Buying An LR3

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AlexH

Guest
Hey out there. About to trade in my Disco II for an CPO 2005 LR3 se. Anything I should be aware of. Any concerns, advice, etc.
 
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CoyGlasscock

Guest
If possible, get one with the HD package. I have a CPO 2005 V8 SE w/HD and it out performs my old 2003 Disco II w/CDL on everything except ground clearance.

I have not run into any problems with mine that have not been solved by warrenty. I have had mine for 3.5 months and bought it with 18,000 miles and now have 31,000. (yes, I drive a lot)

Bad things:
1. Fuel line broke lose just below engine block. (dumped 10 gallons of fuel on my driveway)

2. Steering wheel melted (common problem that LR will replace on warrenty if this happens)

3. Replace factory battery ASAP (see other thread "battery exploded")

4. Air suspension compressor stopped working (warrenty replaced)

5. Sunroof stopped working (again warrenty)

6. Rattle coming from rear seat area that I have not pin pointed yet.

7. Air Bag restraint system light came on (warrenty, code reset and was told it was caused by driving with the battery removed)

8. Center cover on Steering wheel loses shape after extreme heat. I have seen this on many around here. You may not even notice. (I am just very picky)

9. Needs front-end alignment every 5,000 miles. (75% off my miles are off-road) I would not expect this if you drive it like the adverage person, to me its a just work truck that gets put through hell.

10. Radio, at random changes from stereo to mono with left and right tweeters cutting off whenever they want to. (no big deal plan on replaceing the factory HK "POS" anyway)

11. While the paint holds up very well, the flat black around the windows and the side mirrors gets scratched very easy when driving through trees and brush. I keep "Lemon Pledge" on them, it works better then "Back to Black"

12. You need to plan on adding skid plates. (especially around the front lower radiator and the transfer case, they get hammered off-road) Rasta4x4 is the only option for now that I know of, but it won't be long and you will start seeing a explosion of aftermarket parts.

13. Problem with the sunroof drains. (I have not experianced it, but have heard of it happening a lot)

14. Gas filler and cap problems. (again I have not experianced it, but have heard of it happening a lot)

15. Factory brake pads don't last for shit.

16. Bad location for Downhill Control button, I am always dropping crap on it and turning on when I don't want it on.

This may seam like a lot of issues for just 3.5 months, but it is a lot less then my old Disco II.


Good things:

Best feature is that you no longer have to come to a stop to change from 4-high to 4-low. (many times I start over an section of trail and realize that I need 4-low, I don't lose any momentum to change over and when I change back I don't have to stop) If you had the CDL in your last one, it is the same way, it will take over with the Terrain Response without you haveing to stop. If you get the HD package the lockers will electronicly lock to positive as needed, all you do is drive it does the rest.

After you get one, every day you will find something about it that you like much more then the Disco II.
 
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MonLand

Well-known member
Jun 29, 2005
323
2
Herndon, VA - USA
Regarding 10 - there are firmware upgrades for the radio that fixes some problems. Not sure if it will fix those (seem hardware related, but then..... nothing surprises me anymore on those electronic beasts).
 
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CoyGlasscock

Guest
MonLand said:
Regarding 10 - there are firmware upgrades for the radio that fixes some problems. Not sure if it will fix those (seem hardware related, but then..... nothing surprises me anymore on those electronic beasts).

Don't tell my wife there maybe a fix. That is my excuse to have to replace the entire stereo system.
 

sideview

Well-known member
Oct 27, 2006
505
0
Shenandoah Valley
Dang Coy 13K in 3.5 months?! :eek:

I'd say check that all software updates are done, and look at service history. You can avoid some headaches by getting one with a clean bill of health. We all read horror stories, but I think that while there will likely be some little niggles, the majority are solid machines.
You'll be having the piece of mind of an extended warranty probably?

Here's a list of warranty issues for my '05 since conception. Pretty pussy list really, especially considering how hard it's been used.

