The reason LandRover isnt building in this market

[digger]

After attending at the servicing dealer for my Defer (MY12) a few times I believe I know why people aren't rushing out to buy them even when theyre winning Australian 4wd of the year..

Its not the brand...

Its not the equipment or the accessories...

Its not a reputation thing...

Its the service from the dealer...or lack thereof!!

So this mob sell and service Landys, maserattis, bentleys, morgans, jaguar, VW, skoda, volvo, and aston martin etc...

I have to travel 225k for service... for the 25K service they requested I have it there at 8.30am and said it would be ready about 1pm. Fair enough..
They gave me a loan car until 1pm when it was needed back anyway.
:cool:

I drop it off with a list of other things that I have both emailed and spoken to them about over the telephone 2 weeks prior.. This included the rear passenger side door seal, it came loose and was jamming the door, I rpreviously ang and asked what I should use to secure it before it was damaged or damaged anything...I was told point blank that if I secure it in any way I void any warranty on the seals :eek::confused:

*- So, for a few weeks we try to push the seal back before closing the door but it continued happening and gradually bent/twisted the seal, causing the door to jam and the door card (or whatever its called) started pulling away from the door. So for 4 weeks my kids have entered and left the car through the passenger side rear door...It doesnt impress me much!!

I sent an email with photos etc and they agreed theyd replace the seals..they decided to door all 4 doors so the seals were consistant...thats good I thought...

Also had a problem where the reverse light blows a fuse whenever I tow...
Its fitted by the dealer so I added it to the list... knotchy 4th gear (I have mastered this but theres a recall so they can fix it by adding a washer apparently.)

The radio has started playing up..intermittantly... listening to radio (happens both am and fm) and it stops, no noise no readout etc...pushed the mode button Cd springs to life all OK, back to radio nil, nada zip.... but then...radio comes back in and work perfectly (well, for a landy radio) this has happened about 3 times so far... mysterious...:confused:
Obviously I cannot replicate this for the dealer..

Seat handles came off (again! already lost 1 they replaced- but they cant be glued as it will void the warranty!!) and a few other minor things..

So they take it in at 8.30am....Im back and waiting in the service area at 12.30.......and at 6.15pm they closed the workshop and handed me my car.. the service people parked it and left work before Id even got to it.. I wonder why!?!?

The bloke at the counter was very apologetic -- then he pointed out the fact they hadn't replaced the seals, in fact they hadnt even ordered them as "we had to see it first in person"... I pointed out the contact via email and photos sent and that Id been told it would be done...I was unimpressed!.

He swears they have already now ordered them and that theyd contact me asap to arrange install (another 450k round trip for me.. :( )

I notice its not washed either, but noted the jag and the aston martin and the disco collected whilst I was waiting had been... mongrels..

I get in, hearing the doors lock on the service place as I do... I turn the key
and the "OIL SERVICE" light comes on.... not deactivated??? :mad:

The reverse light is working... well at least that was done!
other bits and pieces done... OK!

check the service book, open first service page both pages blank..:o
Did they service the bastard or not??

Turn over the page there it is... so this so called top grade service centre
couldn't enter the service on the pages in order.... MMM impressed???

everything checked off including "wipers checked and OK" This is interesting as the wiper blades glued themselves to the screen a few days before and pulled some small bits out so they dont clean the screen correctly. Yep still with the gaps... :(

I look at the items they've listed on a piece of paper that they were apparently keeping track with, theyd left it in the car... lists "change fuse for reverse light" I had explained in detail that the fuse blows obviously because of a problem and happens with any trailer at all..they obviously didnt bother looking...:mad:

OK I contact them after I get home via email (as its now nearly 10pm due to the traffic on the way out of town and a prang on the way :( -Not me but just in front of me.) --Since this date still cannot use the drivers side rear door, this is annoying, embarrasing and technically unsafe and therefore defectable.

I follow that up with more contacts, per phone and email.. Nothing..:censored:

So I then sent copies of the emails to their executives email address...
next day contacted by phone!! Coincidence??? :angel:

They are ordering the seals in immediately there was 'some sort of mixup"
I couldnt get there for 3 weeks and told them that. Arrangements made and last Thursday I headed into Adelaide and again for an 8am start (means a 5.30 departure to be sure :eek:) but at least this will only take "about two hours."

No loan car there has been a mix up..OK, I went for a walk... rang back at 12 (to be sure) still working on it had some problems can you come back later in the afternoon?

Off I go....back at 3.30pm....nup.. still waiting... 4pm, now Im jammed into rush hour as they present Bear back with "We replaced the fuse in the reverse light" :o
God help me I now understand how people can punch others!

Sorry we replaced all the seals except one that they ordered wrongly.... which one??? Yep the rear drivers side door!!!

Solution ? "can you come back in tomorrow?"

No, I cant I have to go to work to pay for the fuel I just wasted coming down today and seeing you sons of motherless dogs!! (I actually said, "No Im working and cant spare 5 hours driving and 20 hours waiting like today!")

The guy at the counter was actually very embarrased and said theyd tried to find a new or demo one they could nick the seal from but they couldnt as they were GLUED IN!! (remember how all this couldve been avoided!?!)

God help me I now understand how people can murder others!

So they have chopped the seal off at seat level. I live on a dirt road and planned to go up to visit a station in the next week or so but that would fill Bear with more crap than even I thought was reasonable.

They still haven't painted the painted the area about 2" long on the floor where the seal took paint off as the door closed...

So Im waiting for a call... Im at 30,000k and due another service...

I think Ill have to consider the trip to Mac's down south... It has a great reputation and maybe including the 5 or so hour trip each way will still take less time to get done!

Anyway, as I said, I think what is killing Land Rover nowdays is the embarrasing apathy shown by so many who should be doing everything to encourage people to get them as they should be filled with confidence in the after sales and service ... dont their jobs rely on people going there for service and work??

The only series I noticed at the service place was the long and varied series of stuff ups theyve done.

PS:-
To cheer myself up and to avoid some of the rush hour I visited PCB landys at North Plympton, I tapped his brain with questions about Bear (puma), and different bits about s1 (80", and 109"), s2 (ute and wagon and 4 and 6)
and had a look at his 50 project and his 101 project (the 101 is impressive the work on it is top class!) He was very generous with his info and his time.
(I have never met him until that unannounced visit!)
Thanks!!

[carlosbeldia]

cheers man, exactly same stealers here, but i think they are even worse in my country. I went to quote a new front bumper in a colision and they told me the car had to stay in their workshop for the night so they can check if everything else was OK. IT was kind of strange for me so call a friend who works in there and told me to take my car out of there ASAP. THey had another TD5 (really rare here in Colombia) and needed some parts from a "donor"... do you believe it?

[newhue]

Digger, I can relate to your frustration, but I have always had a loaner and usually did what I was intending to do in my car but with the loaner, so it never was that big a problem. I also only live an hour away as well.

Have to agree, more than poor for prestige servicing. Perhaps send your post to the CEO of the dealership and LRA, maybe Solihull. Ask them if it was their car, or their wife's car, would they be happy with the service received. You might hit a chord somewhere that changes things for you. Maybe a free tank of fuel next service at least.

I took to taking photo's which usually was enough to pre order the part. But if the service agent, or parts manager is a nong what do you do. Perhaps deal with the Service Manager from now on, forget his subordinates.

[jsp]

Sounds about the same as the mob they took over from a few years ago as the land rover agent......

[voltron]

Wow that is atrocious. Can't say I have had one bad experience with the dealership in my area, tbh I think they have been great. But you should not have to put up with that sort of treatment. Hope it gets sorted.

[mike_beecham]

Hi All,
This is one reason l have kept my TD5 for now. My local dealer is nothing but useless when it comes to Defenders. As l have mentioned on here before, the Service Advisor insisted l needed to have the timing belt done on the Defender as it was 'due'. Seriously...........:eek:

I was very tempted to go with it, book it in to see what would happen....but l was scared of what they might do to the car!

I have mine looked after by a Defender specialist. As with every Defender l have had, it has never let me down, and l don't have to deal with the Dealers. (And he is a far far far more knowledgeable and very reasonably priced).

Michael

[debruiser]

I have to say that i have experienced 2 different dealers, they are worlds apart. When booking my D90 for something at Dealer A - "Hi, I'm here to book my defender in". "O, sorry sir what sort of car is that? Is that a Ford?" it only gets worse from there in..... i.e. the last experience was a 3 day episode to change 1 turbo hose.

When booking at Dealer B - my CHOICE of nice new loan car, was running low on fuel in that car half way through the day, so they filled it up for me. Then had to keep my car overnight and half the next day to complete work so I got to keep the loan car and drive it a couple of hours each way to where I stay when I'm away.

Dealer B is a 4 hour drive from my place, that's each way, so 800kms for me to get a service.

[Homestar]

Yikes - that's not good, but if it makes you feel any better, the Holden dealership I take my company car to is almost as bad.

Won't give you a blow by blow description, but in general, they never fix any of the things I ask them to - they write them down, then when I pick the car up they say they didn't have time to do it - even though I left it there all day - just for that reason. 'Can you pop back in the morning - we can do it then' - do they think I can sit around for 2 days off the road? If my comany have deemed it nessesary to have a company car, you can bet I need to use it more that 3 days a week....

The best one is the transmission - it has played up since day one - sometimes after hard acceleration, it won't change out of 2nd - for ages - like 30KM or so... Drove it home once in second - doing 6,000RPM - cruise control sitting at 100... :D Using 35LPH.....

Anyway, I report this fault every time I get it serviced. They come back with - 'Nothing wrong with it - no fault codes' I've asked them if they realise that it doesnt have to have a fault code to be stuffed....

Anyway at the last service, I pick the car up and they say "your transmission is making some funny noises - yoy may want to get that looked at' My jaw hit the floor - I pointed out that I have been asking them to do that for 2 years. I also reminded them that it is a fleet vehicle and they could have done that without my permission. So, I say - yes, please look at it. 'We can't do that for a week or so - can you come back another time'

I told them to leave it until the next service - hopefully i dies in the meantime and ends up on a tilt tray - I'll stick a note to the steering wheel that says 'I told you so....'

Bloody dealers....

[dero]

Seems to me that there are enthusiasts in overalls and ******* in suits in the Landrover service game. Choose carefully who you deal with .

[digger]

Cheers guys,

I must apologise though as in my stinking mood last night I went a bit too far in my description of the said company and as was pointed out made it a tad too obvious who I was reffering to..

In letting off steam I obscured my own clear vision>.....

Sorry about that to admin and mods - I usually get clear headed enough to avoid this by re reading a few times but I dropped the ball last night --again sorry, poor form on my part.

I shall persevere to get things done that need doing.. hoping to have it all fixed so I can return happy to MELROSE... time shall tell...

cheers

[Homestar]

Geez, I've never seen an angry Digger - probably don't want to...:D

Melrose is far enough away to be able to get your smile back, hopefully the dealer will have sorted all the issues by then. See you there.:)

[jsp]

Mate your fine, the same place refused to look at my 94 classic as it was too old, I have called them a couple of times for prices on parts I have needed in a hurry, I have never bought anything from them.

Don't stress :-) look forward to Melrose and have fun for me too as it looks like I won't make it this year.

[Ean Austral]

Don't feel bad Digger, I had issues with a Perth L/R dealership, and in the end wrote a letter to LRA, that was 14 yrs ago, im hopeful that the letter may get found by Australia post and delivered so I can get a reply.


I cant bring myself to believe that LRA would just fob me off like they have to many many others, but as the years pass I am thinking Australia Post did their job and LRA are just a bunch of *******.


Cheers Ean

[Tombie]

Same dealer here as Digger uses and been reasonable so far (touch wood).
My D4 is just having a sleep over at Basils For the last week, so when I collect it I will see how the work went.

I dropped it in for a couple of simple warranty jobs and to have them check the windscreen fitment as it seems slightly lower than the original.
According to the AULRO valet service which collected my vehicle it's running nice and the jobs are done...

[jplambs]

Digger, I think it would be well worth trying Mac's, you've probably seen my good news stories on them including the way they rectified the one mistake they made on my defender so I won't rehash them.

The difference I've had with them with things like seals, etc as you described is I'll ring up and say such and such is wrong can I do X to fix it or will that void warranty - their response has always been to just fix it and when you can get here we'll do it properly.

For the significant savings on regular service costs at Mac's compared to the other mob I reckon the 5 hour drive would be worth it. When it comes to loan cars on the one occasion I forgot to ask they just pulled a car out of the used car yard and gave me the keys for the day.

We're now getting both my 'fender and the folks D3 serviced there and are still very happy customers. If you do decide to go there ring and talk to Angus first and fill him in on the drama's you've been having. This is a dealer principle that offered to take a sensor out of his own defender to get mine back on the road.

[Basil135]

So, Mr Digger....

You had time to kill...

You were at THAT dealer...

You were a 5 min walk from me...


Do you drop in? NO. Do you write, call, text, smoke signal? No.

I am hurt, the ache in my heart will not fade. I would have even paid for the coffee...

Oh, and btw, do you want me to have a word to them when I pick my car up? There is a nice looking black 90 sitting there for the past few days, I am sure they would lend you...

I will say HI to Paul for you this arvo, if you like.. ;)

[rar110]

So, Mr Digger....

You had time to kill...

You were at THAT dealer...

You were a 5 min walk from me...


Do you drop in? NO. Do you write, call, text, smoke signal? No.

I am hurt, the ache in my heart will not fade. I would have even paid for the coffee...

Oh, and btw, do you want me to have a word to them when I pick my car up? There is a nice looking black 90 sitting there for the past few days, I am sure they would lend you...

I will say HI to Paul for you this arvo, if you like.. ;)

Chances are he wasn't in the best mood for socialising. Understandably.

[BlueWagon]

PS:-
To cheer myself up and to avoid some of the rush hour I visited PCB landys at North Plympton, I tapped his brain with questions about Bear (puma), and different bits about s1 (80", and 109"), s2 (ute and wagon and 4 and 6)
and had a look at his 50 project and his 101 project (the 101 is impressive the work on it is top class!) He was very generous with his info and his time.
(I have never met him until that unannounced visit!)
Thanks!!

Hi Digger
I can recommend PCB and he can do the warranty items although he says he can't sign the corrosion check so you'll need to take it to a dealer at least once a year for a service if you want to have the corrosion check signed for free.
Alternatively get the warranty items fixed by the dealer on a separate occasion to a service and insist on the free loan car you are entitled to. Then if the warranty items aren't fixed tell them to hang onto your vehicle overnight or over the weekend and you take the loan car home and bring it back the following evening or when they have fixed it. This has worked for me and I think it has been an incentive for them to resolve the issue while I am driving around in their loan car
Cheers

[Scouse]

I can recommend PCB and he can do the warranty items Anyone can do warranty items but you pay for them unless it's an authorized Land Rover service agent.
If PCB can't sign off the annual corrosion inspection, then I doubt he's a LR agent.

[digger]

and here we are.... I am still waiting for a call back about the seal!!!

:mad:

still driving about with half a seal on my back door...

no answers to my emails (two of them).. for a "top level" service provider they missed some of the meanings of the words I believe...


glad I didnt get a mazarati !

Im very disappointed actually,,

[Tombie]

Digger, there's a great bloke there now; Louis English.
A real enthusiast.
He's been great to deal with.

[Tombie]

I would like to mention that Louis English at Solitaire provided excellent service with regards to my MY11 Discovery 4.

I had a problem with a knocking sound behind my dash (centre) and his professionalism, willingness to go that extra step to look after me and my requests was a highlight and greatly appreciated.

The vehicle is now running brilliantly and the issue with the creaking dash assembly have been resolved.

During the time my vehicle was there, they provided me with a new Freelander 2 HSE and I must say, I am impressed, if I was in the market for a smaller vehicle with mild off road capability and good highway performance I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the FL2, it was agile, comfortable and a pleasure to drive.

Louis has an enthusiasm for the Land Rover product, and his professionalism and friendly manner is a credit to him. He represents both the brand and the dealership very well.

I look forward to dealing with him again in the future.

[digger]

for an update...

and this is a good one. :)

I was stuck in Adelaide for work (with a work vehicle so I couldnt take mine unfortunately) all last week. During this time I recieved a call from the service manager at the dealer. He was good and very straight forward, they have the seal in and he wants to make sure everything is done right whenever I can get it in there to be done. He was very apologetic for things so far and it appears I was one that has slipped through the crack rather than this being the usual..

He has chased up emails etc and they cannot find a few Ive sent but refered to others. This is a very encouraging turn of events. It also turns out that he is aware of the forum and this shows that they are interested in the enthusiast for the marque.

I was a very disappointed person before but honestly the short telephone call from Michael (the service manager) has got me very much back on side.

Now I just have to find time to get it there!! May have to be after a trip to Nunjikompita to scatter Dads ashes in Early June.. will keep this thread updated. cheers
As said I am very encouraged by this...

[85 county]

It also turns out that he is aware of the forum and this shows that they are interested in the enthusiast for the marque.

...

AH so he knows who you are!..... so its just fear then LOL

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Digger

What would have happened if you bought a gun buggy off them? :o

I bought my D4 off the same LR dealer that another AULRO member has had a few issues with and while they can be conservative with warranty issues, when LR give them the go ahead for a job they have been good to deal with.

If somethings wrong and you let them know they'll fix it pronto, free loaner Mazda hatch when the cars in for service.

In the long run I'd buy another car off them when I'm in that market.

Diana

[clubagreenie]

You guys are far too soft in dealing with these issues.

