looking at Puma...

[digger]

I am looking at getting back into a defender again,

Last one was a '98 110.

I would like any info on the puma's in a nutshell...
--by that which is the preferred option 2.4 or 2.2 ?

I currently have a 3litre nissan pootrol with the grenade motor which has
already done the grenade part without warning at 170,000 k.

I am up to $9000+ and not happy at all, it will probably be perfectly ok
but I want to go back to a landy, what I cannot afford to do is buy a
model that will dud... if it does I reckon the "minister for war and finance" (my wife) will veto any further newer products ftom solihull....

so this is important!!

Any advice appreciated.. (right now looking at $38k max + the trade in if its a yard.. that will possibly go up as time passes and we can save some.)

Cheers
Digger

[spudboy]

Hi Digger,

Can't comment on the 2.2 as mine is a 2.4 but I think they have the same power/torque figures anyway. It has been a great little engine and overall the car has been 100%. Got the usual Diff swap in the early days and no further issues with it.

I think for $38K you'll be looking at the 2.4's just because the newer 2.2's will be in the higher price bracket.

If you want to go for a burn in one and you are down in Adelaide just let me know. You're welcome to see what a 2007 model looks like in terms of age and take it out an a few local tracks to see how it's held up.

Cheers
David

[digger]

Hi Digger,

Can't comment on the 2.2 as mine is a 2.4 but I think they have the same power/torque figures anyway. It has been a great little engine and overall the car has been 100%. Got the usual Diff swap in the early days and no further issues with it.

I think for $38K you'll be looking at the 2.4's just because the newer 2.2's will be in the higher price bracket.

If you want to go for a burn in one and you are down in Adelaide just let me know. You're welcome to see what a 2007 model looks like in terms of age and take it out an a few local tracks to see how it's held up.

Cheers
David

Cheers,
I am hoping to go thru a car yard and get @18k on mine as trade,
and willing to travel interstate if I have to!!

The front diff replacement "the usual" - how do I know if the change has
been done?, do l/r still "yellow dot" stuff when its done?

and what if its not been done.... I dont need another grenade!

cheers!

[spudboy]

Diff swap was the rear (Front diffs are more the domain of L322s).

The early PUMAs all got done on recall, as there was some machining or material quality issue. They will have all been done by now.

I've bought 4 or 5 cars interstate as the choice here in SA is much more limited. As long as the paperwork matches the VIN/Engine it is no great dramas going through Regency Park.

Good luck finding one. We love ours!

[jplambs]

Hi Digger, I pick up my 2.2 next week from the dealers. (see the JP's 130 thread) so if you wanted to test drive that you are more than welcome. I bought mine from Mac's in Millicent and they have been fantastic, I looked at the option of buying from interstate and the other dealers however Mac's were still cheaper. What model are you looking at buying? 110, 130? At that sort of money plus the trade in is about the cost of a new 110.

[oldyella 76]

I have a 2.2 110 had it about 3 months. Very happy so far.
Lindsay.

[dullbird]

Diff swap was the rear (Front diffs are more the domain of L322s).


The early PUMAs all got done on recall, as there was some machining or material quality issue. They will have all been done by now.

I've bought 4 or 5 cars interstate as the choice here in SA is much more limited. As long as the paperwork matches the VIN/Engine it is no great dramas going through Regency Park.

Good luck finding one. We love ours!


Spudboy are you sure there is a recall for the rear diff????? many had them changed due to failure but I cant say I have heard of a recall, not to say it didnt happen though.

there was a recall for a seal in the transfer case if I remember....

[4wheeler]

My 2007 Puma 2.4 has original front and rear diffs, 54,000km and no diff recall that I know of although quite a few suffered problems in the early days of this model. The diffs in mine are silent although maybe I can't hear them over the rumble of the KM'2s.

Check prospective vehicles in the 2.4,s for clutch update (if replaced due to rattly springs), transfer case output seal replacement, fuel tank breather extension left hand side rear wheel arch, vacuum pump change (as many died early- although mine is still original) and EGR valve operation. Rear high level brake light failure has been noted due to faulty wiring in the glass, and look for corrosion on front windscreen frame. Not too much to worry about.:)

[spudboy]

Spudboy are you sure there is a recall for the rear diff????? many had them changed due to failure but I cant say I have heard of a recall, not to say it didnt happen though.

there was a recall for a seal in the transfer case if I remember....

Ahhh - maybe it wasn't a recall... It seemed to happen to just about every early one but maybe the recall I am thinking of was the one on L322s (front diff).

Also - I just remembered - I had the Vacuum Air Pump replaced under warranty too as it was seeping a bit of oil. Some people had spectacular oil showers from theirs (Scallops??).

