Looking to buy a new LR3

[Houm_WA]

X2

I put about 50,000 or so on my brakes and over 75,000 miles on my Michelin Synchrones.

 

[PaulLR3]

jwest, you're right, I forgot about the MB GL. It does have a good third row. In fact, I considered it before we bought the LR4. I just couldn't justify the $80K price when including all the options the LR4 HSE LUX came with.

If you are using the LR3/LR4 as a family hauler I doubt you will get 70K miles out of a set of brakes or tires. All those short trips to kids sporting events and activities take their toll.

And "you people" that drive your tires down to the wear bars certainly get the most out of your tires. In the interest of safety and traction I discard my expensive Nokian winter tires and Cooper Zeon summer tires when 3/4 worn.

 

[jwest]

jwest, you're right, I forgot about the MB GL. It does have a good third row. In fact, I considered it before we bought the LR4. I just couldn't justify the $80K price when including all the options the LR4 HSE LUX came with.

If you are using the LR3/LR4 as a family hauler I doubt you will get 70K miles out of a set of brakes or tires. All those short trips to kids sporting events and activities take their toll.

And "you people" that drive your tires down to the wear bars certainly get the most out of your tires. In the interest of safety and traction I discard my expensive Nokian winter tires and Cooper Zeon summer tires when 3/4 worn.

Yes, there's the $80k to consider when comparing.

My lr3 weighs more than a full 7 person lr3/4. It is more about how people drive. I see a light probably turning red, I'm off the gas. When I take off there's no need to jump ahead.

My BFG were well above the "wear bars". Tire choices as well as driving style have a lot to do with the mileage. Even if I replaced at "3/4" wear, that would be 60,000 miles for me last time.

Independent suspension vehicles wear your inside edge much faster. So every 15k or so I have them "flipped" on the wheels or whenever a re-balancing makes sense. You must be using symmetrical design but directional stills works for this method.

 

[jwest]

and I forgot the cavernous Toyota Sequoia:

http://static0.therichestimages.com/wp-content/uploads/Toyota-Sequoia-6.jpg

The seats do fold flat-ish but not quite as perfectly tidy as the LR3. The cargo volume back there though is much much longer and a bit wider. It actually sits 8 almost as well as the LR3 sits 7. The full size spare is accessible without unloading cargo. Unlike the LR3/4.

The most recent model has an air suspension similar to LR3 in some ways and an independent rear suspension. Fully boxed frame. Bigger in all dimensions. Lots of aftermarket mods too.


I would say that for any sort of real off road use, the Sequoia is far more capable than the Mercedes GL. The Toyota also offers a lot of creature features for much less $ than the GL so overall, I'd say the Sequoia trumps the GL except for fuel economy.

Anyway. It's fun to compare some of this stuff but whatever "feels" best is often the better choice.

 

[naiku]

If you are using the LR3/LR4 as a family hauler I doubt you will get 70K miles out of a set of brakes or tires. All those short trips to kids sporting events and activities take their toll.

I am not expecting to get 70k miles out of a set of tires/brakes, although I certainly would not complain! If I can get 35k out of a set of tires and somewhere around 35-50k out of a set of brakes then I am happy enough. That would put me at about 3 year replacement intervals, which in the grand scheme of things is pretty decent.

and I forgot the cavernous Toyota Sequoia

Hmm those might be worth looking into, although it appears almost all of them near me have 120k miles or more on them already (looking at similar year/price range that we would be for an LR3)

 

[GSMblue]

My other truck is a Ford Expedition EL. The third row is very spacious and the trunk is huge, even with the 3rd row up. FYI: the LR3 seat folding for the 2nd and 3 rows are horrible. Go see how Ford does it. So much easier. Especially for the wife.

We got the expy in 2013 for $50k new. I have to say, over long distances, it is nicer than the LR3. We use it for our weekend snow trips and our coastal fun too. It is a mile muncher.

BUT. I love the LR3. As a Brit being brought up tinkering with cars and washing them every sunday.... I need a car with a personality, something to talk about down the pub - and the LR3 has it in buckets.

My wife and I will always have a Land Rover of some description - an emotional choice for sure.

 

[naiku]

My other truck is a Ford Expedition EL. The third row is very spacious and the trunk is huge, even with the 3rd row up. FYI: the LR3 seat folding for the 2nd and 3 rows are horrible. Go see how Ford does it. So much easier. Especially for the wife.

We are also looking at the Ford Flex, it looks very spacious, but the outside also looks slightly odd? We both really like the LR3 though, both from how it looks inside and out, to how capable it is.

As a Brit

Maybe this is what is causing me to look at them, fellow Brit here.

 

[GSMblue]

My only words of advice for a prospective LR3 owner - get it checked out by a LR pro. It will be the best $100 you can spend on the vehicle!

Now I want a TR6

 

[naiku]

My only words of advice for a prospective LR3 owner - get it checked out by a LR pro. It will be the best $100 you can spend on the vehicle!

Now I want a TR6

There is a LR (actually I think British vehicle in general) specialist not all that far from here, so I will have them check out any perspective vehicle.

A TR6 would be nice, I do find myself drawn to old muscle cars though. In the middle of building a 71 Monte Carlo with my father in law at the moment, wishing it would be finished already.