HI All,
I just joined the Forum. I have had experience with British vehicles -- owning Jaguars, Triumphs, a Hillman and a Vauxhall -- but am a neophyte when it comes to Land Rover vehicles.
I am looking at a 2004 Land Rover that, I think, is an LR3. It has a 114,000 miles but appears to be in decent shape. I have no information about prior maintenance. I will see if I can get a pre-purchase evaluation from a local independent shop that specializes in LR repair and maintenance.
I prefer to do as much of my own work as possible so my questions relate to that.
1. How difficult is the LR3 to work on for a mechanic with average skill?
2. What are common problems with these vehicles?
3. What special tools are recommended for the DIYer, especially an OBDII code reader that I can also use on my Jaguar?
4. How does the 2004 LR3 compare to other models and years of LRs?
Thanks,
Jim
Kirkwood, MO

 

Welcome! If the vehicle was originally sold in the U.S. then I don't think a 2004 can be an LR3. The LR3 wasn't sold in the U.S. until the 2005 model year.

That means the 2004 you're looking at would be either a Range Rover, a Discovery II, or a Freelander. I think that each of them should have badging on the exterior with the model name. If you look in the forum for each model and in galleries you should see pictures of each to see what they look like. Basically, the Freelander is smaller and the other 2 are full-size with the easiest differentiator being the roofline: flat for the Range Rover while the Discovery steps up for the second row seating and beyond.

I hope that helps.

-Rob

 

Rob,
Thanks for the information. As I noted in my OP, I'm a neophyte to LRs and wasn't sure where to post my first posting. I apparently got it wrong since the LR I'm considering has the rear raised roof. So it's a Discovery? I still confused about the LR model nomenclature.
I have been communicating with the seller via email and haven't yet inspected the truck. Since it's out of town, I though I'd do some research before making the trip so I have an idea what to look for when I inspect it. If it passes my inspection and we can agree on the price, I'll bring it home and have a specialist do an evaluation.
Should I post my question in the Discovery I or Discovery II Forum?
Thanks,
Jim
Kirkwood, MO

 

Jim,

Does it have a separate window over the rear side windows? Does the rear door open to the side? Is so, it would be a Discovery II. A split up/down tailgate would make it an LR3 in the US. Good luck on the purchase.
Jeff

 

How about this one: Does it have a spare tire on the rear exterior? If so, It's a Discovery II....

 

Thanks for the information from all. It WAS a Discovery II at a very good price, but unfortunately, it was sold before I could get to it. "He who hesitates is lost."
I'll keep looking, but I wish I could have gotten that one.
Thanks,
Jim

 

LR3's can now be had for 7k and up... now very achievable and a much more capable vehicle. DII owners won't admit it, but will quietly upgrade eventually.

 

Yep. I've had two D2 and now I'm on my second LR3. Never paid more than $7000 for any rover except the defender

 

Ive had 4 D2s and have also owned my LR3 for 5 years. What is there to admit in terms of capability? If you're talking highway, daily driving and reliability, the LR3 has the D2 beat by far.

If you're talking Off-Road, let me know what you do when your computer shuts down and you're sitting on the bump stops as I drive by on my coils.

 

Oh...HERE we go.

The LR3 is far and away more capable than a DII. Better everything....angles, clearance, power-to-weight, lockers, crawl ratio. Not even close, and deep down inside, you KNOW that.

....but to answer your question, when my computer shuts down, I will plug in my IIDTool, interface with the computer, re-boot it, and continue kicking your *** all over the trail while you curse out the Three Amigos.

Let's get over this bull****, guys....the LR3 is 9 years old now. I've chewed up tons of trail as has the community at large. Has anyone had one of these big scary computer meltdowns yet? NO. The worst thing that has happened has been a ruptured airshock....and now we know how to detect that, and what to do about it. We've learned how to do things like pull EAS fuses or quickly change a brake light switch to avoid unwanted faults or suspension lowering. It's all much ado about nothing.

Also, at ErikDisco: Your comparison/scenario is absolutely stupid. You are saying that a DII can out-wheel a malfunctioning LR3? Congrats. Way to prove nothing. Any functioning vehicle can out-perform a non-functioning vehicle.

Stock-to-stock, in working order....the LR3 off-roads circles around the D2. Not even close. Bring your '03 out to Washington state, and I'll prove it to you!