LR3 Curious

[RBBailey]

I’m in a situation where I’m looking to do one of three things once selling the Defender: a. Keep my 95 RRC LWB, fix the issues it has, add some moderate off road options; b. Buy a sorted LR3 and prep it for overlanding; c. Buy a mid-90s GWagon and prep it for overlanding.

Cost of the GWagon, and the fact that I won’t have an overlanding Rover (I’m keeping my Series) is why I’m hesitant on that end.

Overall age and list of odd problems with the RRC, is the thing to consider on that end. (But I LOVE RRCs!).
So the LR3 May be a handy option.

I did some quick searches here, and I’ve been asking around, and I’m trying to get a feel for the repair cost of a 100k mile plus LR3.

They “seem” to be pretty good, but that’s from the standpoint of currently owning four previous generation Rovers.

I’m aware of some of the faults/weaknesses of the LR3, but not of the details of owning one for a daily driver that would also be called upon to go on multi night remote camping trips off the grid.

What do I need to know?

 

[Howski]

I’ve had my LR3 for 2+ years now. It doesn’t have the character of older Rovers but damn if it isn’t great as a DD and camping vehicle. Did a 3k mile trip to Utah last year without a hitch and just got home from a 1k trip to the beach. It’s nice getting 19-20 mpg at highway speeds. They have a ton (too much?) room inside and ride fantastic on the air suspension. I’ve had to replace the original air compressor, alternator and front valve block. Knock on wood it’s been pretty good to me. Throw on decent tires, sliders and you’re set for a majority of trails out there

 

[Blue]

Check this out.....this is probably as good as it gets!

2008 LR3 for sale

2008 LR3 SE w/ 113000 miles Have service records from day off showroom floor and maintenance has always been done on schedule. No suspension leaks No seat tears or dash crack Transmission just had a new filter installed and transfer case had a seal leak so while replacing the seal the shop put...

discoweb.org

 

[pdXDisco97]

Our LR3 has been great. 170k+ miles on it, purchased 2 years ago, and have only had to do minimal repairs/replacements. Similar to Howski's list; (compressor was done by seller before we bought it), alternator, control arms, key fob, and basic maintenance. The "personality" of the LR3 is nothing like my XD or our previous RRC, but it is a fantastic road trip, camping, towing vehicle. We just bought a travel trailer and it pulls like a champ. Tons of room for the family, can fit a twin air mattress in the back for sleeping, love the tailgate, drives smooth and goes anywhere I want it to.

Once my wife upgrades (prob to LR4) I'm going to make it mine and add some goodies.

 

[RBBailey]

These reports are fairly in line with others I've heard.

I'm up in the air about what route to take. I know I will miss the Defender, but I'm also feeling OK about selling it. Time to move on.

But here's some detail on my options:

When I owned a nice RRC LWB (that I sold because I thought the engine was going bad... long story) I distinctly remember loving it so much that I really didn't want a Defender anymore. My Defender envy faded! So now I have a RRC that does run and drive, but would take some work to dial-in and get rid of some gremlins. No matter how much I sell the Defender for, I'll have a hand full of cash to do whatever I want with the RRC. I'd want a lift, tires, some classic looking upgraded bumpers, new front seats, and a few other things on top of the very real probability of needing an engine swap, and I'm sure the BW transmission needs to be replaced along with it. So the $$$$ adds up quickly. I'd probably end up spending as much as I would with an LR3, but not as much as with a G-Wagon.

The G-Wagons have been growing on me. They are tough, and engineered well. But although they are a Mercedes, they do break. I'm specifically looking for one from the '90s, so a W463 of that vintage will end up having issues. Probably not as much as a Rover, but then, I don't know much about the G-Wagon, and will have a steep learning curve for the new model, brand, etc... The main thing is, they are expensive. I won't be spending less than $25k cash. And although I'm going to end up keeping the Disco my kids drive, and the '65 IIa, I'll be dropping out of a lot of the local club camping events.

Or I could get an LR3. This would be much cheaper than the G-Wagon, but it's a Rover. ...But, it's a Rover! I'd still have a hand full of cash to upgrade it a bit: lift, tires, rack, sliders, maybe a bash plate or two, then camping upgrades. Fairly simple stuff -- as long as it doesn't break.

What would you do? I've driven LR3s, but I'm not very familiar with them. Overall, I feel the shadow of that much cash being spent on the G-Wagon, and the overall idea that sticking with an older vehicle, no matter the vehicle, is getting more and more difficult in the 21st Century. I'm just not sure I want to jump into the LR3 from the older Rovers I've always driven.

By the way: Which engine should I be looking for?

 

[pdXDisco97]

Engine for an LR3? I would go V8. More common, plus power is better and the V6 fuel efficiency isn't that much better, especially when you consider the power compensation needed.

