Has your defender ever let you down

[loneranger]

I've been wanting to get a landrover defender since childhood and now that time is near. I've been reading these forums for a while trying to work out if it's something I should actually do.

There seems to be a lot of people voicing concerns about reliability issues. As with all things most people only say things when there is something to say so I'm not sure that the impression I'm getting about the defenders reliability is accurate.

If you could answer the following questions it would be a great help:

Has your defender ever let you down and left you stranded in the middle of nowhere?

Are the warranty issues people have mainly mechanical or cosmetic?

Is a defender going to spend more time at the mechanic than in the bush?

Has anyone ever bought a new defender and not had to make a warranty claim?

I'm just trying to work out the real issues as opposed to unrealistic expectations of the vehicle (I'm not overly concerned about cosmetic issues).

Thanks in advance for your answers.

[easo]

G'day Bloke,
I have a 2003 TD5 130 and owned since new, the only warranty clams I made were RE the clutch master cylinder at 1500km and 20,000 after that nothing else went wrong that wasn't (self inflicted!!) At about 60-70,000kms I started to melt headlight switches and replaced 3 before fitting the traxride-tronics headlight upgrade (180 bucks from memory). At about 80,000kms the crank angle sensor went.

Self inflected stuff includes,
-front right axle/CV joint - dam those air lockers.
-Battery arc out and fried hand break cable - my failure to correctly check and secure batt clamp, ended up being a long walk with my dog.
-Starter motor and alternator - gee that high speed mud was expensively fun!!!
-Fried indicator can - dodgy trailer hook up.

The list goes on...

One thing is for sure, n o matter what you do or don't do to it, some one here has done it before and can help.

Cheers Easo

Love my fender/ wife not so much.

[Symo]

Never,
Had two defenders, 2002 TD5. Notchy gearbox that worked ok - just could not get second gear without a crunch - LRA fixed that.

Clutch master cylinder very minor leak (sit with the foot on the clutch for 4 or 5 mins in gear, and the car started to move forward - may have been like that from new - who sits with his foot on the clutch for 5 mins!!). Took 2 weeks for a new one to arrive and as i was up in darwin (on a 3 week holiday at the time) LR customer care picked up my acomodation tab as i was more than 200K from home. So it worked out well.

New 2010 pumu - engine ECU dies and world not start. Its a ford enginem 7.2 bazillion of them have been sold so its a "**** happens moment" After 30 mins rest I turned the key and it started without hesitation so again drivable.

Things go wrong with all cars, people mostly find a voice when there are problems.

My wife drived a twin turbo diesel 2009 BMW X5 (sorry, i know its not a real 4WD AND its made in america) and thats been back to BMW with warranty issue - wrong battery installed from the factory and failed in 10 months - no start. Nav system failed and needed replacement, and we go through $3,000 worth of tyres every year (20" ultra wide) and they chew out in 20K. $800 a corner!!!!

The Defender is great - there are some build issues but nothing that I feel is serious. If you dont take it off road there is no issue. If you do take it offroad no doubt you'll take it someplace to get the bits put on, pick a LR specialist and they will tell you what things need to be fixed and they will sort out issues - or find problems to ask LRA to fix under warranty.

I know that this is a Stupid comment - but IF my Ford ECU did not die, I would have no warranty issue with my car so far.

[flagg]

Has your defender ever let you down and left you stranded in the middle of nowhere?


Nope :)

[Allan]

I've been wanting to get a landrover defender since childhood and now that time is near. I've been reading these forums for a while trying to work out if it's something I should actually do.

There seems to be a lot of people voicing concerns about reliability issues. As with all things most people only say things when there is something to say so I'm not sure that the impression I'm getting about the defenders reliability is accurate.

If you could answer the following questions it would be a great help:

Has your defender ever let you down and left you stranded in the middle of nowhere?

Are the warranty issues people have mainly mechanical or cosmetic?

Is a defender going to spend more time at the mechanic than in the bush?

Has anyone ever bought a new defender and not had to make a warranty claim?

I'm just trying to work out the real issues as opposed to unrealistic expectations of the vehicle (I'm not overly concerned about cosmetic issues).

Thanks in advance for your answers.


Nope never let me down, had three still got two. Only real issue with the Puma has been clutch rattle but thats been cured. The wifes TD5 90, nothing since we bought it and on the vehicle's history nothing since new. I would not think any vehicle, Land Rover or Aston would not have had awarrenty issue in three years, I also know that I would buy another Defender if I was in the market a new 4x4 again, the resale alone speeks for its self.

