Recommended Melbourne Defender service/ Pre trip

[Baytown]

Gday fellas.
Im considering buying a 2008 110 Defender from Melbourne sight unseen ( Pics look ok) and was wanting to get the vehicle fully gone over and serviced prior to flying down and driving back to Cairns.
The vehicle has 150,000 KMs on it, but I dont yet have its work history, i.e off road time etc.
Could you please recommend decent Land Rover workshops for this job? If suspension etc needs replacing, Ill get it done in Melbourne prior to heading up Nth.
Also, what are the main issues I need to be aware of for an 8 year old, 150,000km vehicle?
Thanks in advance and best wishes all.
Ken

[karlz]

I'm from Melbourne and am really interested to see the responses to your post.
I'm actually trying to think hard who I would recommend.

First thoughts (I'll start from the top with $ descending order)

$$$$ MLR in Port Melbourne.
Pretty good mechanics. Parts and Service managers are pretty good, they will often talk a fair bit to you about certain issues. Expensive though. If I had a major issue I would go here.
Workshop is very clean.

$$$ Ritters
Umming and ahhing about these blokes. You dont get the same level of experience as MLR, but they can also save you money as they have access to a lot of non-genuine stuff. Some times the non-oem is just as good or better.
Depending on the problem, I sometimes have gone here.

$$ Deacons
I know these guys (and the owner) reasonably well.
The owner definitely knows his stuff, even though he is a salesperson type.
Quality can vary, depends on the mechanic who is working there at the time.
Sometimes they are good, sometimes I just dont know.
I think they give a fair assessment.
Minor work, vehicle assessment I would use them.
Workshop is scrappy.

$ Some Israeli Bloke on the corner of McKinnon rd and Wheatly rd
He advertises himself as an auto-elec, but he and his crew are really mechanics.
He seems to work 80+ hour a week, and he's a really nice guy, doesnt not want to rip you off .
The workshop is mental, they work in the sunshine. Its quite chaotic.
He's not a a landrover mecahnic, but he knows cars. If you want a clutch changed, Id go to him

[Baytown]

Thanks Karlz.
That is a great response and If Igo ahead and purchase the truck, Ill follow up with getting it preped by one ofthese businesses.
I really appreiciate your help mate.
Ken

[Kayak1]

I've taken my 110 to Ritters 3 times now and i'm more than happy with them.

[filcar]

If you want it absolutely gone over with a fine tooth comb get in touch with Fred Smith in Bayswater. Be prepared to have a chat for a while tho...

[tonyci]

Ken
My experience over years has been varied. However the consistent good performers have been MLR and Fred Smith, very different in style but both very good.
Cheers
Tony

[mikeyp]

Hay Ken

One place I know that does alot of Land Rovers and Defenders is Pickards Automotive in Abbotsford, every time i take my D3 in there they have Land Rovers in. The guys there seem to really know them new LR stuff really well and also do 4wding themselves.
Pickards Automotive | Car Service Centre | British and European Specilists | Melbourne - Pickards Automotive | Car Service Centre | British and European Specilists | Melbourne (http://www.pickardsautomotive.com.au)

[Greg40]

I agree with mikeyp, I have tried a few of Melbournes LR mechanics, as sometimes i find the latter model stuff can give them trouble, but the guys at Pickards Automotive really know the newer LR models well.

hope this helps

[MrLandy]

I had excellent LR dealer service recently at ULR in Malvern. Very helpful and professional. If you want / need to go to a dealer, I'd definately recommend them.

[karlz]

Hay Ken
... is Pickards Automotive in Abbotsford,

You and Greg40 should own up and say you are Pickards.
If so, why not offer the bloke a free inspection and let him evaluate your service?

Nothing against promoting your own business, if its a good one I'd love to know about it.

[Baytown]

Thanks fellas.
Ill let you know how I go.
Best wishes all.
Ken

[Baytown]

Thanks for the replies fellas.
I just put a deposit on a 2012 110 from Albury.
Ill fly down and drive it back in about 10 days time if all goes well.
I plan to stop in Brisbane and give the car to MR Autoomotive to have a new bigger radiator and intercooler fitted, as well as ECU mod, exhaust mod and cruise control fitted.
When I get back to Innisfail, Ill strip the truck and Dynamat the whole vehicle, Momo leather steering wheel and then see where I go from there.
Just a bit excited!