Thinking of moving on from LR4...

[94speedster]

I purchased my 2011 LR4 Black Metropolis Edition on Memorial Day Weekend in 2011. This week, it hit 233,000 miles on the odometer. It has been as far west as California, as far south as Mexico, as far east as Boston and as far north as British Columbia. Quite the workhorse, and I still love the car.

I have been diligent with my 7,500 mile oil/filter changes (26 oil changes!) and have stuck (except once) with the oil bought from Land Rover. It is an unbelievable TANK in the snow, and it has spent most of its life in the mountain of Utah and following our son's pursuit to make the US Ski Team in Alpine Skiing. No regrets.

From an issues perspective, I have spent $28k out of pocket on the car: maintenance at the dealership, lots of tires and brake pads/rotors, and of course failures. The "failures" outside of warranty add up to $7,800 and include replacement water pumps, starters, video/radio/nav units, rear trunk switch & motor, and power steering pumps. Those fixes were at the dealer, but I tend to do my own maintance at my track garage on a scissor lift. I do my own fluid changes and brake work, and even rebuilt my own air compressor (thanks Youtube) for under $100 (and that took me 5 hours)... If I had to do all of that work at a dealership, I would assume additional charges of $5-10k.

So I am nearing a decision point. Car was appraised at $4500 (CarMax) this week, and I have @$3500 in maintenance to complete soon (new tires, new brake pads & rotors, plus a major service).

My wife and I still love the car and the memories, but are looking to move on. These break-ups are hard to do!

-Blake

 

[cperez]

I’ve had a lot of cars but letting an LR4 go would be the worst. I had a hard time saying goodbye to my 2011 but it was made easier knowing I would be replacing it with a newer LR4. When the 2013’s time is up I may not be capable of a rational decision. Good luck with the decision and hot damn, 233K is an accomplishment!!!

 

[jlach993]

I have no logical reasoning for you, but i think you should keep it. Once repairs get larger and out of hand then i'd maybe flirt with letting it go? Once its not a transmission or the engine skips a tooth...i'd keep it! 15-20 years down the line these vehicles will be hot!

 

[ryanjl]

15-20 years down the line these vehicles will be hot!

That could go one of many different ways.

Sought after? Sure.

Electrical fire? Sure.

Gallon of gas, matches, and an insurance claim? Sure.

 

[PaulLR3]

Blake, we recently sold one of our LR4's. It was a tough decision to say goodbye to such an awesome vehicle. It was replaced by a Defender 110, X-Dynamic HSE model. After 4 months and 5000 miles, I can say that we love everything about it except the smaller cargo area. It handles very well on-road, especially with the torque vectoring option. The Pivi Pro infotainment system is fast and a huge upgrade. P400 is just as powerful as a V8 LR4.

My advice would be to wait for the 130 Defender and then you can move on from the LR4 with minimal regret.

 

[ktm525]

I purchased my 2011 LR4 Black Metropolis Edition on Memorial Day Weekend in 2011. This week, it hit 233,000 miles on the odometer. It has been as far west as California, as far south as Mexico, as far east as Boston and as far north as British Columbia. Quite the workhorse, and I still love the car.

I have been diligent with my 7,500 mile oil/filter changes (26 oil changes!) and have stuck (except once) with the oil bought from Land Rover. It is an unbelievable TANK in the snow, and it has spent most of its life in the mountain of Utah and following our son's pursuit to make the US Ski Team in Alpine Skiing. No regrets.

From an issues perspective, I have spent $28k out of pocket on the car: maintenance at the dealership, lots of tires and brake pads/rotors, and of course failures. The "failures" outside of warranty add up to $7,800 and include replacement water pumps, starters, video/radio/nav units, rear trunk switch & motor, and power steering pumps. Those fixes were at the dealer, but I tend to do my own maintance at my track garage on a scissor lift. I do my own fluid changes and brake work, and even rebuilt my own air compressor (thanks Youtube) for under $100 (and that took me 5 hours)... If I had to do all of that work at a dealership, I would assume additional charges of $5-10k.

So I am nearing a decision point. Car was appraised at $4500 (CarMax) this week, and I have @$3500 in maintenance to complete soon (new tires, new brake pads & rotors, plus a major service).

My wife and I still love the car and the memories, but are looking to move on. These break-ups are hard to do!

-Blake

The BIG QUESTION: Are you on the original timing chain tensioners and chain?

 

[Jimmy Brooks]

Any transmission issues?

 

[94speedster]

Thanks guys! Great feedback.

I'm on the original timing chain tensioners and chain, and have had ZERO transmission issues. Despite the issues list, I really do love this car! It has been a real workhorse.

We are Rover people, and our family cars have included a Disco II, LR3 and then this LR4. My wife now has an amazing '16 Range Rover HSE TD6 (gas mileage is incredible) and my son drives a '16 LRDS HSE which has been a reliable & fun car to drive on canyon roads...

I'm looking at CPO Rover's and might make the move this week...

 

[ktm525]

Thanks for the info on the timing tensioners. Tensioner failure is not the black/white issue it first appears to be. Some very high mileage vehicles on originals when the general wisdom is ALL 2010-2012 tensioners fail early...

Happy trails with whatever you end up with.

 

[Jimmy Brooks]

Since it sounds like you guys are set financially (seeing that all of you own rovers) I’d wait till the SCV8 Defender comes out early 2022. Don’t switch from the V8 yet.

Thanks guys! Great feedback.


I'm on the original timing chain tensioners and chain, and have had ZERO transmission issues. Despite the issues list, I really do love this car! It has been a real workhorse.

We are Rover people, and our family cars have included a Disco II, LR3 and then this LR4. My wife now has an amazing '16 Range Rover HSE TD6 (gas mileage is incredible) and my son drives a '16 LRDS HSE which has been a reliable & fun car to drive on canyon roads...

I'm looking at CPO Rover's and might make the move this week...