Just thought I'd post the following recent experience:
I daily drive an 04 Disco II. I took interest in a 2011 L4 HSE LUX being offered at a non Rover dealership about an hour from me. I called for an appointment to see and test drive yesterday 06/22/17. Very reputable rural dealership. The GM called me and said the L4 was sent to a LR dealer for a recall. He'd call me when it was returned. Lo and behold, he called me and said the LR dealership gave them an estimate for "an engine" for over $14,000. HENCE THIS DEALERSHIP PULLED IF OFF THE MARKET.
This 2011 has 89K miles, one owner and had a clean car fax showing service intervals at a LR dealer. I called one of the 2 dealers in my rather large general area to hopefully find out what up.
Got no answer. I know fairly well the issuers with my 4.6 liter tired engine, but I was shocked to hear this about the L4. It looked impeccable.
Rich S

 

I have had an LR3 and can attest that the 4.4 is rock solid.
For me, the 5.0 is still a work in progress.

I bought my used 2010 LR4 from the local Audi dealer in January. It had just been placed on the market and was still being cleaned out in the shop. I plugged my iiDTool in and read the files while my wife distracted him about the third row seats.

This car was previously a Land Rover certified used car on two occasions, so I figured at least twice in it's lifetime the maintenance was brought up to date. The car fax showed the various title changes/registration updates/inspections, BUT....at the top of the page it showed an engine replaced at 998 miles. I called LR NA and verified YES the engine was replaced with 998 miles on the odometer. No explanation why.

We agreed on a price and the salesman said he would call when it was cleaned up. Maybe the next afternoon. The next day, the salesman said it did not pass inspection and needed two new lower control arms (72,300 miles) and they were sending it to the land Rover Dealer to get them replaced and it would be delayed a day or two. My wife was sad about the delay, I was VERY HAPPY, as I figured, I just got a $1,000 discount on the price, even if it took a few days to be delivered.

I wish I could tell you what was wrong with the engine. I have heard that they have a weak water pump, but can't confirm that. At least it confirms there were problems with the 5.0 early one.

Hope this helps some.

Jeff

 

So my 2011 w 89k just had the front end of the motor pulled off as they are having issues with the tensioners for the timing belt operating correctly and keeping proper tension due to oil pressure.
I first had to do a full flush of the oil system to get my extended warranty to cover it after 3 years of chasing a "restricted performance" warning light in cold humid weather.
The total repair was just under 5k ($100 for me thanks to warranty).

 

You might be surprised. The 4.4's are not as rock solid as previously thought. Mine needed replacement at 95k miles (threw a rod likely due to oil starvation issues or hydro-lock possibly related to the PCV system) and I replaced it with a used reconditioned engine. Apparently they sell a lot of them.

 

+1 My first 08 4.4 was bought back due to an issue with the left head at 18K. LRNA traded it out for the 08 loaner I had while they waited for a new head to be shipped (six weeks wait.). That engine was bullet proof for the 30,000 that I owned it. My first LR3, an early 05, supposedly had a 4.2 Jaguar engine. That was a bullet proof motor (64k), as was the 4.2 RRS/SC (72k). My last 4.0 Jag was too (after I changed the plastic secondary tensioners and crappy water pump and thermostat tower and crossover pipe - 95k). After 17 years of running Jaguar V8s. I still find them reliable. And not too hard to work on -- although no experience on the 5.0.

On a separate LR forum, however, folks are starting to discuss a lubrication problem on some 5 liters at around 40k. Worth watching.