Allan

[Jeff]

Never let me down. Has came to the rescue a few times when the Discovery has though.

My 98 TDi has done 270,000 kms and only had the water pump replaced, even that didn't leave me stranded. The only warranty problems I had when it was new, related to water leaks in the roof. It still leaks, it was never fixed we just got tired of going back.

Jeff

:rocket:

[stig0000]

my old man owned my defender b4 i gota hold of it, since new its had a new maf and master cly, front diff after a bit to much skinny pedle from the old boy out at cruser park,

since iv owned it iv done another front diff and a ecu got wet,

the wet ecu has been the only show stopper,

other then that iv had twisted rear axels, (arb locker dose that)

oh and i got a puncher on the way home from cruser today:D

[newhue]

I've been wanting to get a landrover defender since childhood and now that time is near. I've been reading these forums for a while trying to work out if it's something I should actually do. I was exactly the same.

There seems to be a lot of people voicing concerns about reliability issues. As with all things most people only say things when there is something to say so I'm not sure that the impression I'm getting about the defenders reliability is accurate.

If you could answer the following questions it would be a great help:

Has your defender ever let you down and left you stranded in the middle of nowhere? Yes but not really in the middle of no where. Once in my drive way on the first week, once 100klm from home in the third week.

Are the warranty issues people have mainly mechanical or cosmetic? In my case it was electrical. It had an intermittent fault that would leave the ignition powerless, thus no power to start. It is has had a wheel alignment and balance, an oil leak rectified between the g box and trans, is going back for some water leaks, and door stay has failed.

Is a defender going to spend more time at the mechanic than in the bush? All depends on a vehicles life, age, and maintenance. Mine, 2010, definitely had me pondering if I had purchased the right vehicle. I like my 130, it suits my needs, I fully expect it to spend it's days as a normal, reliable, 4x4 with occasional small repairs.

Has anyone ever bought a new defender and not had to make a warranty claim? I am not one of these people. However, out of the 6 people I know who have purchased new vehicles in other brands, all 4x4's, they to have all had warranty claims. Some major, some minor.

I'm just trying to work out the real issues as opposed to unrealistic expectations of the vehicle (I'm not overly concerned about cosmetic issues). I think if you have never owned one but had an interest in one you will be OK. They are definitely nothing like a Japanese vehicle, and this can take some adjusting in your thinking. They are a bit like a macarno toy, held together with bolts and nuts not hidden by fancy styling. Build quality is not really comparable to Jap, which can leave you wondering why when LR make Discoveries and RR's. But then you remember you bought a no frills, totalitarian vehicle with personality. Some one on here said a Defender doesn't make sense in the modern world, and I agree, my wife give me crap about it all the time, but I just love driving it.

Thanks in advance for your answers.


hope this helps

[slug_burner]

Some issues are specific to a particular model, but as you are concerned about warranty I guess you want to know about the 2.4 lt Puma engine models. Can't help there.

300Tdi and TD5 I have experience with.

[nugge t]

Really good question......I went through exactly the same process....asked the question and followed the forum for over 6 months before I bought.

I suspect that you are looking at buying a new Defender and if that is correct, you need to be a bit more specific as "Defenders" have been in many variations. What you really need to know is the reliability of the current model Puma.

As you have been following the forum, you have probably already seen the "Just Defender or bad quality" thread which started as a result of quality concerns I had specifically about driveline slop and an unusual noise every time I turn it on and turn it off. These issues are unresolved, but have not left me stranded in any way shape or form.

This is my Puma experience so far

2010 Puma Warranty running sheet

Fault .................................................. ................................Dealer Action ............................Status
Driveline slop .................................................. .....................Deemed “normal Defender ............Unresolved

Diesel leaking on ground when tank filled ...............................Non return valve replace ................Fixed

Strange noise when turning on and turning off .........................Deemed “normal Defender .............Unresolved

Rust in Crew Cab tub .................................................. .........Dealer getting quotes ....................Unresolved

A/C stopped working after 30 mins running ............................Component replaced ......................Fixed

A/C control switch damaged by dealer ..................................Waiting for part .............................Unresolved

Dash damaged by dealer fixing A/C .......................................Dealer notified ..............................Unresolved

Central locking wires grommet not in position
allowing possible water egress into fuses .................................................. ..................................nugget fixed

Front diff breather hose not secured in push
in fitting .................................................. ..............................nugget replaced line......................nugget fixed

Poor fitment of checker plate wing – genuine
LR accessory .................................................. .................................................. ......................nugget fixed

A/C intake securing speed nuts rusting ..................................Dealer to be notified ......................Unresolved

One issue that forum members have been very helpful on is selecting a good dealer and clearly the closest might not be the best. My dealer will have one last opportunity and then I will change if they can not get their stuff together.

