Thread: Buying a MY12 defender.... honest help please

Originally Posted by solmanic

Just be aware that Defenders are really only 95% complete when they roll out of the factory. The owner usually has to endure the remaining 5% finishing off in the first few of thousand km of ownership. How arduous this is depends entirely on how good your dealer is.

Crap dealer = major hair loss and high blood pressure.
Good dealer = plenty of nice loan cars and hopefully a better vehicle at the end of the teething process.

Make sure you have no mission critical work for the new vehicle before the first service.

See thats what i just dont understand why im paying $60k...??? If i spend that much i shouldnt need to consider being in dealerships getting loan cars waiting on a fix and hoping for a better puma at the end......

IMO rebuid a County and invest on it $20000 will give you the best LR ever and you will have $40000 left in your account

My 2010 D90 is 2 years old and has done 50,000 km. No significant issues. I have owned Land Rovers for near on 40 years and have driven a quite a variety of other other makes. The current one is without a doubt, the best 4x4 by far.

Cheers
KarlB

Bought my 08 with 6000 Kms on it , drove it from Adelaide to Melbourne no issues. Over the next twelve months had three issues , 1) EGR replacement 2 ) Vacuum Pump replacement 3 ) clutch replacement ( my fault ) - all replaced under warranty. Yes a little frustrated , but no more frustrated than any other car that has had issues that I have owned. I drive it alot ( 120Km's at least a day ) and it is very reliable. I also did a 6000km roundtrip through the Simpson - up the hay river and down the finke track in July last year , and only issue It had was loose Bonnet which I fixed with some spring washers ( not supplied originally ) and when I got back LR resprayed top wing where bonnet was wearing on it under warranty again! So all in all a few issues , but I really like the car.

Thanks KarlB

No "signifficant issues" what were the insignificant ones....?

Under 100km there really shouldnt be any issues should there...

My 80 series 270k = 1 fuel pump
My Nj paj 320k = 1 alternator 1 cv joint (did the Gunbarrel 3 times)
My 03 Hilux 200k = .......... nothing
My Troopy 290k = ........ nothing
98 Tdi Disco 140k = many electrical, hoses and turbo (and this model i think was amongst the most reliable landy built)

Cars these days are different with all the modern elecs, but why oh why should we expect to encounter defender or puma problems, they all have troubles be it, water seals, electrics, diffs...

As i said I love the 110, please dont think this is a slander i just need some support in convincing myself that its a good thing.... In other words, my hearts in it but my head is telling me otherwise.

Im super glad to hear good stories, please keep them coming to restore some...... faith

Has anyone had dealings with Geelong or malvern dealers in vic? have they been supportive?

Thanks again, its a passion thing i get it, but my wallet isnt full of endless passion either

please send me some super good stories!!!

sorry i meant under 100k.....

If you've already committed by buying one, is not all this information after the fact?

How did you find your TDI Disco? If you've owned a Rover, you are probably going to be OK!

Seems the early Pumas were shockers, maybe OK now, but in all honesty you can talk to any new vehicle owner these days and horror stories seem to be owned by no particular marque - they're ubiquitous. And perhaps that explains why I am yet to meet any Puma owner who has not required warranty work of some description. And being an active member in 2 LR clubs, I know plenty. Build quality is not good, teething mechanical issues are commonplace.

That said, I'd never be rid of Grover. I love the darned thing! And it's fine now.

My experience has been it's best is to find a good independent service agent rather than use dealers. If you do need warranty items sorted, you have no choice, but for anything else you do.

Good luck with the new Defy.

Originally Posted by troyfyn

Thanks KarlB

No "signifficant issues" what were the insignificant ones....?

Issues so far:
Rubber door seal needed gluing back.
Transfer case oil seal replaced (recall).
A press fixing for internal body trim was missing on delivery.
Battery failed in one of the key fobs.


Current issues to be raised at the next service:
Radio keeps losing power (suspected internal power supply problem).
Small leak into passenger foot well when rain is heavy and prolonged.

Cheers
KarlB