Thread: Defender Puma 2.2 - voice your issues

Rmpatti,

I've had my share of issues with Land Rover dealers over the years in South Africa, Regional Central Africa and the UK and I have been very surprised and impressed by the dealer who has looked after my 90 for the past 3 years here in Perth.

I've had corporate service though and the dealers pricing structure will most probably have me using an independent service centre going forward.

Having said that this service does differ from dealer to dealer but don't be too surprised if some of the feedback does advise you towards one of the main dealers.

Cheers,

Lou

On the Tardis, my 2.2ltr series 12, I've had the turbo hose come loose at 137km on the clock and drop into limp mode, I've had the front drive-shaft bolts come loose and vibrate through the drive train as you slow at about 40km/h downwards, I have had to adjust my driving style to try to eliminate the back lash during gear changes (probably slowed me down actually). I have mentioned to my dealer that my old series 2a has less back lash at times but I don't think he knew what a 2a was. At least it's a bit quieter inside that my diesel series 3 was anyway!! but I insulated under the floor mats and under the bonnet as I read an article in LRM where they stated 70% of cabin noise in a Defender enters through the windscreen, it has dropped the cabin noise by at least 10dba and now I dont have to crank up the radio to hear it. As for the DMF, I replaced one in a Jackaroo a while ago but I only wish I got it for $1k, the Holden stealership wanted $6500 for one so we replaced it with a SMF at a measly $1500 which IMHO was much better. Just keep your dealer informed on any and every concern you have, at least they will have a record of it for later if any of it becomes a problem if they wont act on it now. BTW, what's the PCM remap you spoke about earlier Lou? and Byron, Congrats on becoming a new Dad.
Cheers Ian

Originally Posted by 101 Ron

Toyota are smart enough to produce axle and drive flanges in one piece and remove any possible causes for play.( I beleive Landover has not done this because they do not have the manufacturing equiptment to do so easliy.)

.

Defender 90's and Disco 1's have 1 piece rear axle/drive flanges standard.

LR have made tens/hundreds of thousands of them....

Originally Posted by Psimpson7

Defender 90's and Disco 1's have 1 piece rear axle/drive flanges standard.

LR have made tens/hundreds of thousands of them....

classic

Originally Posted by Rmpatti

Hi all,
New to the forum (have been reading up for a while researching) and am in the process of buying a 2013 110.

n plus one (or anyone else in the ACT area) who do you get to service and maintain your landy? I've had two new cars over the years from the dealer (nissan and vw) and refuse to get anything serviced by them if I have any other choice.

it's good to get a good insight into issues and 'quirks' before I get one - I'm sure I'll enjoy it immensly!

Welcome, I'm running 3 defender utes at the moment for work, 2 of them I service myself, the newer 130 I've actually been very impressed with lennock land rover, the service guys are separate to other vehicles and workshop and the head mechanic is a guru on defenders in particular, he knows the product inside out..the other guys to recommend are Ritchie from Hume off road, they are ontop of their game.

Originally Posted by Summiitt

Welcome, I'm running 3 defender utes at the moment for work, 2 of them I service myself, the newer 130 I've actually been very impressed with lennock land rover, the service guys are separate to other vehicles and workshop and the head mechanic is a guru on defenders in particular, he knows the product inside out..the other guys to recommend are Ritchie from Hume off road, they are ontop of their game.

Good to hear Lennock LR service are separate from their vw and nissan guys. I've had mediocre to woeful services from those 2 - if not for decent extended warrenty through the leasing company i use they would have cost me about $5k on the vw - kept telling me nothing was wrong - took it to a specialist guy in Belconnen who confirmed the issue after a quick drive. Given comments about the quirkiness of LR, I want to be confident that anyone looking after it knows their stuff!!

A great truck when she works. Sadly bought as new in 2012 and she has needed flat bed recovery on 3/4 long distance trips. Apparently the transfer case has failed again which is the 2nd time is less than 12 months. Which left me stranded alone on the Birdsville track for a day. As much as I love her when she works I am wishing I had spent the extra and bought a Land Cruiser!! Sacrilege I know but the constant reliability issues and the constant hassles with dealers and land rover assist is becoming an increasing frustration. Sadly I have spent too much fitting her out for touring to throw in the towel but I'm now resigning myself that I need a 2nd "off roader" to take me to places like the Cape, Kimberlies, Simpson etc which is what I spent all that money buying the Puma new from the show room!! Yes it's an iconic vehicle but one that will sadly forever be known as unreliable due of quality issues that simply shouldn't exist on a vehicle that Land rover has had 70 years to perfect!! A shame as she outclasses Patrols all day long when she's working!! But no matter how gently she is treated she just rolls over and dies almost every time...

Sounds like some bad luck you are having. I headed to NT from NSW 2 months ago with the same concerns as yourself. Luckily I came home unscathed and the vehicle did the trip fine, but I know what you mean, I had my moments where I wandered why I didnt buy a workmate, then I drive the 110 and all that fades away. Like you say, great when It works but frustrating when it's not.
I have drawn a line in the sand that if it ever breaks down and puts my family's holiday into turmoil, I will cut my losses and sell the car. It's happened once and I wont let it happen a 3rd time.