$8,000 Land Rover LR3 vs. $80,000 Defender: Which Is the BETTER Off-Roader?

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( www.alltfl.com ) Watch more videos from TFL Studios! Is the brand-new, $80,000 Land Rover Defender County Pack a way better off-roader than the nearly 20-year-old Land Rover LR3 (also known as the Discovery 3 overseas)? Roman and Tommy take both up Cliffhanger 1.0 to find out!
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#landrover #SUV #review

[@JeremyHoutgoogleplus]

The answer is always the 8k off-roaders

[@MB-jz3uu]

Exactly especially if you're buying it for recreation on not a daily driver

[@elliottpalmer7624]

This is always the poor persons answer. You can’t buy a new Defender so you would be worried about damaging it.

[@richfarfugnuven6308]

@elliottpalmer7624 we will agree to disagree on that one. I have an '05 Rubicon all built out for offroading. I never take my 3500 AT4 Duramax offroad because it's too big and too expensive. My side by side is new and expensive, but it's indestructible. Also, these new SUV's and trucks are way too wide for CO trails...

[@elliottpalmer7624]

@@richfarfugnuven6308 it’s all relative. I take my 2014 Range Rover off road because I bought it for the value of it bearing great on and off road. Some people say it’s too expensive to break ($35k when I bought it years ago) but for me it’s not too expensive. Everything is relative. I am glad I bought white though for all the pin stripping. 🤣

[@andrewmccormick1401]

When u are talking rovers the older the better p38 range rover and below

[@willmtaylor]

3:51 - When you scream “For f*cks sake!” but then say “tush.” 😂

[@rohant]

the CC does say "for fudge's sake" though hahaha

[@FrankyRedEyes]

I heard fudge

[@Cocky.Rooster]

LMAO fudge sure fudge is gooood 😂

[@Kevin-sr8yx]

My kid heard f*ck

[@deucedaprodeuca]

I was about to say the same damn thing 😂

[@MrObvious125]

Im 4 months into owning my first Land Rover (LR4), i run an x-lifter and 32" muddies and its bloody unstoppable. After 9 Wranglers, im really enjoying the comfort without sacrificing the capabilities.. fantastic vehicle.

[@nicholascross1961]

I have to correct you Tommy... the Defender is NOT "Body on Frame"... it is a UNIBODY design.

[@donhappel9566]

Yeah, I think he just mis-spoke there and meant to say unibody.

[@jdenmark1287]

Yep he misspoke, and the new defender is unibody

[@robervin9107]

3:50 reminds of when tommy got mad in this vehicle when they went off-road. And the tires pop. 😂. Still to this day top five iconic moments from him and now this is on the list Ps. Awesome ring tommy. ❤.

[@bradythegenius2123]

Exactly what I thought of at that moment too lol. Same vehicle too

[@djgraysoundandmusic]

Never seen Roman snap like that 😂

[@rockymountboy]

F*ckin-A!!

[@gersonlara2640]

I have an 05 lr3 with 185k and this thing has been bullet proof to me other than regular maintenance it has never left me stranded this is coming from me after owning a 80 series land cruiser and a fj cruiser I don't regret getting this lr3 love it awesome on towing well good job guys on the car reviews..

[@dukeyhowzer]

I have an 05 with 150,000 miles. No issues, just normal maintenance (new front air shocks and compressor, rear shocks are still going strong). Everything else is still original.

[@moobaz8675]

I have a 2008 Discovery 3 TDV6 and Defender D250 110. Love both of them and they are just incredibly capable. The Defender wins for comfort and day to day but the D3 is still the ultimate do it all. I really like the split tailgate and full seven seat configuration.

[@garyschatz3718]

I always enjoy watching this father and son duo while I am taking my lunch break.

[@StevieWonderbread]

I would love to see an off-road test of the cheapest new defender you can get with maybe the factory optional recovery points and non-OE off-road tires.

[@darrinwagoner3025]

Thank you for putting out more Land Rover videos. We really don't need more Cybertruck videos, and really wish you would have kept the Ineos.

[@jcollins1305]

Love seeing these vehicles being purpose used. If I could find a good LR3, I’d grab one myself. They are great looking!

[@Venomous-Ranger]

This channel is awesome! Thanks for the content. Please keep it going. It’s educational and I need it in my life.

[@TFLoffroad]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@ahuidog3711]

Land Rover forever 😉😎😎😎

[@whosyourmate8292]

Yes lads, keep the LR content coming 👌👍

[@ambienteterrazas]

Can't wait 18 years until I can buy an 8k Defender!! I used to have an LR3, solid vehicle and very comfortable, those Jaguar V8's are definitely reliable.