Far too soft...

If something isn't done I just don't leave. If they say they'll have me removed I offer to call the police and discuss the assault & battery and theft for services charged and not provided. Best effort is still being at a dealer at 2130 on a sat night with a service tech called in.

[jackiec]

Designed by genius, build and serviced by idiots

[Basil135]

Glad to see things are getting back on track.

I personally can't complain about the service I have received from this service department.

Dropped in one day to pick up some new rotors & brake pads. I only work down the road, and around the corner - quite literally. Ok, so I might have mis-judged the weight of the rotors. When I asked to leave them there, and I would drop by after work to collect, they told me to wait.

Next thing I know, they tell me to jump in the service van with the kid. The rotors are already in the back, and do I need a hand with the pads? Smart-alec whipper snapper.... lol

Dropped me & the parts back at work, no questions asked.

Sometimes, its the simple things that keep you going back.

[clubagreenie]

Thanks good service. For me great service would be calling when in and offering to deliver foc. Fantastic service is delivery offered foc at time of order.

But my standards are probably far higher than the norm. But I only expect the level of service I provide.

[digger]

OK finally an update!


I had enough time to get to ADELAIDE for the seal to be fitted and the intercooler hose recall work to be done..

I was going to get the 32000 service also...

but here is how events unfolded.

First I ring up and enquire about booking a service/warranty repair and recall job... no probs but can be delays etc.. can we offer you a loan car so you can do whatever needs to be done in ADELAIDE?

Well yes, thats pretty cool, thanks..

I leave at 6 and drop off the car at 8.30am as arranged.
I am then advised that because of my mileage I can delay the service for a 12 monthly service rather than 32,000 as Land Rover have altered their service schedules for the defender!!

OK, This is cool they could have done the service and told me afterwards, thats good stuff!

Then they walk me out to the loan car, "Ill show you how to start and how to drive it!"

Well, thats a tad condescending!!

The car is a Evoque!! Determined not to like it I get in...

MMM flash.... wheres the key go?? (he then proceeds to show me how to start it... OK so not condescending..he was a realist!) Funny, 2014 model, lots of flash stuff and their idea of advancement is to do what they did in 1949.... push button starter! :twisted:

Anyway, they've fixed the seal, double checked all the existing ones, done the recall work... they repainted the sill where it had been scratched,
checked the radio

(been fritzing intermittently... radio goes 'blank/quiet' then switch to cd and shes all go??!! happened a number of times but so intermittantly its not a huge problem... at the moment theyve offered to order another radio and replace at service if it happens again all I need to do is call them... Thats pretty good too seeing I cannot replicate the fault in front of them! anyone else having this problem?)

I also got a call saying that theyd found a deep cut ion the sidewall of one of my tyres and changed it over for the spare!! Thats brilliant too - so theyve given BEAR a good look over - excellent!

So I am wrapped with this customer service and now Im right back on board!!

I collect the car and its all done, there are apologies that they hadn't time to wash it!! Strewth that was my job and I couldnt get to it this week at all!

But after all this... Theyve apologised for the mucking about (trips up and back etc) and have listed the next service as gratis!!!

Now I know that nothing that has happened has been deliberate etc and I know when I was really miffed I popped my cork a bit -- but thats a great turn around in my whole outlook in one day!!.


--- so hopefully this post sums up the way its gone today... brilliantly..


(and although it has too much electric stuff and it looks like its squatted down.... the evoque actually impressed me...I am not thinking of them as a bit of a 1/2 serious car anymore..! But have no fear, I am a tractor loving kinda guy so its the fender and series for me!! )

[Tombie]

Great news Digger!!!

The Evoques a decent ride for sure....

Glad Bear is much better :D

[Mammalalien]

I know exactly which dealership you are talking about. I test drove a Puma 90 there a few weeks before my Dad bought one. About once a month for the next year, I got a follow up call from the same guy asking if I was still interested in buying a 90.

Each time I explained that in fact we had bought one. Job done. Stop calling.

I can't blame the dealer for all of the service issue though. You'd think after building one model for over 25 years, Landrover could have worked out most of the bugs.

[ian4002000]

I had a brief dealing with Mac's down south and found them to be extremely helpful and well organised. The previous owner of my Landy had gone many miles out of his way to have it serviced by Mac's and he was glad he had !
It is worth the trip !

[digger]

I have just realised I never completed this thread!!

And for that I am a jackass! Sorry!

Long story short, engine was replaced and vehicle was returned, it runs like a dream, and everything was checked and fixed before coming back to me.

I am a fan of the dealer in a big way and have been recommending them to anyone who is interested in listening!

Best part of the service was the way that I was kept updated of what was happening, contacted daily sometimes, to advise me of what was what. I was being looked after by Louis in the service dept desk, he is a dead set legend!, no crap, if he didn't know what was wrong or couldn't answer my question, he'd tell me and then get back to me as soon as he did know. That is quality service.


So its been about 5,000 k since the new heart in Bear and he is kicking along fine. (just clocking up 45,000k) the fairytale continues :)

Really the name of this thread should be changed to something like "Customer Service, how Land Rover won one bloke back"!!

Cheers!
Digger

[LouisW]

I took mine( 90- 6 days old) in and they kept it for 2 day (gave me an empty loan car never the less better than noting). my wife picked it up while i was travelling and on my return discovered they did NOTHING!!! now its going back next Tuesday.

Listening to the genral comments on this site I may risk the will to live or risk the warrenty and free 3 year /100 000km free servicing, and the it to a independent landcover specialist I can build a long term business relationship with.

[clubagreenie]

Park it there in the most inconvenient place possible. Get swag out, set up and sleep on their couches in the showroom.

[digger]

I took mine( 90- 6 days old) in and they kept it for 2 day (gave me an empty loan car never the less better than noting). my wife picked it up while i was travelling and on my return discovered they did NOTHING!!! now its going back next Tuesday.

Listening to the genral comments on this site I may risk the will to live or risk the warrenty and free 3 year /100 000km free servicing, and the it to a independent landcover specialist I can build a long term business relationship with.

Taking the advice of others on this site (thanks guys) I went in and tried to be as calm as i could, being patient and polite but explaining my disappointment paid off as i ended up dealing with the service manager and a service coordinator who keptmein the loop but most
Importantly he was dead honest with me.. i now think theyre pretty good!

Give it another try you may surprise yourself! Goodluck ☺

[Eevo]

if it was anyone else, i would've sworn it was a paid advertisement

[aj90]

The standard of service does certainly seem to differ. Going back 30 years the local Landrover dealer in the UK was very average. However I am happy to say that the Southside service centre in Brisbane is pretty good :)

[Is Vic There]

The standard of service does certainly seem to differ. Going back 30 years the local Landrover dealer in the UK was very average. However I am happy to say that the Southside service centre in Brisbane is pretty good :)

Just for future reference is this Austral?
There's a new LR dealer being built in Springwood at the moment ;)

[DiscoMick]

Just for future reference is this Austral?
There's a new LR dealer being built in Springwood at the moment ;)

Is there? Is that near the new Lexus dealer? Not far from me.

Sent from my GT-P5210 using AULRO mobile app

[Is Vic There]

Is there? Is that near the new Lexus dealer? Not far from me.

Sent from my GT-P5210 using AULRO mobile app

Yes, next door I think, just down from IKEA

[clubagreenie]

Does IKEA have Defenders CKD?

[digger]

Well another installment...

I have been driving Bear and finally reached 52K - time for
service etc (this milage is due to the date the heart transplant was
done on Bear).

I have noticed that the rear chassis rail is showing surface rust! Reported that and it will be assessed and put in for warranty (this may be done before I get there but if LR wants photos etc it'll be pushed on the day of service.)

The stereo has done the 'silent radio" thing again, I mentioned it and they will swap it out.

Bear has been a little flactuant on starting recently blowing a small amount of white or grey smoke.. not always but often enough it has me worried.. they'll have a look at that as well.

So I'm in for service on the 4th, with a generous 10am drop off (allowing me to leave home at a reasonable time to get there). Already spoken to Louis (the "Super Service" manager..) and he is trying to coordinate everything, so fingers crossed all will go well.....

('spose I need to wash him now.... properly :) not the quick weekly wash he usually gets!)

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Does IKEA have Defenders CKD?I have a Defender called Ikea, it came flat packed.

[Ace]

It really is bad to hear about this stuff. Good customer service doesnt cost the dealer more and word of mouth is free advertising. Im glad things turned around Digger, especially given the distance you have to travel.

Sent from my SM-G925I using AULRO mobile app

[Pedro_The_Swift]

shouldn't this be a blog?:angel::wasntme:

[Pickles2]

Well another installment...

I have been driving Bear and finally reached 52K - time for
service etc (this milage is due to the date the heart transplant was
done on Bear).

I have noticed that the rear chassis rail is showing surface rust! Reported that and it will be assessed and put in for warranty (this may be done before I get there but if LR wants photos etc it'll be pushed on the day of service.)

The stereo has done the 'silent radio" thing again, I mentioned it and they will swap it out.

Bear has been a little flactuant on starting recently blowing a small amount of white or grey smoke.. not always but often enough it has me worried.. they'll have a look at that as well.

So I'm in for service on the 4th, with a generous 10am drop off (allowing me to leave home at a reasonable time to get there). Already spoken to Louis (the "Super Service" manager..) and he is trying to coordinate everything, so fingers crossed all will go well.....

('spose I need to wash him now.... properly :) not the quick weekly wash he usually gets!)
G'Day Digger.
Mate, in this thread you mentioned somewhere that Bear's engine was "replaced", but I can't see any reference to how why or wherefore etc,....so could you elaborate a bit on what happened to the engine & how it was rectified?
Pickles.

[DiscoMick]

Yes, next door I think, just down from IKEA
That's right, seen it. Believe it opening early in the new year. Also to have Audi.

[digger]

G'Day Digger.
Mate, in this thread you mentioned somewhere that Bear's engine was "replaced", but I can't see any reference to how why or wherefore etc,....so could you elaborate a bit on what happened to the engine & how it was rectified?
Pickles.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/90-110-130-defender-county/204903-bear-broken-7.html

Sorry about that i didnt actually realise i hadnt done this!
Bear is broken was the thread I'll link it in.

[Tombie]

Where sick individuals rub the wrong indicator....

[digger]

shouldn't this be a blog?:angel::wasntme:

If you deem it so although I have no idea where to look or how to use a blog!

You are the "mod Father" after all. - if I argue I'd likely wake up with a horses head in my bed!!

[PAUL200]

I've had my Defender 10 months now and covered 20'000 km. Quite a lot of this (5000 + km) has been heavy off road with approx 700 kg in the tray.

I haven't had any problems and its been a solid and reliable performer. I think I'm going to get the 15 years I planned on out of it!

[Basil135]

Where sick individuals rub the wrong indicator....

I would respond to these allegations, however, anything I say or do will be taken down and used against me.

Sent from my GT-I9505 using AULRO mobile app

[Pedro_The_Swift]

You are the "mod Father" after all. - if I argue I'd likely wake up with a horses head in my bed!!

after reading all your woes I feel a sudden wave of sympathy,,

so maybe just a pony:twisted:

[Pickles2]

Digger, just read that thread in full,...jeez, that is a pretty good recommendation from Solitaire I reckon. Glad Bear is now well, & that you had a happy ending.
Were you able to detect any difference in the performance of the replacement engine, compared with the original when it was on song?
Pickles.

[digger]

Digger, just read that thread in full,...jeez, that is a pretty good recommendation from Solitaire I reckon. Glad Bear is now well, & that you had a happy ending.
Were you able to detect any difference in the performance of the replacement engine, compared with the original when it was on song?
Pickles.

I think there is, but the Minister for War and Finance doesnt think so!!

It runs well and I cant compare fuel usage as its a new motor so needed to loosen up.

(I keep a record of all fuel and mileage in Bear from when I collected him.
It has date, mileage, C per litre, how many litres and where filled. Its just in a small notebook. I add a small "T" if I have been towing for more of that trip than not or been towing heavy loads.. just to help keep track.)

As for Solitaire - I was willing to bag them when I wasn't happy, and even contemplated using another dealer (there are only 3 in SA) but the turnaround as far as I was concerned was very marked.. and now same as I am willing to bag 'em, I'll praise good service etc... and sometimes its simple stuff, the phone call telling me where it was up to, whether good or bad, and honesty, I asked questions and got no bull **** answers just a simple answer or if they didnt know they said so and rang me back when they did...

this is A grade stuff. I have dealt with Louis and the service manager Michael, both seem to love the marque, not just employed by the company but fans of LR/RR.

An example of how this showed through is when Louis made a comment about the 51 grille I had picked up on the way down for a service that was in the back. Knowing its a '51 grille for an 80" doesnt sound like much on here but in the real world its an enthusiast that spots and knows it.

[SG1 Bones]

G'day Digger,
I'm glad it's all worked out for you. It is frustrating when companies are supposed to provide customer service and don't, but it is fantastic when it is rectified properly and the service returned.

Nathan.

[digger]

I would respond to these allegations, however, anything I say or do will be taken down and used against me.

Sent from my GT-I9505 using AULRO mobile app

Taking Bear in this morning. If you head past LR service
just remember which side is OK to pat please Nigel!!
(It's like an Echidna. You can pat his tummy, no worries..
But the other side? ) :twisted:

[The Yak]

My wife and I have had a few dozen Defenders pass through our hands and we have always dealt with independent specialists.


However, a few years ago I had a mental aberration and for some reason I cannot now recall I booked a Defender in to our local franchised dealer. I rang the service desk and quoted a part number for them to order in for them to fit on the appointed day a few days later.


I dropped the Defender in, and later, in a suspiciously short time they contacted me. They told me I would need a particular part. Yes, this was the part I told them I needed, even quoting the part number. They said they did not have one in stock and would have to order it, could I come back in a few days? And they wanted to charge me for their time!


Never been back since as I remembered why I go to independent specialists!.


Bob.
The Yak.

[digger]

So I dropped Bear in and was met by Louis as I entered the office.

He had a look over the car and off I went in the Diesel VW Golf they supplied me. Squeezy but not bad. (But I was uncomfortable thinking I was driving something so polluting as opposed to my Defender!!-- I am a "bearded defender driver" after all!--(new attempt at a rib by a mate!))

Verdict:- the smoke is caused by a sticky EGR valve, sounds like not uncommon but also not regular. They've ordered one in.

The rear chassis rail will be covered under warranty (a repaint) and they've spotted a few other spots they'll touch up underneath also.

Louis has also booked in a replacement seat box and front floor covering as these in Bear have rubbed against the door... something I didn't expect :)

The stereo has an intermittent fault, they offered to replace it before but I wasn't worried as it had only occurred a few times, that happened again and they are replacing it.

They also noticed a very slight weep in a front engine seal and (as it is the first service for his new heart after the transplant) and a small leak in the fuel nozzle of the tank, they will replace them.

So they order the parts from Sydney, usually not a problem... But then the volcano overseas grounded a heap of flights. This included some freight planes which in turn meant the planes to do freight here were mucked about and the syd-adel flight didn't make it until late afternoon. --

Louis rang me and was very apologetic about it, (cant really blame LR for a volcano though!!). After discussion with him I can come back and leave my car for 3-4 days in early December and all the work will be done then. They'll supply a car for the time.

I roll back in, and Bear has been detailed outside! Flash as a new penny!!

So, seems all still going well...

Oh and on the way to town I was met by a "mate of a mate". My mate was in this blokes shed/man cave and saw a 49 grille and badge hanging in there. He commented on it and the fact I have one with incorrect badge and a slight ripple in bottom corner where it had been bent. This guy rings me (out of the blue) and offers a straight swap as he "doesn't care if the one on the wall has a bit of character!!!"

He met me as I travelled to Adelaide, apparently he picked the grille up years ago cleaning out some blokes place that used to wreck cars etc and had died. His man cave is apparently covered in grilles, hubcaps, and parts (incl a signwritten door apparently off a desoto) mainly from that place. He didnt want anything other than the straight swap and was happy with that!! Refused a carton I had brought to give him! A trip well taken!--- and means last time I was down I had a 51 grille on board, this time I had a 49 grille on board.... they must be wondering about me!

Next trip I need to find the grille from the prototype!! :D


Out of interest They had vovo driverless car prototypes in the carpark... and more volvo support cars..there is a trial here on Saturday (southern expressway will be closed for it)

[Basil135]

So I dropped Bear in and was met by Louis as I entered the office....

...... Refused a carton I had brought to give him!


Yea yea yea....

So...... you travel all this way. You EVEN bring a carton.

Annnddd.... no phone call... :eek:


Wait until I tell your mother.. :p

[digger]

Yea yea yea....

So...... you travel all this way. You EVEN bring a carton.

Annnddd.... no phone call... :eek:


Wait until I tell your mother.. :p


No, I didn't. Honest... I ran out of gas. I... I had a flat tire. I didn't have enough money for cab fare. My tux didn't come back from the cleaners. An old friend came in from out of town. Someone stole my car. There was an earthquake. A terrible flood. Locusts! IT WASN'T MY FAULT, I SWEAR TO GOD!

Please dont tell mummy!

[Tombie]

You're in trouble!!! Bet you get grounded...

[Basil135]

No, I didn't. Honest... I ran out of gas. I... I had a flat tire. I didn't have enough money for cab fare. My tux didn't come back from the cleaners. An old friend came in from out of town. Someone stole my car. There was an earthquake. A terrible flood. Locusts! IT WASN'T MY FAULT, I SWEAR TO GOD!

