V6 LR3, are they good?

[riverratrover]

Looking at a 2006 v6 LR3. I've owned the V8 in the past and loved that truck, but looking at a lower milage V6 but don't know about the engine. Are they reliable? Are they sluggish moving such a hefty truck? Thanks for sharing your collective knowledge.

 

[DiscoNels]

I've got a V8 myself and have No experience with the V6's. What I do know of the V6's is that gas mileage isn't much better than that of the V8, it's a heavy vehicle and needs lots of power (V8).

 

[axels]

I drive a LR4 but I was given a couple LR3 as loaners. The V8 is just fine however the V6 is dreadful in my opinion but it will still get you places. I would focus my efforts on finding a V8 rather than settle for the V6...

 

[nwoods]

Remember that the LR3/4 has a learning transmission, and adopts to the drivers behavior. In Axels case, it could have been a little old lady's car before he drove it, who knows?

I put 80,000 miles on a V6, and about 8,000 miles on a V8 around the halfway point of my time in the V6.

IMHO, the V6 is fantastic. Excellent torque, and brilliantly mated to the LR3 tranny. Shifting and gear selection performance in the V6 is MUCH better than the V8. It is SIGNIFICANTLY more powerful than the older Rover V8's found in Dicovery's and Classics.

However, I would not call it "better" than the V8 versions. The V6 shifts better, no question. But the extra horses in the V8 make the truck feel more nimble, and gear selection and "tip in" throttle points are less critical in normal day to day driving. If you drive the V6 agressively, it performs great. If you baby it, it will be underwhelming. The V8 however, just does it's thing and you don't ever think about it. Mileage is about the same.

The most telling thing I can say is that after giving LRNA back their V8 and jumping back into my V6, I didn't miss having the V8. I was still pleased with the power and performance of the V6. That says a lot I think.

 

[proper4wd]

For research purposes, it is a Ford 4.0L V6 (SOHC model) same as fitted to the Ranger and Explorer from the late 90's through 2010.

216hp/250tq in LR3 trim (for comparison, 2004 Discovery 4.6 is 212hp/300tq)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Cologne_V6_engine#4.0

 

[nwoods]

For research purposes, it is a Ford 4.0L V6 (SOHC model) same as fitted to the Ranger and Explorer from the late 90's through 2010.

216hp/250tq in LR3 trim (for comparison, 2004 Discovery 4.6 is 212hp/300tq)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Cologne_V6_engine#4.0

I'm uncertain of that info. I've been told by LRNA personnel that it is not the Ranger motor, but rather an existing Jaguar design. I've read many peoples opinions on the internet that it's the Ranger motor, and some of those sources are quite knowledgable, but the gentleman who runs the program at LRNA that trains the mechanics says it's a Jaguar powerplant, so I'm uncertain.

 

[proper4wd]

The only Jaguar V6 is the AJ-V6 which is essentially a Ford Duratec V6. It's largest displacement is 3.0L.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaguar_AJ-V6_engine

The Jaguar V6's are all DOHC, while the LR3 4.0 is definitely SOHC.

I understand and appreciate the LRNA guy taking the party line though

LR3 4.0L as removed from an LR3

source: http://landroverforums.com/forum/lr3-28/2006-lr3-4-0-flex-plate-tdc-alignment-65786/

2002-07 Ford SOHC 4.0L

source: http://www.npdengines.com/#!product/prd2/1238864521/02-07-ford-4.0-liter-sohc-v6-mountaineer-engine

 

[PhyrraM]

Is it safe to assume that even if the 'core' motor is a Ford product the manifolds, drivebelt asemblies, sensors, electrics, throttlebody, and ECU are Land Rover specific?

 

[nwoods]

The only Jaguar V6 is the AJ-V6 which is essentially a Ford Duratec V6. It's largest displacement is 3.0L.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaguar_AJ-V6_engine

The Jaguar V6's are all DOHC, while the LR3 4.0 is definitely SOHC.

I understand and appreciate the LRNA guy taking the party line though

LR3 4.0L as removed from an LR3

source: http://landroverforums.com/forum/lr3-28/2006-lr3-4-0-flex-plate-tdc-alignment-65786/

2002-07 Ford SOHC 4.0L

source: http://www.npdengines.com/#!product/prd2/1238864521/02-07-ford-4.0-liter-sohc-v6-mountaineer-engine

Great post! That certainly bears more than a "passing similarity"!

 

[riverratrover]

As always your council has been excellent and informative. Sadly the V6 was really pretty trashed previous owner was a smoker, and I'd guess wet dog transporter, the interior was shot and even dealership cleaned smelled like a college bar. That being said I'm looking at a 08 LR3 with 71,000 and a V8 HSE with full size spare (bonus).

 

[optimusprime]

Is it safe to assume that even if the 'core' motor is a Ford product the manifolds, drivebelt asemblies, sensors, electrics, throttlebody, and ECU are Land Rover specific?

That has been the usual procedure, so I would assume nothing has changed?