Rank my shopping list

[mvswain]

I'm looking for a rig to do some trail camping, with a family of 4, in the southwest United States. I've done a little off roading with the rover club many years ago, mostly drove D90 and Discoveries.

Here are the contenders:

2008 L332 - 2 speed transfer, locking rear e-diff
2013 LR4 - 2 speed transfer, open diff
2016 LR4 - 1 speed transfer, open diff
2016 LR4 - 2 speed transfer, locking rear e-diff
Anything else I should consider? The early LR4 with the HD package are very hard to find these days.

Thanks!

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[amcjen]

Have you considered an LR3 with HD? I love mine. I bought it at 28k and it has 132k on the clock now. I plan to drive it to 250k. We just took a 5 day trip into the deep Northern Nevada desert and it was spectacular. Only non-stock thing on it are BFG KO/2s. It’s very capable.

I still see a few around for sale, and usually much cheaper than the LR4s.

 

[mvswain]

Have you considered an LR3 with HD? I love mine. I bought it at 28k and it has 132k on the clock now. I plan to drive it to 250k. We just took a 5 day trip into the deep Northern Nevada desert and it was spectacular. Only non-stock thing on it are BFG KO/2s. It’s very capable.

I still see a few around for sale, and usually much cheaper than the LR4s.

Thx. I haven't really considered the LR3 due to age and potential reliability issues. I don't want to get stuck out there with the family. LR3s under 100K miles are a rare bread these days.

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[Ray_G]

Assuming-or rather, confirming/proofing on your own according, good maintenance of an LR3 100k is only a benchmark to do certain things and not illustrative of a turning point.

Moreover, given some known issues with LR4s apples to apples the LR3 and the associated 4.4 still may fall out as a superior truck the further you get from that rollback recovery point. Not that I'm biased...but let's just say pretty far down a trail last weekend in a well maintained LR4 we wished we were in one of our LR3s. Anecdotal of course, but it is what it is.

As an aside, HD package isn't encessary. All things considered for your list as it is I'd get the 2013.
r-
Ray

 

[krick3tt]

Looking for an older LR with what you want isn't really that difficult to find. You may have to go out of state. Start your search at local LR repair shops as well some have vehicles with all the known issues and what it will take to get them to peak condition. My 07 LR3 HSE just turned over to 143K miles and although it had some issues when I bought it, they have been fixed and it is in top condition.
You can always have the things you want added for a bit of cash if you find a great one without them.
Might be good to let folks know where you are located.

 

[mvswain]

Wow! Based on the responses I guess I should seriously consider the LR3. I found a few places here in Southern California with some for sale. What are some things I should be looking for when I check them out?

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[Ray_G]

The usual, maint history. Above 100k it likely has had the appropriate things done. You might find one that somehow still has the original compressor (unlikely) or the plastic coolant tee, if so that will need to get addressed. Try to ascertain the last time the control arms were changed, brakes, transmission filter/fluid, etc.

Take a look at this; the reason it is so unremarkable is bc the platform-by Rover standards-is boringly reliable.

JE Robison Service | Land Rover buying advice

What to look for when purchasing different Land Rover models.

www.robisonservice.com

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[Al Blue4.6l]

So I have an 06 LR3 with 168k miles and a 13 LR4 with about 45k.

The LR4 is a lot faster and handles "better" (less like a truck).

But I like the LR3 a lot better and honestly like driving it better. It remains the best vehicle I've ever owned.

That said, I'm still glad I have the LR4 - it's a great truck and I needed something that wasn't scratched up and set up for offroad for work.

 

[mvswain]

So I have an 06 LR3 with 168k miles and a 13 LR4 with about 45k.

The LR4 is a lot faster and handles "better" (less like a truck).

But I like the LR3 a lot better and honestly like driving it better. It remains the best vehicle I've ever owned.

That said, I'm still glad I have the LR4 - it's a great truck and I needed something that wasn't scratched up and set up for offroad for work.

What do you like better about the LR3 over the LR4?

I'm thinking the LRX that we'll get will be dedicated to road trips for skiing in the winter and trail runs for camping. This will not be a daily driver, more a recreational vehicle.

I'm going to look at both the 3 and 4 over the next couple of weeks. It takes time to learn a vehicle, that's why I'm really interested in what the community who has experience in these vehicles thinks. Thanks again everyone!



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[Al Blue4.6l]

The LR3 handles more like a truck, which I like. And the interior, while not as "nice" is a lot more solid. I've chased down a lot more squeaks and rattles in the LR4.

Objectively, for the most part, the LR4 is the better vehicle. I just like the LR3 better.

 

[Jwestpro]

The LR3 handles more like a truck, which I like. And the interior, while not as "nice" is a lot more solid. I've chased down a lot more squeaks and rattles in the LR4.

Objectively, for the most part, the LR4 is the better vehicle. I just like the LR3 better.

and the lr3 has more places to put stuff in the front console and dash areas.
1-lr3, rubber mat ledge at nav screen, lr4 - slick sloped surface
2-lr3 between both center cup holders nice rubber mat you can remove to wash, nothing on lr4.

LR4, dumbest front console of any land rover ever LOL

Ergonomics go to LR4 though in my opinion, by far! Driver left elbow to window sill/ledge is more squared off unlike lr3 where it rolls off too much. Seats and arm rests are better in lr4 as well.

LR3 HSE 2007-2005 passenger seat does not lift, it only tilts from front edge pivot. This means nobody likes it raised to see out better or align for arm rests because it then feels like you're being shoved off the front of it.

Otherwise, lr3 is probably better in terms of maintenance but if you were going to tow a LOT of heavier/near limits trailers, then I'd suggest lr4 just because it has a bit more oomph.

The expense and annoyance of converting lr4 wheels to 18", less space under hood for battery and air compressor, combined with the price difference up front means you can spend several thousand on building out an lr3 for same $ as factory lr4.

To me the difference is like lr3 + new top spec Yeti SB130 with 2 sets of carbon wheels ($10k) or an lr4 with no bike at all = sad lr4 experience vs awesome lr3 package

 

[Al Blue4.6l]

Not the best looking solution, but I've had this stuck to my door for years. It makes the LR3 much more comfortable to drive.

 

[billiebob]

Top of the list
2 speed transfer case. single speed is for pavement, city bound SUVs.
LoRange lets you crawl which means tread lightly. No LoRange... you need momentum which tends to break things.
Lockers, Lockers, Lockers. My experience with a Rubi, Lockers are more valuable than a winch.
And selectable lockers, front and rear, eliminate wheel spin.... enhancing tread lightly.

Low mileage, great service history, rust free

 

[Model97]

2 cents ... My LR4 was totaled and i ended up replacing with a half-price 3. I actually like the 3 better. No payment is one reason but its a very smooth ride. And I get 3-4 MPH better mileage, with plenty (for me) of power.

 

[morrisdl]

I didn't realize the LR4 door panels are so much more comfortable. I wonder if they would fit/color match to LR3 easily: