LR3 cracked dashboard thread

[cornfarmer]

Let's unearth this thread! I decided to finally do this and outlaid $200+ for the Coverlay. It looks okay-ish, but not worth freakin' $200 bucks! The car sits in full sun most of the day, so a section along the airbag cut-out has warped upward. I've used 2 different adhesives and applied weight on top both times and let it set in for 8+ hours, nothing is keeping this thing down. I think the airbag insert cover is too small because if it's not aligned perfectly you're going to see gaps. The air vents don't really install in a reassuring way. This thing is headed for the recycling bin unless somebody wants it for cheap. Going to try something else.

 

[salbalboa]

I was looking at buying one myself , you just saved me a chunk of money. I think i will go with the dash mat now.

 

[Howski]

Coverlay is well worth it. If installed correctly you’d have zero clue it’s a dash cover

 

[cornfarmer]

I'm selling my (once installed) Coverlay in the classifieds. PM if anyone's interested.

 

[DashSkin]

We carry Dash Covers specifically for the 05-09 LR3. American made and guaranteed for life.

 

[DC DII]

Coverlay is well worth it. If installed correctly you’d have zero clue it’s a dash cover

This is what I am hoping. I looked up the poster's website - Dashskin (above), but it looks like they do not cover the passenger airbag area...

The Coverlay does come with the passenger airbag area cover(s) (used to be two pieces for the airbag area...) still, correct?


My wife's LR3 has been fantastic for the last 10+ years but the dash is really getting bad. (Thankfully? Sadly? my 2004 DII dash was made better.)

What a terrible dash our 08 LR3/DIII has turned out to be...and the car is beyond well maintained, garaged, etc...



Erik

 

[Highlander]

Hi guys,

What can you tell me about the LR3? generally speaking, is it worth it?
I live in CT and often see LR3 parked in the suburbs of NYC quite often. I am sure some of those people would like to sell it.

8K is my budget. I am/was going to get a Subaru Outback but I saw my buddies Lr3 and loved everything about it. The 18 years old SUV had a better design and ridging quality than the majority of the modern SUV. We drove on greasy, unmaintained farm roads which the LR handled with ease and confidence.

The Outback I am specifically looking for, 2011-2014 3.6 V6 5 Speed, are even more expansive and have higher mileages too for that price, but they are not nearly as capable as the LR3. Subaru does have a better reliability I believe.

For what I do (hunting trips to ME and upstate NY or a few long trips from CT to IL or NC or even MS), the LR3 is a better choice for the room, comfort and the off-road capabilities (which is kind of important in the wood of northern Maine), but what I am worried about is the bad reputation the brand has got.

What I read so far and heard on YT is that the Lr3 is not that bad and quite a few people drive to 200k milage.

What is your experience as far as the maintenance and cost goes? Are they decent or total trash?
While I can handle quite a few mechanical fixes I am not very good at electric stuff. I have heard the horrors of the LR electronics. I don't want to spend every other weekend at the shop.

What should look for and what should I avoid? what is the milage cap that I should be aware of?
Any insights would help.

 

[DC DII]

Hi guys,

What can you tell me about the LR3? generally speaking, is it worth it?
I live in CT and often see LR3 parked in the suburbs of NYC quite often. I am sure some of those people would like to sell it.

8K is my budget. I am/was going to get a Subaru Outback but I saw my buddies Lr3 and loved everything about it. The 18 years old SUV had a better design and ridging quality than the majority of the modern SUV. We drove on greasy, unmaintained farm roads which the LR handled with ease and confidence.

The Outback I am specifically looking for, 2011-2014 3.6 V6 5 Speed, are even more expansive and have higher mileages too for that price, but they are not nearly as capable as the LR3. Subaru does have a better reliability I believe.

For what I do (hunting trips to ME and upstate NY or a few long trips from CT to IL or NC or even MS), the LR3 is a better choice for the room, comfort and the off-road capabilities (which is kind of important in the wood of northern Maine), but what I am worried about is the bad reputation the brand has got.

What I read so far and heard on YT is that the Lr3 is not that bad and quite a few people drive to 200k milage.

What is your experience as far as the maintenance and cost goes? Are they decent or total trash?
While I can handle quite a few mechanical fixes I am not very good at electric stuff. I have heard the horrors of the LR electronics. I don't want to spend every other weekend at the shop.

What should look for and what should I avoid? what is the milage cap that I should be aware of?
Any insights would help.

Might help a little:

which year LR3?

The plan is to pass on the RRC to my son when he strats to drive. Id like to replace it with an LR3. Primary use will be the same as the RRC, long distance off road and camping. Which year(s) to look for or stay away from and why. Thanks in advance, Dino

forum.expeditionportal.com

I am currently traveling but got an update to the thread. From all my experience it seems the 2007-9(Not sure of what other years have the 4.4...???) with the 4.4L is the better choice over the 05-06 to include the LR4's...

My wife drives a 2008 HSE Lux and it's been great. My wife drove to work everyday on the Autobahn in Germany at 100mph+ and it's been all over North America -mountains, back roads, etc...

They are great very comfortable trucks but will be expensive to fix...no doubt about that.

I am currently removing the gauge cluster to be sent off and fixed. That is a well known issue. 500$
Just replaced the radiator, some hoses and belts, and had a mechanic go through things...that was 1800$

It's been almost 4 years since the last shop visit. AC lines developed a leak and brake lines were bad from the winter salt in Germany/Europe - but again that was almost 4 years ago at this point.

So 4 years 23-2500$ we are happy with that. My wife loves driving it and we probably will own it for another decade. Insurance is cheap also.

Still running the air suspension (original) and the engine is pretty much all original also. Some bushing for the suspension after living/driving in Europe for 5 years, but other than that tires and fresh oil have been about it.

2008 LR3 HSE Lux with rear air condition, entertainment package is the model and we love it. 160,000 miles incase you were wondering...

Of course I also own a 2004 DII and love that also...everybody loves to hate Land Rovers, it's just a part of it I guess. From 2-3 decades of owning over 6 different model types I have heard it all. Just sort of shrug it off, smile a bit and carry on




Best of luck!
Erik

 

[Highlander]

Thanks @DC DII
Did you drive a European model and then shipped it to the US?

I am totally aware of the fact that it won't be a 90's 4Runner. What I don't want is a constant breakdown.
Like you said I also want to keep it relatively long term, maybe about 6-8 years.

Have you done any work on it by yourself? How easy is it to work on?
I read many reddit threads and it seems many quite a many people like it.

When I compare an LR3 to an Outback, an LR3 seems to be a better vehicle than a ten-year-old Subaru Outback, except the reliability which isn't unimportant, but the room and capabilities of LR3, plus the price is very attractive.