I've spent a lot of time driving LR3's on gated forest roads in the past. They do just fine and offer a smoother ride than the Disco... If that's what you want.

Also they have bags on all 4 wheels so if you like the SLS feature on your Disco you would like being able to raise or lower all 4 corners at will.

One that I frequently drove came factory fit with the brush guard, winch, roof rack, snorkle, front mounted large diameter "driving" lights... etc. The "lower" feature on the suspension computer worked for getting into parking garages with the roof rack!

If you are taller than 6'0 and larger than 180lbs you will like that the LR3 seats are more adjustable and the leg/head room is improved.

The LR3 makes a washboard road fun to drive on... almost like a magic carpet... very smooth and no loss of control.

Performance on snow and ice was just as good as my Disco...

 

It's not just the level of sophistication and electronics that causes me doubt. I'm not a dumb grease monkey and I'm not afraid of electronics at all. The problem is that the years of depreciation needed to make all that stuff cost less than $65k will result in it failing. I will have to replace it. Then I will take it offroad and it will fail and need to be replaced again. It won't be cheap or practical. When I take a Defender, a Classic, a Wrangler or a Land Cruiser, I have to replace a few rubber and metal bits and it's ready to go again. So it's not that I'm dumb or afraid of computers. It's that I'm smart enough not to bash 20 computers offroad and think it will be sustainable at a practical cost in the long-term.

 

Although, when the DII first came out, I'm sure people were thinking the same thing. It was too techie and expensive to work on for the average DIY'er. But now, look at it, most of us do our own work in our garages.

I believe that in 10 or so years, the LR4 will be the same. I mean, compared to the 2023 LR15 that has it's own satellite to control it's computers and give it directions. When your personal satellite goes down, you will need to send up a Shuttle to do repairs. THEN, they will be too cost inhibitive to use as an offroad toy! "Or Will They???"That settles it. The DII IS better. Or was it the LR3, no wait, it was the LR4. Oh, I don't remember anymore!!! Maybe each person has a favorite, and that's the cool thing about advancing technology, choices... I personally like all the gadgets, so will likely get into one of those 'computers on wheels' in the future.

Just a few years ago, Land Rover announced computer controlled suspension. That was voodoo back then, and now most cars have something similar.

PS: Shivers are running.

 

For me, a Land Rover is only as good as the warranty you have and AAA membership level you have. No matter which model.

 

Well it seems that a few people are upset that this inquiry stated that it would be 90% as a people hauler.

I currently have a 99 BMW 3-series and a 99 DII. I drive the BMW as much as possible and the Disco in the snow, bad weather, hauling stuff (sailboat crap + maybe wood for the fireplace but not much more). I even try to use the BMW to go skiing simply because of the fuel economy.

I'm simply looking to upgrade that package to newer vehicles. My other alternative would be to simply get an AWD BMW which would kill me as I love the fun of a RWD car.

Or should I just keep the '99 Discovery and deal with it rather than get a LR3 or LR4? I have heard reports that the LR3 was voted one of the most unreliable vehicles of it's years. Not too happy about that.

The other reason why I am looking to upgrade is because I recently let a friend borrow my Disco and his girlfriend was in an accident with it. It ended up bad enough that I want to trade it in or flip it post-accident.

 

I have 2 friends who have opted for the LR3. one even went to the LR4 and went back to the LR3, bothhave had D1, D11 as well as a D90. THEY LOVE the LR3 and they are off road, camping, motor bike hailing, put the kayaks on the roof loving nuts, And most are with their wifes and kids. Yes there are going to be some issues from time to time. its a rover.get what you want for your needs and tell the rest to **** off. Its your money. Just be smart and get a good pre inspection from a qualified mechanic outside of the dealer. THen go forth and enjoy. and when you run into trouble there is the LR3 section of this forum as well. just as good just not as old, yet!

 

And wrench pro Robin Bastid is very happy with the upgraded vehicles that reduce DIY repairs.

 

05-06 LR3s were much worse (reliability wise) than later years. First year for a whole new platform/drivetrain you gotta figure will have some bugs, which is just compounded when you have all the systems an LR3 has. Buy 07-09 and I think you'll dodge some pitfalls. Never owned one...driven them several times though and like them a lot. Doesn't matter what any of us knuckleheads think though...we're all a little nuts!