LR servicing in Mt Isa

[Alra]

Hello Ladies and Gentlemen,

I have owned a 110 for only a few weeks and live in a small town called Cloncurry (NW Qld). Mt Isa is the nearest city but it doesn't have a LR dealership. When I picked up the big rig I explained to the dealer where I live and lack of a nearby dealer for servicing. He explained that any accredited mechanic can do the servicing without voiding he warranty as long as they use the correct proucts. The nearest dealership is in Townsville 800k's away and from what this young fella went through

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/search.php'searchid=3675643

There is no way I want them going near my vehicle. If anyone can suggest a good service point in Mt Isa I would be most appreciative. I haven't spied to many Deefers in the Isa but plenty of D1 and D2's lately. If I don't get any luck here I will try the Sam post the Disco forum.

Cheers,

Danial.

[Alra]

Sorry, wrong link in the original post. Please see this thread for a young bloke that had a terrible time with the Townsville dealer.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/search.php'searchid=3675643

Cheers,

Danial

[Alra]

Got it wrong again. This should do it.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/90-110-130-defender-county/167078-some-puma-90-niggles-frustrations-warranty.html

[Bearman]

Hello Ladies and Gentlemen,

There is no way I want them going near my vehicle. If anyone can suggest a good service point in Mt Isa I would be most appreciative. I haven't spied to many Deefers in the Isa but plenty of D1 and D2's lately. If I don't get any luck here I will try the Sam post the Disco forum.

Cheers,

Danial.

G'day Daniel and welcome,
Sorry but I cannot help with advice on mechanics at Mt.Isa as its over 20 years since I left there and the ones I knew have no doubt retired or moved on by now, but I share your concerns on the ability of the Townsville dealer. My son had a RR Sport for several years (he lives in Townsville) and as it was a lease vehicle the servicing/repairs were done at this dealer. From what he passed on to me I can only describe their service as incompetent. Very similar story to Leroys, days to come up with a diagnosis which was most times wrong, no parts in Aust, promise but don't return phone calls, "forget to fix" things at service time, can't even get a wheel alignment correct, in general don't seem to give a **** about the customer. After that experience I don't think he will ever own another LR. I would keep away from them and find someone local who can do the servicing.

[Bigbjorn]

There used to be a dealer in Cloncurry, Laurie Rooke. Is his business still operating? Likewise there was a dealer in Mt. Isa, Western Garage & Inland Motors, principal Les Meszaros who may be dead or very old. Perhaps the old staff have still be working and able to help. Ask around.

[Bearman]

There used to be a dealer in Cloncurry, Laurie Rooke. Is his business still operating? Likewise there was a dealer in Mt. Isa, Western Garage & Inland Motors, principal Les Meszaros who may be dead or very old. Perhaps the old staff have still be working and able to help. Ask around.

Les Meszaros and Western Garage folded in the late 70's. Barkly Motors took over the LR dealership but only on a token scale for a short time. Don't think there has been anyone for some time now.

[Bigbjorn]

I knew about the change but was more wondering if any experienced workshop staff were still around.

Les (Laszlo) supposedely retired to the Gold Coast where he had business interests in tiptrucks and sand and gravel with an old comrade who was his silent partner in Western Garage. Both were WW2 veterans (German). Our Gold Coast rep. told a story about a schnapps fueled business disagreement one night culminating in a midnight gunfight in Ferry Road, Southport. Fortunately no harm done. In those days Russ Hinze was the local member and Minister for Police and these gentlemanly disagreements could be discreetly concealed.

[chook73]

See butch at miners mate mechanical. He helped me out last year with the portals and rebuilt my dc prop shaft. I was only there a day but they dropped everything for me and really know their stuff.

[Alra]

There used to be a dealer in Cloncurry, Laurie Rooke. Is his business still operating? Likewise there was a dealer in Mt. Isa, Western Garage & Inland Motors, principal Les Meszaros who may be dead or very old. Perhaps the old staff have still be working and able to help. Ask around.

Thanks Brian,

Definitely no LR dealership in The Curry or Isa and I haven't of Laurie Rooke as a mechanic either.

Cheers,

Danial.

[NT5224]

Hi again Danial

As I think I mentioned in a previous post, there was a dealership which supported Land Rover in The Isa until about 2004 or 2005.

Can't remember, exactly but it might have been the Holden dealers. I was actually seriously considering buying a TD5 through them, but as I mentioned before, the business owner left town almost overnight leaving a whiff of scandal behind him. I ended up with a 100 series wagon through the Toyota dealers. It turned out to be a Lemon and getting work under Toyota warranty a nightmare. It was sold on within a year.

If a Holden dearlership has reopened in the Isa, I might be the place to ask if any of the old service crew are still around.

Incidentally, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service rangers used to run a fleet of three TD5 130's out Riversleigh and Lawn Hill way. Doubt they still have them, (but might!) but somebody must have serviced them- probably in Isa. Might be worth giving them a call in case it was an independent.

best of luck

Alan

[Bigbjorn]

Thanks Brian,

Definitely no LR dealership in The Curry or Isa and I haven't of Laurie Rooke as a mechanic either.

Cheers,

Danial.

The dealership was in Scarr St. Probably retired or dead by now. I wonder if any old residents remember them or anyone who worked there who may be available? White Pages has an L.L. Rooke in Gulliver but no others in the region.

No Land rover dealers west of Toowoomba today. When Leyland Truck and Bus were the distributors we had dealers in villages as small as Dirrinbandi, Thargomindah, Morven. In the north and central west there were dealers in Mt. Isa, Cloncurry, Winton, Longreach, Barcaldine, Blackall, Augathella. Most of the smaller inland towns no longer have a volume car dealership and without a volume car to sell a country dealership is not viable.

[Alra]

Hi again Danial

As I think I mentioned in a previous post, there was a dealership which supported Land Rover in The Isa until about 2004 or 2005.

Can't remember, exactly but it might have been the Holden dealers. I was actually seriously considering buying a TD5 through them, but as I mentioned before, the business owner left town almost overnight leaving a whiff of scandal behind him. I ended up with a 100 series wagon through the Toyota dealers. It turned out to be a Lemon and getting work under Toyota warranty a nightmare. It was sold on within a year.

If a Holden dearlership has reopened in the Isa, I might be the place to ask if any of the old service crew are still around.

Incidentally, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service rangers used to run a fleet of three TD5 130's out Riversleigh and Lawn Hill way. Doubt they still have them, (but might!) but somebody must have serviced them- probably in Isa. Might be worth giving them a call in case it was an independent.

best of luck

Alan

Thanks Alan,

I have a friend that gets on with the Lawn Hill Rangers really well. Unfortunately he was able to confirm that they boys up in that magnificent part of the world are now using Toyota troopies.

Cheers,

Danial.

[NT5224]

Thanks Alan,

I have a friend that gets on with the Lawn Hill Rangers really well. Unfortunately he was able to confirm that they boys up in that magnificent part of the world are now using Toyota troopies.

Cheers,

Danial.


I suppose the switch to Toyota is not entirely unexpected -I'm sure it makes commercial sense but those 130's were so distinctive -like the ranger uniforms or signage at the parks. You'd know the Parkies were coming from a mile away -and see their distinctive wheel tracks in the dirt so you'd know they were doing their rounds. Switching to Tojo's
P & W are losing something :(

Its gonna be terrific fun exploring the North West in in your new Land Rover.

Cheers

Alan