Wanted! Defender Horror Stories

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Originally Posted by Taipan

The split radiator assembley & coolant expansion tank was cause by a faulty expandsion pressure cap and it will cost $2800 to remove, and reconnect a new one. The Transfer Box Assembly was discover during the repairs, and it might have been cause by some extreme 4wding done last month but not certain.

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Thats because your hand brake sits below the chassis rails. Puma's are not made to go 4wding.

Thanks, you've convinced me not to make the big mistake.

Horror Stories
I tow N.R.M.A break downs in the last three years I have towed patrols and cruisers at the rate of one every second day at least.land rover type
may be one every two weeks mostly starter,alt,water pumps
defenders
1.. for welsh plug
1..for lift pump
1..for Tow flat tyres
1..for rego
not bad for three years
Thats why I bought a defender and I get towing for free

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Originally Posted by Taipan

Honestly, I would say go for it.

Sadly I would have to increase my debt to cover these repairs, but I love the Defender. If you can afford it buy it new, if not and you are handy
working on your vehichle go for a older model.

As I love my Puma, but sometimes I miss my old Series 3 '73 109 GS ExArmy LR as it was easy to repair it yourself.

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Thanks maaate...appreciate the honest reply..

ab

Here's my horror story... I've had two County 110 wagons. They each used to cost between $5k (good year) and $9k (bad year) to keep on the road - and that's just repairs.

The horror story ended when I went down to the dealer and bought a Puma.

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Originally Posted by dobbo

Puma's are not made to go 4wding.

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Sorry dobbo but I have to disagree. Having had both (have you?), my opinion is that the Puma is more capable off road than the Counties. On sand. On rock. In mud. There was an overlap period where we used to take both the Puma and County out so we had a direct side-by-side comparison since my wife and I would swap cars regularly. The Puma is a pleasure to drive. It has more clearance. I can comfortably sit on 110km/h all day. I can even accelerate. The aircon works. I don't damage my hearing every time I drive somewhere. The Puma doesn't want to wander all over the road. I don't have to top up the oil when driving between Sydney and Melbourne. In remote areas I am no longer worrying what will break down next.

In comparison to the Puma the Counties were a horror story and I'd never go back to a County - unless my only other choice wasn't a 110!

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Originally Posted by RVR110

Here's my horror story... I've had two County 110 wagons. They each used to cost between $5k (good year) and $9k (bad year) to keep on the road - and that's just repairs.

The horror story ended when I went down to the dealer and bought a Puma.



Sorry dobbo but I have to disagree. Having had both (have you?), my opinion is that the Puma is more capable off road than the Counties. On sand. On rock. In mud. There was an overlap period where we used to take both the Puma and County out so we had a direct side-by-side comparison since my wife and I would swap cars regularly. The Puma is a pleasure to drive. It has more clearance. I can comfortably sit on 110km/h all day. I can even accelerate. The aircon works. I don't damage my hearing every time I drive somewhere. The Puma doesn't want to wander all over the road. I don't have to top up the oil when driving between Sydney and Melbourne. In remote areas I am no longer worrying what will break down next.

In comparison to the Puma the Counties were a horror story and I'd never go back to a County - unless my only other choice wasn't a 110!

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It's nice to see a reply based on fact not opinion or hearsay. Pat

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If someone said to you

"hey dude I'm thinking of getting a 2011 defender"

WHAT would you say back..honestly ?????

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I'd say buy it....
2007 Stornoway with loving bush paint work
- 97 thou and still a pleasure to drive.

Issues:
Rear door bolts
Clutchs by 3 (1 flywheel seperation - 1 replaced because the EGR squeak was diagnosed as clutch) So on 3rd one.
EGR Valve Sticking
Radio - CD was faulty
Rear Diff - noise
Rear seat (single) latch sticking - seat replaced

Now thats on a vehicle that has done hard mileage in mud, on rocks and in sand but also 50% town commute.:D SWMBO will not give it over to me without a fight.:(

Doesnt burn oil, loose oil or need much TLC - just the odd wash and grease up. Tows fantastic and the 1tonne payload plus the towning capabilty makes it un believeable.

Off road it goes just about everywhere the Lifted and locked JK Wrangler does - but sometimes it does it better. The JK is just MORE FUN to drive....

No horror story and its better than the bitsamissin, pwado, or poo-trols we have had the misfortune of owning prior.

Needs new springs and shocks but after 100k I see that as fair wear.....

I've just done 5,500 km out far west and back....on rough roads where most vehicles (when you see them) are Toyota work horses.

The prospect of having the vehicle taken to the nearest LR dealer probably 1000 km away if something goes wrong is daunting. Not a worry: not one LR related problem encountered.

My co-driver had never driven the Defender before but had driven a Troopy remarked at the Defenders capability and comfort.

I wouldn't do it any other way.

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Originally Posted by PAT303

It's nice to see a reply based on fact not opinion or hearsay. Pat

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Are all replies in the negative heresay or opinion?

No.But how many times have people replied on how bad a particular model is even tho they have never owned one?.The puma is not designed for the bush because the handbrake is an inch lower????,give me a break. Pat

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Originally Posted by PAT303

No.But how many times have people replied on how bad a particular model is even tho they have never owned one?.The puma is not designed for the bush because the handbrake is an inch lower????,give me a break. Pat

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Pretty often I guess. More often (i hope) are the comments based on direct personal experience that are not dismissed off hand as being nonsense.