Loaner LR3

[RBBailey]

So, before I write a review of the LR3, I've got a few questions:

- Coolant Level Low? Common! It's a new car!

- At what speed does the LR3 demand that you have it in normal height? Is there a way to reprogram it to stay in high or low?

- What is the CRS button on the dash next to the back up warning function?

- Is it just me, or does the seat only go up and down in the back, not in the front? When I raise the seat to the height that I feel comfortable with to get the best view, etc... I feel like I'm beeing dumped forward. Common!?!

So far though, I like it OK. I will drive it a bit tonight and see what is what.

 

[RBBailey]

Oh, and I was showing off the adjustable shocks to some teenagers behind me and the warning light came on saying that it would raise the shocks once the system cooled down. I suppose this is normal, that you are probably not actually supposed to play with it, but still, I just raised it once or twice in the space of a minute.

 

[nwoods]

RRBaily. The basic LR3 seat adjustment is just the rear. yes, it's silly. The SE has a luxury seat option, and it provides much better seats. The HSE comes with them standard I believe.

Coolant is either a stuck float sensor or poor maintaince from your dealer. Not a comon issue. Not sure what CRS button (light?) is.

The shocks can only cycle a few times...at a time They are designed to be set for longer periods of time, such as off roading, etc... The air compressor that runs the shocks needs to cool down to maintain it's longetivity.

At 30MPHm the system will take you from elevated height to normal height. I think that's true also from lowered height back to normal height.

Driving the car on pavement is like reading on the pages only on the left side of a book. If you are considering buying one (and you should be), drive off road over something that you feel your car should not be able to do (but go with someone with some experience please). Allow the car to amaze you.

 

[RBBailey]

Actually, my wife does like it. I think she likes it better than the '03 Disco. I wouldn't mind getting one as the family/camping/wife car. We tow a tent trailer, and when we camp I like to explore the back roads, or go fishing -- the LR3 would be every bit as good for that as the '03 DII.

When the RRC quits I will probably get a D90, so the LR3 would be a nice complement even when I get my next car.

 

[DiscoNomad]

Low coolant is a common fault in the LR3. Mine also gave it when new...dealer replaced bottle and sensor and it never came back.

Nomad

 

[dmcfan]

I agree that the LR3's are nice. I had one for a loaner for a whole week. It is definitely more comfortable to drive as a daily commuter but I would pick my 03 Disco over it any day. The Disco just looks more like a Land Rover and feels like one too. If I were to trade up it would be to a Range Rover Sport or Range Rover. The LR3 doesn't do anything for me like I thought it would.

 

[RBBailey]

OK, I've written my review:

http://classicrover.blogspot.com

 

[TN-LR3]

Low coolant is a common fault in the LR3. Mine also gave it when new...dealer replaced bottle and sensor and it never came back.

Nomad

same here

 

[nwoods]

OK, I've written my review:

http://classicrover.blogspot.com

I have an LR3, so I am biased when I say I did not care for your review.

I will start by saying that I initally shared all the same views and opinions as you. In fact, I searched for the "right" vehicle for nearly 8 months, and never seriously considered the LR3. I LOVE the RRS, but couldn't afford it. After driving dozens of vehicles (more than 50), I came back to the LR3.

I have always found the rear end ugly as well. Now, after a few months of ownership, I find it brilliant. The lower side of the rear window is perfect for allowing excellent visablity when reversing. When the tailgate is down, the swoop in the layout is great for allowing deeper reach into the back of the truck. There are a number of storage bins in the rear (if you don't have rear air). The upper tailgate provides a very welcome shelter when doing outdoor activities out of your truck (such as preparing a meal when car camping, or hiding out between rain squalls during a soccer game. I also love how light the gate is, you can hold something heavy and awkward and still close or open the gate.

The addition of a rear ladder also makes a tremendous difference in "restoring" the look of the Disco II, and it's only a $200 option.

The center seat headrest collapses down nearly flush to the top of the seat. I just don't think you played with the seat enough.

In reality, the LR3 has quite a bit more rear storage area than the Disco II. Also, I have found that the addition of a cheap Land Rover floor matt in the back cleans up the "chunked up look" of the rear floor area and makes it look HUGE inside.

Finally, the off road abilities FAR EXCEEDS the Disco I and Disco II. Many people have stated that it exceeds the Range Rover as well, but I can't state that personally, having never seen one off road yet.

On the past two outings I have been on, I have been with heavily modified Disco's, with ARB lockers, 3" lifts, 33" tires, the works. Both of those rigs had difficulties where the LR3 had NONE. The RRS and the LR3 make difficult sections look easy. The electronics in these cars are amazing and work brillantly. (photos on my website)

Most importantly to a perfectionist like me, when off road, there are no squeaks and rattles. It's as tight, smooth, and refined off road as it is on smooth pavement. This car trancends the Disco, not just replaces it. You just need to get past the new look, that's all

 

[RBBailey]

Well, actually, you may have read my review a little harshly. I did say I like it. I only had it for a few hours, and I didn't play with the rear seat enough.

