Hi Everybody,

You may have seen my post a couple of days ago asking for your opinions of an LR3 vs. a Range Rover HSE.

Anyway, I've been digging around, and I'm considering an 08 LR3 HSE that I've seen advertised at a non-Land Rover Dealership. It's got 78,500 miles, Carfax doesn't suggest anything to be concerned about - Looks like all services were done at the same Dealership. I think it's a 1-owner vehicle. It's got an aftermarket winch on the front (not one that is almost 'hidden' behind the bumper). It has the Luxury Package, (which includes the Cold Weather Package), and also the Heavy Duty. It does not have Satellite Radio - How easy is it to add this? It has 1 key - How easy is it to buy my own and program it? Color is White with Tan interior. It comes with a 3,000 mile / 90 day Warranty, with a $100 deductible. I haven't checked into the smallprint of the Warranty, but I have a Land Rover Stealership 5 minutes from me, so hopefully the entire Drivetrain will breakdown within the Warranty period, so that I could get a brand new Engine and Transmission! There is a Land Rover Dealership nearby, and I plan on getting a full inspection done - What should I be prepared to pay, for this? The rear hitch is wired. Advertised price is $21,800. I offered $20,000, and they said they would be losing money at that price. So we're in the 'haggling' stage.

I plan on keeping my 03 Range Rover HSE and spend some time getting it ready for sale, when it gets a bit warmer. Or maybe I'll just keep it...

What are your thoughts?

Thanks, Simon in Madison, WI.

 

21800 sounds like a ton of money for that truck. You can find many nice examples of lr3s in Southern California for $12k to $16k. They are usually rust free and generally pretty well taken care of. With the money you save, you could have a great trip out of your arctic weather and get a day or two at Disneyland. Check out Craigslist in LA, Orange County, Inland Empire and San Diego. I know of a recent purchase of a LR3 with about 80k miles, brand new tires, super clean HSE model, sold for less than $9000. Good luck.

 

08 and especially 09 go for a LOT more money than 05 and 06 around where I'm at. I'm happy with my 06 that I paid a lot less for.

 

I do not know about the money thing but I expect the sales guys regard the winch as a real attraction, hence they figure they can get pretty good money for the 3. At the same time, if it is in good shape, getting beat on the purchase price beats spending money in the shop. New is a gamble, used well, that is part of the game.

A second key is about 500 dollars - most non LR sellers do not realize that so see if you can get a new one included in the deal. It is almost a dealer only thing and takes about a month to get a replacement as if has to come out of the UK - others may disagree.

While very unlikely, you just might have the very rare optional sort of locking rear differential, a very rare option I must say. If so, act disinterested, but if you are into off roading, that is the 3 you want.

If it is a 2008 HSE with the radio with built in 6 disc changer and a telephone keypad to the left of the radio display, then the Sirius radio feature is there - the antenna will be installed up in the rear roof so it will just be a case of you pushing the correct buttons on the radio to call up the Sirius stations.

See file 418-08 in the link below for a 15 page pdf that explains a bit of the operation of the entertainment systems. Better yet will be the radio section of the owners handbook which should tell how to call up the Sirius license number input section within the radio.

DISCO3.CO.UK Photo Gallery - Breather Cap Front Differential installation

A dealer inspection would cost about 500 dollars as well and no guarantees; save your money for changing the oil in the transmission.

DISCO3.CO.UK Photo Gallery - ZF 6HP26 Automatic Transmission in LR3

The drive train is strong; it will not collapse within the warranty period and hopefully not after that either. It will be the little stuff that will torment you - hence the need for the forums such as thing one but since you have a FFRR, you know that.

The LR3 is a lot more advanced than your 2003 FFRR HSE, hence you will be surprised. That is why the LR3/4 is still going strong nine years later, but mostly in the form of the RR Sport.

 

Nevillusa,

I just sold my 06 LR3 that had all the options including the electronic lock rear diff and have to say that while I cannot compare to one with a non locking rear diff, I took mine to some pretty scary places and never once had to worry about getting stuck. Was that a result of the rear diff option, possibly, but glad I had it all the same.

The tranny is strong in general, but you will have read about the center diff whine - mine had that and its going to hit your wallet hard if you have to replace one.

Other issues are as has been pointed out, annoying PIA faults that show the fact that LR are still a long way behind other makes when it comes to build quality, but we don't buy LR for their reliability do we! Keep on top of these things with a good preventative maintenance schedule.

The cost is something you need to make sure your not paying over the odds on - the winch is a nice to have 'option' not something to pay silly money for. Canada is far higher than the US, but if you factor that and the age, I sold mine for far less that what you are looking to pay. There are a ton of these around,take your time drive a few and then pit the different dealers, sellers against each other to get a better price.

You already have a RR so know they drink like a lapsed alcoholic and burn a hole in your wallet like a blow torch on paper, but think you will find the LR3 far more capable than your 03 RR, it just wont have that RR kudos.

 

Agreed. Just bought my LR3 and they had pre ordered 2 keys. One came in and I'm waiting another 2-3 weeks for the 2nd.

Mind you I didn't have to ask but I bought mine at an LR dealer so they were taking care of the small things already.

 

Thanks everybody for your comments. Here's where I'm at - I spoke with them again today, and they said that $21,000 is the lowest they will go. Asked what make and model the Winch is, and it's a Warn 9.5 XP, so no issues there, as long as it's working ok. I agree that I could find a cheaper LR3, but I really want one that's as new as possible, with miles that aren't too high, with a decent history (this one was 1 owner until 65,000 miles, and always serviced at the same Land Rover Dealership), and with the Luxury and Heavy Duty Packages. So this vehicle seems to fit the bill, at this point. What don't we know? What I don't know yet, is EXACTLY what maintenance has been done, but I've given the VIN # to a friendly Land Rover Parts Manager, and he's going to email me everything that he can find about the vehicle tomorrow. Ideally, I would like to see the front and rear Diff's having been replaced at some point, in addition to various Suspension pieces and Airbags, although the mileage is probably too low for this stuff to have 'failed'. It would also be nice if the Battery is brand new, but I guess that's wishful thinking. I'll report back after I get the full maintenance records. Definitely happy to walk away, but I think I'm also leaning towards this deal. Wish me luck...

 

I just spent the last 6 weeks intently searching all the sites, craigslist, cars.com, autotrader, carsforsale, and that isn't too bad. You are paying a premium now with weather the way it has been, but almost as fast as I could find a "good" one, they were sold. The ones with accidents and abuse stick around on the sites.
Finally settled on an '06 HSE from Manhattan with every invoice ever done on it. Previous owner got new lower front control arms, tie rods, brakes all around, tires, battery, all within the last year.

 

I expect you have found a good 3 and as such, will have to pay the price of a good 3; myself that is probably good. I would like to think that the good ones do retain their value. The Warn 9.5 is the correct winch so the previous owner was not cost cutting.

Try and get a free second key and pay the man so to speak.

Also, since it is not a true LR dealer you are buying from, I would make certain the title is clear.

It seems the leasing companies are not afraid to put one of their vehicles into the independent dealer auction and lien it at the same time - not even the independent dealer who purchases the unit knows it has a lien pending until after - considered great fun and just business.