Land Rover LR3

rajv1 · October 2005

Thanks folks. I live in minneapolis ( the snow is round the corner) and there is only 1 Rover Dealership ( also a Jaguar, and Lotus one).
I will enquire abt the loaners.
The dealer says 2006 are selling like hot cakes at or marginally below MSRP

suave_tequila · October 2005

Well I'm currently shopping for a Mid-Size SUV and I was interested in the 2006 Ford Explorer Limited Edition and the 2006 LR3. I rent the Explorer for a week and I really liked the car and I was thinking of buying it. But I came across the LR3 and at first I was not interested in it, till some of my friends told me about it. So im just observing the LR3 and havent had time to read all the post in this forum. So my question is what are some pros and cons about the LR3? and whats the advantages against the Explorer or vice versa?. Thanks Alot!!!
Oh and are those recalls mentioned on this forum about the 2005 version? since Im thrown off a bit!

mac24 · October 2005

It really is hard to imagine cross shopping an LR3 with an Explorer. Such a big difference in both features and price.

grommet · October 2005

If you don't need the hardcore off-road ability of the LR3, I guess you can compare it to Ford Explorer. They are approximately the same size.

But the LR3 is really priced in the "luxury" or "near luxury" market, even though it's more of a workhorse than the competitors... Lexus GX470, Volvo XC90, Infinti QX56, VW Touareg, Mercedes ML, etc.

suave_tequila · October 2005

Yeah I know what you mean totally, yeah now I am thinking more on the LR3 now rather than the Explorer. Yeah I just remembered that I actually did rented a Mercedes ML like 2 months ago and i did not likw it at all. To me it was uncomfortable for some reason since I remembered complaining about it lol! Oh since it sounds like you have a knowledge on the LR3 can you tell be a bit on the pros and cons about it, since i rather know it from somebody's opinion! THANKS!! And one thing to let you know im not really going to use it for off-roading since I live in Los Angeles lol!!

xiaodong · October 2005

Pros is that it is a good SUV and both my wife and myself really like it - It is her primary vehicle for winter and mine for summer (we live north of NYC, hilly and snowy in winter). Cons is that it is not great for gas mileage and it is not the type of vehicle that turns tight corner fast.

We have had this HSE since the very beginning of last December. I have to say that the ownership is pleasant and almost trouble free except for a false engine check light - a problem caused by rusty wire in wire bloom. The rust was in turn caused by adjacent damp roof drain pipe running down through front pillar near passenger foot well - I posted about the issue and fix by dealer January this year.

This site serves wonderfully well as a place that people come to exchange experiences, to survey the problems at large, to research for solutions for problems at hand, and to poll for opinions so to assist a purchase decision. However, this site can easily be a place of sentiments and complaints when there are problems and confusions.

I do feel for the owner who are so much troubled by the problems on their LR3s. I do wish quick and expedient solutions on whatever the issues that they have, and I still firmly believe LRNA and dealers should do anything at their disposal to assist people having problems. While all the information carried by this site is nonetheless important, any statistics drawn from postings on this site are biased and inconlusive. My two cents here is that people with normal or relatively trouble free experiences tend to write less than people who have issues and eager to find solution or way out would.

This HSE was my first LR. If you ask me if I would have a LR3 again now? Answer is yes and probably next one is a RR or a LR that runs with diesel or that runs with any type of petrol other than premium only.

colorado4x4 · October 2005

Just turned 40k miles on my '05 SE V-8, that I took delivery on in February '05. OEM tires are getting close to showing wear bars all around (rotated every 7.5k). I'll need a new set of shoes just in time for winter. Not a lot of tire selection in this size and what is available is quite spendy. Any suggestions???

Problems with the vehicle to date:
1. Radio failure at 900 miles and again last week. Starts working again and dealer doesn not know why it failed in the first place.
2. Plastic airbag cover on passenger A-pillar poped out. New piece ordered and installed, still pops out.
3. Vents in 3rd row were improperly installed at the factory, dealer did a very nice job repairing the installation. Looks better than the new ones on the lot.
4. Squeak from the head liner over the passenger seat. Dealer tore down the headliner, insulated and repaired squeak caused by sun roof mechanism. Dead silent again.

