Looking for L3

mnewb1

New member
Mar 29, 2021
3
1
Michigan
Anyone have any advice on an independent mechanic or LR dealership in northern western chicago or suburbs where I could take the above LR3 for a PPI?
 

Rocky

Well-known member
Apr 23, 2004
2,178
7
Red Sox Nation
I have been investigating Land Rovers and would like to look for a reasonable 2006-2008 L3....new to the search but prices asked seem to be a lot higher then I expected

case in point



I was expecting something in the neighborhood of $6000-7000. Am I wrong and the used market has just gone nuts or do I need to be patient and keep looking


thank you

Be a helluva lot less rust than say a 4 runner which have similar miles and age....... But I have my age and miles limit on modern LR and wouldn't go there.
 
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Levi

Well-known member
Jul 27, 2004
559
26
Cheyenne, WY
I'm looking at an 06 w/150k on it and I've found some maintenance records from its early life. The diff was done at around 20k. I know this was an item to look for but were they a one time fix or if i should expect to do it again (not the HD package)? I looks like the compressor might have been changed out early mileage as well.

Is there an easy way to know if the front control arms are bad?
 

HIDave

Well-known member
Sep 24, 2020
131
6
Hawaii
Thank you, though I would imagine the market in Hawaii might be somewhat skewed secondary to supply available
If anything they would be less expensive. Right now there are (2) LR4s for sale in the mid 20s and (2) LR3 for sale, both just a few thousand dollars.
 

helievacpilot

Well-known member
Mar 29, 2007
960
0
Denver CO
X100 on a car from a dry state. I've let my heart rule my head on a few cars from rust-prone states, and I kicked myself in the ass every time I had to work on them. Learn from my stupidity!
 

Howski

Well-known member
Oct 19, 2009
1,483
209
Alabama
I'm looking at an 06 w/150k on it and I've found some maintenance records from its early life. The diff was done at around 20k. I know this was an item to look for but were they a one time fix or if i should expect to do it again (not the HD package)? I looks like the compressor might have been changed out early mileage as well.

Is there an easy way to know if the front control arms are bad?
IIRC they had some issues early on but don’t think it’s too common. It’ll make some noise if it’s going south.

Control arms will clunk over bumps if they need replacing. Note these are a normal wear/tear item on these.
 

discostew

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2010
7,706
1,015
Northern Illinois
I think you should find a nice one for 6 grand. I wouldn't pay more than that. The problem is your probably going to have to put frt lower control arms in it, a compressor for the suspension. So your talking probably having to do $2500 worth of stuff to it unless it's already been done. So If it needs those repairs I would want to be closer to $4500.
 
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Levi

Well-known member
Jul 27, 2004
559
26
Cheyenne, WY
Thanks for the help.

I’ll take some extra ears and go over some bumps if I go drive the one I’ve been looking at.

That’s the price area I was thinking. I’m finding a lot of overpriced ones but found two at that price that look nice except for clear coat peel above the windshield on both and it’s holding me back.
 

Howski

Well-known member
Oct 19, 2009
1,483
209
Alabama
These are inexpensive vehicles so don’t buy a shitbox over a nice example to save a grand or two up front. Plan on getting the transmission service done too which is about a grand
 

Levi

Well-known member
Jul 27, 2004
559
26
Cheyenne, WY
How do these do with coil conversions? I found one with records/receipts and appears well maintained with some fresh work but that includes an airbag delete. I’ve read both opinions on it but didn’t see much on here. It seems like it defeats the design but if it’s a minimal trade off I might consider it.
 

HIDave

Well-known member
Sep 24, 2020
131
6
Hawaii
How do these do with coil conversions? I found one with records/receipts and appears well maintained with some fresh work but that includes an airbag delete. I’ve read both opinions on it but didn’t see much on here. It seems like it defeats the design but if it’s a minimal trade off I might consider it.


It depends on your threshold for pain in the wallet.

These systems are aging, while you can replace parts and pieces of the air suspension system or even the whole thing, it depends on how much your willing to do. Here in Hawaii I swap them all no matter what condition they are in. For the only reason that its impossible to find a shop to work on truck like this without either ripping me off or screwing it up.
 
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discostew

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2010
7,706
1,015
Northern Illinois
How do these do with coil conversions? I found one with records/receipts and appears well maintained with some fresh work but that includes an airbag delete. I’ve read both opinions on it but didn’t see much on here. It seems like it defeats the design but if it’s a minimal trade off I might consider it.
Not well.
 
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Tugela

Well-known member
May 21, 2007
4,754
562
Seattle
How do these do with coil conversions? I found one with records/receipts and appears well maintained with some fresh work but that includes an airbag delete. I’ve read both opinions on it but didn’t see much on here. It seems like it defeats the design but if it’s a minimal trade off I might consider it.

It depends on what you want to do with the vehicle. Some people get so frustrated with the consequences of poorly maintained EAS that they drop the coin on a coil conversion never to have to deal with it again. You're right that it does defeat the design. For people whose only ventures off pavement are dirt roads, it's not a big loss in performance. I happen to really like the ride quality of EAS. I also appreciate the versatility of being able to raise and lower the vehicle, the self-adjusting feature as the payload changes, plus I wheel it enough to make use of cross-linked air suspension. I would never convert my own LR3 to coils, but I use the full range of features and understand what it takes to maintain the system. Other people have different priorities. For a daily driver you may be willing to accept the tradeoffs, but if you want to use the vehicle for more than basic transportation you will probably value the increased functionality of EAS. Plus, coils aren't a permanent solution, either - they also wear out and need replacing over time.
 
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Levi

Well-known member
Jul 27, 2004
559
26
Cheyenne, WY
Thanks for the input, I think I should expect it to work for the cost. For what people are asking right now I won’t get one unless it’s in great shape.