What to do...

[Buggy]

Hi all, I'm not a Landy owner and always had landcruisewrs.

Because of the turbo 4 cylinder I'm looking at a 2012 or new 90 series, however have a couple of questions if someone would be so good as to answer.

Like anyone I know the reputation of reliability of the vehicle , but what are the new engines like, are they reliable and likely to last?

I have heard a bit about landys leaking water in the wet, is this a common issue, I find it hard to imagine a new car getting you wet in the rain..

Finally, my 4x4 use would mostly be beach work and the odd climbing of sand dunes, can anyone say how well they can perform in sand?

Many thanks and great forum.

[redneb72]

Buggy,

I asked this question a while back, and it has been asked several times since. Obviously you get varying responses, some good and some bad, about reliability and the like. Here is a link to some of the times its been asked, have a read and you may get a bit of info from there -

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/90-110-130-defender-county/141273-2012-defender-worth-buying.html

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

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/90-110-130-defender-county/172586-top-ten-puma-self-servicing-road-repairs-know.html

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/90-110-130-defender-county/149519-td5-puma-perpetual-question.html

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/90-110-130-defender-county/174019-defender-puma-2-2-voice-your-issues.html


As for leaking water in the wet, well my TD5 does it, and I don't think too many things have changed. It is frustrating to say the least, but you learn to get over it I suppose. Here is some links identifying a possible solution -

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/90-110-130-defender-county/174239-possible-cure-defender-roof-leak.html

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/90-110-130-defender-county/171255-leaking-roof.html

With regards to your beach work, they are fantastic on the beach. That is not to say they don't rust, because they do! Some are even coming new off the floor now with surface rust on the bolt faces -

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/90-110-130-defender-county/173822-rust-new-defender.html

I must say, I don't think I would be all too pleased if this happened to me............

I will say this however. The forum is full of information from members, and experiences, to sift through. Some of the things people have done to their Defenders is very, very impressive to say the least. To assist you in searching the forum, use the two search engines at the bottom of the page, the left searches AULRO only, and the right does the web.

Me personally, I have a love hate relationship with my defender, as I suspect a lot of people to with their cars no matter which badge.

I just think the deciding factor is your service technician or mechanic, and warranty provider if buying new. Fortunately for me I am in Mackay and we have a great mechanic here in Land Rover Spares. If you were in Brisbane, I would recommend MR auto, but you're not. Do your research where you live and find a mechanic who likes to work on them, and then you will have a better direction on which way to go.

I hope this helps,

Ben

[Buggy]

Many thanks for the great reply Ben, ill look through those links. Bit disappointing about the leaks.

[chook73]

I have a 2009 Puma and it doesn't leak in the rain, I have taken it back numerous times under warranty but they just cant explain why it sealed...... :wasntme:

I used to have a pootrol, never looked back, the one thing I have found a little hard to get used to is the narrow body but I like it now, you just have to be a bit smarter about packing.

[Chops]

My Defer 2011, leaks a bit,, who cares, it's all about character.

I've loaded mine right up a couple of times for both the Border Track and then a "Long way around" type trip back from Melrose a few weeks ago.
To get to both places fully loaded was a "quick" get there leg, which had seen me sit on or above the speed limit (:angel:) with no issues at all, plenty of power when needed ;) During the "tour/sightseeing" legs, she handled the weight easily. If anything, my own ability in driving let me down, just cruising and not paying due attention to the conditions. It's very relaxing to drive I find,, some I guess would not say that's the case, but for me it is.

I bought brand new a few years ago a 75 series LC. The bigger motor, and presumably better tougher driveline,,, not a patch on my Puma. Yes it possibly had a higher top speed, I haven't tried the Puma to check its top speed, but I'm guessing it wouldn't do the 145 the cruiser did.

And finally, yes, some have some issues, but so do all brands, and the guys that generally spruke that Land Rovers are crap because of this that and the other have never actually owned or driven one,, so the reality is,, what the hell would they know,, apart from nothing.

Good luck in your search, take a punt, catch up with a couple of the boys in your area, I'm sure if you ask nicely, they'll look after you :)

[NT5224]

Hi Buggy

I've driven several Land Rovers in the past for work , but came to my current MY2012 Puma from an 1997 Cruiser 79 ute. Before buying the Puma ute I test drove the Tojo V8. It was a heart over head decision to go Land Rover, but now I am so pleased I did. Nothing is wrong with Tojos, they are well made, reliable and do the job. But the Land Rover is just awesome.