This is my second LR and my experience then and mirrored now, is that you have to work twice as hard at being a LR owner than any other brand I have owned. Sorry guys but that is how I see it at this stage.

I love the Defender and love driving it, but it is still too early to give you a finite answer of longer term reliability. My experience thus far might be teething problems or a taste of things to come.....the jury is still out but I hope it is the former.

[solmanic]

2010 Puma Warranty running sheet

Fault .................................................. ................................Dealer Action ............................Status
Driveline slop .................................................. .....................Deemed “normal Defender ............Unresolved

Diesel leaking on ground when tank filled ...............................Non return valve replace ................Fixed

Strange noise when turning on and turning off .........................Deemed “normal Defender .............Unresolved

Rust in Crew Cab tub .................................................. .........Dealer getting quotes ....................Unresolved

A/C stopped working after 30 mins running ............................Component replaced ......................Fixed

A/C control switch damaged by dealer ..................................Waiting for part .............................Unresolved

Dash damaged by dealer fixing A/C .......................................Dealer notified ..............................Unresolved

Central locking wires grommet not in position
allowing possible water egress into fuses .................................................. ..................................nugget fixed

Front diff breather hose not secured in push
in fitting .................................................. ..............................nugget replaced line......................nugget fixed

Poor fitment of checker plate wing – genuine
LR accessory .................................................. .................................................. ......................nugget fixed

A/C intake securing speed nuts rusting ..................................Dealer to be notified ......................Unresolved

The items in blue are ones I have also let go as they are commonly believed to be just the way Defender's are. But it's the items in red that get me really ticked off. In the course of owning my puma, it has never failed on me, but I swear nearly half of the warranty work done to it has been the result of damage caused during other warranty repairs.

- I have had the front ceiling lining replaced - it was damaged when the dealer replaced the windscreen.

- The dash centre console has been re-fitted after my A/C was repaired.

- The driver's door has been fiddled with several times following having the side mirror tightened (which requires the door to be removed).

- The rear cargo door still has something loose in it after an adjustment because of poor alignment from the factory.

- The rubber floor lining in the front is torn around the gear stick since having the front footwells repainted for rust spots (caused by swarf from manufacture).

- The passenger's front door window guide channel was replaced following having that door adjusted.

I'm sure if I think for a while I'll recall others and that's not to mention the waranty items that have been done more than once (brake vacuum pump & clutch).

[loneranger]

Hi, thanks for the responses so far.

To clarify I am looking at the new defender which I have test driven and absolutely loved but my problem is that I am time poor so don't necessarily have time to be spending a lot of time chasing up repairs on a car.

SWMBO has also driven the Defender and the biggest problem I may have is kicking her out the drivers seat cos she reckons its a car built for short ****s. She's 5ft and I'm 6ft and she absolutely loved it. I didn't have any probs with the drivers position and found it very comfortable.

My first car was a 1958 Wolseley 1500 which I bought in 1990 so I am familiar with British engineering and I spent a lot of time restoring this car.

I have been following this forum for about 4 months now and if I buy am looking at the middle of the year to make the purchase, so I have plenty of time.

[CraigE]

Nothing significant,. Have had it now 6 years.
Had a master cylinder go just after we bought it, fixed under warranty.
The only other real thing was oil in harness but did not cause any great dramas.
Slightly high fuel consumption is the only other issue. Replaced Maf.
Did find some metal in the oil but on investigation appeared to be from cam replacement earlier due to soft cams.

[ugu80]

Has your Defender ever let you down



No.

