Thread: Just "Defender" or bad quality?

Originally Posted by wagoo

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

We can't all be hero's mate. Pat

Originally Posted by PAT303

It's not sealing it's the corrugated tube thats the problem.Because it's split lengthways it fills with dirt and combined with the uneven tube surface it causes the wires to rub through. Pat

Have not had that happen to me in the past but I'll see what I can do..anything is going to be better than what LR have dished up. Cheers

Originally Posted by davidgate

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

Well Dave that is hard to answer. I am happy with mine at the moment but it is also running well. It has had one significant and several minor problems all fixed by warranty, but also all a inconvenience for work vehicle, or any vehicle for that matter.

I ran a similar question to yours past a salesman regarding Defender reliability and comments on forums. He passed it off as you only get the people having problems on the forums. All the happy users don't bother with forums because they are off enjoying their cars. Some truth to it I guess, but I think buying a car is really luck of the draw. As you are aware many people have issues no matter what brand or model they choose.
Cars are disposable assets these days. Dealers (some) have no interest in service or making you feel special about your disposable asset. It's just a transaction in a modern world, which market size keeps producing new cliental. Warranty is 3 years because most people on average turn over the vehicle then. Give it another 3 to 6 years and the cars ready for scrap.

I hope to drive this car for 20+ years, somehow I don't think government legislation will let me.

I think if you like the vehicle and it meets your needs, buy it, and just hope you have a reasonable car with minimal issues.

Originally Posted by PAT303

We can't all be hero's mate. Pat

What with pi$$weak diffs, halfshafts and cvs made from chocolate, sus engine/trans etc, plus a body constructed from cooking foil, one wouldn't need to be much of a hero to kill a current Defender in the environment they were supposedly designed for.
Yes, some of the other iconic brands are having problem too, but i'm willing to bet that the fleet purchasing departments of the large mining and construction companies and other organisations that depend on vehicle reliability to get the job done would be extremely reluctant to consider Defenders,even on a free trial basis.
Take your Rover blinkers off Pat, you know better.
wagoo.

Before you blokes take the gloves off......

Pat you might want to send LR a copy of your suggestion re corrugated tube....They obviously should be giving themselves an uppercut...



The lines have connectors in them so tomorrow I am taking the corrugated tube off and replacing it with heater hose with heat shrink ends as well as covering the section which started it!

Originally Posted by nugge t

Before you blokes take the gloves off......

Pat you might want to send LR a copy of your suggestion re corrugated tube....They obviously should be giving themselves an uppercut...



The lines have connectors in them so tomorrow I am taking the corrugated tube off and replacing it with heater hose with heat shrink ends as well as covering the section which started it!

Have you had a look at the way the wiring is draped across the brake booster thingy,under the bonnet and the way it is also draped over the rear axel to the rear wheels,maybe ABS wiring?
Tried to get the air filter out yet?,& it goes on & on.
Disgraceful,to say the least

Tidied up the ABS wiring today. Decided to do a 50-50. I left the original cover so that LRA couldn't claim what I had done caused a problem, but enclosed the offending section in some heater hose and sealed it with heat shrink. Waiting for some push in zip tie holders and then I will use hte original fixing points. The joiner is under the red heat shrink.

Originally Posted by wagoo

What with pi$$weak diffs, halfshafts and cvs made from chocolate, sus engine/trans etc, plus a body constructed from cooking foil, one wouldn't need to be much of a hero to kill a current Defender in the environment they were supposedly designed for.
Yes, some of the other iconic brands are having problem too, but i'm willing to bet that the fleet purchasing departments of the large mining and construction companies and other organisations that depend on vehicle reliability to get the job done would be extremely reluctant to consider Defenders,even on a free trial basis.
Take your Rover blinkers off Pat, you know better.
wagoo.

Wagoo,if you don't like Tdi's,Td5's or Puma's there's no need to constantly remind us of it.Yes they aren't as good,we all know that and we all want Sals rear ends and the TDV6 engine but they don't have them so thats it.I also like wearing my Rover blinkers because in the last 13 years I've had four Rovers and five Tojo's and the Rovers are winning four-one. Pat