Looking at an LR3

[Narzuhl]

So today i looked at another LR3 (this is the 4th or 5th) and so far it is the one i am most interest in. Originally i was looking for an older Disco, but decided to grow up a bit and get a LR3
66,000 miles, no codes what so ever, everything seems to work. Local car so i think Rover can pull the records.
It is a 2005 for about 20K at a big named dealer but not a Rover dealer
So what should I be concerned with or be looking at?

 

[Bender]

Start with the service records.

My '06 has around 60k. Haven't had any problems that weren't self-imposed other than the front windshield which took a big rock and the local Safelite that can't seem to install the windshield properly. About to schedule a 4th trip to these idiots to try once again to fit the windshield without screwing up the seals...

 

[Narzuhl]

Thanks Bender,
I plan take any service records and go through them, also looks like it was serviced at the local LR dealer which is close by to the dealer i am buying from. So i will talk a walk with the VIN.

I am not seeing any errors on the display or anywhere else and i have a feeling the software update was done as well so that is good. I will check and see for sure though.

 

[Narzuhl]

Well that is it, my first Rover since my 109 three years ago.

bought a 2005 LR3, silver with black interior. crazy gadgets like a beverage cooler (WTF?!?). I think it will take me 5 years just to figure out how to use 1/2 of the stuff.

 

[Bender]

Congrats!

 

[RVRSRVC]

Only weirdness I've encountered is 2 2006 's consuming front diffs with in days of each other with similar mileage, in the low 30's. I've got another '06 with a rear differential failing at 78k. But, I've a few others of similar vintage that have topped 100k largely trouble free.
I have 72k on my '06 and other than the diff, nothing major. Did need a tow once for a faulty height sensor harness when under warranty, but that was the only time it left immobile.
I haven't fully utilised the phone system and never use the butler, but 1k miles last week with 3 kids, I'm diggin' my Rosen DVD player and the wireless headphones!
Congrats!

 

[Bender]

Only weirdness I've encountered is 2 2006 's consuming front diffs with in days of each other with similar mileage, in the low 30's. I've got another '06 with a rear differential failing at 78k. But, I've a few others of similar vintage that have topped 100k largely trouble free.
I have 72k on my '06 and other than the diff, nothing major. Did need a tow once for a faulty height sensor harness when under warranty, but that was the only time it left immobile.
I haven't fully utilised the phone system and never use the butler, but 1k miles last week with 3 kids, I'm diggin' my Rosen DVD player and the wireless headphones!
Congrats!

That reminds me... what's the problem with diffs on the D3? I've noticed on disco3.co.uk that they seem to be more problematic than what most of us are accustomed to with solid axles. I was looking at possibly changing a front wheel bearing and many of the threads seemed to indicate that bad wheel bearing symptoms (among others) are often bad diffs.

 

[Narzuhl]

Good question.

 

[Dave Legacy]

I've been hearing about breather issues and slow leaks going unnoticed and allowing the diffs to run w/o the proper lubrication. I've also heard a lot of people say that they believe the key to long-term reliability with the LR3/D3 is full fluid changes every 30K regardless of what the manufacture has scheduled. I'm not a LR3 owner yet so I can't speak from experience, but I've been reading threads ferociously!

 

[RVRSRVC]

Hard to say. The rear diff failure wasn't a lack of oil.
The front diffs were under warranty on the 2 Lr3's I know of and the rear diff was out of warranty. It took 5 weeks to locate all of the bearings to rebuild it. The dealer had reman diffs for $1600, but the customer asked if I would take a look at overhauling. Came out considerably less expensive. One pinion bearing and one carrier bearing had failed- all Timken stuff which is usually good quality. Apparently the pinion bearings are also used in the Shelby GT500.
When my front diff was going bad, I was convinced it was a wheel bearing also. Took it into Land Rover Harrisburg, they drained the metal and oil out of the diff and we all decided that could be it! Took them 3 weeks to get another diff.

 

[soccrscot11]

Hey guys I currently have a 03 disco and looking to trade up to a LR3. I was looking over consumer reports the other day and after reading this thread it seems that the 05's have been a bit more reliable than the 06 and 07s. Any thoughts on this? Also what's the deal with the updated software?

 

[BlackAndTan]

Say for anyone who's had Discos, how do you like the LR3 cabin vs. D1 or D2? I like my D1 seating with no armrest better than D2, and seems like center console shrank or moved away or something? LR3 from photos looks more similar to D2 interior than to D1.

Oh yeah, and how is visibility out the windows vs. Discos, which are the best I've ever seen in any vehicle for that?

 

[Dave Legacy]

Say for anyone who's had Discos, how do you like the LR3 cabin vs. D1 or D2? I like my D1 seating with no armrest better than D2, and seems like center console shrank or moved away or something? LR3 from photos looks more similar to D2 interior than to D1.

Oh yeah, and how is visibility out the windows vs. Discos, which are the best I've ever seen in any vehicle for that?

The D2 has a nice interior and I felt like it was well made, but it was pretty cramped (I'm 6'4"). The quality of the leather seemed better in the D2, thicker maybe? The LR3 is quite a bit larger in terms of length so I'm a lot more comfortable. I like the arm rest, but the door has the usual uncomfortable LR door panel. I lost a bunch of visibility out of the rear quarters that I believe is a result of it being a longer truck. Last thing I've noticed is how much more light fills the cabin vs my D2. The windows are tall an there's no gutters.

The D2 had that familiar Land Rover feel and the LR3 reminds me a lot of my time working for Ford which I rather enjoy.