1. bad wheel bushings, cause uneven tire wear (TSB)
2. sunroof rattle
3. battery went bad
4. tailgate strut bolt broke off (TSB)
5. there's a knocking from the front undercarriage when driving over ruts off-road, haven't been able to replicate yet at the dealers - I'll be able to show them at the next event hopefully
6. EPB gearing stripped
7. passenger door latch intermittently wouldn't lock
8. steering wheel leather melted at top (TSB)
9. washer bottle leaked (TSB)
10. bad 'low coolant' sensor (TSB)
I changed the brake pads at about 20K & I changed the serpentine belt at about 40K (was squealing)

Good luck and have fun with it! :)
 

meidenberg

Member
Sep 5, 2008
8
0
Good Day all,

I have a 2005 LR3 HSE and this is my two cents. First of all you will absolutely love the ride, both on and off road compared to the D2. It is much roomier inside, and overall a heck of a nice car. I have had a few issues with mine, they are:

1. Brakes and tires wearing quickly.
2. Exterior plastic fading or oxidizing.
3. Intermitent SRS warning light (Bad sensor).
4. Sunroof drain clogged (causes water to drain directly into car).

Other than that it has been great. I upgraded the brakes from Atlantic British and they are great. Tires just require regular rotation and alignment. Everything else has been covered under warranty.

P.S. you can tell if it has the HD package by the full size spare tire.

Mike
 
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AlexH

Guest
Thanks for all the responses. As far as the stereo, Is there really that much of a difference between the standard 9 speaker system and the 14?
 

nwoods

Well-known member
Apr 1, 2006
467
0
SoCal
www.nextstepdesigns.com
Yes, I think there is a major difference between the 14 speaker 550w system and the 9 speaker 220w system in the SE's. The SE's sound okay, the HSE's sound really nice.

Yes, the HD package is hard to find. There are fewer of them with each year newer model. More in 2005, than 2006, fewer in 2007, etc... It was a $600 option, and most people would think, "Gosh, $600 sounds like a lot for a spare tire", and never realize that they are really getting a locking rear diff...
 
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CoyGlasscock

Guest
I have the SE with the HK 6 disc system. It is crap, but I have always run in my past vehicals Dynaudio speakers with Butler Vaccum tube amps, so I maybe a little spoiled.
 

Flip

Well-known member
Jan 9, 2008
226
0
Roanoke, VA
If you have any patience or a dealership with any common sense you can pick up the LR3 with the hd package all day long. Most dealers dont take the time to look into that feature because they see it the same way the average customer does "why the hell do i need a 600$ spare tire, i have 24 hour roadside?"
 

marcod110

Well-known member
Re: Buying An LR3--

On melting steering wheels, are these replaced under the factory warranty? is it difficult to get them dealer to act on it?

What about the center cover on the steering wheel? Has anyone had this replaced?

How about the fading exterior plastic panels?

thanks


Flip said:
If you have any patience or a dealership with any common sense you can pick up the LR3 with the hd package all day long. Most dealers dont take the time to look into that feature because they see it the same way the average customer does "why the hell do i need a 600$ spare tire, i have 24 hour roadside?"
 
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CoyGlasscock

Guest
Re: Buying An LR3--

marcod110 said:
On melting steering wheels, are these replaced under the factory warranty? is it difficult to get them dealer to act on it?

What about the center cover on the steering wheel? Has anyone had this replaced?

How about the fading exterior plastic panels?

thanks

No, they jump on it. Just tell them that you "are concerned that this defective steering wheel may cause and accident and you are worried about your saftey and want them to fix it so that LR is not responsible for your life".

Also when they write up the work order they list it as a "Delaminating Steering Wheel" not melted.
 

garrett

Well-known member
Jun 18, 2004
10,931
5
53
Middleburg, VA
www.blackdogmobility.com
Flip said:
If you have any patience or a dealership with any common sense you can pick up the LR3 with the hd package all day long. Most dealers dont take the time to look into that feature because they see it the same way the average customer does "why the hell do i need a 600$ spare tire, i have 24 hour roadside?"

I still can't believe they sell a RRS with a "space saver" spare. Those full size spares come in VERY handy when those useless (off road)) 19" Conti tires start slicing sidewalls left and right. We've had several customer vehicles lose several at one event.

Not to mention the shitty design on those trailer hitches can and do prevent you from getting the spare out. The crappy lock set in the hitch does not take long to sieze up and now you have no spare.