Thread: New Defender reliability?

Originally Posted by Naks

Was there a string of cracked 130 chassis when used for commercial applications a couple of years ago?

yes i believe so, but the loads concerned and the duty cycle was pretty extreme, i was talking about the damage caused to tritons and couriers etc with relatively little hard work. they are just so light duty

one only has to look at the difference in chassis channels to be amazed at how weak the small jap utes are when actually called on to do some hard work

jc

LR replaced the original clutch (2010) with a new one (version 2) in June 2012 after I complained at length about the rattle.

In December the new clutch started rattling very softly. I asked them to replace with the post-August 2012 version 3 clutch and they refused, saying they could not hear the rattle.

After I got back from holidays, I sent a strongly-worded email to LRSA's complaints department asking them why they want to wait for my clutch to fail (probably in the middle of nowhere) before replacing it.

They arranged for me to take it to LR Stellebosch for a proper assessment. Vehicle went in yesterday and they just called to say that after removing the clutch and visually inspecting it, they are indeed going to replace it.

So looks like a Puma's clutch only lasts between 2000 - 3000km

hey whist on this topic, what do peoples immobilisers do.
My first version was best for me was best. Locked was locked, unlocked was unlocked, hop in and turn key and away she goes. Just like a normal or older car was.
My replaced version is similar, but if the car has sat for 1 minute I have to unlock the immobiliser again with the fob before turn key. If I don't it beep beeps at me. It does this with the key in or out of the ignition.
The dealer tells me it's working as it should, but it a pita as well.

Originally Posted by akelly

Thanks Jason - great to get some perspective from the other camp, so to speak.

The main thing with the current beast is... well, I don't really know! It does the job, needs a few little things sorted like getting cruise fitted, better insulation in the roof (heat) and floor (noise)... But I guess they are Defender issues, so what am I on about?

Honestly, I think I just want a new car... Although with the way things are going at the moment I might stick with this one (owes me nothing) and see what plays out with the mines over the next 12 months. There are better/other things to drop cash into right now...

Hmmm. You've all given me food for thought. As always, what a bloody great asset this forum is!

Cheers,

Adam

I am very surprised that anyone would go out and buy a new Defender after reading this thread. I am a Land Rover fan but if I was you Adam I would stay well away from a Puma. Keep the 2a mate, it will be a better investment if you spend the money needed to make it how you want it rather than the best part of 60k on a Puma. At least you will know what you have after sorting out the 2a.

It is really satisfying when you pull up in something of the 2a's vintage next to the current crop of Defenders, Land Cruisers and Patrols on the Canning Stock Route, Gunbarrel etc. The 2a is the way to go and you can fix most things yourself too. Spend 10k on the 2a and you will have a brilliant Land Rover that will give you years more pleasure.

Regards Warrick.

Originally Posted by wpalmo

I am very surprised that anyone would go out and buy a new Defender after reading this thread. I am a Land Rover fan but if I was you Adam I would stay well away from a Puma. Keep the 2a mate, it will be a better investment if you spend the money needed to make it how you want it rather than the best part of 60k on a Puma. At least you will know what you have after sorting out the 2a.

It is really satisfying when you pull up in something of the 2a's vintage next to the current crop of Defenders, Land Cruisers and Patrols on the Canning Stock Route, Gunbarrel etc. The 2a is the way to go and you can fix most things yourself too. Spend 10k on the 2a and you will have a brilliant Land Rover that will give you years more pleasure.

Regards Warrick.

I can see your point but
coils, air con, power ster, 100km/h cruise every where, conversation, music, dont cook with vehicle floor heat...well not to much. The Tdci does have good points when it's finally been worked through.
I can say the S1 gets me home everytime, but there always seems to be some tinkering along the way, or definitely when it gets home. I have mates who want to do the Simpson in a Series, if we do, I'm trucking mine to the start line.

107 S1 or 130 Tdci? Give me the 107 Series One every day. You are a lucky man Jason to own such a fabulous vehicle. I love Series One Land Rovers but I can see the attraction for the Tdci. I just think it is very poor for a vehicle that has been in production for over 60 years to end up at this point of it's evolution being as prone to annoying problems and dealer warranty claims as the Puma seems to be.

I do like the Defender because of it's heritage and strong visual links to the Series vehicles it has evolved from however I was extremely disappointed to read this thread. I don't think it is good enough to purchase a new vehicle in 2013 and have the sorts of problems that Puma owners are listing in the above comments. I don't read Toyota and Nissan forums but I would be surprised if owners of new Japanese 4wd's are consistently experiencing these types of issues with their, "still under warranty", vehicles. Happy to be proved wrong though.

It must be costing Land Rover a small fortune to fix these issues under warranty! Hopefully the last run of the current shaped Defenders have these recurring problems sorted out.

Regards Warrick.

Ummm, I am looking at upgrading my D1 to either a 06 or 09 defender and reading this thread concerns me, are these issues mentioned related to the Tdci or basically any defender? Is the Td5 a better option?

Originally Posted by pawl

Ummm, I am looking at upgrading my D1 to either a 06 or 09 defender and reading this thread concerns me, are these issues mentioned related to the Tdci or basically any defender? Is the Td5 a better option?

Drive them both and see.TD5's have their own list of things to check (as do all cars).

As for reliability of the Puma, it appears most of the issues are build quality related and seem to be addressed by the first owner over the first couple of years. A 2009 should be pretty well sorted by now.