Kinda reminds me of the X5 in it's early days.....

[Kewl X5]

Most newbies who has purchased a X5 in the last 1-2 years or so didn't go through the growing pains of a new models as many of the early adopters of the X5 (mainly the 2000-2002 models).....

LR3 has got his first major recall....(remember the aux. fan recall in the X5 )

NHTSA Announces Land Rover Will Recall 17,000 2005 LR3 SUVs for Potentially Defective Fuel Tanks and Fire Hazard

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced that the Land Rover unit of the Ford Motor Company will recall 17,263 - LR3 Model SUVs (2005) under Recall Number 05V376000. The recall is expected to begin on October 14, 2005.

The notice states that some of these SUVs may have fuel tanks that contain an internal breather pipe that is not made to specification. This could result in excessive swelling and cracking of a grommet and subsequent detachment of the breather pipe from a connecter tube.

When the fuel level in the tank is above the level of the detached joint, fuel may then enter the breather pipe. The driver may notice a fuel odor, drivability concerns such as hesitation, misfire, stalling, rough running, or difficulty in starting and the “check engine” light may be illuminated.

“IF THE AMOUNT OF FUEL FLOWING INTO THE BREATHER PIPE REACHES THE VAPOR CANISTER AND EXCEEDS ITS CAPACITY, THE EXCESS FUEL MAY BE DISCHARGED ONTO THE GROUND. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.”

[Juanted]

That sounds like a (potentially) serious problem...

[vinuneuro]

I gurantee you the Ford LR3 has a lot more problems that we did; and a lot more serious problems at that.

[bozo]

Geez. To think I was actually going to BUY one of those things...PHEW!!

[dan_fitz]

were there any issues with the engine, trans, X drive, etc when the '04 facelift came out?

[B&DCalgary]

Believe me, you don't want to own one of those things. We bought a Range Rover a few years back (set us back about $95 grand) and couldn't get rid of the thing fast enough. I've never seen the resale value of a vehicle plummet as quickly either. That was when Land Rover was owned by BMW too (it seems BMW couldn't wash their hands of the company fast enough either).

[Bavarian]

Those damn Land Rovers. I really don't understand how the Range Rover costs some $20K more than the X5 4.4i.

I mean from day 1, they were the same car underneath. Same 4.4L engine, same tranny, even same side mirrors! Yet the Rover looked much worse, was slower but cost more.

Anyone care to explain that?

By the way the LR3 has some serious design issues. I think the people at Rover are experts at box design. They should start making luggage and suitcases.

[bozo]

Originally Posted by dan_fitz

were there any issues with the engine, trans, X drive, etc when the '04 facelift came out?

Not at all as far as Im aware..By the time facelifts come around, ~2-3 yrs after production, the bugs are long gone (normally)...

[vinuneuro]

Originally Posted by dan_fitz

were there any issues with the engine, trans, X drive, etc when the '04 facelift came out?

Unfortunately, the 4.4i after the facelift had some moderately serious problems. Many people had problem with the transmission. It ended up being a software problem. Also, many owners had the levers in the cylinder head that control valvetronic, replaced. Between the new 6spd tranny and its shi**ty software and valvetronic, the 4.4i after the facelift might actually be faster and give better milege, but they just aren't as responsive or satisfying . I think the Dinan S2 would change all that though .

Originally Posted by B&DCalgary

I've never seen the resale value of a vehicle plummet as quickly either. That was when Land Rover was owned by BMW too (it seems BMW couldn't wash their hands of the company fast enough either).

Very true, thats what I don't get about Range Rover, is that the resale value goes down so much in one or two years.