Puma didn't let us down

[dmdigital]

We have just spent 5 days on the road and done almost 4500km. In the NT, where we could, we sat on the 130kph limit (did go faster to overtake a few times:angel:). The Puma was faultless, didn't even use any oil :) We did stop for rest breaks, fuel and overnight but that was it.

I need to replace the POS Bearmach wheel carrier as it didn't survive the track out on day 1. Third time it's broken and this time I won't repair it again. I know Ridjidij is selling his creation now so I'll be looking into that.

Economy wise, over 110kph it's terrible (15-20L/100km), below that is good (10-11L/100km). That is with a roof rack with Spacecase, 2 tyres and a few other bits on top. Not that it does much to a Defender's aerodynamics;)

We are now, thankfully, stopped for a week. The rush wasn't that urgent in the end :mad:

A bit of trivia: I just did more km's in 5 days than the Puma has done in the last 12 months:eek:

[Pilbara130]

Good to hear all went well have fun.

[PAT303]

I'm picking mine up on saturday,driving home via the coast road,can't wait. Pat

[LowRanger]

You won't go wrong with Murrays (Rijidij) wheel carrier.I carry a 35 on a steel rim on mine,over very rough terrain and not so much as a rattle!!!

Wayne

[Magic]

Got to second that about Murray's wheel carrier. Just fitted it on the back of the 90 and it's brilliant. Taking it out to Mt Skene at the weekend.

[lewy]

You sound surprised that you didn't have trouble:D

[dmdigital]

Thanks for the feedback about the wheel carrier. Looking at the options it certainly is the best engineered.



You sound surprised that you didn't have trouble:D
Not really but the way some people go on about the Puma I think they would be.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

:rolleyes::rulez:

[one_iota]

........Not really but the way some people go on about the Puma I think they would be.

Reading these annals it seems that there are more people that have problems with the Puma engined Defender than there are Puma engined Defender owners...

Mine is going very well as well. :)

[dmdigital]

:rolleyes::rulez:

What's to show? Nothing happened.

But if it makes you happy...

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/07/200.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/07/201.jpg

[Naks]

We recently did a 6000km trip to Namibia, and also no issues with the landy. But there's always that feeling in the back of your mind that something will, and you are constantly on the lookout for the next weird noise or behaviour... I could do without this kind of stress when on holiday :angel:

[Scallops]

Glad you had a fun trouble free trip, Derek. My Puma, since being out of warranty and exclusively worked on by a LR Specialist, is also rock solid.

Under LR - issues every month. Now - completely reliable and a joy to own and drive.

The Puma knockers should know better, being LR people.


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[NOZ]

Yep also love my new Puma, going great

[isuzurover]

...

Economy wise, over 110kph it's terrible (15-20L/100km), below that is good (10-11L/100km). That is with a roof rack with Spacecase, 2 tyres and a few other bits on top. Not that it does much to a Defender's aerodynamics;)

...

Good to hear the trip went well, but that economy is quite poor. My 4BD1T manages ~14.5 l/100 at 130 km/h with 2 (tandem) kayaks on the roof.

[JimR]

Mines coming up to the first 10 000km, never skipped a beat on or off road and the donk is sweet and pulls hard as. I think it improves the more I flog it.

[Beckford]

My 2010 Puma has done 14,000 Km! No major issues. (touch wood)

The series III I had on loan before I bough the Puma had a fire in the main wiring harness!

[Drover]

It is good to see so many PUMA owner on here with good new storeys.

It is easy to bag out on the PUMA as it is the current model and comparatively few members have got them.

Time WILL be kind to the PUMA, it will become as reliable in history as any that have been before it.

Honestly, Transit Van’s rule the world, my neighbour has a 2007 with 320,000K’s and not one warranty repair.

Already there members on this forum, that have in excess of 180,000K's with out any major issues.

I have had mine for 2 years, and 30,000k's. Only issues have been...

1/ Sun Roof latch
2/ rear seat fold down latch
3/ Water Leak

and as of today....

4/ Clutch spigot bearing

My PUMA, has towed a 2t caravan up and down the coast, been across the Simpson and numerous off road trip and other weekend to trips to Stockton Beach - So It has NOT been sheltered.

I say...............

The King is Dead............LONG LIVE THE PUMA

[scarry]

My son's Puma has never missed a beat:)Apart from some body corrosion,& a new vacuum pump,it has been great.

And it's off road abilities has put many other vehicles to shame,particularly his mate who has a lifted Patrol trayback with lockers.

as for fuel economy it regularly gets 10's with normal type driving.

[Allan]

You can bitch about the current Defenders body panel fit , the diffs, the plastics, the clutch, but the Puma engine is NOT the problem with the current Land Rover. Its the same problem that has plagued most models, built on a friday or monday and very poor after service. As stated above it is the best offroad vehicle I have yet driven, and I have had and tried lots. My wife's TD5 90, the sons D3 with lots done, mates of his with Toyo's and out of control Nissans. No it's not perfect, what is, but until L.R. build something better it what Euro stink laws say we must put up with. It's either the Puma or no Defender, what choice?

