

 

[dstuder]

Stay away from the 05 models. They are been known to have electrical gremlins...............

 

[LeoLR]

Stay away from the 05 models. They are been known to have electrical gremlins...............

Not true. They need a firmware update. No electrical issues its all software

 

[nwoods]

http://lr3tips.wordpress.com/
Excellent source that points out specific areas to look out for...

Some of the HSE models came with an upgraded rear differential lock that adds to the CDL system.

Thanks Mike! I just set up that site last week, nice to see it gaining traction already. I have a specific article about buying a used LR3 here, but it's a bit dated.

The 2008 has no useful distinctions between it and the 2007 model. The 2007 adds some niceties over the 2006, but they are minor, such as powered seats with the key off, and one touch switch for the front passenger window. That's about it. Theoretically, there are programming changes and improvements in each newer vehicle, but those are also available to any older 2005 and up model as well, so that's not really a deciding factor.

The viscosity of the peanut butter LR uses for the bushings changed in 2007, but they are still problematic. Just know that if you off road the thing, you will want to replace the bushings every 40,000 miles (or less). That is truly the only real unresolved Achilles heel the LR3 has demonstrated over the past 5 years. There is now an aftermarket supply for this, but labor is what it is.

Lockers: Every LR3 has a Center Diff Lock (CDL), but the optional electronic rear locker only comes with the HD package. There is no "Trail package" and HSE's do not get lockers automatically, but the HD (Heavy Duty) package is available for every model and trim level of LR3. However, with each successive year after 2005, the available number of LR3's with the HD package ordered by Dealers decreases significantly, making finding newer ones with the rear locker more challenging.

The good news is that the rear locker makes scarcely any difference in off road ability. It makes things easier and less dramatic, but the traction control is so good in an non-HD LR3, that it is not a game changer at all.

If I had the funds, I'd get a new one, but I'd happily live with any year LR3. They are awesome vehicles, highly undervalued here on ExPo. Here are more resources for you: http://lr3tips.wordpress.com/top-sites/

As for the coil sprung models, there are 27 here in the USA that I am aware of. I had one. Here is a short history and fact sheet about mine that I prepared a while ago. It's good, solid, dependable, capable, but...it had some limitations. The primary challenge of the coiler is lack of articulation. I was always desiring customizing my suspension to make it comparable to say, my buddies 4Runner with an Icon suspension system, but never had the money. Here are photos of my old one. I miss it every single day.

Happy hunting.

 

[LeoLR]

So what was my Trail Package?
Land Rover even listed it in the options on the sticker.

Had a little orange plate on the rear to show it was a Trail Package.



Since they dont exsist.

 

[LeoLR]

See the badge

 

[Ryanmb21]

So what was my Trail Package?
Land Rover even listed it in the options on the sticker.

Had a little orange plate on the rear to show it was a Trail Package.



Since they dont exsist.

Probably just a badge, since you owned one and don't know what it was.

 

[LeoLR]

I was responding to the statment that the Trail Package didnt exsist. It was a factory option in 05 only.

 

[mountainsoul]

I was responding to the statment that the Trail Package didnt exsist. It was a factory option in 05 only.

What was included in the Trail Pkg?

 

[LeoLR]

Full size spare alloyand tire, rear locker, front A-frame with LR off-road lights, and a 18in wheels. My truck was a bare bones V8 SE without nav or power seats.

 

[Dave Legacy]

So what was my Trail Package?
Land Rover even listed it in the options on the sticker.

Had a little orange plate on the rear to show it was a Trail Package.



Since they dont exsist.

I think that sometimes dealerships will assemble their own packages and badge them. It doesn't make yours any less cool if it's not Land Rover Official. On the flip side I remember that G4 D2 VINs didn't identify them as G4s at all or something of that nature, just a Tangirs Orange SE.

 

[nwoods]

So what was my Trail Package?
Land Rover even listed it in the options on the sticker.

Had a little orange plate on the rear to show it was a Trail Package.



Since they dont exsist.

Local Dealer package. Could even have been done at the Port upon request by dealer prior to dealer delivery, but not an official LRNA trim level or package option. For example, there were a bunch of "G4" LR3's in the US prior to the Nevada Paasage event and G4 qualifier. They weren't really G4's, they just dealer built models that had the right stickers and KIT accessories bolted on to look the part.

It's no big deal either way. Other than a locker, snorkel, and (arguably) the winch, all LR3's are equeally adept off road. The is little to no actual variation in capability amongst the various trim levels .

 

[Wander]

So the coils didn't add to the off road ability of the LR3. I would think it would but I guess the air suspension is that good-is it troublesome as the earlier RR's are?

 

[LeoLR]

EAS isnt a problem. People dont relse just like coil you need to rebuild the EAS ever 7-1o years. Coils sag, air bellows wear out. The EAS on the LR3 is very good, much improved over the P38's which was still in the testing stage. Coils such, EAS is the ticket if you take care of it. It cost $450 to completly rebuild the EAS on a P38 so I am betting in another year or so the LR3's EAS will have the low price aftermarket rebuild kits out too. The few folks Ive talked to that have had a coil sprung LR3 hated them (LR brought over probbly 50 to the NA market). Remember the Rovacom I was telling you about on the phone? It can also read and clear EAS faults so you wont get a hard fault and drop to the bumpstops.



If it was a glue on badge done by the dealer why is it on the window sticker? Not a dealer add on sticker but the sticker they printed at the factory.

 

[Dave Legacy]

Fair enough. I think this "Trail Edition" horse is dead.