110 Reliability

[nugge t]

Newbi looking some help. I am currently looking at a 110 but having had a really bad previous experience as a Land Rover owner I am a bit gun shy.

I am wondering about the reliability of the 110. I am looking to set it up as a 2 person camping tourer as I do freelance work for a 4WD magazine and this truck will do all of the Len Beadell tracks plus plenty more remote work so reliability is a key issue for me.

Appreciate your feedback.

[Blknight.aus]

yep go it...

reliability wise landrover has yet to say, Yeah using 1l of oil per 500k is about normal....(and yes that includes all the leaks)

so thats toyota out

nor do they catch fire when left unattended

so thats jeep out

they dont snap off suspension components

so thats either ford or nissan out

they dont snap the chassis rails

so thats either nissan or ford out.

realistically that leaves you with hyundi suzuki and the landy

hyundis dont have that good a ground clearance or a low range tcase

thats hyundi out

so now its a 2 horse race between suzuki and landrover.

the suziki is a fun reliable little set of fourwheel drives but they are very small great off road but you couldnt set one up as a tourer for 2 people unless you're both midgets.

that leaves you with the landrover. I've owned a heap and never had a show stopper on one yet that hasnt given me ample warning an chances to fix it before it got bad enough to leave me stranded.

[nugge t]

Thanks for that. I should have elaborated a bit. My criteria is diesel ute that doesn't have IFS. Sort of thins out the options right there!

Tojo 70 series prices itself out of the market at $72k on road with a bullbar and tray. The Patrol I have heard too many bad stories about their 3.0L so that disqualifies itself. Leaves me with the 110 or a second hand 4.2 Patrol.

The driving position is a concern. I am sure the steering wheel being so close to the door is an aquired taste I could get used to. The knees under the chin with the seat being so close to the wheel is another matter...especially for touring. I am investigating having the cab extended 200mm to give a bit more room to over come this....sort of make it a king cab as it were.

[pc3]

Newbi looking some help. I am currently looking at a 110 but having had a really bad previous experience as a Land Rover owner I am a bit gun shy.

I am wondering about the reliability of the 110. I am looking to set it up as a 2 person camping tourer as I do freelance work for a 4WD magazine and this truck will do all of the Len Beadell tracks plus plenty more remote work so reliability is a key issue for me.

Appreciate your feedback.

Im a new LR owner....but chose a 130. In General The new PUMAS are the most practical 4x4's out there in whatever model you choose. They have GREAT comfort levels in my opinion, the ride is THAT good compared to other 4x4's I have been in, my heavily pregnat wife thinks the PUMA is more comfortable than our FORD station wagon. They still have good 4x4 capability they actually have ground clearance and look like a 4x4 should look like !!, there most likely will be some teething issues. I was really nervous before buying my 130 but I am glad I did not listen to friends who said to purchase a Japanese 4x4. I am loving mine, getting some fruit put on it over the next couple of days :D.

On your comments its 70 series cruiser or Landy I think......Live axels were a must for me too.

I cant comment on LR's previous to the PUMAS.

[Gav110]

Nugget, I have to agree with PC3 - even with a few teething issues (it's inexplicable that the same issues are still surfacing in year 3 of a build, but I forgive that...!) it's the best Defender and best 4x4 I've owned.

The comfort and esp. interior of the new Puma is fabulous. The new seats in all rows are much more comfortable. Gearing is superb, engine is much quieter and very torquey, and looks brilliant. My Silver on Silver (dual finish wheels on Zermatt body) gets heaps of looks, esp. with the big BFGs.

In terms of reliability, as I say, it's ridiculous to see these issues still popping up, but my experience from owning the TD5 before which also had teething issues is once fixed, the car is virtually trouble free.

I'm also not convinced that the newer Toyotas or even Nissans are much better - just their higher production volumes mean they probably iron out some of the more obvious things, but I understand newer 70 Series in particular is not crash hot on reliability and is an oil muncher.

I agree with Solmanic who says that Defenders are only 90% built when they leave the factory. I my view it's more like 70% - I liken it to buying a boat or a helicopter. You buy the airframe, then you customise it to your usage (e.g. batteries, springs, bars, electrical).

I am not one to go with the pack - I think almost all Defender owners are highly individual and independent people - and the truck suits me perfectly. I relish being different - not for it's own sake, but because the vehicle is a perfect reflection of my needs and no other vehicle with the possible exception of the Mercedes G-Wagen (not yet sold here and very $$$$) could fit my needs.

Just make sure you are prepared to tailor the vehicle to your exact needs, and to shaking-down the all too common post-delivery issues. You'll certainly have a near religious bond with the vehicle afterwards... ;)

If you haven't already read it, see: http://www.aulro.com/afvb/90-110-130-defender-county/105578-puma.html

Good luck mate

[pc3]

Nugget go for a 130 dual cab ute (you can still have a long tray) and add some Mulgo seat extension rails. Thats what I have done.............brilliant comfort is all I can say, I dont even mind the door on my right hand shoulder while driving actually I dont even really notice it.

