85,000 Mile LR3?

[Tooch]

Hey all, would like to introduce myself here (hi!) and have a couple quick questions about a potential vehicle I'm looking at.

First just want to say that I've been lurking here for ages and finally decided to sign up and looking forward to learning and contributing here. I've owned a few Nissans and Toyotas over the years but I've always been a Land Rover fan. Now that things are affordable and I have the cash to buy one I've been looking a lot more seriously.

I'm considering purchasing an '05 LR3 with just over 85k miles (135,000km) on the clock. It's not in my town so have been emailing back and forth with the seller to get as much info as possible... but the history is a little bit spotty. It's owned by a university student, which was a red flag at first as they didn't keep maintenance records, but then I found out that the kid's dad was mostly responsible for the servicing, and it had been owned by a family friend previously and serviced at the dealership during that time. No accidents, and the car looks mint in photos. I'm trying to get some more info regarding the service history, waiting to hear back from the dealer. It's a west coast car so has never been exposed to the harsh winters and salty roads in my area which is a plus. I don't think it's ever been off road either.

I called the garage where they currently have it serviced and the mechanic was helpful but he doesn't keep records (?) so his memory of everything that was done was iffy too, haha. Sounds like at least it got regular oil changes etc, and some minor stuff was done (wheel bearings etc) but none of the major items I don't think have been done.

Any thoughts or recommendations? Questions I should ask or particular items to watch for?

I'm guessing it will need at least the usual things like control arm bushings, and I don't know if the air compressor has been done so I would budget for that in the near future as well. I would have all fluids etc changed right away as well.

I'm having an inspection done next week and if all looks good then I'm pretty tempted to pull the trigger on this. Just realistically wondering if there's anything I'm missing?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Blaise]

Before you buy it, let off the gas at highway speeds to listen for axle whine. The coating inside the axles can come off and eat up the bearings. Mine did - and nobody ever changed the fluid which certainly didn't help.

Control Arm Bushings.
Change the fluids and if you see any metal (for reasons noted above), get ready for diff rebuild(s).
Change the Trans fluid as well. Ignore what LR says. Buy 2-piece filter.
If the front fog lamps don't work, there's an easily repairable short behind the housings.

PM me the link if you want specific input.

 

[gabrielef]

Check for leaking thermostat housing and water pump.


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[Blaise]

^ Yep. I missed that, mine had it done right before I bought it.

 

[Tooch]

I probably won’t get a chance to road test the car before committing to anything, it’s just too far away. I’m depending on the garage that does the PPI to provide me with as much useful info as possible...

 

[XJLI]

Biggest issue on the early trucks will be the diffs. How much are you paying? $5000? $15000? We can't judge if its a "go" or "no go" without that really.

 

[Tooch]

They're asking ~$10k (Canadian). I'm guessing it will be negotiable depending on the outcome of the inspection. If everything is in good condition I think that's not too unreasonable.

 

[XJLI]

thats like $8k US. I'd go for that, provided the inspection is OK. Keep some change in your pocket for the possibility of doing a diff eventually.

 

[Blaise]

Is an SE? HSE? Color? Is it an HD package car? Cold package car?

PPI is a good idea but not worth much unless it goes to a Rover expert. My brother had his Sprinter van PPI-d at a non-MB specialist and they missed several items.

There's a lot that goes into this. All of us already own LR3s or similar so posting a link won't hurt anything. Is it in BC?

 

[Blaise]

Biggest issue on the early trucks will be the diffs. How much are you paying? $5000? $15000? We can't judge if its a "go" or "no go" without that really.

Which year do the diffs get better? I ask bc when I swapped the front diff in my '06 the donor diff had NO coating peeling issues at all.

 

[Carson G]

Which year do the diffs get better? I ask bc when I swapped the front diff in my '06 the donor diff had NO coating peeling issues at all.

07’ Peeling issues were from 04’-06’.

 

[gabrielef]

Which year do the diffs get better? I ask bc when I swapped the front diff in my '06 the donor diff had NO coating peeling issues at all.

For my ‘06, I went to the auto recycler and snagged a rear diff, took it to a diff shop and they installed the bearing and seal kit from AB. c cleaned it all out and then I coordinated with my shop to remove the diff and swap if for the overhauled one. Spent less than $1000. Much cheaper than buying an overhauled one or new one.


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[Tooch]

HSE, no HD pack, I think all Canadian cars came with the cold weather pack except the very base models. With regards to diffs, if the rear ends up needing a rebuild at some point how much work would it be to add a locking rear? Am I correct that ARB has a rear air locker kit for these vehicles?

 

[gabrielef]

HSE, no HD pack, I think all Canadian cars came with the cold weather pack except the very base models. With regards to diffs, if the rear ends up needing a rebuild at some point how much work would it be to add a locking rear? Am I correct that ARB has a rear air locker kit for these vehicles?

Yea, you’ll need the compressor and locker from ARB. That would be a good time to do it. That’s what I am going to do with my spare diff.


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[Blaise]

HSE, no HD pack, I think all Canadian cars came with the cold weather pack except the very base models. With regards to diffs, if the rear ends up needing a rebuild at some point how much work would it be to add a locking rear? Am I correct that ARB has a rear air locker kit for these vehicles?

They do but you may not need it. TC works really well on these trucks. I just got lucky that the first LR3 I looked at happened to be an HD package car.