I don't know enough about G-Wagons to really speak into should you/shouldn't you, but they feel more like Defender category to me; high entry fee, rare, but very cool. I would also be hesitant to really use it for fear of damage or other costly repairs.

The LR3 may not be as cool, but the more we use it, the more I love it. I'm also a big fan of spending in cash up front, keeping the entry fee low and giving myself headroom to fix and upgrade without over extending my wallet. And it feels like they're starting to hit that sweet spot of low prices but still plenty of after-market support out there. And if something breaks or is damaged on a trail, it's not hard or too costly to repair.

Plus, you'll still be welcomed at PCRC events, and you can't put a price on that one.

Keep your RRC to stay connected to the classic Rover personality, but use the heck out of the LR3 without guilt for family outings and club runs.

 

[Howski]

The 4.4 V8 no doubt. Probably the best motor (petrol at least) LR ever made.

 

[Blue]

I still can’t believe how comfortable and powerful this LR4 is. Makes my D2 feel like a horse-drawn buggy.

 

[discostew]

I still can’t believe how comfortable and powerful this LR4 is. Makes my D2 feel like a horse-drawn buggy.

When the LR4 first came out in 2010 I was amazed at how much better it felt driving than the LR3. It steers so much better. My forman at the time and I just couldn;t put our finger on what made it feel so much better. I mean the extra power is noticable right away, but its something about the suspension geometry. It just drives so much better.

 

[RBBailey]

With the fool-the-computer lifts people put on the LR3, is there any issue with long term driveline damage?

Is the suspension adjustable at all in any way if you run the Proud Rhino lift? As in, will it now adjust HIGHER? Lower? Or is it kind of stuck now at the 2.5” height?

I kind of want to keep the RRC regardless, but that would mean still one too many cars. I’d let the Disco go, but it is so good. Even the ABS system still works as it did in 1998. I need to do a bit more evaluation on the RRC to know exactly what it will take to dial it in. it is so good and so bad at the same time.

 

[Blue]

I’m going to go with a computerized suspension adjustment like the IIDtool and not the Johnson Rod deal. I like the idea of raising exactly as I see fit down to the mm, and each “axle” independently too.

My Compomotive 18” wheels arrive tomorrow thanks to a fellow Dwebber!

 

[Howski]

I’ve never seen reports of driveline damage from running at a higher ride height. I have the lift rods on but have programmed it ‘down’ a bit with the computer (I use RSW Solutions vs. IID). I’m somewhere around 1.5” of additional height, down 1” from the 2.5” of lift rods. I’d just pick up the IID or RSW tool and fine tune your additional height from there.

 

[Eliot]

These reports are fairly in line with others I've heard.

I'm up in the air about what route to take. I know I will miss the Defender, but I'm also feeling OK about selling it. Time to move on.

But here's some detail on my options:

When I owned a nice RRC LWB (that I sold because I thought the engine was going bad... long story) I distinctly remember loving it so much that I really didn't want a Defender anymore. My Defender envy faded! So now I have a RRC that does run and drive, but would take some work to dial-in and get rid of some gremlins. No matter how much I sell the Defender for, I'll have a hand full of cash to do whatever I want with the RRC. I'd want a lift, tires, some classic looking upgraded bumpers, new front seats, and a few other things on top of the very real probability of needing an engine swap, and I'm sure the BW transmission needs to be replaced along with it. So the $$$$ adds up quickly. I'd probably end up spending as much as I would with an LR3, but not as much as with a G-Wagon.

The G-Wagons have been growing on me. They are tough, and engineered well. But although they are a Mercedes, they do break. I'm specifically looking for one from the '90s, so a W463 of that vintage will end up having issues. Probably not as much as a Rover, but then, I don't know much about the G-Wagon, and will have a steep learning curve for the new model, brand, etc... The main thing is, they are expensive. I won't be spending less than $25k cash. And although I'm going to end up keeping the Disco my kids drive, and the '65 IIa, I'll be dropping out of a lot of the local club camping events.

Or I could get an LR3. This would be much cheaper than the G-Wagon, but it's a Rover. ...But, it's a Rover! I'd still have a hand full of cash to upgrade it a bit: lift, tires, rack, sliders, maybe a bash plate or two, then camping upgrades. Fairly simple stuff -- as long as it doesn't break.

What would you do? I've driven LR3s, but I'm not very familiar with them. Overall, I feel the shadow of that much cash being spent on the G-Wagon, and the overall idea that sticking with an older vehicle, no matter the vehicle, is getting more and more difficult in the 21st Century. I'm just not sure I want to jump into the LR3 from the older Rovers I've always driven.

By the way: Which engine should I be looking for?

I have 130k on my LR3. I bought it with 60k.

The dealer did the lower control arms prior to sale.

I replaced the air pump at 90k, and the radiator at 125k.

Otherwise it’s just been oil changes.

Edit - and I did do a transmission fluid flush around 100k.