[Defender Defender]

I bought an ex Qld Government (Forestry Dept most likely) Puma 2.4 130 dual cab . It had 75000k on it when I bought it 3 months ago and now it has 93000. Apart from a settled left hand front spring I've had no other problems. The spring was settled when I bought it- it was picked up by RACQ but was deemed not to be a major issue. Both front springs have been replaced at 85000 or 3 weeks ago. The only difference between a 2.2 and a 2.4 seems to be the cubic capacity, and it seems the only reason they've even played with the engine is for emissions to meet whatever Euro spec they're up to now. The little motor seems to have as much pull as any other 4wd ute going around except it's able to carry a lot more in a lot more difficult terrain. With 500litres of diesel in the tray and a heap of tools and other earthmoving related gear, it more than keeps up with a V8 Cruiser, so power and ride is not an issue.....but we all knew that. It hangs on nearly as well as my turboed Isuzu except at lower revs. As for inherant or ongoing problems, i can't comment- haven't had any. So very un-Landrover!!! Hope this helps, or sways you

[The ho har's]

Woo Whoo Nige and Nay and the 3 billy lids in a proper 4WD:D

go for it:)

Mrs hh:angel:

[5607Nick]

Hello Digger

How are you progressing with my old Ex army Series 11A SWB you found at Andamooka?

Regarding the Puma, I have just begun using a 2.2 Puma 130 Dual Cab, for work. I traded in my previous Td5 130 recently, with 250,000 km completed successfully. It is early days so far ( Like 4000 Km), so I can’t report on reliability yet, but this one really goes like a rocket. I am carrying about a half tonne of tools and survey equipment, much as I had in the Td5, but this one seems to have more power on hills, and into head winds. The old one had a canvas canopy, which probably didn’t help much, while the new one has an aluminum tray.

One interesting quirk I am having to learn is that the computer doesn’t like the engine moving at low engine revs, and boosts the speed to where I assume it has been programmed for the ‘anti-stall’ feature. This can make my trailer reversing look very amateur. The new vehicle came with convex outside driving mirrors. Also not much help when reversing, with or without the trailer! They have been replaced with flat glass.

The noise level in the cabin is quieter than the Td5, even allowing for the ten year age difference. The Td5 and the Series 1 Discovery I have generally give a Speedo reading about 4 kph below the GPS speed. The Puma is the other way, so when my brain tells me the 105 keeps me at the same speed as trucks, I am actually doing around 110 kph (That will be my excuse if I meet you in your other world). I was concerned at the fuel consumption figures I was getting, but now I am using 96 kph as my target, it is better, although still around 15lt/100km.

Cheers for now

[Defender Mike]

Im very happy with my 2012 defender 90 , 8000ks and no problems at all. I paid $39,990 for mine drive away brand new I see 2010 models in car yards going for $44,000 here in Perth. I dont understand that but if you can find a brand new one still available I would push for the $39,990 deal I know someone else who did recently and got it.
Mike

[newhue]

Digger,

mine has 58000K on it now and I'm happy. It has just done a 7300km trip through central Aus without fault. 4700km of that on dirt, sand or gravel.
My 130 was at GVM (3500kg) for this trip and the 2.4 pulls it along very nicely with 255/85's. It accelerates quite happily to over take from 100km to 120 if needed. And maintains it's speed on long climbs easy enough in 6th as well.
The air con works well, but you will need a new radio. The original is a bit tinny.
Mine had a mystery electrical issue in it's first 300km, but after that has basically been faultless since. Couple loose bolts here an there, swivel hub seals, small leak between the g box and transfer, and the EGR valve has just gotten a bit croaky, but no diff or drive line issues.

Would I buy another one, yes for sure. Probably a good thing buying one with a few km's, it should have ironed itself out by then.

[Bavo]

2.2 MY12, 2 months and 3500km since new. Bit too soon to tell, but it seems great so far. :D
Time will tell...

[PAT303]

Mines done 35k and I'm very happy with it,I wouldn't think twice about replacing it with another except I'd go the 130. Pat

[digger]

Well, I have taken the plunge and got an 11 build, 12MY puma 110.
it is 7 seater, but no tow bar, bull bar or side steps etc..

Unfortunately I wont be able to pick it up for at least 3 or 4 weeks (my complications not dealers!) Its in Bundy and POP058 checked it out for me (thanks)

Hopefully its a good one! :D

[d@rk51d3]

Lucky sod!

:(

[Babs]

Well, I have taken the plunge and got an 11 build, 12MY puma 110.
it is 7 seater, but no tow bar, bull bar or side steps etc..

Unfortunately I wont be able to pick it up for at least 3 or 4 weeks (my complications not dealers!) Its in Bundy and POP058 checked it out for me (thanks)

Hopefully its a good one! :D

Congrats, I am assuming it was the one with 260 odd klm on it. 2011 Demo Bundaberg Land Rover, they had it for $46,990 had the wrangler muddies on it. I was trying to get a price on my Hilux, they took off for Melbourne cup lunch rang me the next day and was sold. Now I know where it went. Hope it goes well for you, but if you don't follow through let me know.

Regards,
Babs.

[digger]

Thanks Babs, yep I saw it go onto carsales and rang immediately,
I then organised for Paul (pop058) to check it out (worried too good to be true!) then paid deposit on Monday... happy camper!!

Having now paid for the vehicle, there is NO WAY I'm backing out! :D

[d@rk51d3]

Having now paid for the vehicle, there is NO WAY I'm backing out! :D

Buggered gearbox, eh?

:p