Thread: My new Puma - good news and bad

Originally Posted by eddiec

I've installed drivesafe's dual battery kit to our Defender and I don't see any reason why you couldn't install this in such a way as to relatively quickly remove it if/when it needed a service. Might be quicker to do so if the battery was in a box in the back (although I don't know if the longer cable run would cause problems with charging), but I'm sure with a little creativity you could mount the battery + drivesafe's kit in a box in the boot and just linked up to the battery with some wingnuts...

Then when the warranty's out you can just migrate it back to the front and make it a bit more permanent.

That's the sort of thing I was thinking. Thanks Eddie. I've bought the second battery already (Optima yellow top) and have received advice that I could just charge it from a cigarette lighter, ensuring I disconnect it whenever I stop. I'm a little dubious. A longer run to a proper isolator is preferable if it can be done effectively and without the need to drill otherwise unnecessary holes.

I'm pretty annoyed that they're being so stubborn about the whole thing. I also get the impression that anyone who isn't buying a RR or D4 is considered a bit of a waste of time. I would have thought that things would be easier.

I could just say stuff you all and do what I like and hope for the best, but firstly I am getting a corporate deal with free scheduled servicing which would be foolish to jeopardise, and secondly I fully expect to encounter issues over the first three years which will see me back at the dealer and I don't need a fight on my hands when I get there.

Why so difficult?

Don't suppose there is another dealer that isn't too out of the way??

Originally Posted by nugge t

Don't suppose there is another dealer that isn't too out of the way??

Ah the joys of life in WA.

Two dealers. One owner.

Albany 400km as the crow flies.

Otherwise Port Lincoln at roughly 2200km.

I’d consider an east coast dealership as I’m never averse to a good road trip and all my family are over there (in fact I’m already planning a lengthy trip that way mid-2011), but I’m locked in now anyway with deposit paid and delivery date confirmed.

I have an 07 Def with dual battery fitted plus other bits and pieces and never had an issue with warranty claims. Have you tried contacting LRA directly to confirm what the dealer is saying?

Originally Posted by jc109

Ah the joys of life in WA.

Two dealers. One owner.

Albany 400km as the crow flies.

Otherwise Port Lincoln at roughly 2200km.

I’d consider an east coast dealership as I’m never averse to a good road trip and all my family are over there (in fact I’m already planning a lengthy trip that way mid-2011), but I’m locked in now anyway with deposit paid and delivery date confirmed.

If you fitted a snorkel you could make Johannesburg an alternative

Originally Posted by nugge t

If you fitted a snorkel you could make Johannesburg an alternative

Well I was once a submariner, and the skills are still fresh. How much harder could it be?

I will take the advice from anotehr poster and look to another dealer in teh new year ...in my case it is a a mere 200kms but I suspect will be worth the extra effort.

Thought you might be interested in the response receieved today from LRA. They seem much more comfortable with the idea...

"Thank you for your email in relation to putting on after market accessories onto a Land Rover Defender.
Land Rover Australia provides many approved genuine accessories that can be fitted to your vehicle by an Authorised Land Rover Dealership that will not affect your new car warranty in anyway.

"However if you choose to fit an after market non approved accessory and have it installed by a Non Authorised Dealership any problems that arise to your vehicle that can be attributed to either the fitting of or installtion of a non -approved accessory may void that portion of your warranty, however it does not nescessarily void your entire warranty.

"This is due to non approved accessories having not been tested and approved by Land Rover and as such may have unknown affects to the operation of your vehicle.

"I hope this serves to answer your query however, if you wish to discuss the matter further then please don’t hesitate to contact me on the number below, Monday to Friday, 08:00 till 18:00 (EST)."

This leaves far more wiggle room than the dealer would have had me believe. As I said earlier, I have no interest is p***ing the dealer off unnecessarily, but come on! No mods whatsoever?