Land Rover LR3: Testing my Faith
Had a Land Rover LR3 to drive home last night. I consider Land Rover one of my larger automotive conundrums. One the one I had, I really like what the company represents. They've managed to greatly up their luxury quotient in recent years while addressing many of their worst ergonomic flaws. Yet through it all there's still a sense of old-school adventure associated with the marque. For instance, in the LR3 you have high, upright chairs and rubber floor mats, so functionality is clearly captured. But the seats themselves are covered in supple leather, the audio system rocks and the one-touch window switches (finally located in the right location these days), thus providing the premium factor many customers are seeking. And, of course, these vehicles absolutely shred in any off-road situation.
HOWEVER, our long-term LR3 was true to my experiences with Land Rover products over the past 15 years. Put simply, they have far too many problems for a luxury brand in this price range -- or any price range. Our long-termer had multiple interior quality issues, and just before our one-year (18,000-mile) test ended the air suspension failed while driving on the freeway, dropping the car nearly to the pavement and requiring careful motoring the last few miles to the office. The problem seemed to go away the next time we started it, but we sold the vehicle shortly afterward and never really confirmed the severity of this issue. We've also had problems with Land Rover test cars in the past, including one that went into limp mode and had to be left in a mountain town immediately after completing a comparison test. Once again, by the time the Land Rover folks picked it up the next day it started and ran fine... I've got plenty of other stories from friends and relatives who have purchased the brand. And even the above test vehice, while satisfying overall, had a subtle vibration in the steering wheel when traveling through sweeping corners on PCH.
I'll readily admit that none of this is scientific, undeniable proof of a brand-wide problem, but Land Rover doesn't exactly top the "official" reliability ratings lists, either. Ultimately there are no guarantees with any vehicle, even in 2007. But I simply wouldn't have enough faith in a Land Rover vehicle to personally buy one.
- Posted by
- Karl Brauer March 15, 2007, 7:27 AM
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- Land Rover
Karl, I agree. I love the Land Rover but the quality issue is bad. They are capable machines but they have so many "voodoo electronic glitches" that not even the techs can figure it out. I grew up with old LAND ROVERS from the late 60's so far they are still the same in that particular area.
I'm taking it again tonight and keeping it through the weekend. I'll try to confirm that subtle steering wheel vibration I thought I felt and see if the vehicle can inspire more overall confidence in me.
Karl, I take it you aren't one of those people that accepts quirks as a charming & endemic characteristic of British vehicles. ;-) Not that I am, either.
Any news on the uneven tire-wear that started that class-action lawsuit?
I have a love/hate relationship with Land Rover.
On one hand I love how utterly functional and high-tech they are—especially the LR3. No one—and I mean NO ONE—combines those two extremes better than does Land Rover.
On the other hand I hate how utterly unreliable they are. Plus they are way out of my price range too. Lastly, the ergonomics are often iffy too.
I guess in other markets customers are willing to put up with all the problems, but I'm not one of them. I wonder if the Defenders sold in 3rd-world markets are also trouble-prone? Or is it just the luxury-laden models sold in civilized markets?
If the LR2 had a low range—and if it was as trouble-free as a 4Runner, I would consider one; but I'm not holding my breath.
Frankly, it amazes me that Land Rover has gotten away with this for so long. I guess they are banking that customers won't notice or care, because it's part of the Land Rover "character;" sort of like the engines that leak oil and the Lucas electrics of bygone English vehicles.
European luxury cars are over-engineered, rush to market and therefore are unreliable. It is like overly complicated SW which has lot of bugs because of time to market deadline and is released with known bugs – there is never enough time to fix them all.
As an example - I just read last issue of Automobile. They wrote article about BMW 3 series and according to article all their long term BMWs last few years had substantial engine failures which required engine overhaul or expensive part replacements like worn camshaft, within a period of like 30K miles. They provided the cost of repair for latest engine issue > $4,000 if it was not been covered by warranty. I can imagine how much warranty repairs cost BMW. Still BMW is one of the most profitable companies in the world. Why? IMO because they overcharge greatly for their cars, I cannot come with other explanation Why? Because people willing to pay and endure all related headache. I have a friend whose BMW Z3 fall apart within first 35K miles but still he went back to dealership and trade it in for another BMW. If it was Ford he would say – I will never buy Ford again.
BTW that is the good lesson for Big 3. Things what matter are not quality, price or specs but perceived quality, reputation (i.e. image) and basically what neighbors will say. And I know that most people who own BMWs do not know how to drive it.
Will I buy European car? Heck no - I will not pay unfair price for German or British car because I did not inherit money and did not win lottery – I am working hard to bring food on my table so I will go with American or Japanese car and BTW will have less headache as result.
But if I win multimillion lottery - well then story may be different, or may be not.
The last 3 series that Automobile magazine had for their 12 seasons long term test received maximum marks and adulations. IIRC it was a metallic green 325i and they had zero problems. Edmunds loved their 330i and called it a "perfect car" (quoting one of their editors). They had no reliability problems during their year with it and at the end of the year and over20,000 miles it performed better than when it was new. Quote taken from Chris Walton, Edmunds' chief road test editor:
"I was recently informed that our time with our 2006 BMW 330i sedan is soon coming to an end. With that thought looming, it gave me pause to reflect on why I love this car so much.
Without even trying, our 330i has become the benchmark against all other vehicles in our captured fleet. Every time I drive it home, be it for a night or a week, the exceptional competence of the car makes almost everything else feel a decade or more behind."
I've had a 318i, MCoupe and now 330i. All rock solid and each one better than the former.
Keep dreaming about winning the lottery...
My '96 Range Rover 4.6 is my foul-weather-offroad-ski-trip machine, and it's probably one of the most enjoyable vehicles I've owned. They have a reputation for being completely capable, nicely appointed, and horribly unreliable. I can say that mine has been all three. Find a good Rover mechanic and avoid the dealer and they're worth the hassle and expense of keeping them running.
Rovers and BMW's are just such great machines and full of so much character. It's too bad that so many drive them for status, as most of us drive them because they are just the best vehicle for their purpose.