Thread: A sad Day. Goodby Deefer.

Originally Posted by JamesB71

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.

I dont agree, I think you are making the issues bigger than they are. Find a car with no issues from any manufacture, you wont be able too as all brands have their problems. Getting a Landy specialist to replace the turbo hose so it wont ever go again is not exactly an expensive or hard thing to do or particularly inconvenient. While the car is there get them to check it over and get rid of the exhaust valve that clogs up (all new cars have them all brands by the way). Axle flanges are not real good but strong bullet proof replacements are cheap as chips and not costly to have a Landy expert fit for you. These jobs done you have a reliable car. Or buy o whole heap of other problems from another brand. Google Toyota, Nissan, Holden problems on the forums etc etc all have there issues. Actually I know someone who has a Captiva with 20k on the clock which just had an engine failure the other day.
Chris

Originally Posted by Summiitt

I'm hearing you on this one, my 130 has a blown motor, cracked piston, 2013, 75,000km on it. It's been idle in the dealership since 24th November.
I have earthmoving equipment involved in bushfire works, and I haven't got a ute.. Hired another ute to go to a fire today, got stuck, crap piece of equipment with a load on it, and still I don't even know if LR will warrant my motor.. Pretty sure I'll end up with a cruiser ute as I've almost lost faith in my 130s ability to get me into and out of the **** when I'm in a fire fighting situation.. Still running 4 defender tray tops with plus 300,000km with no issues.. Old school still works..

saw yours parked up there yesterday actually.


Ive had backlash since new. I just drive to suit it. when time comes I'll change to better axles.

That said, in the times I've blown my turbo hose its been under warranty. trivett alexandria have always been good to me and I dont think I've ever left my car there without taking one of theirs out. (but then again we've bought a fair few landies from them)

i also drive my defender daily. got it in 2013 and I'm at 92k km. Only been on truck for blown hose.

I will probably get another daily driver just cause I dont want to wear the defender out too quick. lol but I keep telling myself that but keep driving it everywhere anyway

Originally Posted by Jan

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.

Pete Bell (BAS) makes strong recommendation to uprate intercooler with the 170hp tune. So I did so. The allisport.

I had the tune a week or so before the intercooler arrived - tried the tune with stock intercooler a couple of times very briefly - monitoring intake air temp after the intercooler - sure looked like the stock intercooler had trouble coping. (Intake air temps going up with short bursts of heavy throttle, back down again on light throttle)

With the uprated intercooler fitted, intake air temps are always close to ambient. So it makes a heck of a difference.

Ambient temps: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Not far from equator. Year round daytime max temps 29C - 31C.

This thread is getting interesting. A disgruntled owner who has been really unlucky with dealer service / blown hose issue; A 'forum sage' dumps his Landy for a Ford Ranger six months ago but still following AULRO; and some good clear advice about how to proceed...

I've done almost 40K km in my 2014 Defender with not a problem. I drive it hard every day often on long remote roads or in harsh environments. I plan to replace drive flanges and I've put HD Koni Raid shocks in, but that's it. I've also done nearly 350K km in my 1998 Defender in similar and even more remote conditions. I replaced rear drive flanges and was only let down on side of road once with a seized alternator, and I had a rare dodgy garret turbo which I replaced. I realised quickly that regular servicing by a specialist independent LR mechanic is the best insurance and peace of mind, not to mention for reliability and performance.

It's understandable that someone who has had bad service or their vehicle has let them down, would consider changing vehicles. That is their perogative. What has not been said is that all the vehicles and issues/non-issues being described here are entirely different from each other, yet are being compared for reliability, and capability as though they are the same. There are clearly many different factors to consider including: intended purpose, design, mechanical/customer service, the way drivers use their vehicles.

Much anxiety is caused by bad mechanical/customer service and this is often directed at vehicle design. As others have said, there are similar stories of woe for all makes and models.

All 4WD vehicles require some customisation if the intended purpose is beyond the everyday urban lifestyle, but on balance Land Rovers require less than others. In terms of reliability, there are so many variables to consider including the approach of the driver and the quality and timeliness of mechanical servicing. All vehicles also have known faults that require fixes.

In my experience, on balance my Defenders are the best choice for me. They are not perfect by any means, but then nothing is. Which means actually perhaps they are as perfect as they are ever going to be. If a different vehicle was more suited to me I would change to that vehicle. It's simple really. We have choice of vehicle, service centre and how we use/abuse our vehicles. If we experience a fault we get it fixed. If the mechanic we go to doesn't fix it we go back. If it's still not fixed I recommend finding a different mechanic.

There seems to be much comparison going on between Ford Rangers and Land Rovers. Anecdotally, I wonder how many Ford Rangers will be running trouble free in even ten years time? Let alone whether the design will remain tried and true over decades like Defender? One is more car like, one is more truck like. They are entirely different designs, with similar engines and manual gear boxes.

Best wishes to all in your vehicular decisions.

I've got a mate bought his Puma in 2007 when they first came out. Him and his cook have done many miles across the country and through the gulf country etc without problems.
He never reads forums, reckons they're full of whingers..... then his output shaft went in Balladonia not long ago.
He's certainly not a happy chappie now that such a major part can fail without warning.
I'm fully aware of the failing of the later Prados, but our 120 series was definitely a much more reliable beast than this thing. I don't know what to go for..... but this thing will definitely, maybe, might be for sale soon....
AlanH.

PS. Worst part about getting shot of it is having to cook my own grub as the Cook will be most upset.

Originally Posted by JamesB71

They replaced the intercoler under warranty.

Hi Jan
you're referring to the thread by Tact. They would've replaced the intercooler.You'd only upgrade with one otherwise the EGT would hit the roof.

Originally Posted by ATH

I've got a mate bought his Puma in 2007 when they first came out. Him and his cook have done many miles across the country and through the gulf country etc without problems.
He never reads forums, reckons they're full of whingers..... then his output shaft went in Balladonia not long ago.
He's certainly not a happy chappie now that such a major part can fail without warning.
I'm fully aware of the failing of the later Prados, but our 120 series was definitely a much more reliable beast than this thing. I don't know what to go for..... but this thing will definitely, maybe, might be for sale soon....
AlanH.

PS. Worst part about getting shot of it is having to cook my own grub as the Cook will be most upset.

Hi Alan,
Just out of curiosity,your mates Puma is eight years old.How many kilometres has it done.

Originally Posted by ramblingboy42

James I'm right with you.

After owning a a d2 for 8 yrs and spending $70,000 to prevent it letting me down in the bush, I caved in .

I had enough of the endless necessary maintenance and costs involved in using a Land Rover as it was designed to be used.

6months ago I decided I'd had enough and purchased a Ford Ranger 2.2 single c/c 4wd manual , for half the price of a Defender.

It uses probably 20% less fuel , is 50% quieter , is easy and light to drive , room for my elbows etc etc.

It has only done one 6000km bush trip so far , but did it with aplomb.

I am genuinely happy to be happy to be out of the marque , knowing that I don't have some interminable maintenance issue to be resolved before attempting my next trip.

I just hope the turbo hose thing is only a Land Rover problem as it appears a few have had it.

James maybe one the members lauding Defenders here may purchase yours at a reasonable price to recover your losses or at least break even , after all as most have said in reply to you, "it's just a hose , fix it". They should be able to purchase your vehicle at a good price with total confidence , shouldn't they?

Great idea. Defender going cheap. Which stalwart Landy tragic wants it?

UPDATE:- The good news is that the latest problem isnt the head - its just the EGR cooler. They are replacing it.

Im still selling it. Anyone want a Deefer with a brand new set of turbo hoses and EGR valve?