Please dont tell mummy!

Nup. Too little, too late.

At least she wont have to change the name on the Christmas pressies you WERE getting... :D

[digger]

Nup. Too little, too late.

At least she wont have to change the name on the Christmas pressies you WERE getting... :D

Does she call you schnookums too?

[digger]

So Bear is in getting pampered and they gave me a mini basil135 to drive102597

[digger]

102598

[Basil135]

Better than a VW....:D

Sent from my GT-I9505 using AULRO mobile app

[digger]

So I've been a bit slack and updating this thread.
But unfortunately I have a lot to add.

Get a coffee and a biscuit and settle in this may take a while


Bear came back from the service and repairs and
Had a New coat of paint on the rear crossmember making
Him look really good. They replaced the EGR valve but it was still
Puffing a bit of smoke every now and again but she goes and they replaced the whole injectors set up.

I collected bear and all was sweet

In February I started getting a whistle noise
From the motor, I thought maybe a hose but couldn't find a loose split or cut hose when I was feeling around the noise got worse very very quickly
Within kilometres I recorded the noise and sent it in to solitaire and they also thought it might be a hose.


So after checking all the hoses I took the hose from the airbox to the front of the turbo off remove the elbow and found that the spindle in the turbo moved probably an eighth of an inch side to side obviously this is very wrong, I took a photo which showed grind scrape marks on the sides and damage veins on the turbo, not good!

They told me to bring it back and then have a look for me, I towed bear down there and teed up a car to borrow. Quite embarrassing to be known as the Land Rover guy around town and be driving an 80 series Land cruiser!
I got a phone call and was told that bear had indeed spun the turbo, they were working on another turbo and believe this one was caused by a hairline crack in the elbow in front causing it to overboost.

The part finally came in and bear was reassembled and they rang me to collect him. I had told them that I was supposed to go to a mates 50th birthday on a station in the north on the weekend that I got bear back and so they gave it a good test drive and handed it back all done.

I drive out on the Friday from the workshop happy to be back in the defender and 25 cays later was horrified as the turbo noise returned I drove straight back to solitaires and they got to work under the Bonnet immediately they thought it may have been a slightly loose hose and after about an hour working on it during which the service manager was even under the Bonnet they took it out for a test drive, literally a minute later they were back and said the Turbo had blown.

This pointed to either oil or over boosting as the problem. Solitaire was good and supplied me with a flash red coloured D4 to travel to the station in

The D4 went well but obviously I couldn't go to some of the spots I wanted to as a)it wasn't my car and b)it was brand spanking new there was 14 mil of rain in the week leading up to his birthday and 18 mil of rain overnight once we were there, I was very concerned about how the D4 would go on the road tyres on the way out but it handled it very well.

So there was much scratching of heads and gnashing of teeth at solitaires whilst they replace the turbo which they said were the only two defender Turbos they have replaced! Time is slowly running out for me to get bear back so I can go away on the only weekend I get to go away all year and that is to Melrose for the Land Rover register weekend lots of phone calls back and forth with solitaire and Louis tells me it will be ready on the Thursday. They have test driven it and it's okay they have checked all the oil and boost levels and deliveries and they are okay apparently the turbo that died appeared to be faulty when They pulled it apart.

I drive to turn the 200km to Adelaide and collect bear then 200 km back home and load up hook up the trailer and off on my family holiday to Melrose arriving late so we swagged it instead of setting the tent up, bad move, it rained all night and half the morning!!

So Friday was good, Saturday was good, bear was driven in the trials and won the 110 category and again life is sweet. Sunday we decide to do a leisurely trip over the bridal track and back via Port Germain gorge road I went Tail end Charlie and Shane lead to group.

As we drove into the gorge Road with no stopping spots the dreaded turbo noise reemerged and once we found a spot the dry turbo bearing could be heard winding down when the car was turn off again a catastrophic turbo failure!

Everyone with me was really good we ended up having to limp the car into Murray town about seven kilometres away this took a very long time and the noise got worse and worse Land Rover assist send a tow truck to collect the vehicle others to my passengers and I travelled with the tow truck back to Melrose so I could get my gear back to camp and bear went on the back of a truck yet again to solitaire.

Land Rover assist had a lot of trouble working out how to get another car for me to use to get me on my trailer back to home. In the end they arranged on Tuesday for a hire car from thriftys at Port Augusta. They rang back and told me it was ready to pick up if I wouldn't mind walking over, ( after all it is only 100 km! )there had been an area of confusion as to where I was and when I pointed it out they sent a taxi from Port Agusta to take me over there!

We arrived at thrifty to collect the car and found that thrifty's had been closed for two years in Port Augusta!!

Many phone calls gnashing of teeth and Deadset annoyance later a Dual cab hilux was supplied and I drove back to Melrose to collect my gear and get home already having lost one work day.

I returned the hilux to the Adelaide airport yesterday and Land Rover got me picked up and taken back to solitaire in the red D4 which they have again loaned to me.

It appears to me to be an all starvation problem and seems to have all been happening since the new Motor was installed
I pointed this out and the guys at Land Rover said that they also were coming to this conclusion but we're sending the turbo off to a mob called NTQ Who are turbo specialists to see what they think.

Phone call this morning and I must say I am very grateful that I am contacted often and told what is happening with the car whenever it is there anyway the turbo that failed making it the third turbo in 600 km!! Was apparently rainbow coloured inside indicating oil starvation as suspected.

Series on a dodgy batch of Turbos have a bounded but also suspicion is back on the motor theory about carbon blocking the old delivery doesn't seem Right as it would be a constant block and the turbo would've blown sooner.

This morning Louis has contacted me and tells me the current theory is that the motor supplied and installed as a replacement may not have had the updated oil pump installed as per recall which had been done on my Old motor and as a result when checked they check the VIN and missed the engine had been installed without it being done

They are awaiting news back from Land Rover in relation to this.

Although has I've said the guys at the service centre about bending over backwards to help the faith I have in this Current defender as in the car itself that I own is severely depleted iit is especially embarrassingto have my wife point out that her year 2000 Magna is now the vehicle that is more reliable in our household and maybe that is what we should take on holiday if we go again!

So not a great weekend as far as my car goes but a great weekend as usual at Melrose well done by the LanRover register of South Australia.

Hopefully next year I will be there in a defender but got only knows what else will fail next something I find it really disappointing after having at 300 TDI that never missed a beat and finding that all the old series because I have a having less mechanical problems

It's also disappointing to have to send your family home with somebody else luckily I was able to get someone travelling in the same direction to help out!

I wonder now if Landrover will swap over the car or will I keep delaying and allowing it to spend as much time in the workshop as with me Or so it seems until there are no defenders available to swap it with?!

Hopefully on Monday I will know if this engine as I said the second engine in bear has been updated or not with the oil pump recall other than that I will have to you mope around and listen to the usual crap about is your car broken again!

Sorry about the text and spelling the phone I am doing this on is fighting me every step of the way! But it isn't broken so it isn't a Land Rover phone!

[Toxic_Avenger]

Keep up the good fight Digger. It will all be good in the end once you get over this rough patch.

Oil starvation seems the culprit. It would be interesting to know how the oil supply path goes in this motor. Could it potentially also affected other bearings in the engine, or do they think it's just limited to the turbo oil feed?
At Melrose I thought it might have been swarf or something in the oil galleries or a restrictor which causes the intermittant low oil pressure to the turbo.

If you have any input on how the issue is rectified, It would be interesting to see an oil analysis done to see if there is any other damage (signs of bearing material, and if possible if it can differentiate between turbo bearings and big end / main bearings). Also see what the oil filter has collected once cut open.
Once dealer involvement with the car ceases (ie out of warranty), might be worth investigating some sort of oil pressure sensor on the turbo oil feed line, hooked to a big red light and buzzer :cool:

[digger]

Keep up the good fight Digger. It will all be good in the end once you get over this rough patch.

Oil starvation seems the culprit. It would be interesting to know how the oil supply path goes in this motor. Could it potentially also affected other bearings in the engine, or do they think it's just limited to the turbo oil feed?
At Melrose I thought it might have been swarf or something in the oil galleries or a restrictor which causes the intermittant low oil pressure to the turbo.

If you have any input on how the issue is rectified, It would be interesting to see an oil analysis done to see if there is any other damage (signs of bearing material, and if possible if it can differentiate between turbo bearings and big end / main bearings). Also see what the oil filter has collected once cut open.
Once dealer involvement with the car ceases (ie out of warranty), might be worth investigating some sort of oil pressure sensor on the turbo oil feed line, hooked to a big red light and buzzer :cool:


I would hope that at over $50k I should be able to drive without doing all that to the car!! The big red light could activate every few hundred kms to indicate it was self destructing if performance continues as it is!

They have checked and found that the engine did have the engine oil pump recall done before it was sent out and put in my car.

I am well over this now and contemplating bowing to the pressure of selling it for something else that will get me there. Not pleased my only long weekend off for the year and my only holiday get wrecked by this fault. I end up with no faith in this particular car... Our "reliable" car is now the wife's Magna :(:(. Not my dream car the defender! ( a Friday car I'm sure as others are rapt with theirs!!)

Maybe we should keep the defender and sell the wife's Magna, then we could buy a tow truck to use with the defender... :(:mad::mad: I'm a bit miffed to be honest!!

I am copping it left and right here too as I have been a huge supporter of the Land Rover brand and locally they know me as the guy with the land rovers. People often come to me to ask me about land rovers both old and new and I am not sure what I should be saying to them now.

Anyway , solitaires have been a life raft in this ocean of vehicle faults so we will have to see what happens next.

Hopefully my blind faith in land rovers can be restored... But it will take time and probably a miracle. They assure me Land Rover will look after me and only time will tell but at the moment they seem to be true to that.

[Basil135]

Kinda sorry I patted the wrong tail light now... :(

But, on the upside, Bear DID win the 110 class at Melrose, due to, in no small part, a cabin filled with skilled drivers and navigators.

Even the copper we spoke to while doing the trial, seemed impressed by him. Surprised we didn't get a caution for the loud music thou.

Bear is only in hibernation, and once he gets over his sore head, he will be back growling at the Magna, and taking his rightful place at the top of the driveway.

[Disco Muppet]

Let's all pitch in and buy Digger a bunch of lotto tickets so he can rip the faulty ticker out of Bear and drop 3.2 litres of 5 cylinder goodness in it!
Keep your chin up mate, I'd followed your thread here before we'd met and once you called over the radio that you were getting a familiar noise my heart sank like a stone. Glad that Land Rover seem to be looking after you, and hopefully bear will rise next Melrose, resplendent in all his white, boxy glory.
And hey, at least now you have a bunch of east coast ratbags scattered about to come and help if you're out in whoop whoop and need a hand/tow/cursing companion :D
Best of luck with it mate.

Sent from my HTC One using AULRO mobile app

[cuppabillytea]

I dropped this thread at the start. I'll read it through and keep myself posted from now on.

[Eevo]

sound like you have had a terrible time digger. even luck isnt this bad

[cuppabillytea]

One word came to mind when I read back over this thread Digger:stoic. That's how I would describe you and your persistence through your cruel and unusual tribulations. I hope your troubles end soon and you get the joy out of Bear you have earned.
By the way, on the radio issue, I've noticed that occasionally I inadvertently hit the button that unlocks the radio face and it turned off until I push the face back in. Another stupid antitheft device which isn't necessary in lis land of honest soles. :angel:

[Disco Muppet]

A photo for you Digger...

The Discoveries form a solemn honour guard around their fallen older brother.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/04/417.jpg (http://s1166.photobucket.com/user/DiscoMuppet/media/IMAG0837_zpsysusyzeu.jpg.html)

No oil spewing out, no bonnet up. Just a quiet, dignified rest while Bear awaits his chariot taking him to Recovery.
We'll see him again :cool:

[spudboy]

Hey Digger - that is a bad thread. Am impressed at your level headedness in extremely trying circumstances.

I only had a small percentage of the problems you have had with my PUMA. But I decided to sell mine and get something infinitely duller but probably more reliable. I have gone for a basic, white, manual, 3.2L 6 speed Ford Ranger ExtraCab ute.

I miss waving at other Defenders (I still wave, but they have no idea why!). And I miss the character that they have. But the Ranger is growing on me.

I am waiting until the 2018 Defender comes out, then I'm going to wait for a couple more years until they get the bugs out of it, and maybe then I'll get back into a Defender.

Seems like you'll forever be wondering when the next major breakdown is going to whack you again. It's hard to re-gain confidence in a vehicle when it's let you down so badly, so many times.

Am hoping you don't get to post any more horror stories on this thread. The only real positive is how well Land Rover have looked after you, but soon that's going to come to an end....

Cheers
David

[Pedro_The_Swift]

HTFU,
or if you prefer Digger,,
Welcome to MY world!
;):p

[digger]

HTFU,
or if you prefer Digger,,
Welcome to MY world!
;):p



Cheers Pedro!
( will just a cup be enough? ). :twisted:

[digger]

So quick update

Land Rover have put a new all-time Intermoda but receiving the same readings so now exploring oil galleries etc to see if they can find a blockage so far nothing's been found.

I'm been kept in the loop but there's not much of a loop to be kept in the moment.

I sent a letter to Land Rover customer care in Australia and the UK last Tuesday albeit late at night . Also send a copy of that letter to sell it to someone you what I had said I don't think I want to do anything behind their back when I have been treating me so we also send a copy of that letter to sell it to 7 knew what I had said I don't think I want to do anything behind their back when I have been treating me so well

Last night at 4 PM I received an email from Land Rover customer care saying that they were looking into the matter and would contact me back soon probably urgent !!!

Confidence in that suggested that it is not fit for purpose not sure when that will go but am worried that if they continue to take a long time there will be no replacement vehicles left

Will have to see how we go as I said solitaire of been pretty good indicator of how the service will continue

[digger]

[COLOR="Navy"]So quick update

Land Rover have put a new Oil pump in the motor but receiving the same readings so now exploring oil galleries etc to see if they can find a blockage so far nothing's been found.

I'm been kept in the loop but there's not much of a loop to be kept in the moment.

I sent a letter to Land Rover customer care in Australia and the UK last Tuesday albeit late at night . Also send a copy of that letter to sell it to someone you what I had said I don't think I want to do anything behind their back when They have been treating me so well also sent a copy of that letter to solitaire so they knew what I had said I don't think I want to do anything behind their back when I have been treated so well

Last night at 4 PM I received an email from Land Rover customer care saying that they were looking into the matter and would contact me back soon probably urgent !!!

Confidence in the car gone I suggested that it is not fit for purpose not sure where that will go but am worried that if they continue to take a long time there will be no replacement vehicles left

Will have to see how we go as I said solitaire of been pretty good indicator of how the service will continue





Phone call today fromLouis, new updated and modified oil pump fitted to motor, all is testing correct and they will drive it for a few hundred Kay's to test it, at the moment testing well but my problem is now my faith in this car is virtually gone... Will have to see what happens but it's sad the dream car is now my nightmare![/.

[digger]

Oh. And no call from customer service.

[Basil135]

Firstly, stop trying to type on your new iPad. Use a real computer... :P

Second, are you requiring the guest suite for next week when you come to collect Bear? As long as you don't have black mud flaps, he will be fine out the back..... probably. ;)

[digger]

Firstly, stop trying to type on your new iPad. Use a real computer... :P

Second, are you requiring the guest suite for next week when you come to collect Bear? As long as you don't have black mud flaps, he will be fine out the back..... probably. ;)

Depends when he is ready, I am on nights and headed down for dawn service in Adelaide straight from work at about 3am (if all goes well) that sends me to Colonel Light Gardens RSL for their dawn service ( held at what was the parade ground on the WW1 "Mitcham training depot" .

Then Adelaide for the March, we are towards the back so no stress there, we step off after the Vietnam Guys and just a few back behind the police band :)

If he is ready within a few days after that I can stay at "Hotel del la mums", she may even feed me if I keep my beard and look a bit like a koala ;)

Anyway at the moment I need to collect the car when I have enough time to wait for the tow truck to come and collect it when it craps itself.... Sadly I actually have thought I should start to factor this in, I was very lucky to be with the mob I was last time, no fun all alone! And I'm not sure my family have confidence in the whole concept of taking bear out at the moment anyway.

Thanks for the offer if I'm in the vicinity I will head up your way to say gray, and if something goes wrong I know you won't leave me up that creek without a paddle :twisted:


And you are right I am using my new (thanks LRRSA ) Ipaddy thing. It autocorrects words that weren't wrong ... That's a tad annoying !!


I can fit all my programmes off my last computer for a few reasons...

1) there is no usb or cord plugs...
2) they aren't Apple programmes
3) apparently commodore64 programmes won't work well on a touch screen.

[digger]

So Land Rover customer service Centre sent an automatic reply when I first sent my email to them, They then send me a reply saying that the email was being looked into and that I would receive a reply by the 15th.

Now the 19th And still nothing which I find a little annoying. I sent an email to them today inquiring what's going on.

On a good note Louis from Solitaires has contacted me and advises me that a new oil pump that has been fitted appears to be testing correctly and that the one taken out shows no reason for not delivering oil. So although they flushed all oil galley , pipes etc they still have no real idea what the fault was at the moment. They are driving it in excess of the 600 kms to test the bastard in the hope that if it is going to fail it would do it before then. I know there's not much else I can do but it doesn't help my faith back up in the car. I know enough people with the same model having no problems to still have faith in the model unfortunately my faith in this car is kaput!! (Just realised its no longer bear and now the car...)