[87County]

driven sensibly, I don't think you'll have problems with a fully checked-out and maintained new or used vehicle...

but....

outside of dealer regions make sure you are equipped both in knowledge and parts to be able to do simple electrical and mechanical repairs yourself (for whatever make you drive and also because so many village workshops/blacksmiths shy away at the mention of the LR word)

parts delivery Aus-wide is fairly quick, but you need to know what item/s you require and have a list of businesses that can send it to you (eg karcraft, BMI, MRAutomtive etc etc)

Load the cds available from this site which contain parts & workshop manuals on to your laptop and you'll have it all:)

[bcj]

Nugget, re- seating close to door, I just spent some time rolling in new gravel on drive today in 110 and realised how easy it is to lean out window and watch front wheel position, I've done this many times in the past offroad in the defender & series3 without thinking about it ,but recent coments/reviews on puma seating position made me relise that the seating position is correct for off-road.Can you see the front wheel in a cruiser or patrol easily?
I'm 6' (with a dodgey back) and find the upright seating in 110 fine . I do have troubles with sedans and wifes honda crv though
Brett
110 300tdi

[C H T]

FWIW I have been averaging around 120000 ks a year in everything from current model top end Ford and Holden hire cars (circa 50000ks) and the balance in my Landrovers - I regularly put in 1500 ks a day in my 110, and can honestly say that I would rather do 1500ks in a day in my 110 than in any of the late model luxury sedans that I am given as hire cars.

A 110 or 130 will do a great job properly looked after, and excel in the bush.

C H T

[SVX37]

"The driving position is a concern. I am sure the steering wheel being so close to the door is an aquired taste I could get used to. The knees under the chin with the seat being so close to the wheel is another matter...especially for touring."

Hi Nugge t,

You can get seat rail extensions which gives extra room - try MULGO. His website shows a pic and they are worth every cent. He is an advertiser on here. Many Defender owners go these rails.

[vnx205]

"The driving position is a concern. I am sure the steering wheel being so close to the door is an aquired taste I could get used to. The knees under the chin with the seat being so close to the wheel is another matter...especially for touring."

Hi Nugge t,

You can get seat rail extensions which gives extra room - try MULGO. His website shows a pic and they are worth every cent. He is an advertiser on here. Many Defender owners go these rails.

And many have no problem at all with the standard setup. I am 180cm and have never felt the need to have the seat further back or further away from the door or the handbrake.

Don't assume that the seating position will be a problem for you even though it is for some others. Try it yourself before you decide.

There is a problem with trying it to see if you fit. It isn't what it feels like at the start of the day that matters. It is what it feels like at the end of the day. I have spoken to people who drive a range of 4WD work vehicles who have all told me the same thing; that at the end of a long day, especially offroad, they much prefer the Defender.

[JamesH]

Agree with VNX.

I'm 187cm and have not felt the need for upgrading the seat rails.

Put this mod down a few notches on the To Do list and give the standard fitting a go. Even if it feels strange at first, and it does with the straight back set up, you grow to appreciate it.

One mate of mine who had a D1 at the time climbed into my car with a crook back and immediately fell in love with the seating position, hadn't had less discomfort in a car for yonks.

[pc3]

Agree with VNX.

I'm 187cm and have not felt the need for upgrading the seat rails.

Put this mod down a few notches on the To Do list and give the standard fitting a go. Even if it feels strange at first, and it does with the straight back set up, you grow to appreciate it.

One mate of mine who had a D1 at the time climbed into my car with a crook back and immediately fell in love with the seating position, hadn't had less discomfort in a car for yonks.

I tend to agree with this.....I added the Mulgo rails straight up as the "internet told me I needed them" I should have waited possibly and tried the standard set up first. The Mulgo rails do make it like a "Jason recliner" in my 130 :D

[George130]

Agree with VNX.

I'm 187cm and have not felt the need for upgrading the seat rails.

Put this mod down a few notches on the To Do list and give the standard fitting a go. Even if it feels strange at first, and it does with the straight back set up, you grow to appreciate it.

One mate of mine who had a D1 at the time climbed into my car with a crook back and immediately fell in love with the seating position, hadn't had less discomfort in a car for yonks.

Very true.
Seating is strange at first but the best I have ever found for distance driving and a crook back.

[nugge t]

Thank you all very much for your feedback. Initially I was lookingat the 110 cab chassis which had some pretty good end of year deals going. Having researched a bit more I think a 130 dual cab chassis would be better for what I will be doing. As these are not on special, the urgency has gone so I have decided to hang onto the H3 until the end of the year and then revisit.

Really appreciate your help. Cheers.

[pc3]

Thank you all very much for your feedback. Initially I was lookingat the 110 cab chassis which had some pretty good end of year deals going. Having researched a bit more I think a 130 dual cab chassis would be better for what I will be doing. As these are not on special, the urgency has gone so I have decided to hang onto the H3 until the end of the year and then revisit.

Really appreciate your help. Cheers.

I think your making the right choice...........I beleive the 130 dual cab defender is the most versatile practical ute in existence short of taking a 200 series cruiser and doing converting to tray back with extended chassis........................and I do not have the folding gear for such a truck $$

[nugge t]

Once again thanks to everyone for the advice..it must have been good as I picked up my new 110 Defender Crew Cab yesterday and am like the proverbial poig in the brown stuff!

As the Romans used to say...let the mods begin...or words at effect!:D

[PAT303]

Mate the best thing is you won't need many mods.It'll go most places of the showroom floor. Pat

[Tikirocker]

I have a dodgy lower back which our family sedan usually causes murder with after only 30 mins of driving! Yesterday I drove our County 1000K's from Queensland back to NSW and loved the seating position of the 110 ... I didn't have ANY back pain from the seating at all which is simply incredible!

Simon.

[weeds]

Once again thanks to everyone for the advice..it must have been good as I picked up my new 110 Defender Crew Cab yesterday and am like the proverbial poig in the brown stuff!

As the Romans used to say...let the mods begin...or words at effect!:D

now that you have a defender you best get along to the defender day out

[Tikirocker]

As to reliability .... I just drove 1000k's in our 85 County without a single problem ... the truck was flawless. If you look after these rigs and do the diligence they will give long service and treat YOU well. ;)

Simon.