Low miles LR4 purchase advice

MM3846

Well-known member
Feb 18, 2014
1,221
161
LI, NY
Howdy folks, for whatever reason I've decided to get back into a rover. I was all set on a 5th gen 4runner until I test drove one and hated it. Anyway, been researching the balls out of LR3s and 4s, and clean low mileage 3s are hard to come by so I've been looking harder at the V8 LR4s. My buddy picked a 2013 up two years ago and its a great drive, so far no issues. Anything I should be "worried" about besides all the normal shit on a sub 40k 2010 LR4? Or is it worth skipping over in favor of a later one, like a '13 with 70-80k with the thought that the timing chain guides would be less of an issue?
 
Aug 20, 2007
2,727
45
Nashville TN
All evidence points towards timing chains needing to be done around 100k-120k with the average seeming to be 110k, but this is mostly due to people sticking the the LR recommend 12-15K mile oil changes.

If you have a local LR indy shop to take it to for a pre-purchase inspection, they could certainly point out any issues to you, but the consensus seems to be to replace the front and rear coolant crossover pipes, check the lower control arms (clunking when you stop points this issue out of worn bushings) and you can check the chain through the oil cap to see if it's still tight. I imagine with that low miles you'd be less worried about he timing chain right now and more looking at checking the bushings and rubber components for cracking due to age rather than excessive wear from use.

It does sound like it was probably all local miles if it was only driven 4K miles a year and not much on the interstate. Highway speeds are better on engines. It seems that the mileage is low enough that the timing chain wouldn't be an issue if the oil has been changed frequently enough. You'll definitely want to get on a 5000-7500 mile service schedule though no matter which you pick up. 2013 is the sweet spot year but they still do have timing chain issues if not properly serviced. some other users will chime in with more experience, but I believe those are the basics to watch out for.
 

MM3846

Well-known member
Feb 18, 2014
1,221
161
LI, NY
Yup, still up in the air about picking it up. The timing chain stories give me the heeby jeebies but this thing has so little miles that maybe it won’t have some premature failure.