Maybe New LR4 Owner??

[Todtan]

Seeking some advice and info. I'm looking at purchasing a 2014 LR4 w/V6 SC w/86k mi that has been pretty meticulously maintained. I've been doing my research but I still have a number of questions for this group before I take the leap.

1. This will be a daily driver and long trip family adventure vehicle (on and off-road), am I crazy to look at an LR4 for this? I'm mechanically inclined but I don't have the appropriate tools for work on a vehicle. I do have a excellent auto mechanic friend however who can work on my vehicles.
2. is the best aftermarket upgrade kit for the water pump/crossover pipe/belt replacement. I believe these I should replace soon after the purchase.
3. Recommendations for any "key" areas I should inspect on the vehicle before purchase? Like I mentioned the current owner has done a lot of preventative maintenance including just replacing the lower control arms last night.
4. What is the best online source for parts?
5. The LR4 has pretty a pretty good tow rating but should I be concerned towing a 4,000lb overland camper on long adventures?
6. Anything I'm missing or should know/be aware of?

Thanks!

 

[alanymarce]

Lots of opinions out there, however I kept an eye out for other SUVs on our recent Canada trip (53Kkm in 11 months) and outside urban areas, in terms of non-North American vehicles, we saw a dozen Geländewagen, two Range Rovers, and five Land Rovers (one with its bonnet/hood up, one on a recovery vehicle). In Africa, whereas when I first lived there Land Rovers were the standard 4x4 vehicle (except in what was previously French West Africa/Central Africa) now Land Rovers are 5% of 4x4s, at most. There's a clue here...

I note that:

I'm mechanically inclined but I don't have the appropriate tools for work on a vehicle. I do have a excellent auto mechanic friend however who can work on my vehicles.

So you should be fine at home, however if you're in a remote area perhaps the vehicle is not ideal. I am well aware that those who are happy to take on field repairs, and who maintain their vehicles rigorously, the LR is a great option, and it's very capable.

 

[nwoods]

The post above is a good example of an opinion, without specifics. When talking Land Rovers, you need to know what era it was design in, what mfr built it, and what parts were used. Open honesty here: I don’t know a lot about the LR4. However, I do know a lot about the LR3 on which it’s based. It was initially designed by BMW, then finished by Ford, using Ford parts (and Jaguar engines, also under Ford ownership at the time), when launched in Europe in 2004 (as the Discovery III) and the US market in 2005 as the LR3. At that time, they were DECADES newer in design than the out going models, and while not perfect, they were many, many times more reliable than previous models (such as the mighty DII). The Achilles heel remains the air suspension, but was over the course of several model years, made fairly reliable with new compressors and better fittings, and people learned how to patch air lines if needed, and diagnostic software tools like the GAP tool were game changers in keeping things moving should a CANBUS error show up (part of the fiber optic wiring backbone).

Now, Ford sold Land Rover and Jaguar to Tata Motors of India, who put a lot of development dollars into the brand, creating the architecture for the new generation Range Rover, Evoque, Defender, etc…. But the LR4 kept a lot of the LR3 underpinnings, but added a new V6 and transmission to the mix, and I don’t know anything about them. I suspect they are still a Ford engine, but not sure what platforms share that engine.

My point is, know the reference point of the opinions being provided whenever you ask for opinions about Land Rovers. They are not all bad, and in the case of the LR3 are actually pretty great, minus a few things like soft bushings and so forth which have all been well vetted and solved in the aftermarket community if you join forums dedicated to the brand (unlike here on ExPo)

 

[XJLI]

Been DD-ing my LR4 since 2020, had a D1 for a few years before that (with a Chevy in between). IMO, it's an old Rover, and you should treat it as such. Preventative maintenance is key, but don't go overboard or you will spend too much money unnecessarily. GI got mine with 46k, now 100k.

1- Regular maintenance can be done at home, by anyone, with regular tools (brakes, wheel bearings, suspension, air stuff, etc)
2- Eh. If you don't smell or aren't losing coolant, don't worry yet. I've seen issues with both brand new Genuine LR parts and the aluminum stuff pop up lately on forums.
3- OIL CHANGES EVERY 5-7500k MAX, past overheating issues. Everything else is just regular maintenance.
4- FCPEuro, Rovafarm are my faves.
5- I've never towed long distance but I've towed 4k no issues.
6- Get a GAP IID tool

I had some work done by a shop, they were great but even as an indy overpriced. I just didn't have the time for the first round of stuff, and the second time I couldn't do the AC work.
Here's my maintenance history:

 

[Todtan]

Been DD-ing my LR4 since 2020, had a D1 for a few years before that (with a Chevy in between). IMO, it's an old Rover, and you should treat it as such. Preventative maintenance is key, but don't go overboard or you will spend too much money unnecessarily. GI got mine with 46k, now 100k.