I could have added though, that I do like the tailgate option now. I thought that I would not, but now that I have a Range Rover I do like it. And I like the way it works in the LR3. The design of the rear, and the rear cargo area was not what I don't like. I simply don't like the looks of the exterior rear portion. I think the tail lights and end-on profile need an overhaul to really match previous Rover styling.

I also did say that it is probably the best stock 4x4 out there in it's off-road performance.

For off roading I do think the extra clearance would be nice though, I don't see how anyone can argue with that -- even if it does have the traction of a tank.

I did say that I would buy one. Certainly over any other type of 4x4. Although I'm not opposed to others, the LR3 would still suit my bias, my style, and my needs the best. When we go to look for our new vehicle in 2008, we will certainly be looking at the LR3 as a certified used vehicle.

I really love the Disco though... I guess I just can't get over my first impression of climbing in and feeling like I was not actually in a Land Rover. I felt like I was in just any other luxury SUV, I had to search a bit, and let it grow on me to be able to really appreciate what it had to offer. But that bad taste still lingers. That impression of the cabin being too big for no reason, the seat not being adjustable the way I need it, the arm rest not in the right spot on the door -- as it is in the perfect spot on my '89 RRC...

But most of all it really is the height off-road, and the ugly rear end -- it's almost offensive when I compare it to Land Rover's brilliant styling history.

Finally, you can't possibly think I dislike it THAT much after seeing my pictures though! Anyone would want to buy it seeing that first one! (If I may brag a little...)

 

[ozscott]

In

 

[ozscott]

In Australia we have sand...a lot of it. We love beach fishing and beach camping. The combination of high weight and low profile tyres make the LR3 AND the new shape range rovers a dog in heavy sand compared to the Disco1 and Disco 2. I have no doubt that in many (but not all) off road situations such as rock climbing etc, the locking rear diff of the LR3 makes a world of difference to outright forward progress - but there is more to that in heavy offroading.

Cheers
D1+D2 (no bread van yet - know blokes with them though)

 

[Robbie]

i had an LR3 for over a month while my DII was with the dealership for some issues. i did really enjoy the ride of the vehicle, but it just never grew on me. it just didn't seem to have the character my DI or DII has. i would lose it in parking lots because it would blend in with the other minivans. my parents, who aren't rover owners, even mentioned it's lack of character styling. the rear end is just bad. i will say it is pretty nice offroad though. after having the truck for about a month i happened to be on a roadtrip near some offroad trails and figured i might as well test it out. only fire road trails and a little hill climb and some mud, but it was surprisingly adept. i did have the issue with clearance though. i pulled up to a rock, attempting to check flex and bam! ran that giant plastic chin into the rock before i even got the tire close to it. thankfully no permanent marks or damage, but it just demonstrated that there is too much hanging off the truck to make it a great offroad. i have seen the arb bumper you can replace it all with, but even that hangs down and looks huge.

another complaint, i felt way too low sitting in the truck. almost made me feel like a little kid sitting in the driver's seat pretending to drive. my DI and DII I sit up high and feel I have a commanding view of everything. power also did not seem to transfer really well. it did have the power, but to make it jump out into traffic, you had to jam on the peddle and get the rpms to 4k+. i do like the split rear tail gate, but wish it was like the range rover and made even across. i actually had to use the LR3 to move out of my house, so I had plenty of opportunities to load stuff into and out of the truck and never saw a benefit of the offset. ok done rambling. :victory:

 

[chizychiz]

My wife has had her LR3 for about 7 weeks now. I have also owned a '99 Disco II. Overall I love the LR3, but obviously they both have their advantages and disadvantages because they are totally different vehicles. Like everyone else I hated the rear end when I first saw it, but like most owners it has grown on me over time. I guess really the only problem that I have out of it is like all other Fords, they make you pay for alot of the options that should come standard. Like the seats for instance. The seats should be a standard 6 way option instead of having to pay for it. And the Xenon lights. These are just some of the options that unfortunately you have to pay for. We ended up with the 4.0 V6 because my wife actually works for Ford and gpt a great deal on the v6. Most people have had bad things to say about the power of the V6, but with the 6 speed transmission it has just as much power as the disco. Although the gas mileage is about the same as a disco. Unless you stay off the pedal. Like I said before, they both have their advantages and disadvantages. It is all personal preference.

