Talk me into or out of a LR3

[Saharicon]

Hey guys! I use to frequent this forum quite a bit a few years back when I had my Jeep TJ. I ended up selling that and getting into tracking with my current set ups. 06 e90 BMW 330i and a e36 99 BMW M3. Ever since I sold the jeep though I have had an itch to get back into a EXPO build. If I pull the trigger I will be selling at least the 330i or both of them and building whatever i get next.

I have always wanted a Land Rover and got really interested when the LR3 came out, however I have always steered clear of them because I hear they are a nightmare when it comes to failures and maintenance. I have done some searching and have found mixed reviews. If you could help me out with the following that would be great! Thanks in advance

Vehicles I am considering for EXPO build:
LR3
JK Unlimited
Toyota Tacoma
I would like to consider an LR4 but I think they are still a tad out of my price range

What should I know and be looking at when looking at LR3s?

Is the failures and maintenance as bad as they say? (I do all of my own work on my cars unless it is something I just dont know how to do or cant find a good write up)

Any certain years to stay clear of?

Is there an easy way to tell if the vehicle has the HD package?

What does the HSE package have over SE?

Anything else I don't know to ask and should be asking? All input is welcome.

Thanks in advance. I am just starting to consider making the switch from BMWs to EXPO rig.

 

[huskyfargo]

My short response: I love my LR3. I bought my '08 HSE 2 years ago, and I've had very few problems out of it. So far, everything has been very minor, and all still covered under warranty. I sold my '08 JKUR and bought the Rover, and I haven't regretted it one bit. I wouldn't hesitate in the least to take my Rover everywhere I was able to go in my JK. I've taken it coast-to-coast, towing a trailer, loaded up with gear and dogs, and it's simply fantastic. Good luck with your search.
Here are a couple comparison pics to whet your appetite

 

[D110]

In my opinion the LR3 has a significant drawback that arises if you are married - the problem is that your wife will love it and want to drive it all the time, thus not allowing any time for conducting a build. Just speaking from my personal experience....

 

[justfred]

Of the ones you mention, here are my quick thoughts. I've considered and test drove all three of these.
LR3 - most comfortable.
JK Unlimited - roughest ride, only one with removable top and doors. Most modifiable.
Toyota Tacoma - most reliable. Feels the smallest inside.

Other thoughts, IMO (standard disclaimers apply!):

"EXPO build"
If you really want to add parts and accessories, get the Jeep, it's the most "buildable". The LR3 really doesn't need any modification other than tires - though bumper, rails, rack are nice.

"I have always steered clear of them because I hear they are a nightmare when it comes to failures and maintenance"
D1/D2 maybe. LR3 are supposed to be a lot more reliable, especially later years (06/07). But if you're buying a vehicle like this, be prepared to spend some money on maintenance down the road.

"06 e90 BMW 330i and a e36 99 BMW M3"
Get the Land Rover. The JK and the Taco are great vehicles, but ride and interior-wise they don't compare.

"I do all of my own work on my cars"
With the Rover, you'll need a vehicle-specific computer, and possibly some vehicle-specific tools. I trust a non-dealer Rover specialist for the complicated work.

 

[Saharicon]

Of the ones you mention, here are my quick thoughts. I've considered and test drove all three of these.
LR3 - most comfortable.
JK Unlimited - roughest ride, only one with removable top and doors. Most modifiable.
Toyota Tacoma - most reliable. Feels the smallest inside.

Other thoughts, IMO (standard disclaimers apply!):

"EXPO build"
If you really want to add parts and accessories, get the Jeep, it's the most "buildable". The LR3 really doesn't need any modification other than tires - though bumper, rails, rack are nice.

"I have always steered clear of them because I hear they are a nightmare when it comes to failures and maintenance"
D1/D2 maybe. LR3 are supposed to be a lot more reliable, especially later years (06/07). But if you're buying a vehicle like this, be prepared to spend some money on maintenance down the road.

"06 e90 BMW 330i and a e36 99 BMW M3"
Get the Land Rover. The JK and the Taco are great vehicles, but ride and interior-wise they don't compare.

"I do all of my own work on my cars"
With the Rover, you'll need a vehicle-specific computer, and possibly some vehicle-specific tools. I trust a non-dealer Rover specialist for the complicated work.

thanks justfred! I should clarify on the expo build. Im not looking to just throw everything at it i can, just want to build a capable rig for long trips off pavement. So maybe the LR3 is a good option, capable out of the gate with some little modifications. I would be looking for for like protection/roof rack/coolers/roof tent/etc

Any idea of what the vehicle specific computers are running price wise and some more information on these? Sorry i tend to research everything to death before I do it.

Thanks for the input so far guys! Very helpful

 

[spikemd]

The LR3 is a very solid vehicle and many of the LR woes and unreliability has been diminished in the last few years. We have many LR3s in the NorCal LR club and they perform very well with larger tires and an electronic/arm lift. The V8 is the way to go as one guy has a V6 but actually gets worse gas mileage as the V8 has more torque to push the brick thru the air. Driving an LR is very different from a Jeep. To each their own, but see what feels right to you. As far as the Toyota, they are very solid/reliable vehicles. I have 185k on my 4Runner and it has been solid other than swapping a transfer case for an o-ring leak. Personally, I would modify a 4Runner over a Tacoma if you place to take passengers. Its also nice haveing gear inside rather than dirty in the bed of a pickup. The 4-door Tacomas are too long for many trails.

