What do you know about Land Rovers? (Updated with a pic of new ride)

sigp220.45

sigp220.45

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My beloved Chevy Uplander died a premature death last Thursday, T-boned by a rusty Nissan Pathfinder. My bride got a ride to the hospital, a CAT scan, some X-rays, and was sent home with a concussion and severe whiplash.

The other driver, miracle of miracles, was actually insured. This is truly a rare event in my corner of New Mexico. The last time my little van was rammed I was driving it and the ramming party, some swarthy lads in a lowered Maxima with a cool spoiler, managed to rattle away from the scene leaving me reflect upon the value of uninsured motorist coverage.

So now we need a new ride. I'm considering a 2006 Land Rover - I don't know why, other than my wife likes it. That may be the painkillers talking, though. I've never even been inside one (the dealership was closed today, so we were just looking through the windows). Anybody here have any experience with these vehicles? This one is an LR3 SE with about 30K miles.
 
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Which model are you looking at?

I have a 2000 Land Rover Discovery II, I love it, I use it for work year round and general driving in the winter. I'm off road all the time, these things are incredibly rugged, very comfortable and will go anywhere. The Range Rovers are very luxurious. Gas mileage isn't great, I get 15-17 or so in mine, it'd be better but they're very heavy and full-time AWD. They can be expensive to repair, especially if you can't do any of your own work. Mine has about 105k on it and it runs great. I expect to get at least 200k out of it but whenever it finally wears out I won't hesitate to get another one.
 
Good riding vehicles. Stable and effortless cruise above 70mph.

They are heavy, and the gas mileage suffers because of it and their brick like shape.

THey are highly computerized like everything else these days. And you can't even bleed the brakes without the dealer computerized brake serbice machine (you really can, but results vary).

THe seating is comfortable, and visability is good.

Parts are a little difficult to find, but mine hasn't needed any in the last 3 years. Always use Wix oil filters.

From other forums on the net, it appears the transmission is a weak link if you want to do heavy towing, I have a pickup for that, so not an issue for me.
 
Not with Land Rovers, per se, but every other British-branded vehicle that's ever come into my orbit has been an undependable,expensive to repair, piece of junk, often with ostentatious wood and leather trim, but still unreliable junk. There's a local dealership or two, and they're not uncommonly seen, although never at the end of a rough four wheel drive road at some hidden hunting hotspot --- typically seen in the parking lots of fancy retail outlets and expensive restaurants, never, of course, with a single brush scratch or dent, dust or mud or residual snow, or any other evidence of having been off the pavement. Never seen one carrying a canoe or kayak, skis, bikes, or any accoutrements of outdoor recreation. South African friends tell me that Toyotas dominant the rough riding market there, and it's my impression that that's also the case in Australia. Given the alternatives, I'd look closely at them....
 
jkc said:
Not with Land Rovers, per se, but every other British-branded vehicle that's ever come into my orbit has been an undependable,expensive to repair, piece of junk, often with ostentatious wood and leather trim, but still unreliable junk. There's a local dealership or two, and they're not uncommonly seen, although never at the end of a rough four wheel drive road at some hidden hunting hotspot --- typically seen in the parking lots of fancy retail outlets and expensive restaurants, never, of course, with a single brush scratch or dent, dust or mud or residual snow, or any other evidence of having been off the pavement. Never seen one carrying a canoe or kayak, skis, bikes, or any accoutrements of outdoor recreation. South African friends tell me that Toyotas dominant the rough riding market there, and it's my impression that that's also the case in Australia. Given the alternatives, I'd look closely at them....
Click to expand...

That was constructive. Nothing like the voice of experience weighing in to advance the discussion.
 
One problem on mine, the cruise control isn't set properly. It surges constantly. Having set these up on other makes, I know it is only a trim adjustment, but I do not have a clue as to how to acess the hardware to adjust it, it may all be digital and needs reprogramming for all I know.

As to comparing this to other British Lelands, I have owned a bunch of Brittish cars made in the 70s and earlier. My Rover actually starts when I hit the key, the lights and wipers actually work in the rain!
 
LR3's are nice, they are the next generation of the Discovery after mine. They're more luxurious and less utilitarian than the earlier versions but still very capable off-road, I know guy that has one nd he's very happy with it. If you google it you'll find numerous road tests and comparisons that have a ton of info.

I checked the LR website for the dealer here and they have similar vehicles in the $28-$30K range so work them hard on the price.
 