This is an incredible vehicle. I can cruise 85 on the highway, talk on the cell phone and nobody knows I am not in the office. It is an off road monster, especially considering my last statement about highway driving. We road some tough trails in CO (request pics and I will email) and came out with only 1 damaged wheel. During a spring blizzard I stayed on the highway as long as it was open (2.5 hrs), then hit the back roads (2 hrs) and still made it to the meeting 15 minutes early (unfortunately no one else made, they should have had an LR3

)

Dealer services is running 14 days to schedule, if you want a loaner. The car has always been returned when promised. Dealer is expanding the service shop and I expect times to fall or at least hold steady.

I hope those with bad experiences get resolution quickly. I have meet six LR3 owners on the highway or around town from CO to IA, and all have been very satisfied.

manoftaste · October 2005

Hi colorado4x4, i'd love to see some pics if you can. thanks.

waruba · October 2005

I now have 5K miles on my second LR3. The first was hit broadside and totalled at 4.5K miles. Other than a slight rattle in LR3 #1, both have been trouble-free and a real pleasure to drive. I am amazed at some of the bad experiences posted here since my six months with two separate LR3s has been nothing but positive.

british_rover · October 2005

I would be interested to hear about the wreck since no LR3's have been officialy crash tested either in the US or Europe yet.

What kind of car hit you?
Speed of vehicle?
How the LR3 was after the wreck?

Etc.

tstid · October 2005

peete...i am almost sure that i will be purchasing an lr3/hse.+ other options...i now own a merc ml320...127k and with problems...i have tested the gx470...top heavy, not so good with crosswinds, etc....drove the lr3...so impressed with the overall veh...your thoughts on the lr3 please....your input is appreciated....thanks, tom

hellpie · November 2005

My LR3 had been giving a low coolant message for the past few weeks, even though I topped off the reservoir. The fuel gauge has also been giving false readings; when the tank is full, the needle shows about 3/4 or less, and as I continue driving, the needle goes up.

Had an appointment at the dealer yesterday. Apparently there was a small leak on the bottom of the reservoir, which they have now replaced. The dealer is planning to replace the fuel tank in a couple of weeks, which they think will correct the fuel gauge problem.

My overall experience at the dealer was phenomenal. They offered a rental car, even though the fix took only half a day. They also washed my car and vacuumed the inside.

As I've mentioned before, the LR3 is an amazing car. My wife and I are very happy with it.

reichowjr · November 2005

I have been driving my HSE since last December with 12,000 miles on it. The vehicle is amazing at speed on the freeway. Its very stable and quiet. Great in the sand at the beach.

The low coolant problem is due to a faulty sensor located at the bottom of the resavoire. I had the very same problem and had it fixed in a hour. They have to replace the entire coolant tank.

Other issues:

Wiper Blade failure caused scratch in the windshield and it has to be replaced

Fuel tank recall

Black door panels have a milky haze. Only fix is to keep applying a detail product every 3 months or so.

These issues are not big enough to prevent me from buying another LR3. This vehicle is amazing.

Unfortunately some have had huge issues and I wish them well. Every manufacturer has problem child vehicles. I owned a Honda pilot that has a very good reputation. Based on my experience I would never buy another Honda. So if you like the vehicle get it.

chuegle · November 2005

I just got an LR3 HSE last Friday. Today arriving at work, I find it turning strangely.. kind of groaning and jittery. I look underneath the car, and see a puddle forming of an oily substance. Anyone else have a similar problem? I'm thinking the car may not be safe to drive to a shop at this point..

Another problem I'm having is that when I turn the car on, about 75% of the time the voice recognition system turns on w/o me pushing anything. Again, any info on this issue?

waruba · November 2005

I was hit on the driver side passenger door by a motorcycle going 80 - 100 mph (police estimate). The LR3 was flipped on its side and spun around at least once. I was crossing two lanes of traffic and the motorcycle came around a vehicle just as I crossed, so I couldn't see him. The motorcyclist was charged with speeding and reckless driving.

