How Many Miles do 2008 LR3s Last?

[amreason]

I am thinking about buying a 2008 LR3 with 87000 miles on it. (it was a commuter car)

My wife will be driving it to the store and back for the next 2-3 years.
I will drive it on the weekend .

The carfax showed that it was taken in to the dealer every 6 months.

What do you guys think?

If well maintained, can these LR3s make it to 125k miles without any major issues? (transmission failure, radiator failure)

I have read a lot on here but I wanted to start a conversation.

Aaron

[cnfowler]

If well maintained, what vehicle produced can't make it to 125K miles? Nearly every vehicle today isn't even rated for a 'tune up' until 100K.

You need to contact the Land Rover dealer listed on the CarFax and ask for the entire service history. Go through it with a fine tooth comb to see if it's the vehicle for you.


Colin

[amreason]

From what I can tell and from what the independent LR Shop owner I talked to today says, its a good buy at $20k. (90k miles, 2008, Used as a Commuter by a soccer mom)

What do you guys think?
Can I trust my wife and our new baby in this car for driving around town?
Will it break down on her and leave her stranded?

From what the LR Independent Shop owner I was talking to was saying I can expect to have $2k worth of maintenance done in the next two years.
Does that sound accurate for driving around town?

And I will get to take it out on the weekends


06/28/2007 6
Pre-delivery inspection completed

09/30/2007 40
Odometer reading reported
Registered as
personal vehicle

10/12/2007 California
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Title issued or updated
First owner reported

10/18/2007 42
Interior trim repaired

03/05/2008 7,555
Electrical system checked
Parking brake adjusted
Recommended maintenance performed

05/21/2008
Damage Report Accident reported
Vehicle involved in a rear-end collision
It hit a motor vehicle

07/11/2008 15,679
Recommended maintenance performed
Four wheel alignment performed
Tires rotated and balanced

12/08/2008 23,445
Maintenance inspection completed
Recommended maintenance performed
Four wheel alignment performed

02/18/2009 28,867
Brakes checked
Brake fluid flushed/changed
Engine/powertrain computer/module checked
Recommended maintenance performed
Evaporative emission system checked
Battery/charging system checked

06/19/2009 37,943
Recommended maintenance performed

12/08/2009 47,150
Tailgate/hatch latch replaced
State safety inspection completed

12/24/2009 49,050
Service Plan Co. Service contract issued

03/19/2010 53,482
Alignment performed
Recommended maintenance performed

07/30/2010 59,993
Recommended maintenance performed
Brakes checked

02/02/2011 67,318
Service contract claim
Vehicle body serviced

02/04/2011
Maintenance inspection completed
Recommended maintenance performed

03/11/2011 68,369
Maintenance inspection completed

07/27/2011 75,401
Tire condition and pressure checked
Recommended maintenance performed

02/24/2012 82,360
Recommended maintenance performed
Maintenance inspection completed
Tire condition and pressure checked
Washed/detailed

11/14/2012 91,071
Electrical system checked
Tire condition and pressure checked

12/28/2012 91,771
Vehicle offered for sale

01/10/2013
Vehicle offered for sale

[WuzzzintME]

I haven't owned one but the Overland Journal rated the LR3 well for reliability.

[sloanfiske]

be prepared for the following...

control arms/bushings replacement
tie rod bushings replacement
front brakes every 30k
transmission service (do it right, it's about 800)
diff service
rear diff seal replacement
air compressor replacement
tires and alignment more often than others
maf and thermostat replacement
update software

all in, thats close to 5/6k, not including routine maint, like oil/fluids.

I have a 2006 with 143k on it. suspect it will run for a long time

I bought an 07 for the same price last year that 08 is with roughly the same mileage. take care of it and it will last. but if you dont know the costs assoc with owning a rover, be warned. i've seen more than one person think it's awesome when they first get a rover, then curse themselves when they breakdown.

08 and 09 were the most reliable of the LR3s.

and good you found an indie mechanic. hope he's good.

[cnfowler]

Like I already stated, get the vehicle's history report from the dealership, not CarFax. CarFax is too general and not everything is reported or shows up. If you decide to skip this step and purchase the vehicle, shame on you.


Colin

[cnfowler]

I guess what I should have said is to get the SERVICE HISTORY from the dealership and not to rely on CarFax for what has been done to the vehicle. Re-reading my post I see I put "vehicle's history report". I meant the service history.