Hopefully I'll hear something soon from Land Rover to know where things are going, but the cynic in me says if they delay until every Land Rover defender is gone then they can't replace it, so I will have no choice.



The "Dodgy" call.

I was contacted by phone on Friday by someone claiming to be from "A current affair" about the car, I am not interested in that and still don't know if it's someone pulling my leg.. Unlisted number! They claimed to be doing a story about the "proposed lemon laws". They seemed to know all about the car and only knew me by my first name but rang on my mobile (silent). Anyway if it was one of you buggers, good job you had me going! I would love to know who it was??

[Eevo]

The "Dodgy" call.

I was contacted by phone on Friday by someone claiming to be from "A current affair" about the car, I am not interested in that and still don't know if it's someone pulling my leg.. Unlisted number! They claimed to be doing a story about the "proposed lemon laws". They seemed to know all about the car and only knew me by my first name but rang on my mobile (silent). Anyway if it was one of you buggers, good job you had me going! I would love to know who it was??

if true, how did they get your number?
only way to find out is to call CA and saying your returning their call about a lemon law story

[El Rey]

[COLOR="Navy"][SIZE="3"]So Land Rover customer service Centre sent an automatic reply when I first sent my email to them, They then send me a reply saying that the email was being looked into and that I would receive a reply by the 15th.
Now the 19th And still nothing which I find a little annoying. I sent an email to them today inquiring what's going on.

When I had my woes with a Brisbane dealer who'll remain nameless, I contacted LR Australia and the person who made notes about my situation said he would pass my case on to the SE Qld Regional Manager.
Then I didn't hear anything until I chased up, to be told twice that the Regional Manager was out of the office and on the road a lot. Never did hear back from the Regional Manager or LR Australia person after that.
I tried a UK LR rep on another forum who replies to complaints. He said because I'm in Australia I should contact the Regional Manager...
I tried contacting LR UK directly - and never heard anything from them.

I guess they're trying to foster the proper adventurous, do-it-yourself LR spirit in their owners by leaving them to sort out their own problems.

[cuppabillytea]

Digger, something tells me that the problem with your car is that the oil channel which feeds the the Turbo has a stricture. Given that they have flushed all the channels it probably means that the channel didn't cast cleanly and they will not fix it until they replace the engine. Get them to run a scope down the channel to investigate.
My reason for thinking this is that the turbo relies on high flow for cooling. If the pressure is OK then the problem must be a flow problem.

[digger]

Well late yesterday afternoon I received a call from Land Rover Australia. They advised me that they are very concerned about all the troubles of had with the vehicle but they won't be replacing the vehicle. They explain the delay in ringing back when they said they would was caused by the land Rover customer service people swapping companies!

I was asked what would make me feel better about the vehicle (which is very hard to answer when they've already told me that they won't be replacing it!)

Basically replied I'm after a vehicle that I can trust and that my trust in this one is pretty much gone after all after all of the problems. I have said that I also have concerns about what's going to happen with further failures now that the warranty has expired. At the moment the only thing I can suggest is that they extend the warranty coverage but I don't know how feasible it is.

The Land Rover Australia representative was very nice and appeared to be understanding and said that they would see what could be done about that but would have to get back to me. They have offered for me and the family to go on a Land Rover experience where apparently you get to drive Land Rover's!! I enquired if they had tow truck standing by or if I would be driving somebody else's Land Rover to get the experience of what a reliable one was like ! (And then I apologised for being a smart arse but) the lady was very understanding so I still await to hear whether the car will be completed testing by Anzac Day when I am in town, obviously they won't know until closer to then but hopefully something will of been achieved.

She said that they are hoping to restore my faith in Land Rover vehicles as soon as they can, I advised them that at the moment I trust by 1956 Sieries 1 more than the 2012 as I know the 56 will get me home and I know it has no brakes but that I can be secure knowing that's all that wont work!


At Melrose I Drove Emmas 90 and was very impressed with the SVX chip and the way it improved the car along with the other modifications, that 90 is a flash unit and Emma and Mike have done a very good job with it.

I hope one day soon I can start thinking about improvements instead of just praying the thing will make it from A to B. ( instead of A to T. T being a Tow truck!) We'll see I suppose!

[digger]

Contacted by Louis from Land Rover today and he is told me that now passed the 600 K mark and will keep pushing some kms onto it to make sure it won't fail they now believe it must've been something wrong with the other or pump and hope that it will be okay I go down on Anzac Day March and so Will collect it shortly after that and see how I go

[El Rey]

Contacted by Louis from Land Rover today and he is told me that now passed the 600 K mark and will keep pushing some kms onto it to make sure it won't fail they now believe it must've been something wrong with the other or pump and hope that it will be okay I go down on Anzac Day March and so Will collect it shortly after that and see how I go

Good luck mate.

[Tombie]

Contacted by Louis from Land Rover today and he is told me that now passed the 600 K mark and will keep pushing some kms onto it to make sure it won't fail they now believe it must've been something wrong with the other or pump and hope that it will be okay I go down on Anzac Day March and so Will collect it shortly after that and see how I go



I'm down tomorrow; if the keys are in it I may just "take it for a spin" [emoji48][emoji48][emoji48]

It goes great on trials courses... #stolenandwinning

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/04/335.jpg

[digger]

I'm down tomorrow; if the keys are in it I may just "take it for a spin" [emoji48][emoji48][emoji48]

It goes great on trials courses... #stolenandwinning

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/04/335.jpg

What did you do to my mudflaps?? :twisted:

[digger]

Contacted again by Land Rover, they are willg to offer me a free service but wont
Entertain extending the warranty! Being that looking at its history so far i am due at least one major breakdown before that mark (72,000k) i dont see that as helpful.

They have replaced the oil pump which is "suspected" to havebeen the cause of the multiple turbo failuresbutthey admit they couldnt get it to show fault in testing... and now its out still havent found its fault... so I in reality am leaving in the hope the car will keep running... mmm thag sounds reasonable icant see why they dont want to extend ghe wrranty on it... maybe they know or suspect it will crap itself again,

I pointed out that at probably 58,000k in 3 years it is possible/probable that @2% of thoses kms were put on after repairs and test runs by Land Rover!

I will have to reassess but think that I may need to seek legal advice on this. . The vehicle is not and has not been reliable.. ( as pointed out to me I wouldve done better with a lada niva!,)

The disappointment in Land Rover itself is quite large,, i thought of them as being honorable and willing to stand behind their product but it appears not at this time...

The saga continues at least Solitaires has been good!

[Eevo]

how do the lemon laws apply in this instance?

[Tombie]

Digger, have a read..

http://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/lemon-laws-protect-you-18502

[El Rey]

Contacted again by Land Rover, they are willg to offer me a free service but wont
Entertain extending the warranty! Being that looking at its history so far i am due at least one major breakdown before that mark (72,000k) i dont see that as helpful.

You could give us the name and email of the person you've been dealing with. Perhaps 20-30 other Land Rover owners emailing them might help.

[spudboy]

...

... at least Solitaires have been good!

Geee - you don't often see that written in a sentence!!

[Tombie]

Geee - you don't often see that written in a sentence!!



You'll see that from several in here.

[spudboy]

This is an interesting lot of information on Consumer Law:

BTW: Some mildly bad language in it if you are delicate....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_66BAGr-oVM

[digger]

So Anzac Day passes for another year.

I am here again waiting in Adelaide for news of when I can collect the car.
Hopefully I will receive a call today to collect it.

I have been in communication about the situation and have been advised to await the promised recontact from the Land Rover Customer service people before I am willing to get others involved.

This is what I have been advised has been done...(from memory here)

*- tow bar fitted by dealer on purchase and reverse light fuse constantly blows when used with a trailer- almost any trailer...(seems cannot be fixed...)

*-It took three trips to Adelaide for them to replace faulty door rubbers (at @200k either way and time away from work or paying someone to look after kids after school!)

*-This vehicle has had a major breakdown that led to full tow(failing on country road, straight and flat when symptoms detected) and leaving us stranded..

*-The oil cooler had to be replaced, engine flushed multiple times, all apparently sorted.

*-This vehicle has again (within 50 kilometres of us using it) had another major breakdown that led to full tow (again failing on country road, straight and flat when symptoms detected) and leaving us stranded.. ) and an engine replacement as multiple electrical/electronic faults kept crippling the motor when they tried to use it..

*-I was advised a new radiator, new hoses were fitted and system flushed repeatedly to ensure no oil in system

*- air cond system replaced in any part that may have had been affected by previous oil leak and engine failure

*-Radio replaced

*- egr valve replaced due to smoke screen behind vehicle.

*-fuel injectors replaced (egr didnt stop the smoke)

*- suspension adjusted and retightened due to noises after last major work, apparently bolts etc replaced as it has had so many removals / adjustments etc...

*- engine reaching towards 20,000k since new engine fitted, (can start to use again instead of run in mode as now engine should be run in)

*- turbo fails, dramatically - shows bearing failure and fin damage.
I had to borrow a car and a trailer and tow the car into Adelaide for Land Rover to look at it.... (impressive towing my defender with a holden 4wd... maybe a message in there??) turbo allegedly faulty....(not oil starvation I was advised, so bearing failure)

*- assured by land rover no parts of fins etc could be anywhere else but in intercooler if they have left turbo, so intercooler etc completely cleaned (so they tell me)

*- recalls on diff etc done,

*-Collect car, drive 25kms before turbo begins to fail again....back to dealer
they have then worked on vehicle and advised they thing new noise is a hose leaking and they will test drive vehicle.... they took about 2 minutes to return as turbo had completely failed...

*- back to collect vehicle as new turbo now in (that is three!!) left dealer, drove to home and to Melrose for family holiday at L/R weekend.
600k after collecting car (almost exactly) turbo fails on bitumin roadway.
(family sent home with other people who we dont really know except from land rover events once a year!! - I had to take days off work to collect a hire car (a major saga in itself) and then tow my own trailer back home - then days off work again and a trip to return this vehicle to Adelaide Airport two days later or pay penalty fees!!)

*- oil pump allegedly still shows as working correctly, all flushing of oil galleries etc apparently still correct, turbo shows rainbow of heat affected metal.

Turbo expert company consulted allegedly who advise turbo was starved of oil (as we had said from first failure..) oil pump on engine (my replacement engine) replaced with new one... allegedly no reason or cause located for failure of old oil pump once out and examined... so no reason to be confident it will not fail again...

I have cancelled october l/weekend trip across the desert with friends as have no faith in vehicle.. (this being the 2nd time an oct long weekend trip has been cancelled due to failure or fear of failure )

Over 2% of the distance traveled on this vehicle (now @ 58,000k) has been done by land rover in various testing run/ run ins and reliability testing. This does not include the 400k each time in and back to the dealer-- that would be at least 4,000k but I would think lots more...

Land rover state no replacement vehicle

- asked if I would be interested in trading it on another vehicle and they would try and give me a good price!!!!

(NO!! I bought a defender for a reason!! I already spent $55,000+ on the car in the belief I could continue trips to remote country without fear of failure the whole time! I want a defender to keep until the new one is released and I can assess if I want another or not...)

I have a heap of land rover products that I have or do own... (series vehicles) and loved unreservedly my 110 300tdi...

*- they have then said they will instead give me a LAND ROVER EXPERIENCE DAY... a day driving somebody elses presumably reliable land rover... (sort of rubbing the point in??)

*- they have refused to extend the warranty (which expired in dec)

*- now offering me a free service when due (thats 72,000k - I doubt the car (on form so far) will make it to then!!!)

The vehicle has had (numerous times) had less major failures requiring action by land rover

It has died/failed to proceed in major ways 5 times.

I have had three holidays wrecked by failures or fear of failures.

I have had to beg assistance from friends to tow it back to my house when it has broken down. and to get it to Adelaide when the turbo first crapped itself.

I have lost numerous work days (and associated wage) driving back and forth for repairs etc

I bought the car on the strength of its reputation for reliability, land rovers advertising and paperwork etc indicating rugged ability and reliability. I have had every intention of taking this vehicle to the remote desert to visit places I have been with my previous defender and places I have yet to see. After having lived in a number of remote spots we have friends that own/live on remote stations and areas...

But because of this vehicles complete lack of reliability we haven't been able to do this. I honestly expect and try to allow time for failure of the vehicle when I head to town or back to home as my confidence is gone.

This vehicle is a major failure, I know enough people with Pumas to be of the belief that this vehicle itself is the problem not so much the model etc.

I must say I am very disappointed in LAND ROVER --if they wont replace the vehicle and wont even extend a warranty in the short term it indicates to me they also have no faith in the vehicle..

I currently feel that I have been pushed and carried to the end of my warranty in a car and now they will push me out the door and off down the hill and then they are done with me...

anyway we shall see what dies/breaks/fails next..




(sorry about this whining post but this is getting to me big time!) .

[Homestar]

Geez mate, that's a tale of woe.:(

Unfortunately you aren't the first person to have issues with LR trying to get a new vehcile sorted, and until we get some decent anti-Lemon laws in this country Imdoubt you'll be the last.:(

Maybe time to take it to the next level?

[El Rey]

Mate I for one will chip in $50 towards a consultation if you copy paste this to your lawyer.

All we can do is commiserate, until one day you retire to the study with a revolver.

[D90 orkney]

That sounds like the worst ordeal ever. I think you should take it to court or at least consult with a lawyer and see what the could do. Terrible by Land Rover

[rar110]

It was called a product that was not of merchantable quality. I think now it's just not fit for purpose.

It would be cheaper for them if they took it back. LRA management has changed lately I understand. Hopefully the new management is more reasonable.

If they haven't another Defender, they should swap it with at least a demo D4. Then you can keep it or sell it. I think I'd rather the last D4 over the last Puma Defender.

They have gained a lot of positive free PR for their brand as a result of the Defender ceasing production. Land Rover sales are at record levels here and overseas. They should do the right thing. If Land Rover won't take it back and you don't take them to court, what do you do with it? Who would buy it?

It's a gut wrenching situation. I hope you can resolve it. Good luck.

[Disco-tastic]

Digger that whole story sucks. If you had bought a tv or other appliance, you would have had it replaced no problem. Why is a car any different?

LR has been spending millions on advertising, yet are happy to let something like this happen? It seems like the cheapest form of advertising to me.

Not to mention the additional cost to you in lost work, additional expenses and stress.

It makes me angry Digger. I sincerely wish you the best of luck at getting something out of them.

Cheers

Dan

[4wheeler]

Digger,
Having owned a Lada Niva for 18 months, you 're still better off with a Land Rover :D

I don't get why the dealer seems to be constantly changing out parts which don't seem to be related to the actual problems encountered.

Page 439 of the 2012 workshop manual makes mention (the only one) of a filter in the passage which supplies number 1 main bearing and the turbocharger. If this filter exists, I wonder if it is partly blocked causing bearing oil starvation in the turbo? Given no other information, I don't know if the filter (if it exists) is after the main bearing or before it. If there was a restriction before the main bearing then that is likely to be damaged over time as well. Reference to this filter is also in the 2007 2.4 manual.

I have a 2.4 Transit van which has just clocked up 170,000 km in 5 years and so far the engine and most components have been reliable. So the engines can be reliable. The van runs at just under GVM so it gets worked hard although well looked after.

Good luck.

[digger]

Well, god help me, Ive collected the car from Solitaires.

They've done @ 1,oook in it since fitting new oil pump and turbo.

so now I have it we will see if I can get further than the average 5,700k before some failure that stops the show.

I am told now that the complaints about the car and should be made to the original dealer, (bundy land rover.. BMG) so appears that this is another hurdle I would have liked to have known about before now...

driven it around today and seems ok so far..
sadly though I am waiting for a failure not the other way as in not expecting any more problems...

Maybe with this vehicle and the response Im getting from LR I shouldve bought a jeep? Wouldve got the same service and it seems maybe more reliability!! (and no I wouldnt buy a modern jeep)



I have though thought of a way LR could make me happier...

they bought a series vehicle off a mob of blokes in NZ and restored it then gave it back....

they could buy mine off me, restore it and give it to someone else and give me a new one.... (or even a demo that wont crap itself??)

or they could buy a gun buggy off someone and restore that and give it to me....or buy a gunbuggy off someone (I can supply a list) and just give it to me....


seriously though the customers service people were ringing me back in a few days about my request to extend the warranty... silence... complete silence...

I am very much moving about to the opinion that the squeaky wheel is the way to go, normally that's not my style but obviously trying to work with people isn't working in my favour at all....

anyway, my youngest lad is at a 3 day sheep expo (run by the wool industry in SA to teach kids about sheep and handling, breeds/breeding, safe handling, shearing, etc etc right through to sales and classing etc) a three day event at WAYVILLE SHOWGROUNDS until 5pm tomorrow then we'll head back out of town..

last day of the week, heading out after Solitaires closes and in friday night country bound traffic-- it will be interesting!

cross your fingers and toes, folks!

[Tombie]

You have me on speed dial mate - you ring, I'll be there......

[ozy013]

Digger, just an afterthought, I admit I haven't read this whole thread yet, and apologise if it's been mentioned before, but have you tried Ryan at Landrover Customer relations on the Defender2 forum.

DEFENDER2.NET - View Forum - Land Rover Customer Relations (http://www.defender2.net/forum/land-rover-customer-relations-vf41.html)

I contacted him last year sometime, in regards to the Adapter shaft issues with the Puma's. He replied very quickly, unfortunately he couldn't answer my questions, but he did give me the email address of a Grant McPherson - Director of Quality and Automotive Safety, Jaguar Land Rover.

