Will I regret buying a new Defender?

Scott, unfortunately I think if you like the wife's Hyundai kind of reliability then probably don't go a puma. Stick with your 130 and keep on top of maintenance as others have mentioned.

If you do decide on a puma undoubtedly you will enjoy the new refinements, but it seems like a lucky dip as to weather you get the more serious warranty issues. Mine let me down badly initially, but has run as it should thereafter touch wood. And I do find it comforting LR seem to accept there are issues and don't try and fob them off as Japanese manufactures seem to.

It does not surprise me you are the only one in the district with a Defender. I have just driven 1400klm and passed only 3 other defenders, I can't tell you how many toyos and Nissans I passed. So rightly or wrongly I guess dealer presence in rural Australia is worth far more than a nation wide two truck service that LR have. Just depends on weather they accept there is a problem with there vehicle.

Landrover assist may have changed but when my disco was newish it did 3 trips on the back of a truck all of them over 60km. One was from Timber Creek to Kununurra seemed a long way at the time. LR assist paid them all even my accommodation. To me the lesson is that I will not get a new model for a year or two. If the new defender comes out in 2012 (I will not be holding my breath) and it is as good as every ones expectations then I would hold out until say 2014. Seems LR (& others) take a long time to iron out the bugs.

Another thumbs up for Puma. Firmly clutching the desk (wood) as I'm typing this!

Mine's a 2010 90 and coming up for it's first birthday in March/April as it was one of the first ones after the relaunch of the 90. It's had 2 services on the Corporate arrangement and nothing more. No additional visits to the dealer at all. I'm in Perth and the car has spent a lot of time in low range on the dunes and a local track known as the "power-lines" and all remains fine.

I have a little lash in the drive train, but no more than previous 300Tdi's and the 6 speed box is an absolute pleasure when touring (been up the West Coast a couple times).

I have to hang my head in shame and admit that I nearly bought a Patrol due to the lack of dealers, especially in WA, this after 16 years of Land Rover ownership! Luckily I saw the light in time and I absolutely love my Puma 90.

Good luck on the decision, but as others have said, the forum is mostly for discussing issues and advice on those and seldom represents the "trouble free' ones.

I have a 2010 130 Dual cab that has had some issues and LR assist have been more that helpful. Had vehicle towed to dealer from bottom of toowoomba range when an electrical problem arose. Wouldnt start and found a loose earth wire.
Had a couple of persistant oil leaks in rear diff pinion and after the 3rd seal the head mechanic decided to replace the flange and its been fine since. The other leak we thought was the front output on transfer case but after 2 seals the dealer mechanic had a closer look and found that it wasnt that seal at all, it was in fact the "o" ring where the hi-lo ratio levergoes into the top of transfer. picked up vehicle today 21/1/11 after 3 days without. The dealed offered me their loan car without hesitation, but i declined. (the lure of a xr8 ute was all too much:D)

Would i buy a new one
YES!!!!!!! wouldnt even think twice

Dave

I have just clocked up 70000Km in my Puma and love it
only little problems and the dealer has fixed with out any problems

17,000km on mine and it gets better to drive every day (esp. after 10,000km as it all loosens up). Tranny is much better, air vents are night-and-day, seats are better, better low down torque and driveability, better 1st and 6th gears = more relaxed towing and highway miles.

I've thought long and hard about what I'd buy instead, and as far as I can tell, I've eliminated Patrol (I'm a wagon man) as too cramped inside - esp. load area; 200 Series has multiple issues but esp. no live front axle and questionable electrics; LC76 as only has 5 speeds and leaf spring agricultural ride. The new G-Wagen is tempting - or not - who would be mad enough to spend $180k on a better built version of a Defender?

So the only options I'm left with (not that I'm looking but maybe in the future) are:

1. 80 or 100 series Land Cruiser - probably the last proper cruisers - but still cramped (I have 4 kids)

2. Custom built OKA or similar - effectively an Isuzu or Merc diesel and drive train on an offroad body (it's not as expensive as you think esp. when paying Discovery $)

3. Keep the Puma and when the drive train is clapped out, get Bruce Davis to put a TDV6 engine and manual box in there (he's already started working on a conversion, and there are several UK guys doing it). By then Bruce will have the 3.0 twin turbo or V8 diesel from Rangie. $10-12k may sound expensive but look at the $ we're taling about here for the upgrade - similar ballpark !

Just my 2 penneth...

My X Tech wagon is the colour I like,has most of the extra's I want as standard and the on road cost is 5 grand cheaper than the yard price of a cruiser.Win all round for me. Pat

Hi all,

Has the driving/comfort factor improved on the new Defenders?

I drove the old man's Td5 on a long trip and just found it rev'd far too high, used an unacceptable amount of fuel, aircon hardly breaths anything, and really was just not a comfortable vehicle to drive on 10hrs trips

Have they fixed the rear sliding windows rattling?

Incidently, it was the only vehicle on our Cape York trip last year not to break something (3x patrols including 2x 4.2 diesels)

phippsey,

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it rev'd far too high

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The top gear six speed box makes 100 kmh+ cruising easy and relatively quiet in 6th gear. The torque delivered by the motor at 2000 to 2200 rpm means that changing down to lower gears is a rare requirement.

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used an unacceptable amount of fuel

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Any speed over 100km/h will hit the Defenders aerodynamic wall and fuel consumption will increase. My Puma engined Defender will get about 11l/100km at this pace.

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....aircon hardly breaths anything

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This is the greatest comfort improvement...the AC works very well..at least for those sitting up front.

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.....not a comfortable vehicle to drive on 10hrs trips

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10 hrs is a long stint in any vehicle. I find the Defender more comfortable to drive in a long stint than most cars that I have driven.

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Have they fixed the rear sliding windows rattling?

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At least on mine I have not had this problem...I don't think that LR has changed anything in this department with the "new" ones.

Would I buy another one?

I don't need to.

Hope this helps

Cheers for theh prompt reply.

In the end I'll just have to ask a dealer to take one for a drive, but don't want to waste their time (and all the follow up calls etc) if it is just the old model with better AC :D

The new 'cruiser is prob just as uncomfortable - but the thought of V8 power is nice :twisted: but then you see the price tag :eek:

If only they made a disco that was live axle and a slight bit bigger. I have a S1 V8i and is such a pleasure to drive, even 12+yrs old.

The 6 speed and the new interior caught my eye - a bit disapointing the only still produce 90kw - 100-110kw would just give that extra nudge.

Are they any mods you can do that don't stuff warrenty up??

On my patrol the 3in exhaust + new turbo made the car a different machine, with better fuel economy to boot.

The old man's Td5 was averaging around 15L/100km doing 110-115kph (110 zone) which was about par with my 4.2 patrol

I had met a guy who had a 2008 that had a world of troubles, so just goes to show there are good ones and bad eggs.

Old man had a Hilux many years ago on the farm and just nothing but trouble - I guess put together by the apprentice on a Friday arvo after being hung over :cool::twisted: