Hello friends & comrades!

My name is Pat, and I'm looking to buy an LR3. Here's my story:

I don't even remembered when I first started wanting a Discovery, but the picture I saved as my computer's wallpaper, in 2005, of a 2004 Discovery literally caused me to do everything I've done in the last 4 years. It has been a long road, but business is good. In 2008 I paid cash for a 2000 D2 that I just LOVED, and when my wife rolled our Cherokee in 2009, I was ready to do the same for the REAL car of my dreams, a white 2004 D2 HSE with just 23,000 miles on it.

I still do love both of these vehicles, but.... lads, it's time for a change I was dead set on getting a Mercedes G55 AMG next, but after 3 months of researching LR3 vs. G55 vs. Range Rover, I've decided the LR3 is best vehicle [for me].

SO, I have some questions for my LR3 brethren. You don't have to answer them all, but I'll appreciate anything you can say!

1) While researching the D2s, it was clear that 2003s had some pretty serious mechanical issues, and I knew to avoid even the nicest 2003 (as it turns out, it didn't matter. I replaced the block in my 2004 within a year).

Are there any years of LR3s that should be avoided?

2) I knew that for D2s, I wanted an HSE and no other package. Is there a big difference between the HSE package and regular packages in the LR3s?

3) I love the way the LR3 looks when in the "raised" position. This might sound goofy, but does anyone LEAVE it in the raised position, for off AND onroad driving?

4) What are the top 3-5 things that most commonly fail on the LR3?

5) Does the sophisticated suspension / traction system have any issues? Is it pretty reliable?

6) What are the most expensive failures common to the LR3?

7) If you could go back and tell yourself ONE thing during your shopping process, what would it be?

8) How "powerful" are these vehicles compared to D2s? I drive my D2 like a sports car on the freeway, and it takes everything I throw at it. Accelerations from 70 to 90 mph are smooth and sudden. How is the LR3?

Thanks guys, that's all for now!

Pat

 

I don't have one, but I am also in the market and have been looking around for one to replace my RR. I might be able to answer some of your questions about them, as I have been a huge fan and have researched them a lot. The later LR3s are better, but I'm not scared of 05s, most of their "teething" problems have been worked out by now. The raised position is cool, however, after you go above 25mph (I think thats the right number) the suspension will lower itself back to the normal driving position. If I am not mistaken, there is a way to override it with by modifying the height sensors, you will not have a "crawl" mode though. I have heard very good things about the LR3s in terms of reliability, the repairs you will spend the most on are probably the electrics, and EAS system. Aside from that they don't have very many engine problems thanks to the amazing Jag V8, I love that engine. Have 2 jags with that engine, it is smooth, powerful, efficient, and reliable. It is a 300hp engine, and it does bite when you give it gas. If you haven’t driven one, you will be very impressed with the ride quality and handling. I was anyways… The EAS still has its flaws, but nothing compared to the old classics and P38s. You usually have to replace the bags every 100k miles or so. Hope this helps, and good luck with your search.

P.S. Why did your 04 need a new block after only a year and at such low mileage?

 

Thank you, Scott! This is fantastic news. It lines up with my research, but this is the first time I've brought it to my trusty LR Forum

I've also already replaced both rear bags in my 04 HSE. I'm not sure if the LR3 process is a lot different or not...

New Block: Mine developed a crack behind the #7 cylinder sleeve... God only knows why. One night, I blew a head gasket, but I was chugging down the freeway and felt my heat suddenly lose the hot "bite". I looked down and saw the temp gauge slowly start to rise. I instantly pulled over and shut it down- I doubted it go about 240, so I was pretty confident. Anyway, 2 weeks after I had new head gaskets put in, it "overheated" again, this time without blowing the gaskets. I had it towed to a dealer where they x-rayed the block and found the crack. No idea!

Thank you VERY much for the information. I haven't driven one yet, but am looking forward to it eagerly. I have set goals for myself, and I am hoping to begin seriously shopping after the first week of January, and to make a purchase by the 25th.

I'm looking for a white HSE with 40k miles or less specifically, so I'm planning on flying somewhere to make the purchase.

mmmm, Fun! Thanks again, and I hope more owners & researchers weigh in!