It seems he has helped quite a few owners out on the other forum with their issues.

It's amazing and shocking that Landrover Australia will not extend the warranty on Bear. It's as if they have no faith in their product or workmanship. It's a small thing to ask for, after all you've been through. I thought loyalty to the brand would be rewarded..........or maybe I should just slap myself, what was I thinking?

Good luck with the drive out of town this arvo.

[El Rey]

Digger, just an afterthought, I admit I haven't read this whole thread yet, and apologise if it's been mentioned before, but have you tried Ryan at Landrover Customer relations on the Defender2 forum.
Good luck with the drive out of town this arvo.

Hi, I tried this guy when I had my woes with a certain Brisbane dealer, and the best he could do was refer me back to LR Australia because he's in the UK - and LR Australia was no help to me. It seems his super powers don't work across the ocean based on my experience.

[spudboy]

So.... did you make it home OK?

[digger]

I got as far as Nuriootpa and had to stop to resecure a radiator hose...

Not on my car but on a blokes fairly new hilux :)

Went OK .... Cheers everyone.

[d@rk51d3]

Disappointing to hear of your woes with Solitaire, but not surprised.



A mate is on his 3rd Disco engine, because they kept assembling things with silicone, which comes adrift, gets into the oil galleries, and..... Well, you know the rest.



The last replacement they charged him for. Wouldn't warranty their own work.

[1nando]

So Anzac Day passes for another year.

I am here again waiting in Adelaide for news of when I can collect the car.
Hopefully I will receive a call today to collect it.

I have been in communication about the situation and have been advised to await the promised recontact from the Land Rover Customer service people before I am willing to get others involved.

This is what I have been advised has been done...(from memory here)

*- tow bar fitted by dealer on purchase and reverse light fuse constantly blows when used with a trailer- almost any trailer...(seems cannot be fixed...)

*-It took three trips to Adelaide for them to replace faulty door rubbers (at @200k either way and time away from work or paying someone to look after kids after school!)

*-This vehicle has had a major breakdown that led to full tow(failing on country road, straight and flat when symptoms detected) and leaving us stranded..

*-The oil cooler had to be replaced, engine flushed multiple times, all apparently sorted.

*-This vehicle has again (within 50 kilometres of us using it) had another major breakdown that led to full tow (again failing on country road, straight and flat when symptoms detected) and leaving us stranded.. ) and an engine replacement as multiple electrical/electronic faults kept crippling the motor when they tried to use it..

*-I was advised a new radiator, new hoses were fitted and system flushed repeatedly to ensure no oil in system

*- air cond system replaced in any part that may have had been affected by previous oil leak and engine failure

*-Radio replaced

*- egr valve replaced due to smoke screen behind vehicle.

*-fuel injectors replaced (egr didnt stop the smoke)

*- suspension adjusted and retightened due to noises after last major work, apparently bolts etc replaced as it has had so many removals / adjustments etc...

*- engine reaching towards 20,000k since new engine fitted, (can start to use again instead of run in mode as now engine should be run in)

*- turbo fails, dramatically - shows bearing failure and fin damage.
I had to borrow a car and a trailer and tow the car into Adelaide for Land Rover to look at it.... (impressive towing my defender with a holden 4wd... maybe a message in there??) turbo allegedly faulty....(not oil starvation I was advised, so bearing failure)

*- assured by land rover no parts of fins etc could be anywhere else but in intercooler if they have left turbo, so intercooler etc completely cleaned (so they tell me)

*- recalls on diff etc done,

*-Collect car, drive 25kms before turbo begins to fail again....back to dealer
they have then worked on vehicle and advised they thing new noise is a hose leaking and they will test drive vehicle.... they took about 2 minutes to return as turbo had completely failed...

*- back to collect vehicle as new turbo now in (that is three!!) left dealer, drove to home and to Melrose for family holiday at L/R weekend.
600k after collecting car (almost exactly) turbo fails on bitumin roadway.
(family sent home with other people who we dont really know except from land rover events once a year!! - I had to take days off work to collect a hire car (a major saga in itself) and then tow my own trailer back home - then days off work again and a trip to return this vehicle to Adelaide Airport two days later or pay penalty fees!!)

*- oil pump allegedly still shows as working correctly, all flushing of oil galleries etc apparently still correct, turbo shows rainbow of heat affected metal.

Turbo expert company consulted allegedly who advise turbo was starved of oil (as we had said from first failure..) oil pump on engine (my replacement engine) replaced with new one... allegedly no reason or cause located for failure of old oil pump once out and examined... so no reason to be confident it will not fail again...

I have cancelled october l/weekend trip across the desert with friends as have no faith in vehicle.. (this being the 2nd time an oct long weekend trip has been cancelled due to failure or fear of failure )

Over 2% of the distance traveled on this vehicle (now @ 58,000k) has been done by land rover in various testing run/ run ins and reliability testing. This does not include the 400k each time in and back to the dealer-- that would be at least 4,000k but I would think lots more...

Land rover state no replacement vehicle

- asked if I would be interested in trading it on another vehicle and they would try and give me a good price!!!!

(NO!! I bought a defender for a reason!! I already spent $55,000+ on the car in the belief I could continue trips to remote country without fear of failure the whole time! I want a defender to keep until the new one is released and I can assess if I want another or not...)

I have a heap of land rover products that I have or do own... (series vehicles) and loved unreservedly my 110 300tdi...

*- they have then said they will instead give me a LAND ROVER EXPERIENCE DAY... a day driving somebody elses presumably reliable land rover... (sort of rubbing the point in??)

*- they have refused to extend the warranty (which expired in dec)

*- now offering me a free service when due (thats 72,000k - I doubt the car (on form so far) will make it to then!!!)

The vehicle has had (numerous times) had less major failures requiring action by land rover

It has died/failed to proceed in major ways 5 times.

I have had three holidays wrecked by failures or fear of failures.

I have had to beg assistance from friends to tow it back to my house when it has broken down. and to get it to Adelaide when the turbo first crapped itself.

I have lost numerous work days (and associated wage) driving back and forth for repairs etc

I bought the car on the strength of its reputation for reliability, land rovers advertising and paperwork etc indicating rugged ability and reliability. I have had every intention of taking this vehicle to the remote desert to visit places I have been with my previous defender and places I have yet to see. After having lived in a number of remote spots we have friends that own/live on remote stations and areas...

But because of this vehicles complete lack of reliability we haven't been able to do this. I honestly expect and try to allow time for failure of the vehicle when I head to town or back to home as my confidence is gone.

This vehicle is a major failure, I know enough people with Pumas to be of the belief that this vehicle itself is the problem not so much the model etc.

I must say I am very disappointed in LAND ROVER --if they wont replace the vehicle and wont even extend a warranty in the short term it indicates to me they also have no faith in the vehicle..

I currently feel that I have been pushed and carried to the end of my warranty in a car and now they will push me out the door and off down the hill and then they are done with me...

anyway we shall see what dies/breaks/fails next..




(sorry about this whining post but this is getting to me big time!) .

Mate i would contact John Cadogan at auto expert.com.au.

Under new Australian consumer law your vehicle has a major fault from manufacture. John will help you fight your case as you are entitled to a refund or replacement under the consumer law ACT.

Go onto youtube and watch the latest video on comsumer law. Type in auto expert and find the latest video.

Good luck

[spudboy]

I posted that video about 10 posts back...

[rar110]

Any update Digger?

[Tombie]

He hasn't got the Gall to drive it....

Bear looks relaxed and promised to be reliable when I visited last week..

[digger]

Sorry I haven't written on here since last entry, I went down crook on Saturday and went to hospital, they transferred me to a hospital upriver, c t scan sees nothing, they gave me morphine, decided the pain was reduced and gave me antacid tablets and sent me home!! Sunday was bad, Monday went back in, they admitted me and back upriver for ultrasound at 1530 and 1600 they operated.

I had my gall bladder cause me some grief and they cut it out . Was a bit rough, 11mm thick sides, ( normally skin thickness apparently) and 1.4cm stone inside, was so enlarged they cut it in half and put it in 2 sample jars instead of 1 to be sent off for testing! Was apparently 9cm long by 5cm.. Not normal!

Anyway end result is I'm laid up for a while with a 25cm cut diag across my belly. It's a tad sore and I'm not doing much for a while. Tombie , Basil and Emma have all done care visits, I love AULRO!

Not sure if all the stress of this stuff with my car is responsible?? :twisted: But I've moved forward contacting someone who is hopefully going to help me. Time shall tell!

And I have time at the moment.

[Basil135]

Sorry I haven't written on here since last entry, I went down crook on Saturday and went to hospital, they transferred me to a hospital upriver, c t scan sees nothing, they gave me morphine, decided the pain was reduced and gave me antacid tablets and sent me home!! Sunday was bad, Monday went back in, they admitted me and back upriver for ultrasound at 1530 and 1600 they operated.

I had my gall bladder cause me some grief and they cut it out . Was a bit rough, 11mm thick sides, ( normally skin thickness apparently) and 1.4cm stone inside, was so enlarged they cut it in half and put it in 2 sample jars instead of 1 to be sent off for testing! Was apparently 9cm long by 5cm.. Not normal!

Anyway end result is I'm laid up for a while with a 25cm cut diag across my belly. It's a tad sore and I'm not doing much for a while. Tombie , Basil and Emma have all done care visits, I love AULRO!

Not sure if all the stress of this stuff with my car is responsible?? :twisted: But I've moved forward contacting someone who is hopefully going to help me. Time shall tell!

And I have time at the moment.


Yea yea. Heart-wrenching. Even had me tearing up.... :tease:

Just a quick point, for accuracies sake, I came to see Mum. You just happened to be home at the time. :D


Gall bladders are a pain in the, well, side. ;)

Glad to see you up and about. All the small person I had with me has told everyone, is that she saw Digger, and went on a ferry. Sorry that she was mute at the time, thou she made up for it on the way home... Lol.

Will see what we can do about getting up there again soon. :eek:

[Eevo]

get well soon digger.

[Pickles2]

I wish you a speedy recovery Digger, and hope that you're back to normal soon.
Regards, Pickles.

[87County]

Sorry to hear that dig, but as they say - a stone like that is far better out than in

We wish you a speedy recovery - may you get well asap

[sheerluck]

Jeez digger, that's not a stone, that's a block!

Get well soon.

[4wheeler]

Hi Digger,
I think it is time for you to buy a lotto ticket as after all the problems you have had, you are due for some good luck.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Regards,
4wheeler

[1nando]

Speedy recovery mate. All the best

[cuppabillytea]

Get well soon Digger.

[digger]

Heard nothing from John Cardogan website but found another email address so have tried that ( which with my luck I probably sent the original request to wrong one ;) )

Hopefully will hear something.

Otherwise maybe letters to 4wd magazines, websites, club sites etc explaining my experience with this may be my next step.. Could also go for the "lemon" type stickers and parking in front of dealers etc if it fails again and there isn't replacement or warranty? Not sure what...

I have tried doing this the "right way" (talking to/with the dealer and company) but it seems a $400 drive day and a free service is their biggest concession.

[cuppabillytea]

We can't do much on this Forum but you should remember you have a small Army at your disposal. :cool:

[cuppabillytea]

Happy Birthday Digger. :)

[newhue]

Hi Digger, your first post may all be forgive now, I have just jumped the 14 pages. But is there a Japanese dealer near you? Maybe if your MY12 Defender is playing up like that after warranty, and the dealer is....well shall we say quite typical is almost every way; then outside the Land Rover Defender bubble other cars do the job just fine. They may not have soul, but you get sick of soul after a while. Especially when it cost so much in time let alone money. I'd flog mine if I hadn't spent so much accessorising it. Just some observations of ownership.

[d@rk51d3]

He hasn't got the Gall to drive it..




Lol.



Not anymore anyway.





Get well soon Digger.

[Tombie]

Hi Digger, your first post may all be forgive now, I have just jumped the 14 pages. But is there a Japanese dealer near you? Maybe if your MY12 Defender is playing up like that after warranty, and the dealer is....well shall we say quite typical is almost every way; then outside the Land Rover Defender bubble other cars do the job just fine. They may not have soul, but you get sick of soul after a while. Especially when it cost so much in time let alone money. I'd flog mine if I hadn't spent so much accessorising it. Just some observations of ownership.



You ever had to deal with a T- dealership? Or The Lion?

The experiences many of my colleagues have had with the "reliable" brands has been more akin to contempt...

And I have yet to see a single vehicle out there in the 4x4 wagon class that is any more reliable, has better service, or has spares on the shelf.

My mother gets nothing but lip service on vehicle warranty issues - including "normal wear and tear" when her high end leather seats ripped after 25k.

Or the front end rebuild they tried to charge her for when it was subject to warranty steering failure and during the work they damaged a component and when asked to check the "clunk" tried to claim it was her - you can see the tool marks from previous work..

One thing Digger has been getting is excellent local representation by the Dealer - only head office (LR Aus) has shown contempt. What they forget is that consumers like Digger are protected under law, and pushing back will not be sufficient.

The engine must be fit for purpose, and will easily be covered under that legal requirement.

[1nando]

Well said Tombie

[SG1 Bones]

[emoji1319] Good on ya Tombie.

[newhue]

Tommie, I have dealt with Holden and I would not but one of them either. I know what you mean but mine was second hand and out of warranty.
I have come and gone and come again. I guess not much has changed around here. People still putting the marc up on a pedestal, people still having appalling manufacturing failures and issues; like no grease. The reason they are not building in this market is perhaps it cost LR to much to warrant them. Be it dealers milking hand made, or they are notoriously poor built cars and the market doest like it. Yes there a few who have not had issues, but I'd guess 7 out of 10 have. The lack of development shows an English arrogance that they know best, why does my 2010 transferee case leak after 150K just like the 1983 county did. Why does that hand brake still exist where it does?

I guess forums are for people trying to fix their car, or one who see it as a hobby. I'm over blowing wind up LR's flag pole. I paid considerably better money for a defender than what others are asking in the market, and yes it shines off road about 5% or it's life, but the rest of the time it just squeaks, leaks, and randomly produces issues to keep sucking money. I don't hate it, just that's the reality of mine. I have lost count how much it has cost LR in warranty, and them for me out of. "go beyond" they say, I say well past the dealer to another.

[Tombie]

Smile mate...

One of the new work Utes by 150k had 3 gearboxes, 4 clutches, 2 steering racks, a Drivers door, alternator, 2 engines...

In fact it had all of that by 80k and was a very well looked after vehicle - services every 5k (lease requirement), 2 responsible drivers only.


Design - hand brake - on a Defender is different to quality, so let's let that one lie..


I don't pedestal the marque, I have just had the most reliable run out of the last 5 vehicles over all vehicles I have owned...

As for not building Defender sales in this market - $50k enthusiast vehicle (bare bones) or $50k fully featured Dual Cab (Amarok) / Ranger) - many will go the refined interior of the DC (many have a SWMBO that wants crazy stuff like Carpet, Dual Climate etc [emoji6])

[digger]

And this thread rears its ugly head again... [bawl]

It seems that the Land Rover gods have decided that as far as they are concerned
I can go and get trucked about this time of year! Before you think I have a potty mouth
Let me explain...

Last year, at Melrose this was my vehicle travelling back into camp...
120595
27-3-16

And this is today...
120596

Last year is was when turbo number three died after just over 600 kms, the one before that lasted 50kms!!, and the one before that was the original but put onto the replacement motor.

This year it was when turbo 4 crapped itself as I was travelling along a straight stretch of flat road at a constant about 105 (travels nice there) and suddenly the dreaded familiar sound of a turbo dying..

I am not as young as I used to be, but my ears are finely tuned now to hear that terrible sound as it starts and today as I cruised down the highway, on the way to buy a roof rack for my impending big trip at Easter, there it was... but back to the start...

Through all this I have done research to understand a turbo, it's best described as this...

"A turbo: Exhaust gasses go into the turbocharger and spin it, witchcraft happens, and you go faster."

Thanks Jeremy Clarkson! :)

It is also the cause of grief for me in my house...

We have been planning for a trip starting at Easter at the Melrose Land Rover show (get there if you haven't been it's great, run by the Land Rover Register of SA. LRREGSA ) myself and my 14 year old son (who has caught the bug and is already playing around with a '57 88" that is his..) have planned to go from Melrose with an Alien tour.

If you are ever invited to go on tour with the Alien, jump on board, they're great, this one Including down the coast to Ceduna, up to Maralinga for a few days, back to Ceduna, up Googs Track, Kingoonya, Glendambo, Pima/woomera, lake Mary, andamooka, farina via the mulgaria track (this is my old stomping ground) and then down for a stop (flinders?) to Melrose and home... both my lad and I have been saving all year for this...

Due to previous trouble with my car I've pulled out of a Simpson crossing, a trip to Dalhousie and a trip to the Salt lake racing at Lake Gairdner .... after surging further than 7,000k, (about my average distance between catastrophic mechanical failures) I got some faith back in the car, looks like those breakdowns are over!

Ha, fate is a cruel anchor!

On the way to buy a roof rack for the impending trip today, The excrement hit the wind circulation device!! Break down at 11.30 on the side of the highway, about 15k from the nearest town. About 100k to Adelaide (if that).

Spoke to Michael SCHIEFFERS (if that's spelt wrong sorry mike!) who is service manager at solitaire motors, since Louis English abandoned me ( sorry Louis ) by moving to work for Land Rover in Melbourne ( you lucky Victorian bastards!! ) Michael has stepped into the breach and has been really good. Anyway he said get it there via LR assist and he'd have it hoisted immediatelyto try and see what was going on.

