Here's my story-ordered a new Ford Bronco, 2 door, hoping that since I had specced a simple build I would get it soonish. Yeah that's obviously not going to happen and in the excitiement I sold my LR3 for the down payment. All well and good but I haven't had a vehicle of my own for 6 months and I do miss the LR3 despite her sometimes needy princess behaviour,.
So I'm always looking for a LR3 to use until the Bronco is bornbut then I got to thinking "why not a LR4?" I'm aware of LR4 problems but I'm not particularly seeing the level of build enthusiasm the LR3 has. Maybe it's because they are newer, maybe they are so much better offroad anyways, Are they all mall crawler/pavement princesses? I've been seeing a frew builds but not the number of LR3's or D2's
Then some days I start thnking SC Ranie with some AT tires to really confuse the locals-I live in an area where the .1%'s spend their summers and I see a lot of spotless Rangies out and about.
I have my toolbox, my garage with a pit and I still have my Gap. Maybe I knew I'd get another Rover. I also have a D2 that throws up a new issue every time I think I'm donefixing the damn thing so I'm not going backwards in my Rover search.

 

8 years ago, when I bought my first LR4, a 2011 model, it was without a locking rear differential. I was and remained very disappointed for several years because no one made an aftermarket locking diff. for it -- though now it seems finally one is available:

https://www.4x4works.co.uk/product/a...-locking-diff/ https://lucky8llc.com/collections/lr4-lockers-1

As a result, maybe, I am seeing a lot more LR4s off-road.

Once they started selling the LR4s without a transfer case, and went to more of an AWD driveline (with the V6 engine), they disqualified, in my mind, any possibility of taking those models off-road.

So, when I bought my second LR4, a used 2013 with 55K miles, I made sure it had a rear locking differential (which are quite hard to find!). So, when it ages out I can easily fit it for off-road use. It seems sufficient after market accessories now exist.

Yes, the LR4 problems are well known, but they are easily addressable -- just make sure to price those (if they have not been addressed) into the purchase price.

 

Gnomadf:

Your note inspired me to put my 2011 LR4 up for sale. it is on the marketplace of this site.

Time for me to let someone else enjoy it !

 

I was going through same thought process recently. Just bought a 2013 LR4 with HD package. I've always loved the L322 and the AJV8 engine, staying away from the 5.0L engines bc of the timing chain tensioner issue, but I just couldn't resist this time. The LR4 looks so iconic and there's a ton of aftermarket options for offroading. Plus pretty much anything that fits LR3 will fit LR4. If you do go for the LR4, go with the 2013 bc its the last year with the V8 and bc LR started using steel pins for the timing chain tensioner instead of aluminum. The 5.0L engine has noticeably more power than the 4.4L and the torque kicks in early. They still can have the timing chain issue but seems like you can avoid it if 1) timing chain tensioner has already been replaced and 2) the owners have been doing regular oil changes at 5-7k and not waiting to 15k. Good luck.