[@Rockawaylifestyle]

Yeah same. I'm going for the 2door v8

[@GizmoWI]

Loving all the defender content 💙 110 on order.

[@richfarfugnuven6308]

I'm sorry...

[@NonWokeVeteran]

Don’t listen to wimp above me. Mad haters out there. Just make sure you drop the 1600 on KO2’s and it’ll be dope. I have a 90 and we love it. Hope you got the extended black pack as the grey bumper and skid pan are weak.

[@bk27117]

You know what's funny is both of these are more reliable and durable than their brand new tacoma

[@richfarfugnuven6308]

It broke an ADD, settle down...

[@Ctb1998]

@@richfarfugnuven6308probably mad he can’t afford a new Tacoma

[@IncisalArt]

⁠​⁠@@richfarfugnuven6308 Yes definitely not a big deal. Be fair. And this is coming from a 2020 P400 owner. They are both great . Different strokes…

[@communitycrossfit6429]

My 05 LR3 4.4 V8 just hit 275,000 miles. One of the best vehicles I’ve owned. Original engine and Transmission.

[@scandinavia6271]

Fair and objective review - well done! 😊 I got the new L663 - but every day on my 20 min. walk to the office, I pass by a 15-20 year old Discovery 3 in light green color with a few battle scars. Hate to admit it - but my brand new car is not the better looking of these 2 vehicles. If you take a deep breath when walking by the Discovery 3 - you smell dirt and elephant sh..👍

[@keithremelts36]

I love these comparisons. I have an LR4 and it has been both the worst vehicle I've ever owned but also the best. Had I caught the timing issues before they caused a massive headache I would have certainly saved some cash. But I loved it enough to spend the money. Just drove it from Michigan to Utah and everything you said about the drive and capabilities is 100% true. It's a masterpiece!

[@AllenKrughoff]

Here to say the level-up on the production value is appreciated! HLG on the onboard cameras looks amazing.

[@utahagentz]

Still loving my ‘06 LR3

[@DavidSmith-dx1bd]

Mine is about to roll over 200k

[@utahagentz]

@@DavidSmith-dx1bd 206k for me. No engine lights, basic maintenance. Best vehicle I have ever owned.

[@lawdog516]

Very nice video, thanks Roman and Tommy

[@bernardhossmoto]

TOW PLEASE license plate 🤣

[@JustinKingOffroad]

I took my brother up to that exact spot with this defender. it did pretty good! interesting to see the traction control differences between the jeep i used to have and his defender!

[@rockymountboy]

Which Jeep?

[@realguy268]

I think it’s funny that the v6 in the lr3 gets pretty much the same fuel mileage as the v8 but with like 100 less hp 😂

[@richfarfugnuven6308]

It's called evolving technology. A modern FI V8 with 500HP gets better MPG than an old carbureted V8 with 160 HP...

[@jasonandlesleyread7428]

I have a v6 here in NZ. It goes ok. Much simpler motor than the Jaguar v8. Easier to maintain. But yes fuel consumption appears to be the same.

[@tactical_potato81]

That's pretty damn cool of you guys to make a video like this. I'm always rooting for the underdog

[@panthros7395]

Great video. I just came back from Land Rover Experience and yes the new Defenders are amazing but I was also able to take my LR4 offroad. I wish I had low range and lockers and I could keep up with the Defender. What I love about the Defender is all of the cameras and it tells you how tilted the vehicle which can be very useful. I noticed a new winch on your LR3. What did you decide on for your discreet winch?

[@monzarace]

Land Rover simply makes great cars. Simple as that. I'm happy for our LR2 i6. Thanks for sharing. Kind regards.

[@dougpendleton1266]

Good job guys!!

[@STOLrover]

I’ve owned both vehicles and honestly liked my v8 lr3 better. It had the rear locker and way more cargo space. And it was a smoother ride. Got rid of the 110 for a disco 5 and love it but still miss the lr3

[@nothingtoseaheardammit]

Its amazing that this is basically the same traction control system that's in my H1, (marketed as Traction Torq 4) but its just terrible in my truck. So much so we sometimes pull the fuse to the system before we hit the trail.

[@donhappel9566]

Rover really led the way with this stuff and even the early systems like the LR3 (2005) are ahead of most current systems. That said, I'll take simple manually selectable systems every time given the choice but I understand why manufacturers want to dumb everything down and make it "automatic" - no driver skill/knowledge required.

[@hhjones9393]

The Disco/LR3 is a swiss army knife. All those crazy documentaries and car shows shot on the go? Those camera crews were riding in a Discovery. Despite it's less than stellar repair record I think it is still the best off road wagon ever.