My LR3 was totaled. The side was caved in almost to the centerline and there was not a bit of unbent or unscraped sheet metal except for maybe the left front fender. For a 400 lb motorcycle to do this much damage to a 5500 lb LR3 is a real demonstration of the power of kinetic energy. Though badly mangled, the LR3 was probably driveable. Other than damage at the point of impact, most of the other damage, though extensive, was cosmetic rather than structural.

If the motorcycle had hit the drivers door, it would have been in my lap and I would not be typing this now. As it is, I feel extremely fortunate to have walked away from this accident with only a mild concussion and some soreness. Just looking at the vehicle and imagining what would have happened had I been driving something less substantial made me decide to get another LR3.

BTW, I got my gas tank recall notice today.

mark156 · November 2005

Sorry to hear about your accident... but, what happened to the motorcycle driver? Was he injured at all? I guess if he got a ticket, he must have been alive. I imagine that he was projected like a torpedo!

Mark

saileast · November 2005

I took delivery of my HSE in January and after 10,000 miles I am pleased with the LR3 and would do it again. Yes I have had a few minor problems but overall I am pleased. The dealer has responded quickly when service was needed and always supplied a loaner, most often a LR3. I will feel a better when the gas tank is replaced but to this date I have not had the problems others have had. The door hazing deal upset me but that was resolved with new panels after one attempt to clean it. I did contact Land Rover NA over the doors. Although their response was somewhat slow the end result of this contact far exceeded my expectations. Land Rover has convinced me they do value me as a customer.

rajv1 · November 2005

Hi Cheugle
Is yours a 2005 Model or 2006??
If its 2006 its troubling. I am still on the fence whether to get the LR3 HSE or go with Lexus GX or Volvo (V8).
I probably should NOT read this forum. Its troubling me............

british_rover · November 2005

There is a special cleaner that Land Rover has come out with to solve the door hazing problem. It is a two part system that needs to be mixed together and then applied to the doors. So far it seems to work fine. We have been doing it tall all LR3's with the problem whenever they come in for a regular service but if you called you could probably make an apointment for it too.

mark156 · November 2005

Rajv1, I'm with you, I too have been looking and considering the LR3 but I have crossed it off my list for now as I'm considering the new Jeep Commander and the Volvo XC90... Just looked at the Volvo today.

One observation on the Lexus is that I cannot live with that big swing-out door on the back. If it's raining, the lift gates work so much better. And, the swing-out door opens backwards to the street... I never did understand that???? :confuse:

I like the looks of the LR3 but I can not have a vehicle that has "issues". But it's one sharp looking SUV!

Mark

sohna99 · November 2005

I have done lot of research for LR3 and was reading this meaasge board everyday before i bought LR3. Finally decided to stick with LR3 because if you look for other vehicles, all have some kind of problems. I bought my 2006 LR3 last month, put 1000 miles, so far no problem.

tzo · November 2005

I am looking for a much better set of offroad tires myself. As of now, I only know of the Goodyear MT/R's available in this size only in the UK.

Let us know if you come up with some good offroad rubber.

mark156 · November 2005

Sohna99, you are right, every board has something to say bad about a vehicle. Sometimes it's hard to decipher if someone is exaggerating because they like to complain or if it's an isolated problem.

I probablly should take a second look at the LR3 just to see if it should stay on my short list or not.

In the running are:
2006 Jeep Commander
2006 Volvo XC90
and maybe the 2006 LR3.

Mark

rajv1 · November 2005

Mark
I have done as much research as one could and read every Automotive magazine review.
My summary:
I think you buy the LR3 if you think off roading, and the 3rd row seating space is a high priority. The city drive although adequate is no where near GX 470 or XC90 (V8).
The resale value for LandRover is VERY poor ( but we all buy cars for other reasons) and more importantly for me the reliability is abysmal.
GX 470 ---I dislike the 3rd row which folds to the side and the space is for only for 2-5 yr old kids but has remarkable reliabilty and resale value 3-4 yrs down the road. Pretty good on offroads with KDSS.
XC 90 ( V8) -- Logically and based on all things considered this actually in my opinion is the best value. But 90% or greater VOLVO SUVs on the road are NOT V8 XC90's so it does NOT have the image a LEXUS projects. If that does not bother you this is actually is a good buy.
I am getting a great deal on the 06 GX here in MPLS so I am inclined to go for this at this point.
I have ruled out the LR3, too many issues to deal with....

mark156 · November 2005

rajv1, thanks for your input. If I was buying the LR3, XC90 or the Commander, I would get the largest engine available from each manufacturer.