LRs tend to require more regular maintenance and don't let little things go unfixed for long. The LR3s are heavy and wear through bushings pretty regularly. The EAS (air suspension) is much more reliable but gets frequent faults on the trail when running hard. Usually a simple reset or on/off of the car fixes it. There are some great new electronic tools available that are a must purchase if you take your truck on the trails. Overall, LRs aren't any more complicated than other trucks but parts are more expensive than the Jeep or Yota.

Another thing to consider is your overall purpose for the vehicle. Is this going to be a dedicated trail rig or your daily driver? The more you modify anything, the less compliant it becomes on the road. My P38 used to be a daily driver, but now it is a trail rig and only used on the weekends.

I am also a BMW guy and have had a few over the years. Used to track my 325is and then dropped a 98 M3 motor in an E30 318i chassi. Fun!

Don't blow your wad on the base vehicle so you have cash for mods or buy a reasonably modified truck to begin with.

Good luck.

 

[PhyrraM]

IIDTool or Faultmate are the electronic tools to look into. The Faultmate used to be the more advanced, as it allows you to update virtually all the software on the truck and enable features that were not even stock, but I think the IIDTool is gaining ground in that regard. As far as reading and clearing codes, both are equal. I have the Faultmate and love it, but am thinking of adding an IIDTool also for the more user friendly interface.

If you carry passengers, the LR3 wins - hands down. Just the rear A/C in such a big cabin is a difference maker. I've driven (not owned) both the Jeep and the Tacoma and both suffer from "sunk down seating" and seemingly high window sills. The Rover just feels way better from a visibility and off-road "I can see that rock" confidence standpoint.

I too am a lower-budget guy and took a 'risk' on a LR3 because I can do all the maintenance and work on the truck myself. So far, I don't regret it. You just have to deal with the small things before they turn into big things. That's the way to keep it affordable. Toyotas seem to be the opposite - just run it into the ground and everything will wear out evenly.

Plus, the LR3 just looks 'right' when equipped for overlanding. I don't know if it's the green badge, and it's history, or if it's simply the classic SUV shape.

 

[Saharicon]

Thanks a lot guys! That is great info. Going to look into the scan tools.

The hardest part for me is letting the cars go. I'm secretly trying to tell the wife we can just swing a dedicated expo rig. Her answer to that is to use our WJ, but it's boring to me.

I've had a want for a Land Rover for a long time, something about one all outfitted just does it for me. Plus I think the wife will like it a lot better from the TJ. She always complained it was so rough.

The research is on....


Sent from my fancy city machine.

 

[ChuckB]

In my opinion the LR3 has a significant drawback that arises if you are married - the problem is that your wife will love it and want to drive it all the time, thus not allowing any time for conducting a build. Just speaking from my personal experience....

This is exactly what is happening to me with my 100-series LC. Now I'm researching an LR3/4 for myself!

 

[JackW]

I won't try to talk you out of it because I just bought one myself last Thursday - a 2007 LR3 HSE in Expedition White. I'd been looking at them for a while myself and when they finally depreciated into the affordable zone I jumped on the band wagon. There are some pretty good videos on line demonstrating the capabilities of the LR3 so I'm very confident it will do what I want it to do. I'll still have the Defender 90 for the ruff stuff and the two Series trucks for the really rough stuff.

So far I'm really enjoying the LR3 - it's a vast improvement over my old 96 Discovery.

 

[justfred]

I'll still have the Defender 90 for the ruff stuff and the two Series trucks for the really rough stuff.

+++ ! I (heart) Series Rovers!

(of course, for the really rough stuff, I'd still choose a Pinzgauer! But what the hell do I know, I just bought a Subaru!)

 

[KyleT]

JK unlimited under warranty if you intend on taking it past the range of a towtruck.

 

[Saharicon]

I won't try to talk you out of it because I just bought one myself last Thursday - a 2007 LR3 HSE in Expedition White. I'd been looking at them for a while myself and when they finally depreciated into the affordable zone I jumped on the band wagon. There are some pretty good videos on line demonstrating the capabilities of the LR3 so I'm very confident it will do what I want it to do. I'll still have the Defender 90 for the ruff stuff and the two Series trucks for the really rough stuff.

So far I'm really enjoying the LR3 - it's a vast improvement over my old 96 Discovery.

:drool Defender 90

One day, one day!


Sent from my fancy city machine.

 

[Mack73]

JK unlimited under warranty if you intend on taking it past the range of a towtruck.

Hahaha what a fool

 

[JimBiram]

I bought my LR3 new in 2005 and still driving it with 154k miles as my daily driver and off road vehicle. I echo most of the positive and negative comments about it but this is the bottom line...if it died tomorrow I would go buy another...and this from a guy who swore he would never own another Land Rover after my Disco II experience! I took a jeep guy out in my truck one day and he admitted he had to take back every negative thing he had said about the Land Rover brand!