Called LR assist, yep we'll have you picked up in 90 minutes on the outside! That's good service... so I waited on the side of the rather hot roadway with a car that was turned off to try and save whatever may be left, for the truck to come (this is contracted out from LR).

[rangieman]

Oh no wtf :bat: hope it is a speedy recovery for your planned trip[wink11]
To stuff so many turbos they would either be cheap junk or have a oil supply to turbo problems.

[cuppabillytea]

Oh dear Digger. That is poo from pan to plait. Sorry to hear it.

I still think you have an oil flow problem. That many blown Turbos can't just be faulty Turbos.

[incisor]

X2

Sad to see you on the receiving end of these sorts of issues..

[Pedro_The_Swift]

They do stretch the friendship at times-- :bat:

Hopefully you are no longer sitting by the roadside,,,

[digger]

Thanks guys, not sure what happened to the rest of my post somehow I cut it short... here is the full post.. sorry about that..


And this thread rears its ugly head again... [bawl]

It seems that the Land Rover gods have decided that as far as they are concerned
I can go and get trucked about this time of year! Before you think I have a potty mouth
Let me explain...
this
Last year, at Melrose this was my vehicle travelling back into camp...120595
27-3-16

And this is today...
120596

Last year is was when turbo number three died after just over 600 kms, the one before that lasted 50kms!!, and the one before that was the original but put onto the replacement motor.

This year it was when turbo 4 crapped itself as I was travelling along a straight stretch of flat road at a constant about 105 (travels nice there) and suddenly the dreaded familiar sound of a turbo dying..

I am not as young as I used to be, but my ears are finely tuned now to hear that terrible sound as it starts and today as I cruised down the highway, on the way to buy a roof rack for my impending big trip at Easter, there it was... but back to the start...

Through all this I have done research to understand a turbo, it's best described as this...

"A turbo: Exhaust gasses go into the turbocharger and spin it, witchcraft happens, and you go faster."

Thanks Jeremy Clarkson! :)

It is also the cause of grief for me in my house...

We have been planning for a trip starting at Easter at the Melrose Land Rover show (get there if you haven't been it's great, run by the Land Rover Register of SA. LRREGSA ) myself and my 14 year old son (who has caught the bug and is already playing around with a '57 88" that is his..) have planned to go from Melrose with an Alien tour.

If you are ever invited to go on tour with the Alien, jump on board, they're great, this one Including down the coast to Ceduna, up to Maralinga for a few days, back to Ceduna, up Googs Track, Kingoonya, Glendambo, Pima/woomera, lake Mary, andamooka, farina via the mulgaria track (this is my old stomping ground) and then down for a stop (flinders?) to Melrose and home... both my lad and I have been saving all year for this...

Due to previous trouble with my car I've pulled out of a Simpson crossing, a trip to Dalhousie and a trip to the Salt lake racing at Lake Gairdner .... after surging further than 7,000k, (about my average distance between catastrophic mechanical failures) I got some faith back in the car, looks like those breakdowns are over!

Ha, fate is a cruel anchor!

On the way to buy a roof rack for the impending trip today, The excrement hit the wind circulation device!! Break down at 11.30 on the side of the highway, about 15k from the nearest town. About 100k to Adelaide (if that).

Spoke to Michael SCHIEFFERS (if that's spelt wrong sorry mike!) who is service manager at solitaire motors, since Louis English abandoned me ( sorry Louis ) by moving to work for Land Rover in Melbourne ( you lucky Victorian bastards!! ) Michael has stepped into the breach and has been really good. Anyway he said get it there via LR assist and he'd have it hoisted immediatelyto try and see what was going on.

Called LR assist, yep we'll have you picked up in 90 minutes on the outside! That's good service... so I waited on the side of the rather hot roadway with a car that was turned off to try and save whatever may be left, for the truck to come (this is contracted out from LR).

So now the waiting game begins.. sadly I've become very good at this game. There are a number of different techniques but since it's very hot outside I decided to crouch down under the spindly scrub and trees along side the road where my car was.

This was not a bad position until I realised that people driving past may feel that I am in need of toilet paper due to the position I was in! I then tried the casual lean position against the small thin trunks, sadly the noises that the trees made when I leaned on them was very much a warning for me to get off! So back to my default position and I stood around like a stale bottle of...... anyway.. it was only going to be until 1pm at the latest...

1pm, .......no not yet,
1.15pm.....nup
1.30pm....no, nada, nine, zip
1.45pm....aww cmon fellas
2pm.........the bastards have abandoned meeee!
2.01pm. He is here !

In yet another blow it's the tow truck operator from MY town, this won't be a source of amusement for time to come...

The car is loaded up sadly I've seen the underside of my car from this angle too many times.. on the truck into Solitaire Land Rover at about 4pm (travelled with the tow truck driver)

Arrived at 4pm, Michael was waiting outside and straight inside it went, there was a mob of blokes swarming over it like flies on..... well on my defender, but at the moment the other word would likely still be appropriate.....

Maybe I've misjudged it, maybe a hose or even something else minor? no - a snowball spending summer holidaying in Andamooka had a better chance...

They came in and broke the news in much the same way I deliver a death message at work, sit down, have some water, sorry the turbo has gone again.....
Continuing that theme I'm working through the seven stages of grief!

They are working on it over the next few days to try and find out what the problem is...

My problem is that now it looks like the trip is off, I don't think I can trust it... therefore payments for maralinga and caravan parks already made are likely forfeit..... (not happy Land Rover...)

The Melrose LRREGSA show at Easter is also likely to be compromised.... another payment gone... (cheers Land Rover)

The Land Rover experience day that solitaires sent me was booked in for this Saturday, I reckon that's buggered too! And with less than 5 days notice, now null and void... the irony is strong with this one...

So now they've loaned me a disco sport, new, small, shiny, low kms, ....what the hell were they thinking? There is no tow ball, and looking about the car I see it has more airbags for pedestrians outside the car than mine has for drivers/passengers!! (Serious there is an airbag on the bonnet!!)

Interesting to see what they decide this time... another turbo? (how many did Garrett make??) Will it be another engine swap? Do they have a 110 tucked away somewhere to do the right thing?

I feel that the vehicle isn't in any way suitable to do ANY of what it's designed for... it has repeatedly failed to proceed in a monotonously repetitive fashion.
And that, Land Rover, is a damning thing, a disgraceful display of company to customer loyalty.

Again here I feel I should point out Solitaire seems to be doing what they can, but surely this is past that point?

I feel that the promise of adventure you market is a bit different to that you pictured...my idea of adventure is not meeting the myriad of tow truck drivers who have full lifted my car back to Land Rover, nor is it travelling in the truck with numerous blokes driving said trucks with my car on the back.

How long until these repetitive major mechanical failure become my financial problem?

You have managed to take my dream car and turn it into a nightmare, it's sad that I have more faith in the old series vehicles I have than in this vehicle... and, god help me, the wife's Magna, now over 200,000kms and still not a problem....and still retains the reputation of the most reliable vehicle at my house... thanks Land Rover!

It's time they stepped up and sorted this big time ....

Maybe I'm just whinging now, and I'm sorry for that, - if I look at it subjectively I suppose other than the fact it can't be trusted , it constantly suffers major mechanical problems dying in out of the way places, it's been a good car....

So now the waiting game begins again.... I'm sure I won't hear stuff all from Land Rover Australia who showed an immense lack of interest a year ago, nor have I heard anything at all back from BMG, bundy Land Rover whom I bought it from originally and sent emails to last year, funny, they were happy with my money when the car was bought... Thank god at the moment for Solitaires..

My rant ends...

[SPROVER]

After reading that all i could do was shake my head in disbelief [emoji35] .I feel for you digger. I probably would of burnt it to the ground by now. How much more can you take? There comes a time when enough is enough. Landrover should really replace it with a new vehicle. That is just ridiculous on there behalf. But of course they won't admit that. Good luck with it whatever you decide to do mate.

[DieselDan]

I can only think of one thing to say....

Bugger [bigsad]

Let's hope LRA do the decent thing.

[rar110]

Digger, I think you have won the unenviable prize of owning the worst Puma ever. LRA should warranty that well after standard time given it's spent so much of that time being repaired. I would start thinking of asking for a full or substantial refund as it's clearly not of merchantable quality, and not fit for purpose.

[Tombie]

Digger - I make this offer to you... seriously....

You can take my D4 and do the trip [emoji106]

[karlz]

Why no legal action? Curious.

I'd be furious.

Not all defenders have as much issues as yours.

[Eevo]

terrible to hear. i'm not sure who to be angry at. the car? the dealer? LRA?

[PAT303]

Four Turbo's????. There's more to this story,turbo's don't just fail like this. Pat

[Basil135]

Digger - I make this offer to you... seriously....

You can take my D4 and do the trip [emoji106]


I also know where there is a spare D2, if you want to keep it basic... [bigwhistle]

[Tombie]

I also know where there is a spare D2, if you want to keep it basic... [bigwhistle]

Problem is from Ceduna it would probably want to continue West [emoji41]

[digger]

Mike,

As usual you've got my back! Thanks but I don't think I could sustain myself with that car,
There's too many buttons!!

Seriously thanks, but I wouldn't feel right driving someone else's.
I really do appreciate it!

In reply to the other enquiry,
I haven't tried legal action although I've now made some enqs with a solicitor friend to see where I stand.

I am hoping to sort this out without anything like that being needed, JLRA pretty much fobbed me last time but Solitaires pushed away and helped me keep the faith... now it is truely tested....

Waiting to see the result this time and then we will see what we do... I'd desperately like to think things will work out but yes. I'm well at the end of my tether..

Update on what's happening, turbo out and to testing with a turbo specialist, other testing being done to see what can be found on/in engine... remembering all 4 turbos have died since the engine swap...

Land Rover customer service rang to say something is being done and they have received messages from my wife and from Michael Scheiffer on my behalf.. (well as the car is both mine and Nays I should say on both our behalves!!).

Cheers, hope you have a better weekend than mine...!!

[Tombie]

Offer stands... regardless [emoji12]
And you are still obligated to come to Melrose - even if I need to make a big loop to pick you both up..

[Toxic_Avenger]

Hang in there bud.
If you don't mind driving the short bus, there's a spot behind the wheel in mine at melrose.
Could probably even arrange a pick-up on the way thru if required.

[Tombie]

Digger. A second offer has been proposed.
From the fairer member of the Tombie clan..

To reduce potential confusion with unfamiliar controls Mrs Tombie has offered the use of her 90....

[carlschmid2002]

Digger. A second offer has been proposed.
From the fairer member of the Tombie clan..

To reduce potential confusion with unfamiliar controls Mrs Tombie has offered the use of her 90....

Tombie,
I have never met you but you really are gentleman. I am hoping to make melrose this year and actually meet you and Digger. I hope you still make it Digger.

[cuppabillytea]

Hang in there bud.
If you don't mind driving the short bus, there's a spot behind the wheel in mine at melrose.
Could probably even arrange a pick-up on the way thru if required.

Convoy diversion? You've gotta love diversions.

[cuppabillytea]

Or there's two of us in my 110 and minimal gear.

[Bytemrk]

Digger,

I notice Land Rover Australia responded to Mrs Digger on the book of Faces..... the optimist in me hopes that starts a positive discussion... ( But then, he's still not convinced the tooth fairy isn't real either )

If your big mate from Whyalla can't convince you to take his assistance.... I'll have spare seats in the D4 with me.... maybe not as much fun as taking your own vehicle....

But you should know it's not just you that would be sad if you can't make the trip.... quite a few of us would be.

You've helped out enough blokes around here.... maybe it's your turn to be receiving rather than giving.... .

The Land Rover Experience day is probably buggered..... but keep your options open for the rest. [wink11]


Stay in touch, I'm sure we can work something out between us all.

[Bytemrk]

Hey!.... I just had another thought..... Tombie, you might be able to give me a bit of advice here.....

You reckon an SDV6 D4 would drag a Magna over the dunes on Googs?.... :wasntme:





:Rolling:

[PAT303]

Digger, all four turbo's have failed since the engine swap?.Tell the dumb arses at the dealership to check the oil feed and drain :soapbox:. Pat

[Tombie]

They have Pat. including doing the Oil Pump recall...

I have a suspicion that somewhere in the block either opens or closes up a clearance somewhere once it gets warm.

Oil feed and oil return were checked for flow and pressure last time..

It's definitely a starvation issue though.

[cuppabillytea]

It's got me thinking, there's a bit of swarf or debris of some kind. circulating around in an oil channel that occasionally blocks an opening. Something like that could be almost impossible to find and very difficult to remove.
If it was my problem to fix it, I'd flush, clean and dry the oil ways, then blow hem out with high pressure air. Even after that I wouldn't be confident of success.

[Eevo]

It's got me thinking, there's a bit of swarf or debris of some kind. circulating around in an oil channel that occasionally blocks an opening. Something like that could be almost impossible to find and very difficult to remove.
If it was my problem to fix it, I'd flush, clean and dry the oil ways, then blow hem out with high pressure air. Even after that I wouldn't be confident of success.


bore scope the oil channels?

[cuppabillytea]

bore scope the oil channels?

I honestly don't know. Modern casting methods enable far more complicated oil ways than I have dealt with. So I really couldn't say.

[PAT303]

They have Pat. including doing the Oil Pump recall...

I have a suspicion that somewhere in the block either opens or closes up a clearance somewhere once it gets warm.

Oil feed and oil return were checked for flow and pressure last time..

It's definitely a starvation issue though.

If I had a vehicle that had turbo failure after 600km's I'd be looking hard for a reason why,after 50km's the vehicle wouldn't leave the shop,after FOUR turbo's people would be sacked. Pat

[AndyG]

What a saga,
Re the gall bladder, were you born in Solihull [bighmmm]
So far so good with my garage queen.
But this post has convinced me i MUST do Melrose next year to meet you good folk, my logistics are awkward to get there from 5S 131E
Sorry i cant offer anything constructive, except the lemon laws are there to be used.

[digger]

Thanks Andy,

It does seem that at this time my luck is such that I'm concerned my pet rock may run away...

I begged for an exchange vehicle whilst they still had 8 brand new 110s in 7 seat config for sale in Aus and that was just an online search... they wouldn't entertain that at all...

And refused to put any cover for the engine or turbo etc in writing! (Even though they have an obligation to cover it).

I have found it very disappointing, we were until the last turbo looking at maybe an evoke for Nay (minister for war and finance) and now I can't even get her to drive the loan car which is a discovery midget..

As I've said my love for them is being truely tested!!

Michael from Solitaires has told me they have found metal shavings in the motor now and obviously that is not right!! He is trying to get an engine swap (again) done and have the vehicle back for the Thursday before Easter.... which is when I picked the last one up after turbo2 replacement which lasted about 600kms before it went back for turbo3. Turbo4, engine3, I assume intercooler replacement3 now pending.....

I think that the feeling I had last year that sadly Land Rover are trying to see me out in the hope I'll get some good kms before the next time it implodes ... is still very real...

I await news from them, at least Solitaires are keeping me in the loop.

[DiscoMick]

Metal shavings! That's very bad. Maybe cupabillytea was on the right track.
Could the shavings have done in at least some of the other turbos?

[AndyG]

I think you are at the point where you go legal. They are just stringing you along.
BTW my brother is a total **** of a lawyer if you want an informal opinion

[rar110]

Are they kidding? LRA should be buying it back and asking JLR for a refund. I'd be talking to JLR UK as that's terrible.

[Eevo]

question is, where did the metal shavings come from?

are that the cause or symptom?

[1nando]

Time for legal action. Under consumer law you are entitled to a refund or replacement. The vehicle has had more than its fair share of warranty fixes which have not solved what is a reoccurring issue. Before anyone here starts talking BS regarding the fact that Australia does not have lemon laws i suggest they familiarize themselves with consumer law.
YOU ARE BY LAW ENTITLED TO A REFUND OR REPLACEMENT

[DiscoMick]

Yep, get a lawyer.

[Disco Muppet]

Agreed Digger. Not good enough. Not fit for purpose. Get your money back and buy a Td5

[spudboy]

...Get your money back and buy a Td5

Or a Ford Ranger [smilebigeye]

Can't say I've ever regretted moving my PUMA on, and switching to a Ford - and I NEVER thought I'd ever say that!!

Has zero romance compared to a Defender, but it's been (surprisingly) a really good vehicle. It's growing on me.

[Chops]

I was just wondering if the blocks are a full sand cast(?), I imagine they are due to channels etc. We used to do sand casting, and it's not hard to leave a bit behind if someone's not on the ball at the final inspection. A spec of sand can do a major amount of damage if in the wrong spot. As Eevo said though, you'll need to know whether the shavings are the cause or symptom.
Might be worth trying to find out if any other motors around your serial number have suffered the same fate.

But it for what it's worth Nigel, I think like the others, I'd be going down the legal route if it was mine.
Looking forward to seeing you at Melrose mate.

[Tombie]

My opinion is that when the current block (V2.0) was cast and machined there is some swarf inside one of the galleries leading to the Turbo lubrication line.

In "good" conditions this swarf has been bypassing the oil and allowing the Turbo to function correctly.

Every now and again the swarf has then turned/shifted, restricting oil flow and the resulting outcome is the Turbo has eaten itself.

This would explain why the Turbochargers have had varying lifespans / survival rates.

So far, the accumulated costs to LR would have easily replaced the Engine (V3.0) and most likely had Digger well on his way and happy.