[aj90]

As far as the Puma model goes, I can't give you a comprehensive answer as I've only owned my current 90 for 7 months, but so far no problems at all.
In general terms though, over the last 24 years I have owned.....seven 90's. I have only specifically been let down once & that was a gearbox which needed replacing, however I bought this one second hand so can't really say how it was treated before I got it. There have been other problems but with all of them I was able to get to the dealer for fixing (ie not left stranded at the side of the road).
From my experience, reading other replies & hearing other people generally it seems that dealers do vary in their abilities to fix problems first time but I don't think this is confined to Land Rovers.
If you are used to Japanese / European cars or 4WD's which never need the oil checking & never go wrong & never need much TLC then you may want to think twice. However if you are a "car guy" & enjoy tinkering & fixing minor problems as you go & enjoy your vehicle ownership then go for it!
Good luck.

[cols110]

I'm on my 3rd 110, and had plenty of problems over the year, none of them have been real show stoppers and I always have been able to drive home under my own steam. Some of the problems were self inflicted after driving the vehicles beyond what they have been designed for and some of the failures have just been due to crap design or quality.

If you buy a defender you will always have niggling little problems, that is just the way they are, they are still built by hand and do not have the same standards as some other vehicles. If you are someone who doesn't like to tinker and sort out some little problems yourself steer clear, if you accept they have some small issues from time to time you will thoroughly enjoy owning a defender. I get more drivers satisfaction from driving a defender than any other vehicle I have owned, but to have that privilage they have given me some **** along the way.

When you look at Nuggets list there are only a couple of real issues, the others such as breathers are just typical defender issues. Personally I am happy to live with these sort of problems others are not. Sometimes the other issues can wear thin though.

Think long and hard before you part with your cash as they are a great vehicle to own but they can come with baggage. If you can put up with a bit of baggage you wont look back.

[Loubrey]

I've never been let down by a Defender either. I've damaged and broken them on occasion, but I can honestly say that the abuse they had to suffer up to the point that happened would have destroyed any other vehicle.

I'm a civil engineer and I've built roads all over Central Africa for the past 18 years and I've always driven Defender 90's. Sometimes there is no other option but to carry on, even when there is obviously something very wrong with the car and they've always gotten me home.

I drove into an eroded ditch once (hidden in Savannah grass - Northern Zambia) and ended with front wheels pointing 45 degrees outward (mangled track-rod). I limped into the next town 22km further where we removed the track rod, bashed it as straight as possible with a sledge and replaced it. 600km later I replaced it with a genuine part and the car still did 200 000km after the event. Can't say the outcome would have been the same in any other brand vehicle.

The big issue is the dealers, and that goes for all over the world. One out of every 5 seem to take interest in their customers and the vehicles that are the backbone of Landrover loyalty. Here in Perth we have two main dealers, each with maybe one decent sales person, but neither seems to have a service manager or a parts counter able to instill confidence that they know anything about Defenders.

[pathfinder]

My 96 TDi just keeps chuggin along...........except when somethin dies.............

dropped the front propshaft shortly after I bought the thing about 3 years back ..uni joints stuffed .......looked like they'd never been greased !!

The 120 litre long range tank leaked around the sender unit.........got onto the previous owner and he said blithely "oh I don't know anything about that, I never filled it more than half full..........." so I ended up screwing the sender further into its mount and solved the problem.........

Brake pedal was always 'hard' as in 'very hard !!' took it to the dealer who replaced the vacuum pump..........still no joy.......took it back.....apparently the new unit was 'faulty'..they replaced that at no charge.....worked ok for a a coupla days, then went 'hard' again..........@ which point I 'gave up' and decided to live with it....... 6 months down the track, the 'pedal feel' softened right up and now I can lock the wheels up and she slows down properly and safely.............Who knows what it was ??? probably just one of those "Landrover idiosyncratic behavioural" things :D

replaced both rear axles last year @ around 380,000k mark after lhs 'died' (to be expected..........'fair wear & tear' and a major source of 'clunk in the rear end' ...still clunks if I'm sloppy with the clutch, but a vast improvement!)

had 'issues' with gearchanges when first bought.....very 'notchy' and hard to engage most gears.........prev. owner said........"always been like that....." kept it simple, changed the gear oil.....still no difference.......some months later happened to be reading a Brit LR mag and it had an article about someone in Pommiestan having the same 'issues'....Expert suggested could well be the 'wrong oil'?? Checked the Manual, sure nuff....380 boxes run on ATF........not 90w gear oil !! Dropped the 90W, filled with Dexron ATF and now runs like a charm.

Replaced the power steering pump a year back (worn out) , complete indicator stalk ass.......(expensive, LR replacement $600) .... headlight switch replaced with Super Cheap HD unit (dirt cheap but 'works')

the other 'expenses' have just been 'regular running costs'... tyres, oil, filters etc........had the timing belt replaced a while back (should be done every 100,000 ks) and tappets adjusted etc.

