I'm not going to jump into any debates or object any opinions here in this thread. I'm less than 2 year owner of an LR3 and my opinion holds no weight against seasoned veterans of LR ownership.
I can however add a bit of fact to this thread...
When I purchased my LR3 it was already converted. The previous owner was so kind to even give me the EAS flash and the old air system wrapped in a box. I could actually re-convert if I wanted! They're sitting in my garage right now.
Mine is in the raised 9.5" position though with the coil springs.

I have done 100's to 1000+ of kms of off road without issue this year.
I've pulled a Sierra 2500 Diesel out of mud (while in same mud, multiple times) without even having to switch to low gear.
I towed big trailers through rugged, off-road, northern Ontario, Canada logging roads.
I've pulled deer from deep bush areas and muddy farm fields for extraction in my LR this year.
If off-road driving could be any better for me and my family adventures in this vehicle, it would be a miracle to be seen.

If this thing is better with the air suspension, I'll re-convert...but I'd have to get to try it first.

Thanks for looking at my non-technical view 2 cents.

 

I agree with you. And I've ran both on 2's and 3's there is so little difference. Glad your enjoying the rig, the best is when you pull Jeeps out 😁

 

I think you have a point, the air for most is probably great and probably has advantages in the right off road situation, especially as you say if your prepared and are more technically minded and watch for the warning signs etc. As for me, I just got sick of spending money, I swapped out now don't have to carry anything but a spare and a smile. Haven't spent a penny on suspension since I swapped, don't even think about it now ( except for regular maintenance of course).
The truth is the unit came with air and had mine worked perfectly every time I would have kept it, why not! But it simply didn't.

 

 

There are pros and cons to either setup for sure. The air has the advantage of the cross-link valving to provide articulation and it can be set up to provide up to like 12" of ground clearance when needed (13.5 for me with bigger tires) and then back down to 8" in standard height. I understand the maintenance costs....for me they weren't constant. It was a few things around the 100k mark, and now it's refreshed and with my use case (3k miles per year) I'll never really have to worry about it again. I know that's not the case for everyone.

I have come to find a place for the coil (conversion) and do not judge anyone who installs it. I get it. It's trouble-free. As for the reason this thread was controversial, it was the inflammatory language and misleading info that the first few posters infused their messages with...not the X's and O's of the two suspension setups.

*This last explanation is for @@Mityone54

 

^ Good post.
I think the original design of the vehicle intended the air suspension harmonizing with the computerized differential system.
The fact that our vehicles are entering their teenage years, reliability becomes an after market option.

Either way...I think we can all agree we are all here for the same reason...the love/hate relationships we have with our LRs.

This is an educational forum and I think a lot can be learned from both your own and another man's experience.

Any which way you look at it, we're lucky to own such nice vehicles that will soon be considered classics.

 

Here! here! Well put last two posts!

 

....I also second the assertion that the LR3 (and LR4) will become a classic, if not an icon or legend.

Looking at what the marque is doing nowadays, these are the last really great Rovers in my opinion. We think the LR3 is electronically sophisticated? Try a FFRR these days! Plus being build sans visible bumpers and no frames....no thanks.

 

Anyone know if the rear coils are specific to each side? Have a customer bring his in after another shop installed coils, passenger left is 10mm lower than driver.

 

Just talked to AB, they say that the coils go on either side, they are claiming possible bent control arm as this is "common" on LR3 and Sport.

Ill swap coils to verify.