We had a couple of ex-MOD (Ministry of Defence) Series IIs down at our place in the Grenadines back in the late 60s. LRs were just about the only vehicles on the island back in those days. I've always had a soft spot in my heart for them. My only recent experience with British vehicles is the '03 Jaguar X-type I bought my wife for an anniversary present. (Actually, I bought it because it was on my 'bucket list' and I absolutely love it!) I'd have bought her a Disco' or a RR if I'd have been able to find one...I'm still hoping to own at least one more LR.
 
Definitely not in the same league as an LR3, but my SIII is beyond reliable. Though about a D90? They can be had in that range. The best 4x4xfar for a reason.

I've heard a lot less reliability complaints about Porsche Cayennes over LR3's and 04-05 models can be found all over between 25-30k.
 
I've got a 1999 Disco (Discovery) II with approx. 119,000 miles on her.

I'm 2nd owner, I bought her w/ approx. 30,000 miles. She's been a great ride both on-road or off. I've done long distance road-trips to Glacier Park and have used her to commute. She's also a deluxe ride w/ all the goodies - cruise, Harmon-Kardon sound system, down-hill/tilt control, towing package & more stuff.
Maintenance wise, I've done the headgaskets at approx. 80,000 miles, alternator, and some minor stuff (she needs new shocks). 17 MPG on the free-way (all wheel drive all the time) is about avg.
Maint. & parts are a bit more expensive but, for what you get, well worth it.
Have it checked by a certified Land Rover mechanic - I'd recommend one.

Bruce
 
My next door neighbor had one. (Discovery 2006) He spend more time UNDER this truck to fix all kind of stuff than anything else.
He owns a Honda Pilot now and is very happy.
 
I bought a Range rover in 92 almost sight unseen from my bank. It had 17K on it and extended RR warranty. It was in trust and very few around, in my neck of the woods in 92. I had a power steering problem right away but it was fixed at no charge including the towing to St. Louis dealer. I put 147K on it with only regular maintenance scheduled work. Therein lays the problem, cost are high for maintenance and gas mileage was not good. At 147K the darned Lucas electrics started to go. Windows, moon roof, locks, etc. I might add that never did I have a problem with the actually running of the thing. Rust was non-existent (Aluminum body) and that thing was the only thing running trough the massive snows of 93. Bad side was no dealer in Central Mo. so a trip to St.L every time you needed anything electrical. I bought it less than one year old for 24K So how could I really complain. I thought it was tough as nails and had a transfer case that never gave up...I don't even know who actually makes them now or maybe who owns them. You see a few Range Rovers around here now and a lot more Land Rover Discovery models, mine had initial price tag of 56K w/extended warranty. Bank just wanted to get rid of it. Their loss my gain. At the time you could sign up (for a price) for a four day driving school in Aspen and you got a shirt to go with it. I got the shirt and read about the school in Off Road mag....All in all a good experience due to my cost. Never had one doubt that engine, and transmission wouldn't go at least 200k I can't afford one now so at least I had my touch of off road luxury. I forgot you got included a very British picnic basket, plaid blanket and a folding camp chair included....I say Old Chap tee with or with out!
 
....might consider a Mercedes Land Gewagen whilst you're in the 'Just Looking' phase.....
 
Sig: I have a 2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport. Love it!

One feels rather stately driving it; it cannot be beat as a foul weather road trip vehicle. In town mileage hovers around 16 mpg; highway use gets it up to the 19-20 mpg mark.

Unless you need the extra seating afforded by the LR3, I suggest the Range Rover Sport which can be had for the same bucks you're contemplating spending. The full size Ranger Rover is a bit more, or course.

Get the lux/cold weather and dynamic response packages if you can. The former has heated seats and a refrigerator in the console among other niceties; the latter adds Brembo brakes.

Be aware that maximum tire wear is about 30K miles. Replaced my Continentals at 31K with Michelin Latitudes. Contis were standard in 2006; 2010 models use the Michelin Latitudes.

Be safe.
 
I would locate a repair shop to use before purchasing, not every shop can (or should) repair them. A Toyota Landcruiser that is not outfitted for luxury, is just as capable off-road. Where I live your hunting trip will be ruined by a very long and expensive flatbed ride if you break down. They attract the wrong kind of attention unless you're an NBA star, and they generally drive newer ones.
 
While having my "bulletproof" Toyota repaired, I looked at a similar LR3, 2006, for $26k. That was about two months ago. I was back by the dealership to get a couple of oil filters, and it was still there. Too bad I've already used up my car allowance for a couple of years, I'd buy it.

I thought it looked great, the interior is very luxurious, but tough at the same time from what I saw. I didn't want to drive it...I might have traded the 4Runner for it if I did!
 
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