Thread: A sad Day. Goodby Deefer.

Originally Posted by PAT303

Yep,I'd go Prado,super reliable bullet proof vehicle,just don't visit Prado point,the first threads in the 120 section are all about faulty injectors, cracked pistons and blown motors,your better off with the 150 series,the first threads in that section are all about faulty injectors,cracked pistons and blown motors. . Pat

Sounds just like that Hilux forum

In fact at every 40k the diesel injecter seals have to be replaced for about $600 or the warranty on the vehicle is……gone…………

In fact our work Hi aces haven't been to bad,except for blown diffs,faulty injectors(petrol),and leaking radiators…..

i must admit there brakes are fantastic,never touch them until 300000k.

I've also heard good things about Trivett at Alexandria. I haven't used them for service but know a few others that have and they've fixed warranty issues once and for all.
They recently produced a full service history of a car I bought and emailed it to me. I had never used them ever. I thought that was amazing service. Someone would have spent 30 mins printing the history and deleting the old owners details then scanning and emailing me.
Also there are good defender stories out there it's just people go on forums with issues to complain as opposed to say good things.
My 2003 TD5 90 has never given me an issue in 60000kms and is now close to 100000kms.
It's due for new front drive flanges but that's about all. It's been very reliable.

In saying that I do feel for you and recommend trying a different company for warranty service. Give Trivett Parramatta a go.
Surely any dealer can handle warranty issues even if it isn't the original place you bought it.

Originally Posted by AlecW

These are the types of threads that make me nervous for when my new Defender comes. Nuuuuuuuuu!

This is no different to when the Tdi came out,all doom and gloom,almost 18 years and 485,538km's later my Tdi is still going like a trooper.Four years ago I bought my TDCi,121,957km's and one adapter shaft that cost me nothing later it's still going like a trooper,and both have driven across more of Australia than any other vehicle owned by me or anyone I know. Pat

First time Defender owner here (MY2013 DCPU bought brand new 2.5yrs ago). Previous 4x4 was a hilux, also bought new at the time.

Of course when it was time to look into another new 4x4 dual cab replacement for the older hilux - the first thought was another new hilux. But after test driving it was clear these vehicles need a LOT of mods before you even think about even light duty "family" jungle trips.

A new 2.2 TDCi Defender, on the other hand, already had 32" wheels and needed relatively little prep work (modified/raised the rear plough blade, fitted a nato hitch, front tow points, and some under body guards).

Before I bought my Defender in 2013, I spent several weeks reading all the forums in UK, SA, and AUS. Read the horror stories (multiple diffs, shafts, turbos, etc). But I also read how Land Rover seem to not argue and just get on with warranty replacements when things do turn to custard.

From personal experience with my previous new Toyota vehicle and from my knowledge of friends' experiences - with Toyotas and warranty - this then became the stand out difference. Toyota seem pretty tough about honoring warranty, Land Rover just get on with it.

So I went into Defender ownership in 2013 - eyes wide open. I figured that like so many others, by the time warranty was done I'd have a reliable vehicle at Land Rover expense. (As it should be).

In the last 2.5yrs I have driven my vehicle hard in the hope that anything that was inclined to fail, would do so under warranty.

Have had a pretty good run. Yes, a turbo hose split once and put me into limp home mode. The other turbo hose recall was done before any breakdown. LR had 2 goes at getting the aircon recall/fix done right.

I may have proactively removed any risk of Diff issues by fitting Ashcroft ATBs earlier on (for better traction given my vehicles lack of traction control). Diffs were fine at the time, no signs of issues.

Also fitted HD flanges proactively to remove some driveline slop.

Have been running a BAS 170AB tune for the past few months and still driving hard. No issues apart from tyre and brake pad wear!

Now 2.5yrs and 45k behind us - still a happy journey.

James I do feel and understand how you feel . Land Rover have been my choice of vehicle for the last 40 years . I have been where you are , standing on the side of the road . Loosing money , letting customers down . Then the truck would be fixed and I would tell myself that all is well . My wife hates them . For some reason I don't . I have a 2015 Puma , when I look at it , my thoughts are why didn't Land Rover do these improvements years ago ? Then I look at the things they have taken away ! The list is quite long , I would have liked to see all the good points kept being added . It seems that one improvement , comes at a cost of taking away a good point . The Ford engine is ok , but was never designed for a Land Rover . as is the gearbox . We know they work , but look how far back in the engine bay they sit . I think Land Rover engineers have kept the Defender going , but only because they didn't have a replacement yet . If I asked myself , is the Defender a great vehicle , I would like to say yes , but I know that it isn't . Yet I still find myself defending them ! I would like to wish you the very best in whatever way you go !!.. Jim

Originally Posted by tact

First time Defender owner here (MY2013 DCPU bought brand new 2.5yrs ago). Previous 4x4 was a hilux, also bought new at the time.

Of course when it was time to look into another new 4x4 dual cab replacement for the older hilux - the first thought was another new hilux. But after test driving it was clear these vehicles need a LOT of mods before you even think about even light duty "family" jungle trips.

A new 2.2 TDCi Defender, on the other hand, already had 32" wheels and needed relatively little prep work (modified/raised the rear plough blade, fitted a nato hitch, front tow points, and some under body guards).

Before I bought my Defender in 2013, I spent several weeks reading all the forums in UK, SA, and AUS. Read the horror stories (multiple diffs, shafts, turbos, etc). But I also read how Land Rover seem to not argue and just get on with warranty replacements when things do turn to custard.

From personal experience with my previous new Toyota vehicle and from my knowledge of friends' experiences - with Toyotas and warranty - this then became the stand out difference. Toyota seem pretty tough about honoring warranty, Land Rover just get on with it.

So I went into Defender ownership in 2013 - eyes wide open. I figured that like so many others, by the time warranty was done I'd have a reliable vehicle at Land Rover expense. (As it should be).

In the last 2.5yrs I have driven my vehicle hard in the hope that anything that was inclined to fail, would do so under warranty.

Have had a pretty good run. Yes, a turbo hose split once and put me into limp home mode. The other turbo hose recall was done before any breakdown. LR had 2 goes at getting the aircon recall/fix done right.

I may have proactively removed any risk of Diff issues by fitting Ashcroft ATBs earlier on (for better traction given my vehicles lack of traction control). Diffs were fine at the time, no signs of issues.

Also fitted HD flanges proactively to remove some driveline slop.

Have been running a BAS 170AB tune for the past few months and still driving hard. No issues apart from tyre and brake pad wear!

Now 2.5yrs and 45k behind us - still a happy journey.

Sorry for the hijack - but quick question: did you upgrade intercooler - or just did the BAS170 as is? Warm climate - any effect that you noticed ? Thank you.

I understand the stalwarts here who have to defend their defender purchase, but I really dont agree with the position of " they are great, you just have to replace this and that, and then expect that this other thing is crap and you will have to replace that, and really you just have to carry spares and tools and know how to fix it by the road and then as long as you understand that the axels are weak and the drive flanges will let you down and of course the exhaust reflux valve will clog up and stop you on the side of the road somewhere, but otherwise they are great".

I dont want to be a mechanic. I want to drive it every day, not work on it. If this was advertised as a kit car that you have to build yourself I might understand, but this was an expensive vehicle and I guess I had expectations of what reliability a modern car should display.

Sorry guys. I know you love them, but unless you have a lot of time to lay under them covered in oil and enjoy working on cars as a hobbie, or you have the leisure of a spare vehicle or no need to get to work or jobs, then it just doesnt add up.