The Lexus GX is nice but the big back door would not work for me and the seats don't fold down. They are like the third seat in my 2002 Mercedes ML500 (they hang on the side).

I want something to give me cover when it's raining and I don't think I could open the big swing out door on the GX if the car is in the garage if the garage door is closed. I'm not sure if the Lexus's rear glass opens separate than the door but in the Jeep, it works separately. In the Volvo, the tailgate is split where the top 2/3 rd's flips up and the bottom 1/3 rd is a small tailgate. This formation will allow me to open the hatch if the garage door is closed.

Honestly, I haven't checked on the LR3 to see how the rear hatch/door opens. Do you recall?

Thanks, Mark

grommet · November 2005

mark156, look at the "Asymmetrical Tailgate" section on the marketing site:
http://www.landroverusa.com/us/en/Vehicles/LR3/Vehicle%20Features/Exterior%20Features.htm

I personally love how the tailgate works.

mark156 · November 2005

Grommet, thank you for sending the operation of the tailgate. It works very similar to the Volvo. I'm glad to see that it's not a big swing-out door like the Lexus GX.

I'm going to stop by the Land Rover dealer this week to check out the LR3 to see if it will be in the running.

Mark

stever · November 2005

The link seems to say you can just open the bottom section and stand on it for roof access. That would come in real handy for tossing kayaks or bikes or building materials up on top.

Steve, Host

british_rover · November 2005

Yes, you can do that. You need to open the top first to get access to the button that releases the bottom tailgate. Then close the liftgate again and you can now stand on the tailgate and it is rated to support 500 or so pounds.

koesler · November 2005

I have now literally driven the crap out of my LR3 HSE for almost 6 months and 7000 miles and have had not even one "issue" as far as reliability, dependability, quality, or anything else. I have a recall notice concerning the gas-tank, but since I've not had a problem, I'm not gonna worry about it. I'll have it addressed someday when I have time.

Mileage is still great, ride comfort is excellent, and off-roadability is as good as anything out there (and I hate to admit that since I've considered the MB G-wagen to be the ultimate off-roader) since '79. I too looked at and compared many SUV's before deciding on the LR3 and nothing comes close.

enginone · November 2005

Koesler,

When you say mileage is "great," could you quantify? It still disappoints me that we can't get the diesel version in the US. Mileage is about the only thing holding me back right now.

Thanks

chamfer · November 2005

My husband and I are trying to decide on which car to buy. GX or LR3. I like the Gx because of reliability and comfort of the car. The only thing that I did not agree with was the back door. It's too big and swings side way. My husband favors the LR3 because of the third row. Can you tell us the Pros and Cons of each car. Thank you.

mark156 · November 2005

Chamfer, I am considering the LR3 myself but it's third on my list. The Jeep Commander and Volvo XC90 are one and two.

I looked at the LR3 today but the interior two-tone color combo looked a little cheap to me. The dash is not smooth looking like the Volvo and has a lot of grey plastic going on. Before you decide, check out the Volvo; it's about the same price as the LR3. The reliability of the LR3 is my concern. The Volvo has the same type of gate/hatch as the LR3. The big door in the Lexus is the deal breaker for me and I really don't like the tall narrow looks of it. It looks like a Toyota.

The Jeep Commander (3 seats) is about $10,000 cheaper than the LR3 and the Volvo XC90. Personally, I am a little partial to the Jeep as I've owned two in the past.

Just my .02 worth.. Mark

grommet · November 2005

mark156, I looked at a "loaded" Jeep Commander somewhat recently... not bad for the money, but I'd probably consider a 2006 Explorer (all new interior) over the Commander if I wanted to stay in that price range. Yes, even though the Explorer has less power than a "loaded" Commander. It's obvious Jeep was influenced by LR3 (stadium seating/config, etc.)... but I found it far more cramped and less flexible in comparison. (The 3rd row is a joke.) Overall execution of the vehicle was just poor. In fact, it's far worse than the 2006 Explorer I looked at afterwards. The overall styling & feel is also "old school" late 80s Cherokee, which I don't care for at all. Of course, this is all subjective. I didn't get a chance to take the Commander off-road, of course... but I really doubt it'll do as well as my muddy LR3 with terrain response.

