Advice on my new 90

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Originally Posted by wpalmo

Hi Wade,

Unfortunately these vehicles are gaining "lemon" status mate and if you have a look through the forum there are many threads that document consistent recurring problems with Puma Defenders and poor service from many of the Land Rover dealerships around Australia.

Have a read through the thread's titled "New Defender reliability?", "Life of Puma Rear Diff's" and more recently "Some Puma 90 Niggles and Frustrations (Warranty)". They are all on this forum and are accounts of the frustrations and problems experienced by Puma Defender owners.

My advice to you is to look for a dealer who has been recommended by a Defender Puma owner before you even think about the accessories to fit to it because you will get to know your dealer very well by all accounts. Diffs, gearboxes, fuel pumps, injectors are the tip of the iceberg unfortunately and from many of the accounts on this forum, some Land Rover dealerships will slow track the fix time claiming they are waiting for parts or specialised tools from the UK before they can repair the vehicle.

Good luck with your new purchase.

Regards Warrick.

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There's certainly a lot of benefit to getting a decent dealer - makes life a lot easier. Sounds like you've had a pretty rough trot with your Puma.

Ok Warrick, I just spent the last 7 hours or so reading all those posts, I also read the lemon law posts referred to on bout page 5 or so of the "new defender reliability" one .. I think n plus one has nailed it .. It is 100% to do with the service and mechanic .. I have bought a few brand new cars, the most recent being a Holden rodeo where I had a front cv spontaneously shatter driving through a puddle in a storm, Holden found, under warranty, that there was significant metal fatigue on the inner cv, caused by ...??? So they fixed it .. 3 wks later I went to engage 4wd .. Flashing sotf lights and nothing .. Turns out the actuator decided to have a drink as well .. **** happens right .. All cars have issues .. At that point that car had not gone off road .. Since then it has been fine except that only 3 bolts held the radiator intercooler on .. The little Thai man must have gone home and forgot the last one .. The difference between a good car and a **** one is the warranty period .. U have three years to smash it as hard as u can to find all the weak spots .. After that it should be fine ..

Thanks for the input, though short of me losing my job, I'm pretty sure I'm set on a defender 90 ..

Wade

The only issue I have had is the radiator hose getting rubbed through from incorrect fitment of the clamp. I was lucky it happened in Melbourne before I headed up to Townsville towing a trailer. The Land Rover Assist was excellent and the dealer in Port Melbourne returned it ASAP. I was stuck doing a removal with a trailer I couldn't move so they gave me a rental to move it to a friends place. If you are going to Salary Sacrifice ensure you get the corporate program which includes servicing. My only real gripe with the 90 is the due tank size. My last car was a Patrol. I have fitted the tanks from Mulgo now and i have the two jerries carrier from Rijidij. I love my 90. It is very special to drive. It tows well and goes anywhere.