hey guys, im new, saw a good deal on a 2005 LR3, black on black, 130km, anything to watch for? im deciding between a 4runner or a LR3,
any inputs would be great.
thanks

 

Full shop and owner manual in download links below. With any used vehicle, please spend about 2 hours of shop time for a mechanic inspection.

 

Have it checked out by a land rover specialist or at least someone that sees them regularly. They seem to be pretty reliable vehicles compared to older land rovers, but there are a few things that go wrong pretty often, and some of them can be kind of pricey.

This way, you will know if after purchase you'll have to drop another $1000 or more into fixing something. Even if they just tell you that it needs brakes and everything else it fine on the car, that might be something that you can use to help lower the sales price.

 

I have three 4runners and just bought a LR3. I have owned three Discoveries, 1999 DI, a 2000 DII and a 2001 DII. The 4runners are not without faults. CV boots are a common issue at around 125k. IF you have a 4wd, the transfer case actuators can leak. You have to remove the entire transfer case to get to the seal. That said, the 4runners are pretty bulletproof. I haven't had enough experience yet with the LR3. I just got it last week. It is really nice, seems more substantial than the 4runners. Take a look at the sticky on LR3 problems (granted, those are folks that have cars with problems, not all LR3s will have each and every one of those issues) and if those issues don't knock you on the floor jump in. Phil

 

I don't see one. It would be nice though, because it seems that most of the issues aren't THAT hard to fix.

 

I say get it. They are as reliable as the preventative maintenance. If you slack on the maintenance you will hate your rig. When you buy it see if you can drive it for a few miles and then get an auto parts store to scan the OBDII for you. Also when you park it raise the suspension to off road setting and pull the #3 fuse in the engine bay behind the battery. This will tell you, if you did not hear the compressor constantly running, if there is something wrong with either the air bladder or the air block. Also, push every button you can find and expect to get some sort of response from it. Get two keys if you can because the ONLY way you can get a new one is ordering from the dealer which in-turn orders from England; ebay keys don't work. I have a 2005 LR3 and it has been the most reliable, easiest, and toughest vehicle I have owned!

 

Buy it if you are gonna take it off-road. Otherwise, move on...

 

this will be my winter vehicle on snow, i dont really take it offroad but i probably will if i buy it
the shape is really nice, no rock chips, only problem is the driver side heated seat does not work.

 

I say go for it, then. You might want to be patient and find the right one. Newer is better in general, but really how they've been maintained is key.

 

I bought my 06 LR in 2008 with 36,000 miles on the odometer. I currently have a little over 245,000 miles on her and she doesn’t burn a drop of oil between 5,000 mile oil changes and the transmission still shifts smoothly through all gears. I’m just starting to service her myself, but up until last month all the servicing including oil changes have been done at the dealership.