Thread: Just "Defender" or bad quality?

Originally Posted by newhue

nugge t, if you are talking about a Brisbane dealer which I expect you are, than I agree you can do better. Mine showed up on a tilt tray with 1200klm on the clock, not a mention of a replacement vehicle, and I was too dumb to ask. Two weeks later after I was over supporting LR's warranty with my fathers vehicle, mine miraculously was fixed.

It went back to where I bought it from on the Gold Coast, also on a tilt tray with 1500klm on it, but there was a loaner waiting ready to go, and a very different attitude.

I found Brisbane to be exactly as you have experienced, vague and uninterested. They didn't even call me back when I was wanting (not looking) to buy. I had just spent an hour and a half with the salesman, had gone home for an hour and rang back with a general question about tray and style side options and the call was never returned, go figure. I have a good friend who purchased a VWGT from the same dealer's collection of brands and had similar experiences.

On the other hand, I have found GC to be very willing to get to the bottom of issues, apologetic, and knowledge of the Defender excellent. Poor buggers must be embarrassing dealing with Land Rovers some days. They also had to deal with LRA please explain from my comments about the Brisbane dealer. It appears LRA can't get that bit right either.

I do wonder is I have made the wright choice, I really like driving this car, and I think the LR family is great. But on the build quality side of things it does have me concerned about our hopeful lap around this nation. Time will prove if I have made the write choice.

Remember the fist to loose his cool looses, so cool, calm, and uncomfortably honest when dealing with LRA. Hopefully we will all end up with better Defenders in the future.

I had a similar experience with the same Brisbane dealer - seemed totally uninterested in selling me a vehicle. I will try Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast.

Dave G

Originally Posted by davidgate

I had a similar experience with the same Brisbane dealer - seemed totally uninterested in selling me a vehicle. I will try Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast.

Dave G

So none of the numerous threads about Defender unreliability have discouraged you then?
Wagoo.

Lots of people haven't had problems either. Pat

Originally Posted by PAT303

Lots of people haven't had problems either. Pat

Yeah and lots of people buy a 4wd for duties that a Mini could perform too.
Wagoo.

Originally Posted by wagoo

So none of the numerous threads about Defender unreliability have discouraged you then?
Wagoo.

I am concerned but nevertheless still have a strong interest. I am buying it for touring not shopping.

In any case, what is the current assessment amongst forum members of the reliability of the current model Defender? I know there is a long history of issues but is the current model any improvement?

Regards

Dave G

I probably shouldn't be speaking here, as at this stage (22,000km) about all I have wrong is a loose door handle on the passengers side. Ok, a small water leak above a door and a clunk when changing gears, but thats it. These will be addressed (hopefully) by the Sydney dealer when it goes down soon.
I think that you have to take into consideration the issues that aren't discussed on this site regarding the "alternative" vehicles. Nissan have had horrendous engine issues, Toyota, ever so reliable in the past have Landcruiser problems - and from what we hear, are dreadful to deal with on warranty problems. I had an HSE D3 TDV6 and at 100,000 kms, the dealer reckoned my gearbox was faulty and LRA changed it without hesitation. I must say that frustration and anger come to the surface (and rightly so) after spending hard earned money on a new vehicle. My theory is, it is only as good as the service provided by the dealer; many are three quarters motherless and couldn't care and also do not have the knowledge to perform or even understand what is going on. The saddest thing about Landrover is that there are not enough centres about to be able to take your pick. No competition means no service and also means travelling to get what you want. If I get the same service that I had before from the Sydney dealer, then I am happy. My experience with a country dealer was not good to say the least - and I bought my D3 from him - possibly the dearest car he sold that year. Told fibs and just didn't do what he said he would and he was the boss of the place!

Whilst fitting my Ex-Box..see members rides thread...I found a couple of things which just show LR's lack of attention to detail and quality control.

The central locking wire come through the back of the box under the drivers seat in to the cavity which holds relays, fuse box and the ABS box. The grommet around the wires thus sealing the hole from water, was on the outside of the box....not part way out but all the way out...would have maybe worked as a float, but sure as hell not as a seal.

The I found this...



Any wire passing over a metal edge is going to cause grief at some point so I'll do what LR should have done and cover it in corrugated tube. The wire was actually quite tight across 2 metal edges..LR probably thought it was a good way to save a zip tie!!!!

I haven't had a major problem..I have some concerns especially about driveline but there jsut seem to be a miriad of loose ends. Some one once told me that the best way to get a good Land rover was to buy a new one, strip it down and then re-build it to the correct tolerances...he is starting to sound like a genius Off to Autobarn to get some corrugated tube!

A tip,don't ever use corrugated tube ever.Use soft hose only and cable tie it everywhere,mores better and seal it with heat shrink at each end. Pat