[4wheeler]

Or a Ford Ranger [smilebigeye]

Can't say I've ever regretted moving my PUMA on, and switching to a Ford - and I NEVER thought I'd ever say that!!

Has zero romance compared to a Defender, but it's been (surprisingly) a really good vehicle. It's growing on me.

Having owned a Mazda BT 50, I agree in terms of safety and comfort and additional power the Ford is a great package. If however other factors are considered, from my experience and research, the Ford product will not necessarily provide better reliability in terms of engine reliability, computer or sensor issues. There is a good deal of information pointing to the fact that the 3.2 and 2.2 engines have similar issues to the Puma engines, not surprising given that the are all made by Ford. You can get a great Ranger or an average Ranger. Don't scratch the ranger as the paint is thin.

If you are undertaking relatively tame four wheel driving then the Ranger is fine. In harder environments, the limited ground clearance and long overhangs show up the limitations. While I realise this is a limitation of ute style 4x4's (I have owned 4), the BT 50 I owned was the worst of them out of the box. Throw a frontal protection bar on the front and most deeper bog holes will have you reaching for winch or strap as the front end will hang up on the exit if steep or cut up.

You can throw dollars lifting it, but then you can introduce drive line vibration. Lifting a Puma will do the same, but a standard Puma has more standard clearance than most lifted Rangers.

Having owned 2 Pumas, a BT 50 and a Ford Transit work vehicle (just clocked 200,000 km), in terms of engine reliability, purchasing a Ranger won't necessarily make things better. I traded my Mazda back on 2.2 Defender after I realised that the driving I do the high country of Victoria found out the limitations of the vehicle (it was not lifted though).

Obviously the Ford won't have most of the Defender's driveline issues, but then again, if you break something, you probably won't be able to get it mobile again without assistance.

By the time you put new suspension on the Ranger, fit a canopy and tub liner, the cost would be similar to fixing the Puma's drive line issues.

I have major sympathy for anyone experiencing vehicle reliability problems and you do get to the point where anything is better than what you have got, especially when that vehicle needs to be reliable, either for work or remote touring. Once the trust is gone, it is all over.
The Ranger is a great vehicle, but off road, I'll keep my Defender.[bigsmile1]

[ozscott]

My brother has just had a new motor fitted to his Colorado due to oil chewing issues...under warranty thankfully but with a massive 22 thousand k (yep...20,000klm) on the clock.... Holden didn't appear to be surprised or have a problem with replacing it. It was their suggestion...

Cheers

[spudboy]

....
The Ranger is a great vehicle, but off road, I'll keep my Defender.[bigsmile1]

Yep - I agree with all of that. For what we do (touring and general farm ute duties) it's been great. And it came with a tub-liner included in the price!! Not like the HiLux.

For us it is an interim vehicle, while I wait to see what the new Defender is going to be like. Land Rover should have it sorted by about 2020....

[digger]

?..<<<snip>>> ..while I wait to see what the new Defender is going to be like. Land Rover should have it sorted by about 2020....

I was like that waiting for the new 2.2 motor, I'd heard things not so great about 2.4 motor so waited for the 2.2 and finally jumped... (ironically seeing how it's gone). Maybe by 2020 my motor problems will be sorted? :) :p

Still nothing heard about the car, I would suggest if it's not on the way to a solution by tomorrow Melrose may be as far as we go.. :( On the good side even if I have to walk we are going to Melrose, although that will make it awkward to bring a trailer!!

[Bytemrk]

Digger, if it comes to that - please don't forget there is more than one offer floating to make something happen...if you are willing to take it.[wink11]

[digger]

Digger, if it comes to that - please don't forget there is more than one offer floating to make something happen...if you are willing to take it.[wink11]

Mate, I am actually very humbled by the multiple offers of a ride or offers from people to "take their car!" (Did they not read what I have managed to do to 2 motors, 4 turbos etc without doing anything but driving?? [tonguewink] ) but in reality I would not enjoy myself in the seat of someone else's car and I'm a crappy passenger (ask anyone I work with, a lot of people in my town hate "coming for a ride" with me [bigwhistle])

But there's still a day or so window, they might "pull a miracle" yet! -- even if it's a new motor, there's the logistics of getting all needed bits here and then putting them in, almost impossible in the timeframe especially as it appears no decision made yet. Since asking for them to put correspondence in writing there has been nothing at all from Land Rover..

After that is the difficulty involved in if I should take the car back or not, I am still seeking a clarification on this as one school of thought is no, other is yes and they still must replace...

Looking on car sales etc as a guide to what's available in the market, 2012/13 7 seat 110 with similar mileage range from 70k to a whopping 86k - that's 2nd hand vehicles, then what is covered from that point? I truely wish they had swapped the car out last year when I requested this, it would've been cheaper for them and less stress for me (and finally achieve a holiday with my family... as my eldest is 18 this year the odds are that he won't come on any trips in future, 3 years of missed chances is very aggravating! )

But back on topic, thanks but I think I'd be a particularly annoying sad sack! (Instead of my usual just annoying!)

[Bytemrk]

We'll all keep our fingers crossed then.....

and BTW.... if you do have to walk to Melrose - I'll tow your trailer for you [biggrin]

[4wheeler]

Yep - I agree with all of that. For what we do (touring and general farm ute duties) it's been great. And it came with a tub-liner included in the price!! Not like the HiLux.

For us it is an interim vehicle, while I wait to see what the new Defender is going to be like. Land Rover should have it sorted by about 2020....

Thanks Spudboy.
If I wasn't driving a Defender, I would probably be in the Ranger too. I am also waiting to see the replacement for Defender. I hope they get the problems and quality sorted so owners of Land Rover product such as Digger who have had major problems never have to feel they have to change vehicles to get some form of sanity returned to them. After all, when the next Land Rover dealer could be a thousand kilometres away, reliability counts. That's where Toyota, Ford, etc. win hands down with some form of support in most major towns.

[digger]

Ive been notified by Land Rover that they will replace the engine in my car and after speaking with Michael at solitaire they are hoping to have it done in time for Easter. I'm still trying to work out if I should take possession of the car again or what I should do in relation to that and some sort of coverage for the future

[rangieman]

Ive been notified by Land Rover that they will replace the engine in my car and after speaking with Michael at solitaire they are hoping to have it done in time for Easter. I'm still trying to work out if I should take possession of the car again or what I should do in relation to that and some sort of coverage for the future
That`s good news mate :thumbsup:
But really why should it have had so many turbos and engines in the first place[bighmmm]

[Bytemrk]

Ive been notified by Land Rover that they will replace the engine in my car and after speaking with Michael at solitaire they are hoping to have it done in time for Easter. I'm still trying to work out if I should take possession of the car again or what I should do in relation to that and some sort of coverage for the future

That's great - at least there is some positive movement. I'd be asking at the very least that they provide a further 2 year extended warranty for free.

[Eevo]

great news. about bloody time.

[alien]

Good to hear there is light at the end of the tunnel.
After the swarf was found a replacement motor is the only acceptable repair.
Make sure they have checked for the oil pump upgrade before fitting the new motor.

I can can see no advantage in leaving Bear at the workshop once repairs are compleated.
They are only the middle men doing what they can for you, don't get them offside.
I'd ask Michael to deliver Bear personally rather than truck him.
This will put a few Km's on the new motor and he go to the farm or Melrose.
Consider it a long road test in conditions it used for 90% of the time.
(We can sort logistics of trailers etc. closer to Easter once you know more)

Bring Bear on the trip as proof he's up for what you bought him for.
This will either restore your faith in him or at worse LRAssist pick him up from Googs Tk.
Consider it a fit for purpose trip, I wouldn't suggest this if I didn't think he was up for it.

[cuppabillytea]

Good news Digger. You have to bring Bear to Melrose. What could possibly go wrong?[thumbsupbig]

AND if it does you have LR assist and all of us. [wink11]

[rar110]

Is this motor number 3 or 4?

[digger]

Is this motor number 3 or 4?

Motor3 turbo5.

Michael makes sure it's given a good run before it comes back which is how they found the fault that took out motor1 !! I think just getting it back will be a feat if it can be done in time.

Michaels arranged a bloke to work o/t on Saturday to make sure the motor is out etc ready to move as soon as parts come in.

And I have to go to town as I need to take the loan car back!

[rar110]

Replacing the motor is really just LRA satisfying their obligation. I would ask for a warranty extension, especially as it's way under the km and that it's been in LR's possession for so much of the warranty period. I think that should be a condition before you accept its return, even though the statutory warranty applies.

[1nando]

Ive been notified by Land Rover that they will replace the engine in my car and after speaking with Michael at solitaire they are hoping to have it done in time for Easter. I'm still trying to work out if I should take possession of the car again or what I should do in relation to that and some sort of coverage for the future
Hi Digger,

Thats a great outcome considering the circumstances.

I can think of one vehicle manufacturer who's name i won't mention that would more than likely not have bothered with any assistance at all.

I have to give credit to LR, even though its frustrating and unreasonable to be sold such a vehicle at least they try. How many times is this now? Others don't even listen.

I'd buy another landy just because of the service i received when i first bought my car. I had multiple diffs, gearboxes, transfer, output shafts etc and they kept trying to fix it. 2 and 1/2 years later and my landy has been very reliable.

I would have threatened them with legal action if they didnt listen in your situation but they obviously care enough to try.

I hope you get it back in time for your trip mate. All the best

[rar110]

Hi Digger,

Thats a great outcome considering the circumstances.

I can think of one vehicle manufacturer who's name i won't mention that would more than likely not have bothered with any assistance at all.

I have to give credit to LR, even though its frustrating and unreasonable to be sold such a vehicle at least they try. How many times is this now? Others don't even listen.

I'd buy another landy just because of the service i received when i first bought my car. I had multiple diffs, gearboxes, transfer, output shafts etc and they kept trying to fix it. 2 and 1/2 years later and my landy has been very reliable.

I would have threatened them with legal action if they didnt listen in your situation but they obviously care enough to try.

I hope you get it back in time for your trip mate. All the best

Digger hasn't had the opportunity to go through multiple diffs, gearboxes etc as the motor doesn't even run. That stuff is still ahead of him, but probably without the assurance of a manufacturer warranty.

Its fortunate LRA sorted your ride.

[spudboy]

...

I can think of one vehicle manufacturer who's name i won't mention that would more than likely not have bothered with any assistance at all.


I'm guessing Volkswagen!

That's good news Digger. You have the patience of a saint.

[digger]

So have just received a call from Michael at solitaire keeping me up to date with what has been happening. Michael has told me that the new motor is on deck at solitaire and of the motor is well on the way to being removed 71 can be installed things going well should be well on the way to been completed ASAP.


Unfortunately good work by solitaire is not being buried by LRA since we requested that they keep us updated in writing to email addresses for myself or my wife is not received a single email from them something I find very average being now we were allegedly been dealt with by the customer service team ???


The fact that LRA are so hesitant to put things in writing concerns me because it makes me think they have no intention of following through with anything other than the absolute minimum They need to. Hopefully something will come through on the weekend, if not I shall be the one to make contact with them. I am aware of someone else who had a motor swapped out who has a written 75000k warranty on mechanicals. That would be good!

[scarry]

I'm guessing Volkswagen!

That's good news Digger. You have the patience of a saint.

From my experience i would have thought it would have started with T and ended in A.....[wink11][tonguewink]

[Eevo]

From my experience i would have thought it would have started with T and ended in A.....[wink11][tonguewink]


Tata!

oh

[1nando]

Tata!

oh
There is a forum (you will need to log in) where 2 very popular much talked about engines in Australia are in fact not as reliable as most would imagine. In fact some legal actions have ended up settled under confidentiality agreements and there are A LOT of unhappy and unsatisfied owners. One owner was even on tv boasting his disappointment on Accurnt Affair, that video clip was even banned on youtube and social media by this particular manufacturer.

Vehicles are manufactured in a certain amount of numbers, when you have the number one selling vehicle in 2 different categories/markets in Australia and a lot are fine it hides the fact that many aren't so fine leaving their owners dissapointed and unsatisfied.

Digger i would communicate everything with the chap your dealing with via email. Id write an email stating whats happened in the past, what they are now doing and intend to do moving forward. The email transcripts can be used if needed later on for any further issue that may arise. If you list the amount of engines and turbos that have been replaced and the dealer replies with what they are now intending to do it clearly states that so far your vehicle has been "unfit for purpose" and you bought something that does not meet the criteria promised by the manufacturer. Later on this transcript could be your insurance and warranty

[rar110]

So have just received a call from Michael at solitaire keeping me up to date with what has been happening. Michael has told me that the new motor is on deck at solitaire and of the motor is well on the way to being removed 71 can be installed things going well should be well on the way to been completed ASAP.


Unfortunately good work by solitaire is not being buried by LRA since we requested that they keep us updated in writing to email addresses for myself or my wife is not received a single email from them something I find very average being now we were allegedly been dealt with by the customer service team ???


The fact that LRA are so hesitant to put things in writing concerns me because it makes me think they have no intention of following through with anything other than the absolute minimum They need to. Hopefully something will come through on the weekend, if not I shall be the one to make contact with them. I am aware of someone else who had a motor swapped out who has a written 75000k warranty on mechanicals. That would be good!

You will have to ask LRA for any warranty. I doubt it will happen otherwise.

The earlier post from 1nando about emailing LRA of all that had happened etc is quite good evidence. So is a lack of reply from LRA, which you should expect. This exercise is worth the effort.

[PAT303]

That same forum even does a background check,you have to supply your VIN number before they allow you to join.It's all about protecting the name. Pat

[1nando]

That same forum even does a background check,you have to supply your VIN number before they allow you to join.It's all about protecting the name. Pat
I have 3 blokes working for me on this forum....all drive these vehicles. One is trying to sell and move on

[1nando]

We do Hv transport and logistics

[digger]

Not naming the forum anyone?

[PAT303]

LCOOL. Pat

[Homestar]

That same forum even does a background check,you have to supply your VIN number before they allow you to join.It's all about protecting the name. Pat

Not hard to get a VIN and other details they would need. Carsales would have all the info nessesary. VIN, rego, City, etc.

[Eevo]

i just looked at the signup page
no VIN required

[Tombie]

I was a member in there for a few years, didn't post much.
Those guys have as many issues if not more, and some far worse...

And at the end of it often comment how reliable - excluding engine/box/diff etc - their vehicle has been!

[PAT303]

i just looked at the signup page
no VIN required

They do a check after signing up and before allowing access.They would not let me join because my then Toyota was a company vehicle,not private. Pat

[Eevo]

They do a check after signing up and before allowing access.They would not let me join because my then Toyota was a company vehicle,not private. Pat
how could they tell the difference?

[rick130]

They do a check after signing up and before allowing access.They would not let me join because my then Toyota was a company vehicle,not private. Pat

and they probably checked up on you here too, and with your posting history regarding Toyota's Pat..... :Rolling:

[PAT303]

how could they tell the difference?

[bighmmm],the vehicles was not registered in my name. Pat

[Homestar]

[bighmmm],the vehicles was not registered in my name. Pat

How do they find out the registered owners name? That's not info that comes up when you do a public rego check.

[PAT303]

and they probably checked up on you here too, and with your posting history regarding Toyota's Pat..... :Rolling:

Toyota can kiss my arse,they still haven't given me the $4500 they owe me for the troopy gearbox I paid for that dropped it's guts at 42K,just for starters. Pat

[PAT303]

How do they find out the registered owners name? That's not info that comes up when you do a public rego check.

I was told by a LCOOL member that it's Toyota's official site,it's supported/owned by Toyota Australia.When I tried to join my membership was rejected as my vehicle was not registered as a private vehicle in my name. Pat

[Homestar]

I was told by a LCOOL member that it's Toyota's official site,it's supported/owned by Toyota Australia.When I tried to join my membership was rejected as my vehicle was not registered as a private vehicle in my name. Pat

Now that's interesting...

[1nando]

If and when we experience a problem with our vehicle we tend to think the grass is greener on the other side. The reality is that it's not often the case.
LR makes an effort to satisfy it's customers. Land rover ownership is unique in that the brand has a lot of product loyalty, they do try to rectify issues. Other manufacturers go to efforts to hide the truth, deny liability and often treat you as the little guy.
Digger has had a terrible and unfortunate run however LR has tried to fixed it, multiple attempts. Others would've stopped listening a long time ago.
This is the reality.

[PAT303]

Well said,my Tdi suffered uni joint failure North West of Alice many years ago,The Alice dealer fixed it for free 15K passed warranty,my TDCi had the adapter fail 3 months passed warranty,LR fixed it for free.How many other manufactures would do that?.

[scarry]

They do a check after signing up and before allowing access.They would not let me join because my then Toyota was a company vehicle,not private. Pat

As over half of them are company owned,that is a heap of vehicles that will never get a mention on the forum.

So an owner operator can't join,just because the family vehicle is company owned,seems strange.

Maybe i could try and join up with one of the vans and see what happens[wink11]

[digger]

So, Friday the motor was together and installed, Friday evening the new motor came to life.

Solitaire have as usual kept me up to date, couple hundred kms test run and then I'll get it back.

Land Rover finally contacted me with an email, (the first since we asked them to do so! ) they have said that they will pay 100% of the replacement engine "as a gesture of goodwill". - well that's not the way it needs to go! Advice so far from consumer affairs and a solicitor tells me that I should get a written warranty on mechanicals at the very least and that they would expect a replacement vehicle or a refund of complete purchase cost, whichever I chose! There are a few white 110 - 7 sweaters that are only very few kms old still about on Carsales, so I suppose that is still an option!

