Hello,

I think it might be time for an upgrade from my 1997 Discovery SD with the 5 speed transmission to a 2005 or 2006 LR3...

Persuade me... Less headaches? Better engine? Better fuel economy? Better ride? Roomier? How does it handle off-road and on road?

Thank you

 

I've had D1, D2, and now LR3.

The LR3 is quite a bit heavier, and you can certainly "feel" that it's heavy, but it also has nearly 100 more horsepower than a D2, so it accelerates pretty acceptably. (It's nowhere near as peppy as my previous daily driver a 2004 Acura TL.) It has independent suspension front and rear, so it feels quite a bit better at highway speeds than a Discovery. I'd push my D2 to 80mph sometimes while passing, but it didn't feel safe especially when the road curved a bit. I usually stayed at 70 or a little less. LR3 doesn't have that feeling. I could set the cruise at 80mph and not worry about any unexpected item in the road or a curve that's not banked enough.

There are lost of bells and whistles available on the LR3. Mine has a cold weather package with heated windscreen and heated seats, but also the middle row seats are heated. I've got a cooler box in the center console. It has rain sensing wipers. Mine doesn't have navigation or the rear locking diff, but those are nice options. The nav screen, if the correct options and firmware are installed, can display realtime information about how the fancy 4wd system is operating.

Some things feel pretty cheap inside compared to my old discos. The door pulls have a noticeably plastic feel feel as do the inside door handles. About half of the buttons are broken on my radio, but replacement faceplates are available, but they aren't exactly cheap. My ash tray is broken, but D2 has that problem too.

As far as MPG goes, I'd get about 13 around town in my disco (maybe 11 after tires and lift) and 15 on the highway. The LR3 gets about 15 in town and 18 on the highway. I could probably get more if I'd not press the gas pedal so hard in town (remember that extra 100hp) and if I'd drive a little slower than 75 on the highway.

I've had the LR3 for about a month now and overall I'm pretty happy and consider it a no brainer to want to drive it over a D1 or D2, as a daily driver. I haven't had a chance to take it offroad, but I have a feeling that in stock form it will outperform a stock disco.

 

you've already convinced yourself; from this point on it's only subjective opinions you'll receive. go get the LR3 and be happy.

 

The LR3 will out-perform a Discovery off-road, stock-to-stock or with either having equivalent modifications (say a 2" lift and some tires). As for on-road handling...just go drive one. That's free.

 

The LR3 is better for every question you asked. Undeniably better reliability, WAY better on road, better mileage. I agree that a stock LR3 is better than a stock D1 or D2 offroad - the traction control is way better and you can get better ground clearance in off-road mode than a stock solid axle D1 or D2 with diffs that hang down and get stuck on obstacles. The LR3 is bigger and it feels bigger on a trail, great turning radius for it's size, but bigger to fit through some tight areas.
If you drive one you will want one. Which brings up the next point - look for one with as much service history as possible. It's much more reliable than older models, but it's still a Rover

 

New-be here: Is the LR3 the same as the Freelander?

Never mind!!!! I just figured it out. That LR3 is quite expensive compared to a Dii!!! It better be a lot better than a Dii.