.................I still want one

 

Knowing what I know now, I'd seriously reconsider. Sad because this is a brand I always wanted to own.

Well said, have to know what you are in for. My tally has hit $6K after my EPB seized due to an actuator failure. Also managed to wear the rear, upper control arm due to the seizure. +$2K!

The shop repairing my truck said the advice they give someone seeking a Rover is to search for the best truck you can afford for 1/2 your budget. In other words, your budget is $20K, seek a nice $10K truck and put the difference aside to go through all the stuff that will need addressing once purchased.

Erik, called the shop and spoke with Pete. Really nice guy, called me back a few hours later because Brian was tied up working on a Rover. Apparently they only work on Rovers pre '04/Disco II

As stated, I'm $6K+ and that does not include the mild play I have in the tie rods that will have to be addressed eventually. So I'm now at a point where I definitely "overpaid" for my LR3. I'm hoping I can just drive it and enjoy it these next few years and try to forget that I'm probably could have leased a brand new LR4 for the repairs and depreciation I'll have over the next two years.

 

I guess I've been pretty lucky with my 2009 lr3 HSE. I really haven't had many issues. Replaced a few things but the old Rover has been strong and dare I say pretty reliable. I make sure to keep up on all the maintenance and it works great

 

European Garage: 86 Newburyport Turnpike Newbury MA specializes in Land Rovers (978)255-1892

 

Yeah I would agree, unfortunately with these things you really have to watch EVERYTHING an indie tech does unless you know and trust them. Can't tell you how many times I have had to give a quick explanation of how the suspension works or let them know which fuses to pull. For me personally, its usually 50/50 chance they'll F*** something up. While a chunk of my disposable income goes to the local dealership here for big work items, I have never ever felt that they did a bad job. Bonus for me was always building a good relationship with them so they'd help me out on a few things. Plus they're super concerned about customer satisfaction.

For those dudes that are considering buying these vehicles just know that you will spend a few grand on fixes, but outside of that I have never had mine break for no reason. However, you can do a lot of little things yourself to help buy yourself time to save money for said fixes. I didn't have a lot of money for maintenance when I bought it, but the vehicle was willing to soldier on while I amassed the money.

Bought last September, and I'm $4k in. I drove it in all conditions, wheeled it hard, put it away wet and salty, and crossed the country loaded down with everything I owned. That was 15,000 miles ago. I currently do 100 miles a day, 4 days a week for work. All maintenance was preventative or regular service for the mileage. I do still need front control arms and a front diff replaced, so add another $3k to future plans. Zero regrets. Love the thing. This forum and a few others was essential in owning it though, I shudder to think what I would have paid if I didn't have the RAVE manuals, Atlantic British, and an understanding tech that showed me how to fix stuff myself.

 

Seems every fault I have had has some way been traced back to bad splices in the pass side floor harness and from previous water ingress from clogged sunroof drains