[@ozman528]

They are absolute crap. Ex owner. Never take one outback. NEVER buy one.

[@caryknapton7233]

​@ozman528 Well I have owned three, never broken down and left me stranded , been overland through the Kalahari desert though Namibia to the Skeleton Coast on the Atlantic and back. 6,000 miles in a single trip, I think that you can class that as overland.

[@CarswithNash]

Good stuff, except I would disagree about the '05 LR3 being unreliable, I own a high mile '05 HSE V8 and it has very few issues and it's very reliable.

[@kingrabbit101]

That old school traction management is insanely impressive compared to brand new “offroaders” whose traction management couldn’t get close to doing that without lockers. (Cough cough ineos)

[@jerrymyahzcat]

Actually the new traction management is better by far and often lockers aren’t needed at all. LR that is. Yes Ineos has rubbish traction management - might as well not have any.

[@user-vz8qv4tg9q]

When we get our ineos in July I would happy demonstrate how the defender will not do 10 percent of what the grenadier will do. You pick the trail. Phase 2 we add 35s and take on the Rubicon.

[@kingrabbit101]

@@user-vz8qv4tg9q did i say it cant do more?

[@clooperman3745]

@@user-vz8qv4tg9q Watch Ronny Dahl with 34" tires on his Grenadier, Looked at 35" tires but with the spare (35") the small rear door wouldn't have opened.

[@myauctionaddictionestatesa7451]

@@clooperman3745 Quite a few have 35s on and the spare fits, maybe its the brand. Sort of standard now, add a set of lift springs and go 35s. 37s will take a spare tire spacer, maybe I will grab one for the 35s to to be safe. I am planning 35s for a few years once we get ours. The concept of having 1 ton running gear, and heavy duty everything is so exciting.

[@SeanDuPhotographer]

I love how unique but understated the LR3 is. The size of glass is amazing. Not sure I'd trade my WK w/Hemi though.

[@selebalotsiu7139]

Until someone really drives them and realize no vehicle does anything better offroading than LR3

[@grahammarsden5847]

Only 76k its but a puppy I have a 2013 LR4 with 178k on the clock just done a 1500mile round trip to the Orkney islands' off Scotland and it couldn't have performed any better still on original engine , gearbox and suspension airbags I don`t want to trade up yet its such a great practical car and I reckon I would only get around £3k trade in

[@MrLordingit]

Where did you get 19inch bf goodrich tires for the D3? I have BF Goodrich KO2s on my Defender, but I can't find 19 inch bfgrich tires in the UK.

[@terryhayes9362]

Really like your videos on the Rocky Mountain bill climb You know what would fun Find a Series 1 and Series 2a and take them up there to compare to your LR3 and new Defender

[@robbinconner9061]

Really nice video

[@WW-wf8tu]

That's what I wanted to see when you were using it as a chase vehicle from picking up your Tesla yesterday. Thanks.

[@StephenFogarty2023]

Great video TFL Both of these vehicles have pros and cons… For just under $ 10 k, a good LR3, is a great vehicle, with a lot of breadth of capability… New Defender is a fantastic vehicle, and as u said, a big choice of body styles, engines, and models etc.. With regards to Safety. New Defender is built with the latest crash safety / occupant protection technology, along with the latest automatic / autonomous safety features etc…

[@Btn_Path]

TFL, what radio's do you guys use?

[@thadmachia9873]

Nice video!

[@TFLoffroad]

Thanks!

[@SteveHeil-tb7wg]

Should do a video with ceramic pro. Put on the paint protection film.

[@NonWokeVeteran]

My defender 90 with KO2’s is a unit

[@JackInDaBoxx]

I just bought a Discovery 3 "LR3" and you cant beat the good old school buttons and off road command centre on centre console compared to the defender. Id love to see a more "Aggressive" test / comparison between these vehicles

[@beyondthegreen6048]

Wait, you have the 6cyl defender with steelies?

[@jstokvis]

Excellent

[@scotto9712]

Where's the Grenadier? Love that suv

[@FrankyRedEyes]

They sold it a month ago to pay for the Ranger Raptor.

[@gamercuhhh2306]

More Land Rover content!

[@shakybottoms]

it'd be great to compare the new defender with the new range rover

[@harrison7070]

You guys should compare an old LR2 to a bronco sport be a cool comparison for small off-roaders

[@michaelhalstead64]

Anyone know the MSRP on the LR3 when it was new???

[@rodgood]

Time for on 04 Rubicon to 24 comparison . 2 door manual , you can do it .