But the dealers are eager to move Commanders... they were well below invoice within 10 minutes after the test drive. That's far better than even the somewhat rare 2006 Ford Explorer Limited right now.

On a side note, if you don't have any real "off road" needs... the Acura MDX is probably a "best buy," especially if you like gadgets. Yes, aging... but loaded, cheap and reliable.

grommet · November 2005

Just do a search. Most avergage 15-16 MPG with mixed use, which is decent considering LR3's "heaviest in class" weight. The EPA "sticker" MPG estimates are accurate.

"Clean Diesel" needs to appear before we see more diesels. Diesels are currently illegal in California and New York due emmission restrictions. (FYI: California is one of Land Rover's largest markets.)

Anyway, "Clean Diesel" will be launched within the next 2 years, and we'll slowly see new vehicles that use it. I wouldn't expect to see a Land Rover diesel in NA until at least 2008 or 2009.

mark156 · November 2005

grommet, I can't disagree with what you said because a lot of a car purchase is personal taste. For me, I couldn't buy a Ford no matter what; they just don't do anything for me.

One thing I want to say about the LR3, out of all the vehicles that I'm considering, it has the best looks overall. I like the squareness/boxy look which the Jeep has too. The "old school" look of the Jeep is exactly what Jeep was going after and succeeded.

The Acura's are nice as are the Honda Pilots but they are getting ready to do a "restyle" for '07 and the current look of the short snout for the Acura is not attractive.

By the way, my twin brother has an '03 Discovery and is very pleased with it and has had no trouble at all. The only problem that I noticed is that the turning radius is very wide so you have to plan tight turns and do a lot of backing up and re-aligning.

I did notice that the gas mileage is best in the Jeep. The V-8 Volvo with 311 hp is 14/20, the Jeep with the big V-8 HEMI 330 hp is 15/19. The 6 cylinder LR3 I saw yesterday was 14/19 with only 216 hp and the 4.4 V-8 has 300 hp with only 14/18 in gas mileage, the lowest of the three with V-8's and the least hp.

I'm just trying to compare all of these vehicles very closely because they all have of positives aspects in their own right.

Happy Motoring, Mark156

grendalfly · November 2005

Mark156.
The LR3 has a just as good or better turning radius compared to all the other vehicles you listed so that is not an issue when comparing them. The LR3 is at 37.6 Ft compared to the Ford at 36.8, Volvo at 40.0, Jeep commander at 36.8, and the old Disco II was 39.0.

grommet · November 2005

mark156, the Commander 4-Wheel Drive 5.7L is EPA 14/18 MPG... which is the same as the LR3 V8. In reality, they will all get similar poor gas mileage... and be fairly slow, with the edge going to the Volvo on performance.

The turning radius is noticable better on LR3 than the old Discovery.

Anyway, I think you should go with the Commander... you like the style, you seem to have no problem with the interior space, it has more "features", and it'll be far cheaper than any LR3 or Volvo XC90.

Also, regarding a post earlier about the "city drive" being poor with LR3... I 100% disagree. It's excellent for it's size and I've driven virtually everything...

mark156 · November 2005

Grommet, the sticker on the Commander with the 5.7 HEMI was 14/19 on the one that I looked at. I compared it to the 4.7 Commander and noted that they were both 14/19. This is accomplished in that the 5.7 HEMI, during highway speeds, cuts off 4 of the 8 cylinders under light demand, hence, increasing fuel economy.

Like I mentioned before, I like comparing everything when I'm looking at a vehicle as I will keep it probably about 3 to 4 years and want a the best experience possible.

Happy Motoring to all!
Mark :shades:

kinners · November 2005

Hi, everyone. Boy, this forum has really scared the bejeezus out of me. I'm currently driving a Trooper. Love it, so much fun, but car is old and needs extensive repairs.

