Land Rover Quality

[DEW]

I am currently in the market for a new vehicle and I'm torn between a Tahoe Z71 4X4 and a LR3. I like the looks of both, the LR3 is roughly USD $8K more than the Tahoe but I'm concerned about the Land Rover's quality. I currently own a 1999 Ram 1500 and a 2004 M3. Both of these vehicles are being sold to get one vehicle that will serve all of my needs.

The reason I mention what I currently own is to compare against my test drives. The Tahoe is very similar to my Ram in that it is big and has lots of "cheap" plastic controls. It handles like a boat. The LR3 reminds me of the quality that is built into my M3. Everything is very tight, you feel like you are in a cockpit and it rides very well.

My concern is the quality horror stories I've heard. In an article on the LR3, the reviewer loved the vehicle but finished his review by stating that LR has a history of poor quality and this, coupled with an entirely new platform for 05, makes this a vehicle to be wary of. Not my words.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[onslow]

Landrover and Quality!
Well I suppose its like anything a matter of opinion.

Landrover where slated when they brought out the D1 that build quality was poor and wouldnt last 5 minutes most are still running round 15 years later.
I was in NY last month i had a look at a few new cars while i was there and the build quality of US cars is no Better than landrover or any other.
I am a firm believer that alot of people on "forums" such as this and other vehicle related forums are basically tinkerers who can and do create rods for there own backs by tinkering with things that perhaps the shouldnt.

Im one of them .

So some times its not worth asking on here about reliability as we have this uncanny knack of being able to break a perfectly good vehicle and then fix it worse then come on here and say "this is broke and I dont know why,it was ok yesterday" which should read "I was messing with this and it sparked and now it wont work what have I done".

If I was you I would look for some "normal" everyday folk who own one and ask them what they think not enthusiasts.

Never ask someone who lies under a vehicle outside in rain and snow trying to figure out "what the blue wire does".

Cheers ONz

[1955diesel]

By most measures, past Land Rovers have shown poor reliability but good durability ie. they are durable enough to continue being unreliable for many years. Hence the love / hate relationship most owners experience.
However, LR3 is built and designed using Ford's systems, so will probably be of similar reliability to other Ford products. Only time will tell, but it does feel very solid.

[Snagger]

The quality of the product (not design, but manufacture) seemed to decline with each take-over; BL, BAe and BMW. However, since Ford took over, they have been openly and directly threatened with closure if the standard isn't improved. Furthermore, most models since the RRC have been rehashes of the existing line-up, but this time they started from scratch, and have a wider pool of expertise to draw on (Jag, Aston and Volvo). I don't believe for a minute that they'll produce a Defender with a decent paint finish or no leaks, but I'm keeping an open mind about the LR3.

[Barryj]

I bought my first LR in 1969, a 53 2 litre 80, since then I have had around 15 different models including 2 RR. I would be lieing if I said I had not had problems, but I have never had to use a garage or be recovered, they have ALWAYS got me home, even after a long days offroading and being rolled. On the other hand whilst working in the Middle East I had a Dodge Ramcharger and a Chevy Monte Carlo, the engine fell out of the Dodge when the mountings failed out in the bondu, and you never new what the auto box was going to do in the Chevy. If you only want reliability buy a Suzuki SJ, most were built by LR in Spain. Everybody makes good trucks, just that some are better than others.

[LoneRanger3]

Just came back from getting my $40k+ cashiers check back from my local Rover dealer! Ordered a LR3 about a month ago after test driving and researching many SUV's (MDX,Durango,Jeep GC,MB,Toyota Land Cruiser,
Subaru,BMW x3,and more ).
I was very impressed with the LR3,currently have a ML430 " lemon "and two other MB's which are fantastic with over 130K miles on each! Getting back to the LR3...scheduled a pick-up for yesterday evening,handed over the check,title and plates etc. on the trade-in.
I proceeded to start up the beautiful LR3 and while giving it the once over, noticed that I could not adjust the drivers side exterior mirror...the sales rep. promptly notified the shop which had no luck in resolving the situation???
The dealer gave us a loaner and said he would drop the car by the house
the next day! Fine.

The next day I was told that no solution could be found and that a specialist from Rover Headquarters in Mahwah NJ (nearby )was stumped!!!
To their credit they said I could wait till another LR3 ...similarly equipped arrived (2 weeks) or back out of the deal.
I backed out!!!! I'm sure this will be a great vehicle if and when they get their act together.Kick the tires!!!!! ( What would they have done if I drove out of their lot after assuming possession of the vehicle ???) Shudder,Shudder!

[Bogatyr]

Yep, the way I adjust my mirrors is to open the window, adjust the mirror and then close the window.

Ha, if the LR tech was "stumped" that doesn't bode well...cripes, it just a bad connection somewhere, but the problem is when you have 50 electrical doodads in the door alone.

Bogatyr, your local retro-techno grouch...

[LoneRanger3]

Your right these vehicles keep getting more complex and a nightmare to fix...
I think I'll just buy the loaner and save myself the aggravation!

Happy Trails

[1955diesel]

Things are looking up -
The Top 10 in the 2004 J.D.Power Sales Satisfaction Index study, after first place Jaguar and Lexus, with scores of 898, were: Cadillac (896), Mercury (892), Mercedes-Benz (883), Lincoln (881), Buick (876), Hummer (876), Land Rover (876) and Volvo (876).

Makes a change from being in the bottom 10.

[CoachDitka]

Originally Posted by 1955diesel

Things are looking up -
The Top 10 in the 2004 J.D.Power Sales Satisfaction Index study, after first place Jaguar and Lexus, with scores of 898, were: Cadillac (896), Mercury (892), Mercedes-Benz (883), Lincoln (881), Buick (876), Hummer (876), Land Rover (876) and Volvo (876).

Makes a change from being in the bottom 10.

I would rather see LR in the top 10 in initial quality, where they usually rank dead last.

-Coach

[WarEagle92]

I purchased an LR3 SE demo with 3500 miles on it three weeks ago, it's loaded with everything an SE can have. Anyway I haven't had any problems yet

[jarover]

where was land rover in 2003 on the rankings?