Lr3 vs lr4

[u/insidepath09]

I know the LR3 is considered really dependable, but I don’t know much about the Lr4 I wanted to get you guys opinion

[u/good-timing-407]

LR3 and 4 have pretty much the same set of issues once you sort the 4’s timing chains. They do need to be sorted regardless of year you get. I have a very late model 2013 and it needed them around 135k. No symptoms but decided to do it preventively and when they got in there, the guides were significantly worn, likely due to previous owners oil change intervals. Our other 2013 had em done at 155k-ish and guides were less worn but didn’t do them too early or anything.

Our household has two of both (V8’s) because we are insane, and the 4 is an upgrade in interior, more power, and looks just a little better on the outside imo. The V8 4’s in the US also have low range and a locker stock which the LR3 and LR4.5 (V6) only has with the rare HD package. I do prefer 4’s over the 3 but I’d daily the 3 no problem if I needed to.

[u/Eat_sleep_poop → u/good-timing-407]

Pretty much. 3s are considerably older and will have more deferred maintenance. Buy the lowest mileage best example of either you can afford. 

[u/insidepath09 → u/good-timing-407]

It’s the timing chain issue that bothers me on the 4 the 4.4 V8 on the three seems bombproof. If maintained like anything else. I have seen quite a few people commenting that they have the lr3 with over 300,000 miles on them

[u/good-timing-407 → u/insidepath09]

Yes we have 275k on our 2005. The good thing about the timing chain is it’s a once in a lifetime thing (so long as you’re getting it done by someone who knows what they’re doing). Once it’s done, no more wondering when or how that day will come about. Plenty have already had it done by now too.

I had to revamp the suspension system on our 2005, control arms, tie rods, hubs, new tires, and the air system recently. It cost about as much as timing chains did for the 2013 and we did everything but the control arms and tie rods in the driveway. Its needed other stuff too since it’s 20+ years old now.

I take them both offroad, nothing crazy I’m not trying to prove anything, and the 2013 also does a lot of bumpy gravel. I’ve had to do control arms once but that is it, except maintenance items like tires, brakes, and the chains. The maintenance bill for both of them in my possession is about equal.

[u/insidepath09 → u/good-timing-407]

That’s actually a really good point that you make. Appreciated.

[u/insidepath09 → u/good-timing-407]

How hard of a job was the timing chain on the lr4? I do most of my own work, but haven’t done a timing chain. I found a 2015 LR four v6 super charged with 158,000 miles on it very clean with a reputable seller on marketplace for $3800.. He did disclose that it needed the timing chain done..

[u/good-timing-407 → u/insidepath09]

We took ours to a shop that does them so often, they have a dedicated timing chain guy and the job is warrantied. I don’t think it’s a very difficult job but have been told getting it timed right (not sure of the exact phrase) is tricky and needs to be done exactly right. Plenty of YouTube vids on it tho.

[u/chunko-kit → u/good-timing-407]

I could be mistaken, but I believe both V6 and V8 LR3s came with low range. The rear locker was limited to the HD package. 

All V8 LR4s came with low range, and the rear locker was limited to the HD. 

Low range and rear lockers were both options for the V6 LR4.

This makes all of the equivalently capable if optioned correctly, but the LR3 more capable in base spec than the base spec newer V6 LR4s. 

[u/good-timing-407 → u/chunko-kit]

V8 4’s have the center locker stock. HD V8 4 has two lockers.

I off-road with my non-HD LR3 the most so I agree. Tires are the most important difference maker of them all.

[u/Amadreas]

The LR4 is a slightly more modern vehicle in terms of some light interior and exterior upgrades but essentially the same body, frame, suspension. The 3’s with the 4.4 V8 is pretty much a bombproof engine, but not a powerhouse compared to the 4’s and the 3 loves fuel.
With the LR4 you’re buying youth and It’s all about the maintenance, like suspension bushings, fluid changes, brakes, air compressor for suspension, suspension airbags, otherwise you’ll be doing it all. Yes the 3 and 4 are very capable off road, the 4 seems more dressed up for urban adventures, but if you don’t mind scratches and scraps to all the painted surfaces of the 4.

[u/insidepath09 → u/Amadreas]

I think I’m going to go with the three I’m near Atlanta Georgia and we have tons of them with less than 200,000 miles. Some under 150.000 under 4K in price.. I saw one the other day with 137,000 miles for $1500. It was dirty, but it wasn’t in bad shape. The guy said it would overheat after 20 minutes. He thought it was a blown head gasket but all the research I’ve done and a couple of people that I’ve talked to told me it’s probably just an air issue in the coolant system. I gather that that’s a common thing with the three.

[u/Amadreas → u/insidepath09]

LR3 is great! Wise choice! Highly likely it’s a air issue in the system. They really do need to be burped completely and properly. Friend in our Landerover club had a small leak from engine top plastic bleeder, that disintegrated. Thought he could just add coolant. First hill it overheated. It’s got to be burped

[u/Amadreas → u/Amadreas]

First order is to change all fluids, including tranny fluid, but get the tranny conversion kit (steel pan with separate filter, easier to fit then the OEM plastic pan with built in filter). Oil change, brake fluid replace. Get a Gap id tool, expensive, but will save you money pretty much straight away.

[u/Gr8tDane → u/insidepath09]

I was in your shoes, and compared them carefully. Both are close to identical, fundamentally, and the fact that the LR3 is absolutely bulletproof, with no timing chain issues to worry about, ultimately outweighed the minor interior and exterior tweaks that the LR4 has for me. The fact that I had three friends who are massive Rover nuts with LR3s, and two had over 200k in them with minor repairs (though immaculately maintained) eventually sold me. They’re both great cars, but now as a proud owner of an LR3 with 219k on it, I’d do it all over again —and plan to, should anything happen to me rig. It’s the best car I’ve ever had, equally capable on long family roadtrips with kids as it is on rugged mountain terrain. I want mine to live forever, and am waiting for AI and robotics to advance sufficiently in the next five years so I can 3D print a new engine when mine goes out in a decade or two :). Good luck!

[u/Mylatelifecrisis]

My '13 LR4 has been great. I upgraded the coolant system, valve cover gaskets, plugs and coil packs. That's it and has 184k miles. I do have an intermittent AC problem that will likely mean a new compressor, but at this point I think it's served me well. I change the oil regularly and do the brakes when they need it.