Like Mark156, I like boxy cars like the Trooper which drew me to Land Rover.

I do not need the third-row seat, nor will I take the vehicle off road. I do need decent cargo space (that ruled out the X5). Need a reliable car since I do not have time to be dealing with dealers and repairs. I know Lexus SUV's dominate JD Powers survey for quality, but think they are ugly.

Love the LR3 but the reliability concerns have me paralyzed. Can any of you LR3 owners explain to me your thought process on your decision to buy? Do you regret your decision?

Thx.

kinners · November 2005

Should I expect any significant quality improvements between the 2005 and 2006 models?

Would buying a demo LR3 be less risky in that the "kinks" would be worked out? My dealer has a lot of 2005's available with about 5000-8000 miles.

grommet · November 2005

Kinners, my "early build" LR3 has been perfect. I'm hitting my 1 year anniversary and I've beat the hell out of it. No regrets at all, well... other than probably being $5K too much.

I'm also good friends with other LR3 owners that have had a similar ownership experience.

As I've posted before, there are almost no differences between 2005 and 2006. I wouldn't expect much change in overall quality.

Anyway, if you really don't need off-road, tow capability or a usable 3rd row... I'd suggest looking elsewhere. You will be paying for a lot of features and weight you'll never use.

kinners · November 2005

But Land Rovers are cool! :P

Thanks for the comments, Grommet.

grommet · November 2005

Though it matters little as the numbers are too close to actually matter, EPA's web site does say:

'06 Jeep Commander 4WD 6 cyl 3.7L: 16/19 MPG
'06 Jeep Commander 4WD 8 cyl 4.7L: 15/19 MPG
'06 Jeep Commander 4WD 8 cyl 5.7L: 14/18 MPG

http://www.fueleconomy.gov

mark156 · November 2005

I'm just going by what is pasted on every Commander MSRP window sticker that I have seen. The government made a misprint.

Mark

blair0923 · November 2005

I have been researching several suv's and the LR3 keeps coming back on the list. There are always something with a vehicle that doesn't work as it is intended; however, the concern I do have is the wheel size greatly limit the tire choices. the tire choices when reading on tirerack.com seem ho hum but if the tire was a 17" then there are many more options. So, has anyone put 17" wheels on a LR3? can a 17" wheel clear the rotors?

Just curious

glfhlic · November 2005

i just wholesaled my 2005 LR3 HSE with 9500 miles for $37500.00. it was all it was worth after just 10 months and paying $55,000 for the HSE. i bought a 2006 Lexus LX 470. the LR3 was great for the first 5000 miles, but then began developing problems with the electrical and especially with the Terrain response. In cold weather it would start and then show faults and go into limp home mode. usually restarting would reset everything, but finally it just got worse. dealer said it " does that sometimes". Then the windshield started leaking and had to be resealed. Turns out they " missed a spot ". The faults got so bad i decided to cut my losses. unfortunately, there were many LR3's on the dealer lot and he would not buy mine. finally found a wholesaler who said the many many defects have made the price drop like a rock. now the gas tank recall. anyway, my new Lexus is great. be really careful with the LR3. i would hate to see anyone else go through what i did. good luck!

grommet · November 2005

glfhlic, uh... You do know most states have lemon laws, right? You could have saved $17K if your vehicle had documented unfixable issues the first year of ownership.

koesler · November 2005

My mileage has been right at 19 mpg (18.6 - 19.2) on the highway with 3 people and the AC on..with just myself, no AC, and going 65 mph I'm getting a little over 20. To me, coming from a 14 mpg Mercedes G500, that's pretty good.

Off-road, I've gotten from 14.5 to 16 mpg. I don't hot-rod the car and seldom go beyond 4000 RPM. Also, my on-board computer is a liitle more optimistic when calculating mileage (by about 1-2 mpg)so the above numbers are actual calculated numbers...

Hope this helps..

roverdawg · November 2005

I'm averaging a little over 18 (18.3) on the highway and about 13.9 in the city. But since I live on top of one of the highest hills here in Seattle (450 ft) and tend to have a bit of a lead foot, I'm quite pleased with the mileage. Now if we can just get some snow in the Cascades this year.....

Land Rover LR3

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