Thread: 2012 defender worth buying?

Originally Posted by 242stickman

From what we heard it had trouble going into gear or something like that...
Either way it doesnt matter, i have to say im still pretty keen on the defender. Just love how its like massive old sierra like i used to own back when.

Still not sure about reliability everyone keeps saying iffy things about landrover....

Well Stickman, very simply stay away from these iffy things then...

2008 Puma. Three years and 20000km on 4WD trips only (not used much around town) all good

Originally Posted by ericvv

Owning and driving a DEF as daily vehicle is a way of life. A DEF is something you "want" to live with, and you take the good with the bad. If you broke down on a test drive, so what? Best, Eric

Perfectly put Eric! It's a vehicle you have to want to own, I've had mine for 14 months now, no problems and she has personality. I had a new Hilux before I got the Defender and although a very well made and reliably car it was just dull to own

Defender=Salad sandwich with mayo
Hilux=cheese sandwich no marg
both will satisfy your hunger but i know which one i would rather eat

Mine is an '08 110 so take from that what you will.

Ive had multiple diffs and clutches replaced, a replaced steering box, multiple hub seals replaced, multiple aircon issues, noisy turbo issues, multiple replacment of folding rear seat mechanisms, replaced stereo, replaced clock , replaced door actuators, replaced rear faulty demister, replaced all inner door water seals, all outer door seals multiple times. Multiple attempts at fixing leaks from the roof, all doors, from under the dash, from the join where the tub meets the frame above it, the alpine windows, the rear window, the front window. Removing trim panels revealed bolts were not fastened or tightened from factory. Been back twice for two seperate handbreak recalls and it still does not hold, I've experienced all power loss at highway speeds several times, have had the car jump out of gear several times, have not been able to get it to engage 4wd, remote not work without a modification to the receiving ariel, and had a door handle come off in my hand! These are some but not all of the the issues I've had. Some are minor, some are not but there has been a lot of them.

I bought mine knowing any issues would be fixed under warranty; what I did not expect was the amount of issues I would have, the outright lying about work done and at times the poorest quality of workmanship ive ever experienced.The damaging of my car multiple times by hamfisted dealership mechanics resulting in panel beating and respraying of panels inside and out, replaced linings, and replaced car seat covers.

It has been an extremely trying experience but I finally found a service manager who has been able to fix nearly all of the issues and I believe my car is possibly now sorted. I got it back from the last round of repairs about a week ago and so far so good. I have finally been able to take it camping and offroad and have loved every minute of the car.

If I had known what was ahead of me i wouldn't have bought it. Conversely, If mine hadn't had the issues it did and if i didnt have to go through the dealership wringer, I am sure i would have offered my first born to LR for the joy my defender would have brought me.

Buy one, but know that if yours turns out like mine then ownership is not for the faint hearted. If it does have issues find the right service manager, it makes all the difference. What has definately saved my sanity and seen me through to the end is the invaluable advice freely given from very helpful and knowledgable people here and at several independent workshops that deal with defenders a lot. The community is unlike any I've experienced.

Originally Posted by alittlebitconcerned

remote not work without a modification to the receiving ariel,

Sorry, not to hijack the thread but can you please tell me what this modification is and how to do it? I notice my remote only works when in standing on top of the doors.. If I'm at the front or back the remotes won't work.

Thanks

Morning All
I have had 4x Jackroos, 3 x rodeos, hilux's, 75 Rangie, Disco 300tdi, series 2a (Ralph) and S3 (Smeg) and various other 4wd's + a minimoke. I know a guy who does vehicle electronic diagnostics and he reliable informs me that there is no trouble free vehicle out there. "Allegedly" Pusluxes are having trouble with electronics, Colorado's (petrols) are having problems with stretch timing belts, 200 series Toymota's wont go into top gear when towing, Prado's cracking firewalls around steering columns, great walls falling to pieces on the way home from dealerships, Tritons destroying injectors from too high fuel rail pressure and Rangers/BT50's doing turbo's at 120ks(mine was faultless though). Just sold the Ranger and ordered a new 2.2 110 Deefer and cannot wait to pick it up. It was supposed to be here 29/12, but as I am here typing on the donculator and not out in the great outdoors putting it through it's paces you know it hasnt happened yet. Eric is dead right, these are a lifestyle vehicle, even when I am out driving Smeg (S3) the looks I get from the general public are great and other Solihull's finest driver's regardless of what model they drive ( except for the stuck up minority of Range Rover sports drivers, but definately not all of them) wave, say hello, give you the thumbs up, want to stop and have a chat by the side of the road. If you want a perfect vehicle, then buy a good pair of shoes and walk, cause it aint out there.

Cheers Ian

Originally Posted by Evil90

Sorry, not to hijack the thread but can you please tell me what this modification is and how to do it? I notice my remote only works when in standing on top of the doors.. If I'm at the front or back the remotes won't work.

Thanks

If the vehicle is new suspect the battery in the remote and get the dealer to replace it. Mine was a problem when new. That is not to say that the reciever aerial for the remote can't be improved. It most certainly can but I could not be bothered, mine works well enough with a decent battery.

Cheers
KarlB

Originally Posted by Evil90

Sorry, not to hijack the thread but can you please tell me what this modification is and how to do it? I notice my remote only works when in standing on top of the doors.. If I'm at the front or back the remotes won't work.

Thanks

Here you go.

Defender2 - View topic - Alarm remote receiver wire extension.