*J*

 

[maxyedor]

My disco1 is in the shop, it seems that when your water pump breaks in two, the engine gets hotter than is ideal. So the dealer gave me an LR3 to drive while they fix my baby. My first impression's are pretty bad I' sorry to say. It seems cramped, I'm 6'2", I whacked my knees all over the place, yet somehow the window switches are still too far away when sitting back in the driver's seat. The rear visiblity sucks, I had to drop all the seats to get a good idea of where I'm going while backing up. All the electronis modes for off-roading seem to be working against me, just going down a dirt road, I had the suspension in high mode, and appearently I drive too fast because it lowered itself, and I subsiquently boogered up the front fascia, when I didn't realize it was in low height. TheDriver's side left vent won't do anything but blow cold air, even with the heater on. The electronic only door key scares me, as does the smell of burning oil, and rubber. Also the placement of the turn signal stalk is for shit.

The power is decent, the brakes are good, and there's plenty of room, and cupholders. But it just doesn't feel like a Rover, it's like dare I say a minivan with a cool badge.

 

[Mike_Rupp]

On the past two outings I have been on, I have been with heavily modified Disco's, with ARB lockers, 3" lifts, 33" tires, the works. Both of those rigs had difficulties where the LR3 had NONE. The RRS and the LR3 make difficult sections look easy. The electronics in these cars are amazing and work brillantly. (photos on my website)

I'd love to know what type of terrain gave the fully locked Discos trouble and the LR3 had none. Washboard trails?:rofl:

 

[RBBailey]

My disco1 is in the shop, it seems that when your water pump breaks in two, the engine gets hotter than is ideal. So the dealer gave me an LR3 to drive while they fix my baby. My first impression's are pretty bad I' sorry to say. It seems cramped, I'm 6'2", I whacked my knees all over the place, yet somehow the window switches are still too far away when sitting back in the driver's seat. The rear visiblity sucks, I had to drop all the seats to get a good idea of where I'm going while backing up. All the electronis modes for off-roading seem to be working against me, just going down a dirt road, I had the suspension in high mode, and appearently I drive too fast because it lowered itself, and I subsiquently boogered up the front fascia, when I didn't realize it was in low height. TheDriver's side left vent won't do anything but blow cold air, even with the heater on. The electronic only door key scares me, as does the smell of burning oil, and rubber. Also the placement of the turn signal stalk is for shit.

The power is decent, the brakes are good, and there's plenty of room, and cupholders. But it just doesn't feel like a Rover, it's like dare I say a minivan with a cool badge.

Cramped? I'm 5'10" and I am really cramped in my DII. My knees are actually rubbing the wheel all the time, and I still can't get a clear view of the dash board.

The LR3 has much more leg room. That really is one of the only things I would complain about my DII on. I think the DI was better. But the DII is actually uncomfortable for me because it has so little leg room and the wheel and seat don't accomodate/move about enough to compensate.

 

[jsonova99]

Cramped? I'm 5'10" and I am really cramped in my DII. My knees are actually rubbing the wheel all the time, and I still can't get a clear view of the dash board.

The LR3 has much more leg room. That really is one of the only things I would complain about my DII on. I think the DI was better. But the DII is actually uncomfortable for me because it has so little leg room and the wheel and seat don't accomodate/move about enough to compensate.

Really? I'm 5'10 and I find my D2 to be the most comfortable vehicle that I have ever owned, never had a problem with leg room in it.

 

[RBBailey]

My knees hit the cover of the steering column and the steering wheel itself. I do set the seat high because I like to take advantage of the view. But then, if I put it low, I can't see any of the warning lights on the dash.

 

[Alyssa]

My disco1 is in the shop, it seems that when your water pump breaks in two, the engine gets hotter than is ideal. So the dealer gave me an LR3 to drive while they fix my baby. My first impression's are pretty bad I' sorry to say. It seems cramped, I'm 6'2", I whacked my knees all over the place, yet somehow the window switches are still too far away when sitting back in the driver's seat. The rear visiblity sucks, I had to drop all the seats to get a good idea of where I'm going while backing up. All the electronis modes for off-roading seem to be working against me, just going down a dirt road, I had the suspension in high mode, and appearently I drive too fast because it lowered itself, and I subsiquently boogered up the front fascia, when I didn't realize it was in low height. TheDriver's side left vent won't do anything but blow cold air, even with the heater on. The electronic only door key scares me, as does the smell of burning oil, and rubber. Also the placement of the turn signal stalk is for shit.

The power is decent, the brakes are good, and there's plenty of room, and cupholders. But it just doesn't feel like a Rover, it's like dare I say a minivan with a cool badge.

You are out of your gourd if you think the LR3 is cramped vs. a Disco!! Did you raise the steering wheel? It tilts and telescopes. It isn't even a close comparison in leg room between the DI and LR3!!!
The door key is not electronic only. If you pull off the cover, you can open it with the metal key.
The suspension doesn't change anything without telling you, so you weren't paying attention. And if you were just on a dirt road, you shouldn't have been in the high mode in the first place.