The reason LandRover isnt building in this market

My opinion is that when the current block (V2.0) was cast and machined there is some swarf inside one of the galleries leading to the Turbo lubrication line.

In "good" conditions this swarf has been bypassing the oil and allowing the Turbo to function correctly.

Every now and again the swarf has then turned/shifted, restricting oil flow and the resulting outcome is the Turbo has eaten itself.

This would explain why the Turbochargers have had varying lifespans / survival rates.

So far, the accumulated costs to LR would have easily replaced the Engine (V3.0) and most likely had Digger well on his way and happy.

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Originally Posted by spudboy

Or a Ford Ranger [smilebigeye]

Can't say I've ever regretted moving my PUMA on, and switching to a Ford - and I NEVER thought I'd ever say that!!

Has zero romance compared to a Defender, but it's been (surprisingly) a really good vehicle. It's growing on me.

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Having owned a Mazda BT 50, I agree in terms of safety and comfort and additional power the Ford is a great package. If however other factors are considered, from my experience and research, the Ford product will not necessarily provide better reliability in terms of engine reliability, computer or sensor issues. There is a good deal of information pointing to the fact that the 3.2 and 2.2 engines have similar issues to the Puma engines, not surprising given that the are all made by Ford. You can get a great Ranger or an average Ranger. Don't scratch the ranger as the paint is thin.

If you are undertaking relatively tame four wheel driving then the Ranger is fine. In harder environments, the limited ground clearance and long overhangs show up the limitations. While I realise this is a limitation of ute style 4x4's (I have owned 4), the BT 50 I owned was the worst of them out of the box. Throw a frontal protection bar on the front and most deeper bog holes will have you reaching for winch or strap as the front end will hang up on the exit if steep or cut up.

You can throw dollars lifting it, but then you can introduce drive line vibration. Lifting a Puma will do the same, but a standard Puma has more standard clearance than most lifted Rangers.

Having owned 2 Pumas, a BT 50 and a Ford Transit work vehicle (just clocked 200,000 km), in terms of engine reliability, purchasing a Ranger won't necessarily make things better. I traded my Mazda back on 2.2 Defender after I realised that the driving I do the high country of Victoria found out the limitations of the vehicle (it was not lifted though).

Obviously the Ford won't have most of the Defender's driveline issues, but then again, if you break something, you probably won't be able to get it mobile again without assistance.

By the time you put new suspension on the Ranger, fit a canopy and tub liner, the cost would be similar to fixing the Puma's drive line issues.

I have major sympathy for anyone experiencing vehicle reliability problems and you do get to the point where anything is better than what you have got, especially when that vehicle needs to be reliable, either for work or remote touring. Once the trust is gone, it is all over.
The Ranger is a great vehicle, but off road, I'll keep my Defender.[bigsmile1]

My brother has just had a new motor fitted to his Colorado due to oil chewing issues...under warranty thankfully but with a massive 22 thousand k (yep...20,000klm) on the clock.... Holden didn't appear to be surprised or have a problem with replacing it. It was their suggestion...

Cheers

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Originally Posted by 4wheeler

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The Ranger is a great vehicle, but off road, I'll keep my Defender.[bigsmile1]

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Yep - I agree with all of that. For what we do (touring and general farm ute duties) it's been great. And it came with a tub-liner included in the price!! Not like the HiLux.

For us it is an interim vehicle, while I wait to see what the new Defender is going to be like. Land Rover should have it sorted by about 2020....

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Originally Posted by spudboy

?..<<<snip>>> ..while I wait to see what the new Defender is going to be like. Land Rover should have it sorted by about 2020....

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I was like that waiting for the new 2.2 motor, I'd heard things not so great about 2.4 motor so waited for the 2.2 and finally jumped... (ironically seeing how it's gone). Maybe by 2020 my motor problems will be sorted? :) :p

Still nothing heard about the car, I would suggest if it's not on the way to a solution by tomorrow Melrose may be as far as we go.. :( On the good side even if I have to walk we are going to Melrose, although that will make it awkward to bring a trailer!!

Digger, if it comes to that - please don't forget there is more than one offer floating to make something happen...if you are willing to take it.[wink11]

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Originally Posted by Bytemrk

Digger, if it comes to that - please don't forget there is more than one offer floating to make something happen...if you are willing to take it.[wink11]

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Mate, I am actually very humbled by the multiple offers of a ride or offers from people to "take their car!" (Did they not read what I have managed to do to 2 motors, 4 turbos etc without doing anything but driving?? [tonguewink] ) but in reality I would not enjoy myself in the seat of someone else's car and I'm a crappy passenger (ask anyone I work with, a lot of people in my town hate "coming for a ride" with me [bigwhistle])

But there's still a day or so window, they might "pull a miracle" yet! -- even if it's a new motor, there's the logistics of getting all needed bits here and then putting them in, almost impossible in the timeframe especially as it appears no decision made yet. Since asking for them to put correspondence in writing there has been nothing at all from Land Rover..

After that is the difficulty involved in if I should take the car back or not, I am still seeking a clarification on this as one school of thought is no, other is yes and they still must replace...

Looking on car sales etc as a guide to what's available in the market, 2012/13 7 seat 110 with similar mileage range from 70k to a whopping 86k - that's 2nd hand vehicles, then what is covered from that point? I truely wish they had swapped the car out last year when I requested this, it would've been cheaper for them and less stress for me (and finally achieve a holiday with my family... as my eldest is 18 this year the odds are that he won't come on any trips in future, 3 years of missed chances is very aggravating! )

But back on topic, thanks but I think I'd be a particularly annoying sad sack! (Instead of my usual just annoying!)

We'll all keep our fingers crossed then.....

and BTW.... if you do have to walk to Melrose - I'll tow your trailer for you [biggrin]

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Originally Posted by spudboy

Yep - I agree with all of that. For what we do (touring and general farm ute duties) it's been great. And it came with a tub-liner included in the price!! Not like the HiLux.

For us it is an interim vehicle, while I wait to see what the new Defender is going to be like. Land Rover should have it sorted by about 2020....

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Thanks Spudboy.
If I wasn't driving a Defender, I would probably be in the Ranger too. I am also waiting to see the replacement for Defender. I hope they get the problems and quality sorted so owners of Land Rover product such as Digger who have had major problems never have to feel they have to change vehicles to get some form of sanity returned to them. After all, when the next Land Rover dealer could be a thousand kilometres away, reliability counts. That's where Toyota, Ford, etc. win hands down with some form of support in most major towns.

Ive been notified by Land Rover that they will replace the engine in my car and after speaking with Michael at solitaire they are hoping to have it done in time for Easter. I'm still trying to work out if I should take possession of the car again or what I should do in relation to that and some sort of coverage for the future