For anyone who has owned an LR3, they know what it needs now or in the near future isn't as important as what the service history was. LR3s are notorious for having reoccuring problems that can never seem to be fixed permanently. Looking at the service history of the vehicle, if you can get a complete one, will point out all the problems it has had and how many times it got brought in with the same complaint or problem. This is a great indicator as to what kind of vehicle you're going to end up with - one that will live at the dealership or one that will give many, many miles of worry free enjoyment.

When I purchased my '05 LR3 used, the selling dealership was the only place to touch the vehicle from the day they took delivery of it and prepped it for sale when it was new. The previous owner went to the dealership for quite literally everything but fuel - wipers, bulbs, tires, accessories, maintenance, everything. I was able to get the service history from the day the dealership received the vehicle off the semi truck to the day I purchased it. I was able to determine by the service history and zero reoccuring problems this was a good one. The vehicle never gave us an issue during our time of ownership. I tell people all the time there are good LR3s out there, you just have to do your research and be patient. I spent two years looking for the one I ended up buying.


Colin

[amreason]

So I got all 36 pages of maintenance.
It was maintained excellently there were no reoccurring issues.
Everything they suggested she had them do.
So I called my local independent LR mechanic, Matt at Stewarts automotive was amazing.
My buddy and I drove to the dealer. Matt had suggested stuff to look for.
Ran the compressor over and over, checked the undercarriage, listened.
I heard medal squeak when we turned it on.
I saw black goopy liquid on the control arms.
I told the salesman "dangit Tim, I wanted to come here and it be perfect and I buy it and feel amazing, but these problems are deal breakers" he heard the honest disappointment in my voice.
I got the dealer to replace the compressor, the rear diff motor, and the front control arms and bushings.
They get the parts in Monday. They will call me when it's done and I will go in and buy it on Wednesday.
I can't wait.

[cnfowler]

Very nice work. I'm taking it the LR3 has the rare HD package (electronic locking diff). You've got the dealer taking care of some expensive items. I hope it turns out to be a good one for you like mine was for me. Congrats. Just don't forget to post pictures of it when you get it home!!


Colin

[cnfowler]

LR3Power, you must work for CarFax. You put way too much stock in that company.


Colin

[bjwhite]

According to my Mayan calendar, LR3s will last until 132,073 miles.

[cnfowler]

Wow, I can't believe I'm going to explain this, but here it goes.

Service history works like this. When a vehicle is taken to a dealership and receives any kind of maintenance or repair work, that information is logged in a computer. That information is retained. At any point an individual can ask the dealership for a copy of those records. This is known as the service history of a vehicle. If you don't believe me, I've done it on my last two vehicles.

Now, if the previous owner(s) of a vehicle did the repair work themselves or chose to take their vehicle to 20 different repair shops over their ownership time, then the service history records will probably be non existence. When it comes to purchasing used Land Rovers, as I recommended earlier, a buyer's best bet will be to find a vehicle that was serviced at the dealership (or at least at the same place) so they can get the service records. Given the types of people who buy these vehicles new, it's not a far stretch to find vehicles that were only serviced at the dealership.


Colin

[cnfowler]

I'm going to agree to disagree with you. You are saying finding a vehicle with a complete history from a dealership is nearly impossible and I'm saying it's not - my last two vehicles have had a complete history from one dealership. This thread was about the durability of the LR3s, not about CarFax.


Colin

[disco biscuit]

Man I hate to even jump in but figured I'd mention...service history is a very important piece of advice readily given on the pages of this forum. I thought, at first, it would be nearly impossible to find one like LR3power mentioned but thats not at all the case.

I hit this stump while looking at my DII. My previous owner had it serviced at the closest LR independant shop which I called and they faxed the records right over. Carfax told me of all the dealer service. Also took this advice while buying a VW Jetta TDI. But the previous owner wasnt around as it was bought through a wholesale dealer. I looked it up on carfax which had all the dealer service...then a vw indie shop showed up on the carfax which I called and was satisfied with the openness of it all. It appears ALOT of people do this as the lady explained she pulls them up everyday for potential buyers. My TDI Jetta has a direct shift gearbox or dual clutch tranny which requires a 400$ fluid change every 40k. It was at 44k when I got it so i did this service history to save that money. These events and research are all very common and readily available. A standard pre purchase step which I had doubts about also, before trolling around here.

[Eniam17]

Originally Posted by amreason

They get the parts in Monday. They will call me when it's done and I will go in and buy it on Wednesday.
I can't wait.

Great job, sounds like you did all the right things and that you found a nice vehicle. I spent a while looking for mine too and I think you will be very happy in the long run. Let us know how it goes when you bring it home and post up a picture or two.