1- Regular maintenance can be done at home, by anyone, with regular tools (brakes, wheel bearings, suspension, air stuff, etc)
2- Eh. If you don't smell or aren't losing coolant, don't worry yet. I've seen issues with both brand new Genuine LR parts and the aluminum stuff pop up lately on forums.
3- OIL CHANGES EVERY 5-7500k MAX, past overheating issues. Everything else is just regular maintenance.
4- FCPEuro, Rovafarm are my faves.
5- I've never towed long distance but I've towed 4k no issues.
6- Get a GAP IID tool

I had some work done by a shop, they were great but even as an indy overpriced. I just didn't have the time for the first round of stuff, and the second time I couldn't do the AC work.
Here's my maintenance history:

Thank you! Super helpful.

 

[RoverFan]

I agree with what XJLI said. The LR4 is an awesome swiss army knife SUV if you get a nice one in the right spec. The LR3 was a good start and the LR4 just improved on everything the LR3 is. People will tell you the LR4 has less reliable engines, but they are so much punchier and the transmission is more robust than the LR3's. Pick your poison, but the LR3 is very dated in comparison as well. The LR4 still feels modern.

I would add that something to watch out for on the V6 models is that you must find one with the Heavy Duty package or you will not have low range. The base 2014 LR4 is basically a meaty crossover without the HD package. The previous V8 LR4s did not suffer that indignity. The HD package was a very nice upgrade on those because it brought a full size spare and locking rear diff. It's a must on the V6 for the reasons stated above.

The V6 can have all the same problems as the V8, but it's less powerful and doesn't sound near as good. Pic for streetcred.

 

[Gravelette]

The "long trip family adventure" requirement would have me looking at much newer vehicles with more readily available service. Lots of stuff that's OK solo isn't OK for families.

 

[bri]

Power and torque is about 10% less on SCV6. I tow Micro Minnie FLX 2108 FBS.

 

[rgallant]

I have traveled with a lot of Lr3/Lr4's that are well looked after and have done excellent service for their owners. IF you look after it and maintain it is no less reliable than anything else, but you need define long trips. I have spent 8 days largely off-road covering about 900 miles with LR3/LR4 with zero issues over the entire time. In fact none of 14 LR's had any issues, beyond my D2 with a hose clamp that got loose and sensor bolt loosing up, two 5 minute fixes.

 

[Todtan]

I have traveled with a lot of Lr3/Lr4's that are well looked after and have done excellent service for their owners. IF you look after it and maintain it is no less reliable than anything else, but you need define long trips. I have spent 8 days largely off-road covering about 900 miles with LR3/LR4 with zero issues over the entire time. In fact none of 14 LR's had any issues, beyond my D2 with a hose clamp that got loose and sensor bolt loosing up, two 5 minute fixes.

Long trips meaning 600-1200mi pavement trips pulling a small <5000lb camper. This would be a few times a year, mostly a daily driver plus shorter off-road adventures. I may be crazy I know but the allure of the LR4 has hit hard

 

[douglastic]

I "family" my LR3 with almost 200k miles. It is a genuine Swiss Army knife.
It is our Daily Driver, Off Roader, Trailer Puller, Load Carrier, Kid Hauler.

Haven't spent more than $750 over the past 2yr/30k miles on my own maintenance/repairs.

I know it's not an LR4, but it shares many components - and is even older than the one you want.
I would't hesitate to drive it 1k miles.

 

[Todtan]

I "family" my LR3 with almost 200k miles. It is a genuine Swiss Army knife.
It is our Daily Driver, Off Roader, Trailer Puller, Load Carrier, Kid Hauler.

Haven't spent more than $750 over the past 2yr/30k miles on my own maintenance/repairs.

I know it's not an LR4, but it shares many components - and is even older than the one you want.
I would't hesitate to drive it 1k miles.

That's exactly what I'm hoping and planning for my LR4!