Hi! I own a 06' LR3... purchased it brand new in July of 06'. I already need to replace the tires and it also needs new brakes. Which of course is a big bill as both are not covered under warranty. We have put close to 40,000kms on our vehicle. Has anyone else needed to replace brakes/tires on their 06 LR3 and was it covered under warranty. My husband is considering trading our LR3 in on a Ford Escape Hybrid. Any thoughts? Thanks.

 

If you search the forum you will see many complaints with the tires and brakes. if you go with a better tire they will last alot longer. as far as the brakes go Ford has always used poor quality brakes for years. I have former fORD ENGINEERS that still complain about that section of ford.
going from an LR3 to an Escape is a HUGE jump. it will feel cheap and poorly made. that is an inexpensive vehicle and i doubt you will be happy other than the mpg
but go check it out. i never rule anything out till i drive it. But not many vehicle will seem as nice as the LR3.
their are many threads on the tires for recomendations i like my avons at tirerack they were very resonable and ride wonderfull they have done awsome in snow ice and rain but if you are going off the beaten path you may want a more aggressive tread. I have taken them on snowmobile trails and deep snow 2ft and they held up supprisingly well. i still have at least 1.5 ft of snow in my yard today.

 

LR3 is a very heavy truck. Takes good quality tires to last. The Goodyear H/Ps that come on it are pure junk, as any LR3 owner will tell you. I've heard of cases where the dealer has offered to partially pay for tire replacement. Whatever you do, don't put H/Ps back on the LR3. There is a world of better tire selection out there.

As far as brakes, without going into unnecesary technical specks, simply put, the truck's heavy weight cause the relatively small front callipers to work extra hard, thus eating front break pads for breakfast. Going with a larger caliper would have meant a larger wheel as well and as we off roaders know, there isn't much of an off road tire selection in the 19' plus category. However, brake jobs are very simple and do not need to be performed at the dealer for a prime cost. Most back yard mechanics with some basic mechanical knowledge can change out their own brake pads. If your husband does not fit that description, any brake shop can do a professional job for a lot less in most cases than the dealer. Midas or whatever is available in your area should work fine.

As far as trading in for an Escape, "great goodness" what a step down. Land Rovers are like drugs. They can be addictive in the way they spoil you, specially if you have taken the time to use it for what is was designed to do. Their capability is simply increadible and there's simply nothing else out there that compares. In your shoes, I would not be able to take such a huge step down. Maybe you can. It's really obviously up to you. The gas mileage is MUCH better in an Escape Hybrid but jeezzzz.

 

There are great tires to pick from, much cheaper and longer lasting, depending on the type of driving you do.
As for the brakes, if you husband is half mechanical, we can walk him thru replacing the brakes at home, saving huge amounts of money.
By the way, this is no time to talk about getting rid of this treuck, you will never get what you want/need out of it.

 

Breaks are a simple job I always say the hardest part is geting the tire off. Jantz had a good point if he is not comfortable dooing it run it to midas
they used to have lifetime brakes. not shure what that includes just future parts rotor and pads or just pads or parts and labor but worth checking into
if you like to keep the hands clean.

 

so what did you do?

 

An LR3 to a Ford Escape Hybrid????? What a humiliating downgrade........... WOW does your husband want a divorce or something?

You could strap the Ford Escape on the roof of the LR3 and go off roading. Good luck in an accident in that tin box.

But Seriously, the brakes arent that complicated on the LR3 and can be done by a professional brake shop inexpensively. My wife is hard as hell on her Grand Cherokee Overland's brakes and I replace them often myself, but I never considered "downgrading" her because of her hard-braking driving style.

Please let us know if your hubby needs help replacing them. There are plenty of Land Rover Experts on this site that can walk him through it.
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