Allan

[PAT303]

One more sleep for me. Pat

[Scallops]

One more sleep for me. Pat

I remember that moment - bet you find it hard to get to sleep!

Looking forward to seeing a super happy Pat!!!!


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[MTB]

Well, we have now clocked up almost 19,000km in an MY10 Puma, including 8,000km to Cape York & back, two trips to the Vic High and a few play weekends - not a single issue to date (thouch wood).

Frank
Landy Build (http://web.mac.com/frank_shazzie/Site/Landy_Build.html)

[chook73]

It is fair to say it has never let me down but between 18,000 and 38,000km I have had quite a few "issues" fixed under warranty, some of the major ones are;

- vacuum pump
- power steering pump
- Handbrake
- replaced air con intake leaver
- replaced abs loom
- front wheel bearings
- fixed issue with brake system.... Not quite sure about this one
- New passengers side headlight (broken mount)
- replaced egr valve
- new transfer case
- on the list to do when I return from nq new clutch and gearbox, they didn't want to do this before I left as I have just had the transfer case replaced and they were worried about doing the whole lot at once.....

Whilst all of this has been done by the dealer with a smile I think it is safe to say I will purchase the extended warranty......

Regards
Iain

[Drover]

Whilst all of this has been done by the dealer with a smile I think it is safe to say I will purchase the extended warranty......

Regards
Iain


Good luck with that.....LR do not offer it on Defenders:(

[chook73]

Interesting they were selling it to me yesterday I have deferred payment for a couple of months until i have the cash.... I will confirm Monday then

Regards
Iain

[Flatty]

My 2010 Puma 90 has done 21000 now it is going ok after the abs sensor and shattered cv joint issue at around 1500 km. The air conditioner is working well now after the dash was taken out to fix it. The red rear fog light has not worked since and the after market cruse control switch gear keeps vibrating loose they forgot to tighten it. It developed a miss and was shunting at low throttle settings the miss went away but there is a slight shunting or hunting still. The tank was drained and Landrover found kerro in the tank but it still does it at times the mechanic can't find anything wrong. I have only filled up at petrol stations so the kerro is a mystery. We like the car and plan to keep it along time. It is great to hear that the transit motor lasts a long time. However it doesn't get the mileage out of a tank like my 300tdi 110 did, but the 90 has allot more power.
Regards Flatty

[Drover]

Interesting they were selling it to me yesterday I have deferred payment for a couple of months until i have the cash.... I will confirm Monday then

Regards
Iain

Hey Iain,

I hope you can get it, because then I will will buy it as well.

I tried to purchase about 6months ago and was told very certainly that is it not available on Defenders. Be care full that what they are selling you is LR certified and just some extended warranty company.

Good Luck
Cheers Grant

[newhue]

Same here, no extended warranty for Defers. Apparently we use them too much I was told, the car that is, not the warranty.

After discovering mine was built on April 1, and it spent more time at dealers for the fist two months of it commission than at home; I honestly thought I had bought a lemon.
BUT after 25 000klm in 10 months it hasn't skipped a beat, delivered every thing I have asked, and made me and the family very very happy.

They are not perfect, but I can't, and don't expect to find another vehicle like it or to replace it. As world regulations crimp tighter they are in the "to be extinct" category in the next few years we are told. So I had pondered on trading and getting one of the last run of PUMA's when it eventuates. However I am so happy with the current about all I will gain apart for the debt, is less klm, and that sounds not to be a real concern anyway. :BigThumb:

Others can bag pumas as they like, but I'm keeping mine.

[Beckford]

I have extended warranty on my Puma, but I think you are correct and it is an insurance policy through Alliance.

I took out an extended warranty insurance policy for a second hand 4wd I purchased a long time ago. It helped ease the pain when the gear box blew up. They got funny about not servicing it every 5,000km (in the fine print), but my mechanic argued the point and got my claim through.

[PAT303]

Barbagallo's offered extended warranty on my puma last weekend. Pat

[dmdigital]

Well as of lunch time we are Puma-less for a while as we have left it behind to get a well deserved service in Melbourne.

We are now in Sydney waiting to board our flight to Honolulu :) be back in a couple of weeks.

[Scallops]

Well as of lunch time we are Puma-less for a while as we have left it behind to get a well deserved service in Melbourne.

We are now in Sydney waiting to board our flight to Honolulu :) be back in a couple of weeks.

Have a good time, Derek. :)

[dmdigital]

Thanks Dan. I'm currently sitting sea side at a villa in Kailua Kona wishing we could stay more than another 4 days. We are really loving Hawai'i and will definitely be back.

We are driving a 2 door Wrangler around the island and missing the Defender.