Change the oil & filters every 5000 ks and it just keeps chuggin along.:)

ps/ you can download Service Manuals off the Net.......well worth reading when you've got a spare hour or two !!

[Blknight.aus]

from the series to the 06 deefer Ive never in 20+ years of rovering ever been left stopped.

[loneranger]

Thanks for all of your replies, its easy to get the picture from reading a of of the threads on this forum that Defenders breakdown all the time yet I can't remember the last time I saw one on the side of the road or the back of a tilt tray.

After the replies I've had so far I'm feeling a bit more confident about going ahead with a purchase.:)


The big issue is the dealers, and that goes for all over the world. One out of every 5 seem to take interest in their customers and the vehicles that are the backbone of Landrover loyalty. Here in Perth we have two main dealers, each with maybe one decent sales person, but neither seems to have a service manager or a parts counter able to instill confidence that they know anything about Defenders.

I'm in Perth and have been into the Cannington yard on a number of occasions and wandered around looking at the various defenders on display and the only time I have ever spoken to a salesman was when I approached one to ask a question. On the other hand we went up to Osborne Park 15 minutes before closing on a Saturday and were approached by a salesman, had a brief discussion and were able to organise a test drive during the week even though we indicated we wouldn't be in the market to buy for at least 12 months.

We'd been to an Isuzu dealership earlier that day and said the same thing and they told us to bugger off which was why we ended up in Osborne Park at the Landrover dealership.

[nugge t]

I'm on my 3rd 110, and had plenty of problems over the year, none of them have been real show stoppers and I always have been able to drive home under my own steam. Some of the problems were self inflicted after driving the vehicles beyond what they have been designed for and some of the failures have just been due to crap design or quality.

If you buy a defender you will always have niggling little problems, that is just the way they are, they are still built by hand and do not have the same standards as some other vehicles. If you are someone who doesn't like to tinker and sort out some little problems yourself steer clear, if you accept they have some small issues from time to time you will thoroughly enjoy owning a defender. I get more drivers satisfaction from driving a defender than any other vehicle I have owned, but to have that privilage they have given me some **** along the way.

When you look at Nuggets list there are only a couple of real issues, the others such as breathers are just typical defender issues. Personally I am happy to live with these sort of problems others are not. Sometimes the other issues can wear thin though.

Think long and hard before you part with your cash as they are a great vehicle to own but they can come with baggage. If you can put up with a bit of baggage you wont look back.

Mate I agree very much with what you say and whilst it may not sound like it, I enjoy sorting stuff out as well. The diff breather issue i would beg to differ on as if I had not been replacing the lines for my own reasons, I would never have found it..like seriously, who should have to check that the tube is secured in the fitting??....

In June we will be going to Cape York with numerous river crossings and this could have become a real issue, especially as it a 2,500km drive back....what are the chances of LR putting up their hand that the tube wasn't in the fitting properly....somewhere between none and buckleys.

My decision at the moment is how much do I keep persuing LR on warranty as the vehicle only has 3,000kms on, and at what point do I say stuff warranty, I want a life, and start doing more myself, increasing the chance of them not honouring warranty.

All I want to do is enjoy my truck.:D

I must say one of the great things about the forum and guys posting issues that they may have, is that it raises awareness so we can all check if ours is the same. A current post on a blow intercooler hose is a great example. I wonder if anyone else has found a problem with their diff breather as a result of my post, or whether mine was just a real oddball.

[BilboBoggles]

My TD5 110 with 180,000 has never been towed... Never let me down. Plenty of Fendery type issues, but these are mostly fixed. Warranty expiry is really Godsend on getting these fixed....

My 2 year old PUMA 100 with 40,000 has been towed twice now. Once with a dealer damaged fuel tank that leaked diesel when filled. And once when the brake vacuum pump imploded, leaking oil and losing brake pedal boost. All the same TD5 Fendery type issues exist in the PUMA, but they've also added more through worse build quality and general cost cutting in the manufacture.

[djam1]

Never walked home in a Series or Defender over the years.
I think over time you get desensitized to some of the issues that some are complaining about, I just accept that things like driveline slop are normal.

