Yeah that is definitely one of the things I've been trying to look into, both on forums as a general warning as well as on a per vehicle basis if I'm actually looking at an LR4 realistically.

I would absolutely trade a potential catastrophic flaw in the LR4 model for the slightly more dated interior of the LR3 with a more bulletproof engine - if that does seem to be consensus here. Wish I could cross the two together to make an LR3.5 because the interior seems far less dated even just a year apart.

 

You could check out a full sized Range Rover from the LR3 years if you want a nicer more modern interior and the same mechanical guts under the skin. Model years you'd want is 2006-2009

I went from my 06 LR3 to an 08 RR HSE. Drives and working in it is just the the LR3 and same motor/tyranny combo so parts aren't any more of a cost

Interior is much nicer. Better leather, leather wrapped everything including the dash, wood accents and more features like hot and cold seats.

 

It's funny because the L322 Range Rover is what I originally developed a crush on all those years ago. But there's a few reasons I'm looking more with at LR3/4 instead of an RR. To me the RR feels like a fancy car with some offroad chops, while the Disco/LR feels more like an offroad rig that has some luxury - if that makes sense, regardless of how factually true it is lol. I really like the raised roof line, full flat fold down rear seats for car camping, and frankly I think it has less of a status-symbol attached to it's silhouette at first glance. I visit a lot of small towns so while not the end of the world, it is nice to pull up in something that doesn't scream status obsessed.

I do fall in love with them when I look at them so there's a siren song with the RR, but I just don't know how great I'd feel pulling up in one compared to an LR3/4 when I go rafting, kayaking, backcountry camping, etc.

 

I do agree the Disco has a more "utilitarian" look, which is also why I like it. Plus my LR3 just looks better in an environment like this....

 

Get the LR3 and live happily ever after!!!