Thread: Tell me your woe,s of owning 2013 2.2 DEFENDER

Mine is a 110 Dual Cab. Bought it new from Land Rover Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur 19mths ago.

The vehicle has done 26,000km now. Most of those km on road, because unlike Oz where you can do a trip of 1000km off sealed roads, here in Malaysia distances are not so huge.

We have done several family camping trips in the jungle. Typical camping trips involve between 2hrs and 5hrs driving on tarmac, then another between 2hrs and 11hrs driving in equatorial jungle! Some of the trails are very hard core, some easier. I tend to limit myself to trails that are not so hard core.

Problems I have had with my 2013 2.2 Defender:
1. Last difficult trip saw all 4 of my folding side steps demolished by the boulders and rocks I kept grounding the chassis on - despite being folded up! Removed the sidesteps when i got home, no more issue!

2. Same trip saw the stock towbar behaving like a plough blade grounding on rocks repeatedly. Removed the offending towbar, trimmed the drop plate a few inches and remounted significantly higher up with a pintle hook fitted for good measure. Problem solved!

3. Deep ruts and mudholes required too much charging and chassis surfing to get through. Front and rear diffs were suspected culprits being "open diffs". Changed them to Ashcroft ATBs. Problem solved!

4. Intercooler hose (between turbo and intercooler) split. Fixed under warranty.

5. Aircon evaporator kept freezing up. Also fixed under warranty.

Hmm.... thats about it.

Originally Posted by tact

Mine is a 110 Dual Cab. Bought it new from Land Rover Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur 19mths ago.

The vehicle has done 26,000km now. Most of those km on road, because unlike Oz where you can do a trip of 1000km off sealed roads, here in Malaysia distances are not so huge.

We have done several family camping trips in the jungle. Typical camping trips involve between 2hrs and 5hrs driving on tarmac, then another between 2hrs and 11hrs driving in equatorial jungle! Some of the trails are very hard core, some easier. I tend to limit myself to trails that are not so hard core.

Problems I have had with my 2013 2.2 Defender:
1. Last difficult trip saw all 4 of my folding side steps demolished by the boulders and rocks I kept grounding the chassis on - despite being folded up! Removed the sidesteps when i got home, no more issue!

2. Same trip saw the stock towbar behaving like a plough blade grounding on rocks repeatedly. Removed the offending towbar, trimmed the drop plate a few inches and remounted significantly higher up with a pintle hook fitted for good measure. Problem solved!

3. Deep ruts and mudholes required too much charging and chassis surfing to get through. Front and rear diffs were suspected culprits being "open diffs". Changed them to Ashcroft ATBs. Problem solved!

4. Intercooler hose (between turbo and intercooler) split. Fixed under warranty.

5. Aircon evaporator kept freezing up. Also fixed under warranty.

Hmm.... thats about it.

Not bad... only 2 out of 5 of them are issues with the vehicle itself

I've had a few issue's with mine,the biggest was the adapter shaft,now fixed and greased,clutch,I didn't think it was buggered and the thermister switch on the A/C and axle drive members.My vehicle has done almost all the Kimberly roads,Gibb,Kidson Track,Gun Barrel,Great Central,Talawana,Gary junction,Gary Hwy,most of the Connie Sue,the Canning up to Kanawarratji,All around Marble Bar,Jigalong,Nullagine,the North section of SA,Kangaroo Island,almost all of the bottom between Streaky bay and Eucla and many lesser trips like this weekend to Manjimup,Pemberton.My vehicle has seen the hottest temperatures I personally ever experienced,almost 60 degree's and never once did it faulter,not once during the whole experience,is it perfect?,no chance,would a Land Cruiser do it?,no chance.I think it's poor form on Land Rovers part to still be replacing axle drive flanges after 20 years but then again we aren't spending $2500 changing suspension and doing GVM upgrades on vehicles costing $20,000 more than ours,thats no excuse but we could be worse off. Pat

Originally Posted by specwarop

My point is, the oil should be changed at the first service. The fact that the service book says it isnt required is a joke.

These Defenders are also a joke. Almost everyone on this forum has had issues with their new Defenders. Just imagine how many owners don't come on this forum, they are likely to have issues too. I have had my Defender for six months now, 5000km in and I am taking mine in to get checked out. The rear door feels like it is bending already, excessive backlash, excessive clunking when changing gears to today's standards. This is in addition to excessive fuel usage in combination with severe under-performance. When I tow an empty trailer, I would expect to be able to have some sort of underpinning power, but not on these Defenders. Then lets not forget all the noises, water leaks and the like that are creeping in. People on here say that is character, but you are all delusional. When you pay over $50k for a car, you expect it to meet 21st Century standards. I made a mistake.
The only reason I wont sell it is because I get free servicing for 3 years, so in 1-2 years from now, I plan to trade up.

You are dead right on the running in of the de-flunker mine did the exact same while towing a trailer economy and power for get about it !! Just put this down to running in the engine . Which I must say after 10 000 ks did get back economy as well with power . A once good friend of mine said if your not working on your Landie your driving it !! ( How did you get free servicing ??? )

Woe is me, my biggest problem i have with the Tardis is I don't get to drive the bloody thing enough, but when I do, SWMBO reckons you cant wipe the smile off my face
Cheers Ian

Originally Posted by PAT303

I've had a few issue's with mine,the biggest was the adapter shaft,now fixed and greased,clutch,I didn't think it was buggered and the thermister switch on the A/C and axle drive members.My vehicle has done almost all the Kimberly roads,Gibb,Kidson Track,Gun Barrel,Great Central,Talawana,Gary junction,Gary Hwy,most of the Connie Sue,the Canning up to Kanawarratji,All around Marble Bar,Jigalong,Nullagine,the North section of SA,Kangaroo Island,almost all of the bottom between Streaky bay and Eucla and many lesser trips like this weekend to Manjimup,Pemberton.My vehicle has seen the hottest temperatures I personally ever experienced,almost 60 degree's and never once did it faulter,not once during the whole experience,is it perfect?,no chance,would a Land Cruiser do it?,no chance.I think it's poor form on Land Rovers part to still be replacing axle drive flanges after 20 years but then again we aren't spending $2500 changing suspension and doing GVM upgrades on vehicles costing $20,000 more than ours,thats no excuse but we could be worse off. Pat

Jeez, like the song says, "I've been everywhere man"!
What a great advert for the Defender. You must have enjoyed some truly great moments in your Defender.
Pickles.

Biggest woes of having a MY15 Defender is getting a chance to drive it - she won't relinquish her keys

Yes, we've just got back from a 2000k round trip to Adelaide, & driving Gracie put a smile on both of our faces. Doesn't matter who's driving, Wifey or I, ya don't have to be driving, just being in her, & enjoying the ride, is something different,......"The Defender Experience", I suppose you could call it.
Pickles.