Pat

 

search tool - www.statewidelist.com - indexes all of craigslist in a single state, your parameters, output sorted by metro area. So you can see all of them in L.A. before heading there (Lower Alabama)

 

You would be surprised... I was in a Disco II with my scan gauge, it ran fine with a slight misfire. However, the temp was 240F on my scan gauge and the needle just sat their acting like everything was normal. That gauge is a useless piece of crap on those things. Our Jags' temp gauges actually fluctuate! And the engine runs at... are you ready? 185F. LR3s probably run around the same temp range.

 

185?!?! WOW, that's amazing!

I put a scan-gauge in both of my D2s after the first incident, and I noticed that it would start elevating at about 230.

I am looking forward to 185... 198' is about as low as my D2s get, with 205 - 220 being their operating range. With a new $5,500 block, my eyes always get a little bulgy when waiting at starbucks and she hits 220.

Only ONCE on a very hot summer day has it climbed beyond 220, to 224. I was bitterly disappointed.

Pat

 

We had a 2006 v6 LR3 on lease with no problems. At end of lease we leased an 08 V8.
Power was a little better. Gas mileage is still not good but comes with buying a big SUV.
I own a construction company so my work truck get worse gas mileage so the LR3 in my opinion is pretty good lol. Anyway I had no problems with engine or anything really. Just 2 issues. 1 the radio went in the first 4 months, dealer replaced in 1 hr no big deal was in for the initial service anyway. 2. The fog lamps stopped working. Dealer said its the way they put the wire behind bumper it rubs and then shorts. Again no big deal they fixed it during an oil change.
General Maint:
Oil Changes etc (most all except last one covered under warranty)
Brakes..LR Wilmington wanted 650 for fronts and 650 for rear. Now fortunate for me, son in law is Mercedes mechanic so I go it done for less than 400 in parts. took about 1.5 hrs. I pay for his golf and let him marry my daughter so thats the tradeoff lol..
Tires, as you may read Goodyear tires r junk. They do not last at all. Replaces with Continental Cross tires as recommended by son in law at 30k Has 45 on it now and no wear at all! Goodyears started to go at 10k, what a garbage tire (another discussion).
As far as the LR3, I love it, it is my wifes SUV to go around and bring kids to school and things. Big, Roomy, GREAT!!! IN SNOW!!! and on BEACH.
I say get one, they r really nice. Ask me any other LR3 questions if you have any. Good Luck.
Other Recent Cars.
BMW 5 series (Still have it 290k) Daughters Car
Mercedes C class (Still have it) Other Daughters Car
LR3 - 2005 Leased
LR3 - 2008 (still Have It)
A few Trucks and Dump Trucks (They r all mine lol)

 

That's REALLY helpful, sir! I appreciate your message and sharing your experiences with these vehicles.

I have to tell you, I'm VERY pleased to hear how few failures these trucks seem to have (can you call a unibody vehicle a truck? Probably not, eh?).

If anyone sees these and would like to weigh in... I'd appreciate it!

1) HSE's are a lot more expensive and rare than SEs, especially because I'm searching for a white one with almond interior specifically. So, I'm trying to decide how important it is to get an HSE over an SE.

1a) How common is it to find a non-HSE that has the 3rd row of seats? We don't have kids yet, but I plan on having a bunch of 'em

1b) How common is it to find an SE that has the bigger "HSE" sound system? This will be no pimp mobile by any means, but I like to jam some Green Day now and then. Is it possible to upgrade to the better system with after-market stuff? I wouldn't want to cobble anything...

2) I made sure both my current D2s had the "winter package" with heated seats and a heated windshield. I LOVE the heated windshield. Do the LR3s have this option?

3) I really want to go and research this Jaguar V8. Can you guys give me any pointers on how to find out more about this engine?

Thank you all!

Pat

 

Two options I absolutely made sure my LR3 had:
(1) Cold Weather Package (Heated seats and heated windshield
(2) HD Package (Rear diff locker and full size spare)

The HD Package (i.e. the rear locking diff) makes the search a harder to find since its rare, but this was the most important thing to me and was worth being patient

 

I've been getting so interested in LR3's and Discovery II's. I'll probably get either one of them some time next year and this is a great thread. Thanks a lot.