[KarlB]

I have had 6 Land Rovers over 35 years and have only twice been stranded. First was a broken timing chain in a Series III diesel SWB in the Jenolan SF. The second was a failure in a wiring loom in a County in suburban Canberra (plastic insulation had hardened and fatigued after many years (at a hot spot near the engine). I have limped home with a hole through the top of a piston in a Series IIa, and a damaged radiator after a prang in a Disco II. I was also flatbeded once as a consequence of a dealer not reafixing a fuel line correctly but I don't think that counts.

When asked what Land Rovers are like, my standard answer is "not perfect but they always get you home".

Cheers
KarlB
:)

[ATH]

Has your Defender ever left you stranded?
Yes. My 2003 TD5 (bought new) coughed and spluttered and the engine stopped several times when I was in Newman in 2007 and eventually had to be trucked to Perth with the camper attached.
LRA picked up the cost and reimbursed us for some expences but it still meant a ruined holiday.
But the worse part of it all was it took nearly 3 weeks for it to arrive in Perth!!!:mad:
I suppose we were lucky it happened in Newman not out in the bush where we were headed.
LR in Karratha tried to diagnose the prob., so did Rovertech in Bentley but both were wrong in their diagnosis as it turned out to be the throttle potentiometer.
No one in Newman would or could even look at it which is one of the worst things about LR ownership.
I was into the extended warranty after the original 3 years so had to pay for the fix myself but was told afterwards that LRA would have fixed it for free if I'd taken it to the stealer!!! :mad:
But as I was having a hatred of their (the stealers) service manager at the time I didn't consider going there.
He's with the stealer in Cannington now I believe and I wouldn't trust a word he says:o
Other probs. were the fuel pressure regulator which was changed under warranty and maybe the master cylinder unit but not sure about that as the memories grow dim:)
Then I bought a 96 300 Tdi, spent a heap of money doing it up, then chucked a wobbly and sold it:(
I bought a plastic Prado which has never missed a beat in over 2 years, doesn't leak but requires polishing to stay looking good and I hate polishing!
I wish I'd stuck with the Td5 but the Cook and I didn't trust it or LR after that problem but (now I know senility has set in) I'm considering a Puma should LRA ever get a network of agents in WA/Australia which they used to have up until a few years ago.
The salesman say that it's coming but so's the end of the Earth according to others.:D
Not sure any of the above will help you.
Alan.

[pathfinder]

ATH,
I was into the extended warranty after the original 3 years so had to pay for the fix myself but was told afterwards that LRA would have fixed it for free if I'd taken it to the stealer!!!
But as I was having a hatred of their (the stealers) service manager at the time I didn't consider going there.

I'd suggest whether you 'like' the Dealer or not...........if your vehicle is under Warranty, that is the place to return your vehicle when it breaks down.

If you 'have issues' with the Service Manager.....go to the General Manager, no joy there? go to the Dealer/Owner.......if all else fails, get onto VACC or Consumer Affairs.

I've met my fair share of dead**** mechanics/service managers over 45 years of driving, but they'd only make up 5% of the total..............the other 95% were/are fair dinkum and will do the right thing (as long as you haven't abused the vehicle)
I had a Mini Moke some 30 years back which was under a 3 month warranty (2nd hand vehicle) and the gearbox blew apart. The head mechanic reckoned I'd 'thrashed' the vehicle and refused to do it under warranty 'because there were "numerous scrape marks under the bash plate"..............I rang the dealership and asked to speak to the Boss (Ron Poyser) outlined my complaint and my 'defence' (the Moke had been towed after breakdown on the end of a 30' recovery strap by the recovery mechanic in a 4WD Tojo at high speed........and besides which, the gearbox had blown apart on TOP of the casing, not the underside..........where damage would have occurred if I'd been abusing the vehicle.......

The vehicle was repaired under warranty at no cost to me....as Ron Poyser said at the time, "we like to keep our Customers happy, and to buy more cars from us in the future."

So, I suggest when it comes to the crunch and you have 'complaints' follow the 'heirachy of complaint' as above........and it will be resolved. No dealer can afford 'bad publicity'.

[JamesH]

Mine did a timing belt out of Lake Grace on New Year's Eve on the way to Duke of Orleans Bay for a camping trip new millenium party. It had 88k on the clock and the dealer had not done the upgrade for a world wide known problem (an employee had made the white paint mark to show it had been done). Not happy.

Another time it was put on a truck in Margaret River (250km sth of Perth) because it broke a rocker arm. Oddly I was stoic about this because it ended up being minorly expensive, the RAC bloke said I'd holed a piston; I really needed to get a Toyota...

