Land Rover LR3 / LR4

[Anonymous]

Anyone have experience owning either of these? It's the older, boxier version of the LR Discovery. The LR3 preceded the LR4 and seems to have the more reliable engine but ended in '09. LR4 seems to have costly timing chain issues.

[Anonymous]

RIP my LR4!!!! I loved that car. Still my favorite to this day. That engine was a beast (the V8 not the V6 that they introduced in the late model years). But at year 4 the thing started falling apart, electrical issues, mechanical issues, I dumped 15k in 8 months getting that thing fixed. If you can find a V8 and have a reliable mechanic go for it.

[Anonymous]

I had an LR3, that was my favorite car. I had an 08 V8 that I drove for 8 yrs. I put 30K miles a year on it.
It didn’t have issues and was very reliable, I didn’t have the issues people say you will have with a Land Rover.

I drive the new model currently. Miss that visibility and boxy shape of the LR3 terribly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had an LR3, that was my favorite car. I had an 08 V8 that I drove for 8 yrs. I put 30K miles a year on it.
It didn’t have issues and was very reliable, I didn’t have the issues people say you will have with a Land Rover.

I drive the new model currently. Miss that visibility and boxy shape of the LR3 terribly.

Thanks for your input. I am leaning towards the LR3 over the 4 but, not surprisingly, they are not as easy to find.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:RIP my LR4!!!! I loved that car. Still my favorite to this day. That engine was a beast (the V8 not the V6 that they introduced in the late model years). But at year 4 the thing started falling apart, electrical issues, mechanical issues, I dumped 15k in 8 months getting that thing fixed. If you can find a V8 and have a reliable mechanic go for it.

What was your costliest or most problematic fix, and how many miles before it started to fall apart?

I like the Toyota Land Cruiser, too, but they are not super easy to find and typically are more expensive, though undoubtedly more reliable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:RIP my LR4!!!! I loved that car. Still my favorite to this day. That engine was a beast (the V8 not the V6 that they introduced in the late model years). But at year 4 the thing started falling apart, electrical issues, mechanical issues, I dumped 15k in 8 months getting that thing fixed. If you can find a V8 and have a reliable mechanic go for it.

What was your costliest or most problematic fix, and how many miles before it started to fall apart?

I like the Toyota Land Cruiser, too, but they are not super easy to find and typically are more expensive, though undoubtedly more reliable.

I have the Lexus LX, which is exactly the same as the LC. I would have purchased either but the LX was easier to find.

It’s a vastly superior car. Land Rovers are nice looking inside and out and are capable off road but are absolutely the worst for reliability. Don’t buy one.

[Anonymous]

We had two LR4s and no issues with either. Ended up trading the last one in for a discovery (which has also had no issues), but really regret not keeping the LR4

[Anonymous]

At that age timing chain definitely needs to be done which at this point will probably cost more than the car is worth. There's a reason you don't really see them around.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Land Rovers are nice looking inside and out and are capable off road but are absolutely the worst for reliability. Don’t buy one.

Couldn't disagree more on the last point. I bought an LR4 first year it came out (2010) fully expecting typical new model gremlins; hadn't owned a LR before and was reluctant over perceived reliability issues but took the plunge. Couldn't have been happier. Honestly never had any issues - I unloaded in 2017 wanting a tech refresh. Went with a RR Sport and that too has not had any issues other than a check engine light coming on caused by a loose airbag connection (Google it - it's apparently a common problem). Looked at the Discovery (Disco 5) for all of 5 minutes - could never get into the bulbous Quasimodo design. To this day I still miss the LR4 - it was the perfect size for me and had the chops on the occasions I could get it off road. Boxy design is perfect for tons of cargo and legit 3rd row seating (I'm 6'1" and had no issues back there) all while having a smaller footprint than you'd expect. Maybe I've just been lucky but never had any reliability concerns.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:RIP my LR4!!!! I loved that car. Still my favorite to this day. That engine was a beast (the V8 not the V6 that they introduced in the late model years). But at year 4 the thing started falling apart, electrical issues, mechanical issues, I dumped 15k in 8 months getting that thing fixed. If you can find a V8 and have a reliable mechanic go for it.

What was your costliest or most problematic fix, and how many miles before it started to fall apart?