[@richfarfugnuven6308]

The old LR3 is better...

[@danbear3054]

Does Tommy still have the jeep 2 door?

[@stevenhatchel4042]

The Defender with new KO3s on 18s would be a beast.

[@armymike11_]

Toyotas (MTS) Multi Terrain Select works as good as Land Rovers Terrain Response. Y’all don’t seem to mention it much on Toyotas. Would enjoy a comparison between the two systems.

[@PajEvo_Aus]

Bit of a stretch to call the defender the 'best offroader on the market' when you're driving it on tracks you can get a Camry through.

[@SavoyPrimeable]

A camry? Lmao shows how little you know about off roading.

[@lastplaceracing6540]

Roman dropping an F Bomb again 😅

[@TokyoOlympics2020]

What about versus Ineos?

[@garysarratt1]

“Elephant holes” 🤣

[@raymondallo9947]

Where should I go, Left or Right? Roman: Go right. Tommy: Turns left

[@davidthomas9267]

good luck on flat towing that new Defender if it breaks down!!

[@cunawarit]

The Disco (what you guys call the LR3) is probably the most popular off roading vehicles here in the UK (alongside the L318), I don't mean popular off road style vehicles, I mean the commonly seen vehicle green landing and off roading. They are darn good off road! I've never seen a new Defender green landing here in the UK, but I've seen plenty of JL Jeeps! So that tells you something about where Land Rover is going and how people see them. I mean who wants to off road with 20 inch wheels? And the Range Rovers are worse, sure the off road driving aids are really second to none, but the wheel choices are terrible for these SUVs now. They are more about the looks than off road performance.

[@Offensivebeast]

Get a good few people shaving down the calipers and putting smaller wheels on the new defenders and a few range rovers, once they depreciate the defenders will be all over the place like the disco 3 is now

[@donhappel9566]

To be fair, greenlaning is generally extremely mild off-roading. Spent a week in Wales with a nearly stock D90 (original, not current) and even with open difs and hard-as-a-rock 31" tires I was able to walk through the "hard" trails. Only once did I find a place that turned me back due to lack of a locker. It's fun and scenic; there's even a good chance of damage when you lean over against some ancient rock wall in a big rut, but finding a real challenge is itself a challenge. Sadly I didn't run into any other Rovers on the trails! Plenty of them on the roads and on farms at least. Of course, it was mid-week most of the time I was there so not as many people out playing (intentionally on my part...avoid crowds)

[@timoliver8940]

I also find the parking sensors a pain Offroad - it cannot be beyond the software engineers who developed TR2 and the other clever electronics to put in either a proper switch to inhibit them or to set them to mute when low range is engaged - just silence them so you can still get the visual warnings when you back up too close to an object Offroad.

[@sammarkie]

Roman dropping bombs! haha

[@Master-Blaster-4x4]

3:50 "FOR F**K SAKE"

[@MB-jz3uu]

I don't care if they bleep it or not, but don't they usually bleep stuff

[@lincolnmicahfox]

My LR3 does have automatic headlights, yours doesn't?

[@JFord44]

I thought the straight 6 Defender couldn’t get the white Steelies because of the required brake size? Don’t you have the Steelies on the Defender?

[@peterdelamare]

8:40 it’s an alloy steelie-lookalike

[@mistert1097]

Ineos vs defender seems like closest apples to apples you could do

[@kevinbarry71]

I'm eager to see if they can get to the end of the video without the defender being a lemon

[@matus201]

Why doesn't off-road mode turn parking sensors off? Doesn't make any sense.

[@jeffreyjones3616]

Helps you not hit stuff.... but you can tap the screen to turn off the beep

[@andreasgauckler3152]

All those off-road tests are with unloaded vehicles. The real challenge is when those vehicles are loaded to the max weight. And by the way, I highly doubt that the new Defender (and most other brands) would be able to survive the Camel Trophy which I consider the ultimate off-road test of all times.

[@MrLordingit]

I have a Td5 Defender, a Discovery 3 and a new Discovery Sport. All top spec. The new Defender should be a Discovery replacement. I can bolt stuff to the original Defender and have the wheels I want, unlike the new Defender.

[@QUguy]

13:39 mark, “Stabilization” working really hard. All my editors will get it. 😊

[@TheDefenderSisu]

I wish my 2020 Defender was a Deisel it sucks fuel when towing.

[@ccrews0612]

Would have preferred an apple to apple without the lockers on.

[@ickna2002]

I'll take the stock LR3 over a stock solid axel any day. You guys have taken a lifted WJ up this and it struggled way more then the land rover. Because without a locker the solid axles are not as good as the terrain response of the LR. I even have a lifted WJ without a locker and my LR3 will go more places then the WJ because the terrain response just figures it out where the WJ just spins two tires.