It's at 227000km now, a late 96 300tdi. When do I ask myself if it's too old and tired to safely drive into the outback? I can't say nothing bad will happen, but I can say I think it could have another 5 trips in it.

[mark2]

Mine has never let me down in the sense of leaving me stranded. It's always got me home even after suffering various mechanical failures which some would say were a result of driver abuse.....

I have a whiteboard on the shed wall next to where I park it and often one of the first things when getting out of the LR is to update the 'to do' list on the whiteboard. Having said that, mine is an older model and mainly a play toy and gets used hard off-road when it is used. While the fact that there is always something which needs doing is sometimes a source of frustration, its also my hobby and the curious mix of satisfaction and frustration is something that my Japanese vehicles just dont provide. The terms might be a bit strong, but its a love/hate thing for me. And I think I like it that way....

I personally would never spend the $$ on a new 110 but that is just me. If you go into it without any illusions (and there is enough info on here to enable you to do that), find a good dealer and you have a reasonable amount of mechanical expertise(which it sounds like you do) you should be OK.

If $$ are relevant, one thing to consider is that its often cheaper and more practical, even with 2 regos etc, to own an older model 110 and buy a nice Japanese car for a daily driver. You'll get just as much enjoyment of out the LR, it will cost way less in depreciation and you have a comfortable and reliable alternative when you need it.

[ATH]

Hi Pathfinder.
As stated it was during the 4th year extended LR warranty it broke down and according to that the part wasn't covered but if it was a warrantable part the recovery tow etc was covered.
I took it to an after market specialist as I had no intention of going anywhere near the stealer again because of the service managers lying but at my insistence they had, albeit reluctantly, redone the 40K service on the vehicle.
I was satisfied with this and knowing the rumours re attitude towards customers took the option of going elsewhere afterwards. I couldn't see the point of arguing with them as they could easily say one thing and do something else the next time the vehicle went in.
Since then a friend has had great service both with recalls and general servicing from the same stealer on his '07 Defender which should be good news for all owners.
Probably something to do with the bloke I distrusted moving to their other branch:D
Alan.

[PAT303]

My 13 year old Tdi with 442,000k's on it has been without doubt the best vehicle I have ever owned,I love the thing.I'm trying to buy a 130 through salary sacrifice but being a comercal vehicle BHP won't let me do it.I have to fit extra's to it to lower it's payload so I'm looking at fitting a fibreglass canopy and winch bar etc. Pat

[reeksyofoz]

I bought a ten year old 193,000 km TD5 110 which had been given a fair amount of treatment. I grilled the mechanic who had been working on it for the previous owner and he said it had been put through the mill in the Vic Alps many a time, but the owner had never skimped on the repairs.

It had been towed home with broken CV joints, been bashed about a bit, but was set up really nicely for my purposes.

We bought it and took it on a 25,000km trip around the continent a few weeks later.

Problems:
Broken wheel stud (30 minute fix)
Broken rear brake pipe flare (slightly longer but still DIY fix - getting a shop to chop and reflare the pipe)
Worn belt (30 minute fix)
Temperamental speedo (sort of fixed :D)

Since then we re-registered it in another state and had to buy a steering box and a few bits and bobs to pass through.

Now it's having a new clutch and flywheel fitted (not cheap at all) because it started to make some nasty noises in that department.

But the fact is it hasn't ever left me stranded, and my wife probably loves it more than she loves me.

At the end of the day, it's often not cars that let people down, but the other way around. Preventative maintenance and not doing stupid stuff in them means they don't let you down. ;)

[2234jones]

I own a 1993 200 TDI and I have only a few probelms but these were more user error!

Engine and Drive train----Never let me down, starts on the button.

Electrics-----Well a small electrical fire, due to me putting a larger fuse in. rear wiper motor had packed up after 17 years.

Leaks when it rains, the the wife feels sorry and states she will get me a new defender, so I don't mind this but will pass this one onto my son.

Fan blower has packed up but it had 17 yrs of use.

I think it has done well and is always repairable by minor fixes to get me on the road.

Bulkhead rotten, but this was like it when I bought it, got a secondhand one to replace and my next job.

I like an on going project anyway, to be honest I only ever had ex military ones in the UK previously, not keen on civvy models.

mine has had a hard life and has done well, and I would not have it any other way, or have any other vehicle.

thanks Mark