Sadly if they haven't given me something in writing by Easter I'm in the same spot - where I'm advised they may say as it's a goodwill gesture they are not obliged to cover tow etc fees even if they must do repairs for a reasonable time on the gear done... this would mean I would have to pay any fees and costs to get the car back to the nearest dealer and fight to get them back afterwards... welcome to the ever widening nightmare! The only daylight in this whole thing has been Solitaires and their bending over backwards !! They didn't even sell me the car, I bought it from Bundaberg Rover who have had the courtesy to not even reply to any of the emails sent requesting something be done about the matter!! (Something I'm told they are obliged to answer to) ... thanks Bundy Rover, you will be hearing from me or at least on my behalf shortly.

So unless I have something in writing from LRA I'm buggered. No trip, I cannot afford and won't enter into a potentially massive tow or recovery matter with a vehicle I'm now naturally sus on. That will make 4 major holidays and a few other weekend trips destroyed by this mobs mechanical nightmare! Thanks LRA!! I will still take the Frankenstein to Melrose but that's as far as I can be assured unless LRA come through...

As I said the blokes at Solitaires are giving the monster at least a couple hundred kms testing so hopefully I'll hear from them when it's ready to be picked up. No time for a roof rack, or the false floor in rear, it'll be me, my lad and a trailer if it's back in time. If it isn't I would think I won't be going, a) I'm in someone else's car (that cannot be taken on dirt!!) b) no tow bar, c) I will have a major case of the grumps at LRA!!

There you go, that's the update!

[digger]

If and when we experience a problem with our vehicle we tend to think the grass is greener on the other side. The reality is that it's not often the case.
LR makes an effort to satisfy it's customers. Land rover ownership is unique in that the brand has a lot of product loyalty, they do try to rectify issues. Other manufacturers go to efforts to hide the truth, deny liability and often treat you as the little guy.
Digger has had a terrible and unfortunate run however LR has tried to fixed it, multiple attempts. Others would've stopped listening a long time ago.
This is the reality.

The reality is I spent a considerable amount of money on a vehicle with less features than lots of others with lower price tags because I believed in the car! The reality is the vehicle has suffered multiple small and large mechanical failures causing me to miss out on family holidays I should've taken for granted, the reality is the vehicle hasn't got close to passing a wattanty period for the parts that fail.

The reality is that LRA isn't fulfilling its obligations at all in this matter, they are doing the very least they can do legally to get me out of the way... they have either left it to another dealer to speak to me and sort things out, I haven't actually spoken to anyone from LRA as they funnel you to their customer service consultants who admit they are a hired firm fulfilling a contract and so cannot make any decisions or commitments...

LRA are by offering this replacement as "goodwill" denying liability and also showing that even they have little faith in the future of the repair/replacement...

It is nearly at 72,000 kms... that is a pitiful distance to cover and use three motors, five turbos, 2 intercoolers, 2 sets of injectors, and multiple other bits and pieces......

The reality is I have bought what I thought was my dream family wagon and it's turned slowly into a nightmare... that's my current reality...

That's THE reality...

I'm a tad unimpressed in case you haven't noticed..

[Pickles2]

G'Day Digger, terrible run mate, absolutely terrible.
But maybe, there is light at the end of the tunnel. If a NEW engine is installed with new turbo etc & all the ancilliary stuff, surely that should mean that any long standing recurring issues that you had relative to the old motor should now not happen.
Is it a BRAND NEW engine?...If it is, I reckon that's a pretty good deal,...it could solve all of your issues, .....relative to the engine anyway?
Hoping your future is brighter my friend, Pickles.

[cuppabillytea]

Digger, stick to your guns. The engine is in and running. That's great. They can call it good will if they want. It doesn't mean Jack Shister. They have to warrant all the work they do and a new engine has a new engine warrantee, no matter what attempt at mitigation they make.

I have all fingers and toes crossed on your behalf and hope this is the end of your woes.

[Homestar]

G'Day Digger, terrible run mate, absolutely terrible.
But maybe, there is light at the end of the tunnel. If a NEW engine is installed with new turbo etc & all the ancilliary stuff, surely that should mean that any long standing recurring issues that you had relative to the old motor should now not happen.
Is it a BRAND NEW engine?...If it is, I reckon that's a pretty good deal,...it could solve all of your issues, .....relative to the engine anyway?
Hoping your future is brighter my friend, Pickles.

It's not the first new motor it's had...

[Bytemrk]

Hang in there mate......

LRA missing in action or at least being too gutless to face a client with a problem is pretty pathetic and I am not sure that I would have managed to stay as controlled as you have been, but the new motor in and running is a very positive step forward.

Looking at the history of your Defender - anyone logical would have to attribute a large chuck of the problems to something being wrong with engine #2 from day one. So getting rid of that as long as they have changed everything that matters, has to be a big forwards step.

I've always been a glass half full guy.... so I'm looking forward to seeing the beast ..as well as you and the boy at Melrose. [wink11]

[rar110]

The LRA "gesture of goodwill" statement has at least 2 purposes, an explanation for doing the repair without admitting liability, and to make you feel good about the deal so you don't follow up. Replacing the motor at no cost to you is the minimum obligation for LRA. So be clear in your mind about that. Even without the statutory warranty, they are under a contractual obligation to warranty the product given it's only got 72,000km.

Some might say you'd be unlucky to have another failure. Given the history I'd say you'd be lucky not to have one. I'm betting you don't feel too lucky and have no confidence in the vehicle.

As I indicated earlier you haven't had a full opportunity to test other failure points others have experienced.

Going well these are a great machine. When they're a lemon they are an expensive liability that's not fit for purpose let alone if you only used it as a car on the black top. You will find plenty of JLR promotional vids on YouTube to illustrate what they market the vehicle as.

Given LRAs obtuse attitude I'd push very hard for a refund, as the lack of written acknowledgement indicates they will fight hard to resist any other warranty assistance.

At the end of a big push they might give you another 3 years which is the minimum in reassurance.

LRA and JLR are experiencing tremendous brand strength but still have a nagging unreliability reputation, which is raised by most vehicle reviewers. You should use the risk of reinforcing this nagging reputation in your push.

Just my 2c worth.

[rangieman]

Hang in there Digger [thumbsupbig]
We will see you at Melrose and share a cold one :twobeers:[wink11]

[digger]

I will update this thread tomorrow but for the moment let me say Solitaires have gone above and beyond - Thanks Michael!
this is just a quick update...

There are a few things left to iron out with the new motor etc but Solitaires are aware and are more than willing to have a go at them! - great work by the guys having it ready so quickly so we could go to Melrose....

The car is (touch wood) going well and has been given a decent outing.... if I can get written warranty from JLR I'll be pretty happy...

more tomorrow all going well ...

[PhilipA]

Mate , lets hope this is the end of a long and frankly disgusting saga. And how much has it cost LRA and the dealer (let alone you) from not doing it right first time?

Regards Philip A

[Homestar]

Got to say I was amazed and impressed with Solitaires service when they came up to Melrose the very next morning (On the Easter weekend) after the issue was discovered on Diggers Deefer.

[Tombie]

Got to say I was amazed and impressed with Solitaires service when they came up to Melrose the very next morning (On the Easter weekend) after the issue was discovered on Diggers Deefer.

I was impressed...

Michael has always been fantastic to deal with.... Truly committed to customer service - Above and Beyond in fact...

Now.. Knowing he likes to keep abreast of this thread...

Post some pics of your Scooters Michael [bigsmile][biggrin]

[digger]

Firstly I should apologise for how long it's taken me to add this post. I found I was getting quite upset at some of the posts on the forum and figured that it was time to take a bit of a break, better that than to say or type something that isn't necessarily going to be any good! But unfortunately for you lot, I'm back!

Grab a coffee and a biscuit this is going to take awhile!
You have been warned! Continue...


So back to this. I collected My vehicle after a marathon effort by solitaires to have it ready for me to take to Melrose at Easter. They received my engine readied it and had it fitted for me in record time which included bringing an extra mechanic in to work a full Saturday for which I am very grateful. The engine was brand-new and before fitting Michael has gone through everything he could to make sure we could avoid any problems, so this time we know the oil pump upgrade of been done!

I collected the car on the Thursday afternoon before Easter solitaires had done about 300 km test driving the car and hadn't had any problems. Michael assured me that solitaires were behind me, basically that they had my back and that he thought I should go on Aliens tour!

I haven't had any time to affect the changes I wanted to in the back of the car to ready it for the trip so I came home (adding 200 kms to the motor distance travelled) packed my stuff and hooked up my number five trailer, loaded! And Friday (Easter Friday) Took off headed for Melrose.

This trip added another 300 kms to the engines telly bringing it to 800 km. On the way I accelerated at one stage and heard what I thought sounded like an exhaust gasket leaking. it only happened once and for a very brief time and no matter how many times I try to recreate it did not happen again. I decided maybe I was just being paranoid! But it eroded my confidence.

Other than that noise the car ran very well and we trundled into Melrose and set up camp. At Melrose we were all camping at the same spot. The first nights fire was quite enjoyable with the usual suspects, Steve td5, chops, tombie, muppet, toxic avenger, basil and others and some new ones, billy, big Jon, Justinc, Grey ghost and others! It was a very enjoyable night. Asked about how my car was running I recounted the episode that I had written off as paranoia on the way up (The " exhaust gasket " noise).

Justin went over and was having a look at the car and a little while later he and alien came over and asked to have a chat…(heart sinking) Justin had had a look at the car and worked out that the exhaust gasket noise I thought I had heard was in fact a leaking intercooler hose! There was a small tell-tale spray of oil indicating this. Whilst also looking at the car Justin noticed that an exhaust support bracket was missing! This pretty much convinced me that Will and I wouldn't be going on the alien tour!

I sent a number of photos and an SMS to Michael's phone explaining what had happened and what had been found.. I figured that I will try to limp it down to Adelaide and take it in on Tuesday and hopefully solitaires would be able to rectify the problem. Within 15 minutes Michael rang me and told me he was chasing his on call mechanic who would come and affect repairs at Melrose!

Once again I was hugely impressed by the way Michael dealt with this, he told me that he was having some difficulty getting hold of the mechanic and would ring me back as soon as he did. Feeling better about things I figured I would hear from Michael likely in the morning and probably have the repairs done by Saturday arvo but it was not to be!

How's that coffee going? Did you get the biscuit?

Only reasonably short time later maybe 30 to 45 minutes Michael rang me again he explained he still hadn't got hold of the on-call mechanic and so was in at solitaires grabbing the parts required and would be at Melrose (300 kms from Adelaide) between 630 and seven in the morning! I corrected him and said if you leave at 6:30 or seven I will see you around nine or 10 and must say I was pretty happy with that. Michael corrected me and said that he was aware of the Saturday morning events
(cavalcade, line up and judging) and was determined that the car would be ready to enter in time!! So he would be there between 630 and 7 AM and told me to have the coffee ready!

This meant 3 AM wake up and departure from Michael, although his title is service manager i'm sure this isn't part of his job description and believe it sums up the dedication to getting this sorted that he and solitaire a putting in.

Sure enough at about 630 a Jaguar 4wd slipped into the Showground and headed over to our spot, out out popped Michael ! When I asked about the Jaguar Michael explained that this was the latest company car here been given and that much to his disappointment they took his D4 Back for sale.

Michael had the parts and Lost no time fitting and replacing them whilst doing this it became a stadium event with people gathering around talking and watching as he worked! talk about being put under pressure!!

Michael was very generous with his time and extremely patient and with all the questions put to him by the ever-growing group! He and Justin ( Who is well known as the land Rover doctor of Lower mainland Australia ! ) had a long discussion and exchanged contact details so I assume will continue to keep in contact which can't be a bad thing for either of them !!

Took the car for a test run on dirt and rock tracks and then out on the open road and it went beautifully. Michael told me that I should take the car on the alien tour and that I should ring him if I have any problems And he would get me going again! Michael also told me that after the trip was over I should arrange when I could to take the car back in so they could recheck all the hoses and fittings to make sure everything was okay if nothing else as a peace of mind Thing for me and him!! Michael suggested that a good trip such as this would help to restore my faith in the car and keep me as a believer!


I cannot express enough how grateful I am that Michael got up even earlier than Sparrow Fart to come up and fix the car, once again it's actions like this from people like this that keep the Land Rover name up there!

I went into the cavalcade etc.. he had finished in time! Champion!

The car performed faultlessly at Melrose and survived the bridal track AND RETURN (this is where it grenaded last year) easily...

So after long discussions with Kyle, Tom, chops and Shane it was decided will and I would go on the tour and any problems I would pull out and limp home or ring l/r assist!!

First leg, the trip around to a spot near streaky bay, nice run and no problems... getting a better feeling..

That coffee will be cold if you don't drink it...

Second leg was to Ceduna. Will and I peeled off and planned to visit the spot where my fathers ashes were scattered at Pinjarra station near Nunjikompita (not far from Wirrulla) - unfortunately the track we normally use was impassable and we tried but couldn't find another way in... disappointing but we covered a lot of dirt kms with no hint of a problem.. into Ceduna that night ..

Off in the morning - nice drive into Maralinga - still no problems...

So after a couple days at Maralinga, a round the campfire talk about whether or not will and I would take on the googs track was had, I was talked into it - still worried about some unexpected failure causing everyone hassles... the others had more faith in my car than I did at this stage..

Onto Googs, everything going well, (except muddy kept covering my car in mud from in front of me, he is sneaky like that.... :) )

We got to Googs lake, all good. After an eventful rest day, we took off headed north again, although the track was trashed from Easter traffic we got through (with reversing being a major part of my going forward !!)

We got to the top of the track and headed towards Tarcoola, the car was going brilliantly... my faith restored a hell of a lot by one trip... turns out that Michael is not only the service manager or or miracle worker as I'm thinking of him but is also some sort of psychologist!

From there to Kingoonya for the night catching up with the others who bypassed Googs, and to camp. And the sky opened! It ****ed down for half the night ( making my swag very cold! ) and in the morning we checked with transport SA on the road to Glendambo was open so we got going as quick as we could! As we got further down the road with the constant rain it began to get worse so it was quite a relief when we reach the bitumen! Refuel at Glendambo and down to Woomera for the night, after tea at Pimba and spending Anzac morning at the service at defence base Woomera, we headed through to andamooka! ( great to go back to one of the spots I've lived before!)

We had a great few days there and then because of the rain couldn't go through the Farina Track (a huge pity) but back to the highway and back to Melrose for the night. A last night of fun and laughter and then we peeled off and headed our seperate ways to home.

It was a great trip to reinforce my faith in the deefer, and again my appreciation to those on the trip with us and of course my appreciation of Michaels efforts!

With work and other things I haven't got down with the car to Solitaires yet.. I've cleaned a lot of the mud off.... well some of it! And I'm well and truely back on the truck as a landy lover again (lucky as a have a swag of the buggers!)

So - summing it all up, new motor and turbo are ( touchwood ) travelling well, Justin has done me a huge favour looking at the car and telling me what was what.. Solitaires have again gone above and beyond - especially Michael, damn he is good I don't know if solitaires know how good he is for them and the brand..

Cheers! (Again sorry for the delay)
Time for another coffee....

[Eevo]

nice write up

[1nando]

Excellent result mate. Happy for you and wish you all the best moving forward.
People like Michael are priceless, his extra efforts and attention to care are what defines "customer care". You would be hard pressed to getting that sort of service any where let alone from a car dealer.

[tact]

Great write up. Kept expecting "....and then it broke". :)

[Toxic_Avenger]

Great write up. Kept expecting "....and then it broke". :)

I was trying not to read ahead... but I saw the ***asterixes*** that looked to be a tirade of swearing and cussing, but alas, it was only a expression of discontent towards the weather.

Bear will live on. Have faith. I broke some stuff on the way back from Melrose, but it's all just part of the fun!

[cuppabillytea]

When they said yes to the new engine I was hopeful.
When I saw Michael under Bear at Melrose I was worried.
When I asked Mitch {because I wasn't game to ask anyone else} What's that bloke doing under there?
When Mitch told me what he was doing, I knew all would be well.

I doubt we'll ever see a service manager the like of Micheal again. His is the example they should all follow.

[rar110]

Congrats Digger. I'm glad the trip went well.

Big [emoji106] for Solitaires. I bet LRA didn't pay them for it.

[Bytemrk]

I followed Digger for a fair part of the post Melrose trip.... on the way to Maralinga I was hoping I wasn't going to have to help tow him out of Googs.

By the time we got there, I knew it would be alright and we had the most fantastic trip. Bear behaved like a real Defender the whole way..... even with no 5 doing aerobatics over the dunes...

I do hope Solitaire understand the difference Michael's help made - not just to Digger - but to the entire groups impression of their business. Brilliant Service !



Bear doing the job.....

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/07/170.jpg

[jon3950]

I started reading that post with some trepidation but am very pleased to hear how it turned out.

Cheers,
Jon

[cripesamighty]

x2!

[Mercguy]

I've just re-read the 25 pages of this thread, for peace of mind, and understanding.

I got neither.

[DieselDan]

I started reading that post with some trepidation but am very pleased to hear how it turned out.

Cheers,
Jon
Yep that's pretty much what I was thinking!
Glad it all seems to have turned out OK Digger.

[spudboy]

Good story Digger. Like others, I was waiting for the '... the turbo pooped itself again' or something, but all good.

Have you informed the higher powers at Solitaire of Michael's exceptional effort? They probably need to know how much effort he put in. A 3AM start is way beyond!