[PBob]

Just clocked 37,000km and had a service yesterday. not a sign of an oil leak, no issues other than drive line clunk which everone tells me is normal. I did have the yellow warning light on the dash come on intermittably several times. However I have not seen it since my Innaminka trip about 4,000kms ago. The stealer could not find a fault reading at the time.
I still cannot get over the pulling power of these things. The temptation is too great. I LOVE flying up a hill around all sorts, just to see the look on their faces when they see an "old" Landrover fly past...
Oh, and I can put my unit in the car wash bay, hit it all over with the high pressure nozzle and not a drop inside!!:cool:

[PAT303]

I took mine for a quick 1 hour spin yesterday and the engine does pull up bush tracks easily,I drove up a loose shale covered track and the TC came on twice but without a problem she walked right up.The one thing more than anything else I've noticed is that it seems to not mind staying at 1000-1200rpm in 1st low and simply crawling over things,the Tdi needs a bit of rev's and speed but the TDCi likes it slow,1st low is low,it's no good going down as it locks the wheels but 2nd works like a treat. Pat

[Beckford]

1st low is low,it's no good going down as it locks the wheels but 2nd works like a treat. Pat

I agree 1st is really low. I find it excellent on really steep slippery inclines.

[The ho har's]

Derek,

Am glad you had trouble free trip down to Melb, and equally happy you are having a well deserved holiday in Hawaii:D

Don't forget if you can, visit us on your return;)

Mrs hh:angel:

[dmdigital]

Will do Mrs H. Not sure of the plans yet and whether we will by-pass Brisbane or not.

[spudfan]

Leading from the front as usual,roll on. Heading for the bog tomorrow with our tdi and Puma to take home turf. Not quite the same I admit, but one of these days ......(or so I keep telling myself)

[spudfan]

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/08/795.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/08/796.jpg

[dmdigital]

Will do Mrs H. Not sure of the plans yet and whether we will by-pass Brisbane or not.

Sorry Mrs H. We bypassed Brisbane and got to Townsville.

[The ho har's]

Sorry Mrs H. We bypassed Brisbane and got to Townsville.

I have noticed that one:p not that I look to often on here:angel::p:D

Mrs hh:angel:

[dmdigital]

Well after a 1015km day we are almost home. Only 890km to go :(

Manage to get hit by at least 3 birds today (might have been 5). I think that puts the Puma's bird kill at somewhere between 45 and 50!

[Drover]

It sound like you have a good trip in the PUMA,

How many K's will you covered by the time you get home ?

Fuel figures ?

Cheers
Grant

[dmdigital]

All noted down but yet to be reviewed. I'll post them up once we are back home and stopped driving for a few days.

I've also got a few thousand holiday pictures to sort through and a new wheel carrier to install.

[dmdigital]

Well made it home just before 5pm yesterday. Another long day of driving.

The roadkill count went up again, another two birds, a blue tongue lizard and a wallaby. The wallaby hit the side step towards the rear and went under the back wheel. No damage to the Defender, but the same can't be said for the poor roo, at least it was a quick ending.

I think I might start referring to the Puma as the Feral Cat, it's certainly made a dent in the native wildlife :(:(



Anyway here's the statistics for the trip:
Total days driving: 22
Distance covered: 10,533km
Fuel used: 1,412L
Did not need to top up engine oil or other fluids

Fuel consumption:
- Average: 13.6 L/100km
- Best: 10.9 L/100km
- Worst: 19.5 L/100km

Fuel Prices
Best: $1.377/L (Mt Isa)
Worst: $1.950/L (Elliot)
Average: $1.603/L


Issues:
Turbo heat shield came loose from one mounting bolt on the way down.
Wheel carrier broke on way down (Rijidi one to be fitted).
Brakes have become a little spongy on the way back. They worked really well until we left Townsville. Fluid level is unchanged so I will be bleeding them and checking the pad wear.

[Loubrey]

Good effort and thanks for the figures! We should have more info from fellow Puma drivers who's vehicles perform as expected. Those minor issues are sbsolutely nothing in comparison to the distance and I would bet that if you had inferiors along for the trip, their end of journey bills would far exceed yours!

Defenders remain Defenders regardless of their generation. Cheers!

[n plus one]

Thought I should resurrect this thread.

My Puma has just returned from a 13,000k trip to WA as the service/support vehicle for my "assault" on this year's Australasian Safari.

I'm happy to report I have nothing to report, the Puma smashed it - no dramas at all (with the truck anyway - managed to snap the trailer's suspension) depite shocking headwinds across the Nulla (both bloody ways) a heap of questionable fuel in the middle if the desert and a good 2000ks of corrugations.

Got a few minor warranty issues to get fixed (interior trim mostly) and the egr is a little squeaky, but that's it. 62,000ks to date.

As for fuel, the truck was serviced and retuned prior to the trip and returned high 16s towing 1.2 tonne. Following another service and retuned on the tri back she got high 12s.

Fair to say I'm changing dealers...

[browndogrider1]

I've just come back from Birdsville, down to Flinders, back to Canberra - Total distance 6120kms

My fuel figures for the Puma towing 1 tonne of camper were 14.2lts/100k.
This was the average for towing 50% of the time - no I didnt leave the trailer up there, I shared the towing with 1 other vehicle.

I worked out that without the trailer, but still fully loaded up with 3 in the car, I was getting 13.0lts/100kms

Truck has done 32,000kms and running very well. I'm very happy with the fuel figures.