Looking for an LR3

[JBP]

My Disco I is getting tired at 190K, so I have been researching LR3s. I have test driven a couple, and I am very impressed. I was actually going to buy one of them, but it was sold out from under me when I had already done all negotiation and was on my way over to sign the papers...my salesperson and I were not happy. The other weasel salesperson was fired for his antics, though.

I am looking for a used LR3, so any leads are appreciated. I guess this is a WTB ad, but I am not sure if I should post in the vehicles for sale section or not.

My basic preferences are: SE, 7 seater, V6, and I do like Buckingham Blue and Tonga Green with the beige interior

On price, I'm looking in the $15K or below range.

Of course, a vehicle in good working order is priority. Any advice on what to look for on used LR3s is also appreciated. My research so far indicates checking transmission, front bushings, steering, and the air suspension/4wd system. Are there other major items I should add to the check list?

Thanks, and if you have a lead on a vehicle within reasonable range of the northern Virginia/Washington metro area, please email me at: jpandlp@cox.net

 

[stu454]

V6 is a rare bird.

 

[JBP]

Roger that - the truck I ALMOST had was a 6. Man, I liked it. Don't get me wrong, the 8 is okay, too!

 

[jafir]

Why do you want the V6?

 

[daven5735]

I have the V6 and like it fine. The best reason to get one is that engine was produced in Ford's Cologne, Germany plant and is bulletproof. It's in many Explorers and Mustangs.

 

[JBP]

I have driven both now, and it's hard to give an objective answer to that one, Jafir. I for some reason enjoyed driving the V6 better.

Any information on pros/cons between the 6 and 8 are appreciated. I realize the 8 has considerably more horsepower and I would imagine torque, but the delivery of both seemed pretty satisfactory on the 6 when I drove it.

Also, I had an original Ford Explorer (back when they were nice and simple and utilitarian) with what I believe is the original configuration of the 4.0L (not sure), but it was a fantastic motor.

Both engines seem much more powerful and smooth than my existing motor.

 

[WNYDiscoIIErik]

I have driven both now, and it's hard to give an objective answer to that one, Jafir. I for some reason enjoyed driving the V6 better.

Any information on pros/cons between the 6 and 8 are appreciated. I realize the 8 has considerably more horsepower and I would imagine torque, but the delivery of both seemed pretty satisfactory on the 6 when I drove it.

Also, I had an original Ford Explorer (back when they were nice and simple and utilitarian) with what I believe is the original configuration of the 4.0L (not sure), but it was a fantastic motor.

Both engines seem much more powerful and smooth than my existing motor.

The BMW motor in the LR3 is a far cry from the 4.0 your Exploder had back in the day.

Sloanfiske on dweb is selling a real nice Green D3 at an even nicer price. Check the for sale section. Its a V8, but that is what you're going to want.

 

[Tugela]

When I test drove the LR3 during its early years I was also puzzled by the offering of the V6. The fuel economy is about the same as the V8 and it is considerably lower in power and torque.

V6
216 HP
269 lb-ft
13/18 mpg (why is this so low? Because it has to work so hard to drag around this 5,300 lb chunker?)

V8
300 HP
315 lb-ft
12/17 mpg

(stats from edmunds.com)

For the difference in performance the improvement of 1mpg is not worth it. You get 39% more HP and 17% more torque with the V8. Plus they are a lot easier to find.

 

[KyleT]

The v8 is a modular ajv8 made by jag. And the least of the worries with that truck. It is by far the most reliable part.

The v6 is reliable too but a gutless wonder and worse real world fuel economy.

 

[JBP]

Thanks for the inputs. You are right - 8s are much easier to find! Thanks for the info on 8 vs 6, too.

Quick question on air suspension. Should it evenly raise and lower the vehicle?

One of the LR3s I test drove seemed pretty uneven raising/lowering, and the compressor seemed to be running a lot, maybe indicating an air leak somewhere(?)

 

[Tugela]

Quick question on air suspension. Should it evenly raise and lower the vehicle?

Yes, that is part of the point. If you have the Toyota 4Runner "Truck Going Uphill" look then something is amiss. There are so many sensors on the LR3 that if something is not functioning as expected the truck should warn you via a fault code/light on the dash. Atlantic British sells a LR3 spring rebuild kit for a cool grand, but for less you can install a new compressor and update the software that tells it how much to run. I've seen a couple folks swap out the air suspension for coils, but the air suspension is really quite good on the newer trucks. Still, it would be better to just buy a truck that has a functioning compressor and springs that don't leak.

 

[jafir]

During the raising or lowering my does not do it at exactly the same rate front to back. It does level out when it's done, but one end does move faster than the other usually.

 

[Tugela]

This is normal air suspension behavior on the P38 I drive from time to time. The front end raises first, then the back catches up. I haven't spent enough time in the LR3 to know if that is also characteristic, but hopefully one of the owners here can share their experience.

 

[t42beal13t]

If you can open up your criteria a bit I have an 08 for sale that would be great for you. It's the white one in the classifieds, I'm cutting the price to move it before Christmas.

 

[JBP]

Thanks for the responses. I just found a 2006. It needs some work, but the price was right. T42, I have a friend that might be looking soon. He likes the LR3. I will direct him to your ad and good luck to you.

 

[sloanfiske]

glad you found one...here's another

http://www.discoweb.org/forums/showthread.php?p=978021#post978021

 

[WNYDiscoIIErik]

FWIW, My 2006 V8 LR3 raises the rear first, then the front catches up shortly after. I replaced the compressor around 98k. The truck is now at 124k and still going stronger than ever. It has been my best Rover by far.