[@KeithKacanek]

1:34 I know you meant to say “gone completely *unibody* “

[@mccurdyplace4]

TFL'S LR3 VS Land Cruiser?

[@frankgarceau88]

Makes me love my jk with roll up windows even more!

[@-Jethro-]

Yes, when Tommy said his was basic, I had a laugh. My JKU has manual everything: Transmission, windows, mirrors, locks, etc.

[@C-M-E]

80K modern Land Rover with more electronics to fail and steel wheels?! Wow, times have changed, and reliability isn't exactly what older LR's are known for, but I'd Still vote older is easier. Nothing a V8 swap wouldn't solve. 😎

[@krover01]

The 4.4 v8 that came in the lr3 is by far the most reliable engine theyve used. Even today. I have 284k miles on mine. All original drivetrain.

[@krover01]

My 05 lr3 has 284k on it with original rear air suspension and original drivetrain.. Not sure why you think the 05s are less reliable. Nothing changed between 05 and 09

[@gkcamden9050]

With all the computers, complex systems, and various sophisticated engines in the modern Defender, it’ll never age into a good, affordable used vehicle like the LR3 and LR4. When it gets 6+ years old, it’ll steadily become unreasonably expensive and impractical to sustain. The sheer number of systems and ECUs will make maintaining it a nightmare. Yet, I’m sure JLR (Tata) is okay with that. They make excellent, high-performance vehicles. People love them. They’re not in business to sell long-lived vehicles. I have a 2013 LR4 with the 375 HP V8. It’s a fantastic value if you’re ok with maintaining a car without a warranty.

[@krover01]

The lr3 and 4 also have loads of computers. Especially compared to the D2. I love the look of the LR4, but timing chains are notorious for going bad.

[@gkcamden9050]

@@krover01 Yep. Like most used cars, LR4s have some issues. But they are well-known and documented. If the few known problems with the LR4 are addressed, they’re good used vehicles that are more comfortable, luxurious, and capable than most. If you (or the prior owner in my case) sort the timing chain issue, the normally aspirated Ford 5-liter V8 in the LR4 is solid, uncomplicated, and powerful. And yes, they have computers too, but my point is that the number of computers in new cars has exploded. The new Defender is a poster child of that complexity. Yet, if you’re going to try to eliminate all computers (not a bad idea but not easy either), you’re planning to drive something at least two decades old.  If you have the money, buy a new car and an extended warranty. If you’ve got a little less money and can afford one of the highly sought-after, reliable old cars, that’s awesome, but you’ll _still_ be sorting out general old car issues . . . or maybe you spend a lot on a vehicle with an LS swap. If you’ve got even less money, you _will_ be dealing with used car troubles of one kind or another. My biggest problem so far with my 11-year-old LR4 is that the AC isn’t cooling as well anymore, so I need to troubleshoot that.

[@jerrymyahzcat]

The new Defender has NOT gone Full body on frame. It has gone Fully Monocoque! Wow big error there. Yes it’s much stiffer. It has NO Ladder frame at all. I’d like to see you test the Discovery 5 up there too.

[@jdenmark1287]

He just misspoke.

[@fahdabdulaziz5067]

The Lexus gx550 can't defeat the defender off road without modifications. The defender has better off road angles and ground clearance.

[@zachlafond2652]

I'll just walk the trail and save all the money.

[@Ardventures]

Easy when you know

[@dcmtrader]

What happened to Tumbleweed. These are not challenging trails.

[@clooperman3745]

It definitely is not " for fudge sake " !!!

[@CarnutMM]

It’s all fun and games until the electrical issues start to happen.

[@fernandomartin624]

Unless it's a defender 90/110 from the late 90s v8 or diesel, I'd take a jeep any day of the week for off road. But they are pretty.

[@maureencora1]

2024 When Houston, TX Floods Give Me a Defender 110 V8... Just in Case.

[@jonathanperfitt9649]

Bulletproof Discovery 3 don’t make me laugh 😆

[@kevincurren9597]

72k, in the bank. Spend 8k to take you everywhere

[@theglitch99]

Will the new 80k unit be around in 15 yrs? Time will tell....

[@shauns06rubi]

Its made out of aluminum, so it can sit in a junk yard a long time lol. In all seriousness I hope they drop 70% in price in 10 years so I can get one.

[@Offensivebeast]

The new defenders are proving pretty solid in comparison to the rest of the LR lineup, so maybe and people do seem to really like them so they definitely will stay around.