I like the Toyota Land Cruiser, too, but they are not super easy to find and typically are more expensive, though undoubtedly more reliable.

Costliest and continuously failing - the electronic gas tank reader - I'd fill her up at a gas station. The gas tank meter would say she was empty!
Ive owned so many other cars, like really, you can't accurately tell me how much gas I have in the car?!
But god, I loved that car. I would pile a bunch of my DC's school friends in there and take them skiing. The Discovery which replaced it is all Ford's doing, it now looks like a misshapen boot.

[Anonymous]

I had an LR4 diesel for about 4 years, and then my DIL drove it for another 3 or so. She finally traded it in on a new Defender. I never had a major issue with it, and, as far as I know, my DIL never did, either. If you can find one, I'd definitely go for a diesel, they are much more durable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had an LR4 diesel for about 4 years, and then my DIL drove it for another 3 or so. She finally traded it in on a new Defender. I never had a major issue with it, and, as far as I know, my DIL never did, either. If you can find one, I'd definitely go for a diesel, they are much more durable.

I would like to get a diesel one! Haven't seen one in U.S.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:RIP my LR4!!!! I loved that car. Still my favorite to this day. That engine was a beast (the V8 not the V6 that they introduced in the late model years). But at year 4 the thing started falling apart, electrical issues, mechanical issues, I dumped 15k in 8 months getting that thing fixed. If you can find a V8 and have a reliable mechanic go for it.

What was your costliest or most problematic fix, and how many miles before it started to fall apart?

I like the Toyota Land Cruiser, too, but they are not super easy to find and typically are more expensive, though undoubtedly more reliable.

Costliest and continuously failing - the electronic gas tank reader - I'd fill her up at a gas station. The gas tank meter would say she was empty!
Ive owned so many other cars, like really, you can't accurately tell me how much gas I have in the car?!
But god, I loved that car. I would pile a bunch of my DC's school friends in there and take them skiing. The Discovery which replaced it is all Ford's doing, it now looks like a misshapen boot.

Well, the replacement Discovery looks like the typical rounded modern SUV. The LR4 is pretty tall and boxy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:RIP my LR4!!!! I loved that car. Still my favorite to this day. That engine was a beast (the V8 not the V6 that they introduced in the late model years). But at year 4 the thing started falling apart, electrical issues, mechanical issues, I dumped 15k in 8 months getting that thing fixed. If you can find a V8 and have a reliable mechanic go for it.

What was your costliest or most problematic fix, and how many miles before it started to fall apart?

I like the Toyota Land Cruiser, too, but they are not super easy to find and typically are more expensive, though undoubtedly more reliable.

Costliest and continuously failing - the electronic gas tank reader - I'd fill her up at a gas station. The gas tank meter would say she was empty!
Ive owned so many other cars, like really, you can't accurately tell me how much gas I have in the car?!
But god, I loved that car. I would pile a bunch of my DC's school friends in there and take them skiing. The Discovery which replaced it is all Ford's doing, it now looks like a misshapen boot.

Please explain how this is true when Ford sold Land Rover in 2008 . . . before the LR4 was even released.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:RIP my LR4!!!! I loved that car. Still my favorite to this day. That engine was a beast (the V8 not the V6 that they introduced in the late model years). But at year 4 the thing started falling apart, electrical issues, mechanical issues, I dumped 15k in 8 months getting that thing fixed. If you can find a V8 and have a reliable mechanic go for it.

What was your costliest or most problematic fix, and how many miles before it started to fall apart?

I like the Toyota Land Cruiser, too, but they are not super easy to find and typically are more expensive, though undoubtedly more reliable.

Costliest and continuously failing - the electronic gas tank reader - I'd fill her up at a gas station. The gas tank meter would say she was empty!
Ive owned so many other cars, like really, you can't accurately tell me how much gas I have in the car?!
But god, I loved that car. I would pile a bunch of my DC's school friends in there and take them skiing. The Discovery which replaced it is all Ford's doing, it now looks like a misshapen boot.

Well, the replacement Discovery looks like the typical rounded modern SUV. The LR4 is pretty tall and boxy.

The body shape results in the 3rd row being comfortable for adults without it being a super long vehicle. Also has large windows and multiple sunroofs so lets in a lot of light.