Don't get me wrong my wife loves her lr3 , she does not work on it lol

There are 2 types of second row seats, the 5 seater second row is not as nice as the 7 seater second row the 5 seater does not fold as "flat" but the head rests are lower

 

My 5-seater's 2nd row folds as flat as flat can be. I know there were different packages you could purchase for the 2nd row.

 

My LR3:
1. Feels like a truck... sitting posture, the way the engine is geared, etc.
2. Despite this, it feel surprisingly nimble and agile for such a heavy vehicle
3. Has fantastic visibility and thus feels smaller than it really is
4. Has great useful features including a lay flat cargo area (2nd row seats lay flat) and of course, it has the 3rd row seating

The Range Rover:
1. Is very luxurious... the seats, the controls, the trim, etc.
2. Rides very very nicely, though it has too much power steering for my likes
3. Has an amazing combination of engine and transmission... it always feels like it's in the right power band unlike the LR3
4. Feels like a whale and has the visibility to match. Simple things like the headrests, while they are large and comfortable, they make it impossible to turn your head and look behind you. Thus, it feel like a huge car and surprise... it is.

For my style and my driving, I would choose the LR3[/QUOTE]
Could not agree more. No question the RR is a nice vehicle. The LR3 feels and drives like a smaller, more nimble truck. Would like the RR power band, but the LR3 is not terrible and it moves when you need it to (perhaps with a small delay).

 

So Ive been inquiring on a few LR3's. I'm not sure why I'm so drawn to them, it could partially be due to them being a little more affordable. Anyway, it seems difficult to find one that has service records. Everyone says all they have is car fax. I'm not in a really bad time crunch, just end of the year. So I will keep looking. There is one that is on the north side and is listed for sale by an LR dealer, so I'm waiting on service records. Came from NJ. They said they should be able to get all of the records to me today. 2006 HSE w/ 80k. Asking $14,900. It is a 1 owner and was always serviced by a dealer in NJ.

 

That sounds reasonable. Higher than you would pay for a private party, at least in Portland, OR. 80K and all service records would be a nice find.

Read the new (and evolving) LR3 pre-purchase check list. At 80K it's going to need lower control arms soon if that hasn't already been done. About $1200 from the dealer if I recall. Look to see if all the service has been done and if differential and transfer case fluids have been changed per schedule or better.

 

I was lucky and found a one owner with all service records that were done by the dealer and it read like a laundry list of common LR3 issues (hood latch replaced, rear locking diff motor software update, control arms replaced).

I went for an LR3 over RR because of looks (I love the iconic Disco design language), utility (fold flat seating up to 7), and capability off-road. I actually test drove an LR4 as well, but didn't find the 5.0L that much of a performance boost and disliked the less-practical (though pretty) interior.

 

They got back to me on the service records. He said he can give me more info over the phone but listed out these...

51k- tie rods, lower control arms and front diff pinion seal
58k- air compressor repaired and new battery
61k - front wheel bearings and hubs
67k - thermostat and alternator
76k - air compressor replaced

He gave me the line that there are 3 people coming this weekend to look at it so I need to act now.

 

Hmm, I wonder if that front diff pinion seal was due to the now-updated breather pressurizing the diff and causing a leak. If you go drive it, listen for any humming or whining from the front. Question is if the seal was bad enough to cause low oil and premature wear. The diffs are expensive.

Good news on the control arms, hubs, alternator, and air compressor. These all seem like common trouble areas and are expensive as well.

Check the brake pads and rotors for wear, they are also not cheap and wear out relatively quickly.

 

I agree with DJ, listen closely for diff noise. Then, if it's quiet, I'd ask them to change both diff fluids as well..I'd even go as far as to want to see the fluid and how dark it is and if there are flakes.