I have just been home to the Territory burning my property boundary lines. One winding boundary track runs up an escarpment on a steep (really steep!) gravel and rocky incline. When I told my neighbour with his new Tojo V8 that I regularly go up and down that track with the Land Rover he was amazed, because he would only do it on a quad bike. Even with front and back lockers he wouldn't trust the Tojo to it. :D

Cheers

Alan

[Buggy]

Thanks Alan, and thanks to all for the replies. I do like the look and style of the 90 series, but I guess get a bit worried when I read links like the first one added by Ben, plus the leaking seems just bizarre as you'd think a new, or at least in the last ten years old, vehicle would have been rectified by the manufacturer.
It seems like there are a lot of faults mentioned on here by owners of new vehicles which worries me a bit...I'd be devastated buying a lemon..

[ProjectDirector]

Thanks Alan, and thanks to all for the replies. I do like the look and style of the 90 series, but I guess get a bit worried when I read links like the first one added by Ben, plus the leaking seems just bizarre as you'd think a new, or at least in the last ten years old, vehicle would have been rectified by the manufacturer.
It seems like there are a lot of faults mentioned on here by owners of new vehicles which worries me a bit...I'd be devastated buying a lemon..

I wouldn't be be so alarmed, most manufacturers these days have a lot quality issues only because of where some cars are manufactured and typically due to a lot of the components being made in countries like china. Even my 3year old VW had QA issues.

Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner

[JDNSW]

Thanks Alan, and thanks to all for the replies. I do like the look and style of the 90 series, but I guess get a bit worried when I read links like the first one added by Ben, plus the leaking seems just bizarre as you'd think a new, or at least in the last ten years old, vehicle would have been rectified by the manufacturer.
It seems like there are a lot of faults mentioned on here by owners of new vehicles which worries me a bit...I'd be devastated buying a lemon..

One of the key features of the Defender is that the body is bolted and rivetted together not welded. While this allows easy production of multiple body types (and to change the vehicle between body types), all these joints are hard to reliably seal.

John

[Loubrey]

Buggy,

Just on the naming convention for Land Rovers. They are just known by the following names:

Defender 90
Defender 110
Defender 130

With body styles named:

Station Wagon - 4 seater in 90 and 7 seater in 110
Hard Top - No 90 just a 2 seater 110 in Australia with no rear side windows (bit like a van).
Pickup and Double Cab Pickup for the UTE's and again no 90 in Australia

The number refers to measurement in inches between axles and are not a model "Series" as used by Toyota. The word "Series" have a completely different connectation in the Land Rover world and you will most probably get blank stares if you asked a dealer about a "90 Series".

You are obviously referring to the short wheel base 90 which is an awesome vehicle both on and off road, but quite limiting in the packing volume stakes.

I personally drive one (Defender 90) as a daily drive and I've not had any issues with my car in the 3 years that I've owned it.

I've driven them for the past 17 odd years and I've never been left stranded by one, which is what it's about in my book.

Good luck with your choice and search!

Cheers,

Lou

[Didge]

I care about the leaks; it's the main thing that $%^#es me off! And also the fact LR don't care enough to fix it. They basically leak at every joint but Buggy, a Defender will become like your beloved family pet and I've never heard of Jap 4x4 owners having the same sentiments about their cars; get one and you'll join an elite group. :)

[Blknight.aus]

get a landy,

Its not something that can ever be adequately experienced through explination.

when you get one you'll see and then you'll have a "ahhh so thats what they ment" moment which will quickly be followed by the realisation of why we all smile and wave at each other when we pass on the road. Its a simple modest way of acknowledging that yes, we know that we know something thats inexplicable"

You'll also get the privledge of experience those that dont know doing things like shutting the bonnets of their vehicles that are broken down and pretending they are just "stopped for a cuppa and to check the map" when you stop to assist.

[newhue]

Awesome. Soft, fine, dry, choppy, reverse, changing lanes, all seem to be no problem. Pop it in low and blod blod blod. It's like a bulldozer.

The Defender can be a challenge to own. But I like to think only the brave own a defender. Only they understand.
It sounds wanky but it's true.

[wrinklearthur]

Like anyone I know the reputation of reliability of the vehicle , but what are the new engines like, are they reliable and likely to last?
I will probably say in fifty years time, that motor has been well looked after, it hasn't ever given any problems


I have heard a bit about landys leaking water in the wet, is this a common issue, I find it hard to imagine a new car getting you wet in the rain.
The only time my Defender gets wet inside is when I open the door while it's raining.


Finally, my 4x4 use would mostly be beach work and the odd climbing of sand dunes, can anyone say how well they can perform in sand?

Wash it down well inside and out after running along the beach, use a rust preventative to spray inside the steel parts, that will keep any rust from starting.
Climbing sand dunes and running on soft sand is all about selecting the right tyre tread and tyre pressure, so carry a tyre compressor with you.
.

[Aaron]

The only time my Defender gets wet inside is when I open the door while it's raining.




Mine is the same to be honest. It only gets wet when I open the doors to hose it out.:D