How reliable has your Defender been from new?

[NT5224]

Hi folks

I've started to see a few of the new Defenders around in the Top End which has peeked my curiosity. So Im curious to know what the ownership experience has been like for the new vehicle?

On the Australian product review website, Defender 2020-2022 owner reports average 2 stars. Some of the horror stories written by frustrated owners and the vitriol aimed at Jaguar Land Rover is astonishing. Are they really that bad? Im fully aware that these product review websites tend to draw complaints and negative reviews rather than those from satisfied owners.

Therefore I'm coming to this forum for an alternative perspective. I'm genuinely interested in the experience of buying and owning a new Defender. Was it was fully functional on delivery, and what has been your subsequent service and maintenance experience? Have you been impacted by the current supply chain and parts shortages?

Cheers

Alan

[grey_ghost]

I have a P300, 90. 10 months old and 36,000km on the clock.

Zero issues.

Many smiles - I love it.

[zilch]

P400 110 coming up to its 2nd birthday, 33,000 k’s, just brilliant, a few small teething
issues, rear passenger window frames replaced due to a sealant defect, coolant expansion tank
replaced due to dodgy sensor and minute leak. No serious issues, love it and one of if not the best LR
vehicles I have driven including time in the military and then over 20 years of spending my own 💵

[laughto]

Worthwhile checking out some of the Faceless Book's Defender groups. There are quite a few. One of the Australian specific sites is Land Rover New Defender Owners Group - founded in Australia ?? (https://www.facebook.com/groups/782260445928293/'ref=share)

[grey_ghost]

Another point to consider (in my eyes) - yes the new Defender is a revolution compared to the old Defender BUT a lot of the major components have been around for a while..

The engines have been around for a while now.

The gearbox has been around for a while.

Even the entertainment system (PivoPro) has been around for a little while.

Some people say that it is a clean sheet design, which it is if you compare it to the old Defender, but a lot of the major components are existing/improved.

Cheers,
GG

[Eric SDV6SE]

Hi folks

I've started to see a few of the new Defenders around in the Top End which has peeked my curiosity. So Im curious to know what the ownership experience has been like for the new vehicle?

On the Australian product review website, Defender 2020-2022 owner reports average 2 stars. Some of the horror stories written by frustrated owners and the vitriol aimed at Jaguar Land Rover is astonishing. Are they really that bad? Im fully aware that these product review websites tend to draw complaints and negative reviews rather than those from satisfied owners.

Therefore I'm coming to this forum for an alternative perspective. I'm genuinely interested in the experience of buying and owning a new Defender. Was it was fully functional on delivery, and what has been your subsequent service and maintenance experience? Have you been impacted by the current supply chain and parts shortages?

Cheers

Alan
My only impact is that I have to wait 18months for my P400.

[Jase_T]

Day 1 after picking up my D300 SE, it came up with a headlight fault on the matrix LED. Had this back in the service center 2 weeks later for a complete headlight replacement.

Apparently the dealer said this was a cost to them at $7K. Who knows, it was a warranty job. Have 23,000KMs on the clock now and touch wood no other issues.

[Eric SDV6SE]

Day 1 after picking up my D300 SE, it came up with a headlight fault on the matrix LED. Had this back in the service center 2 weeks later for a complete headlight replacement.

Apparently the dealer said this was a cost to them at $7K. Who knows, it was a warranty job. Have 23,000KMs on the clock now and touch wood no other issues.

Hmm, I opted for the Matrix headlights as well, wait and see I guess.

[workingonit]

Hi folks

I've started to see a few of the new Defenders around in the Top End which has peeked my curiosity. So Im curious to know what the ownership experience has been like for the new vehicle?

Alan

My little note probably doesn't quite go to the heart of your query on these vehicles. However, you really should consider spending more time loitering in the car park of Bunnings Palmerston. A couple of weeks ago I got the opportunity to quiz the owners of a new Defender. I offered to wash their windscreen for a couple of bucks, but they declined, saying it's all automated without input from themselves (joke).

They were a very elderly couple, having lived in the NT for a long time, then moving south. They were up visiting their adult kids who still live in Darwin. They let me have a look through the vehicle.

They've had Land Rovers of one form or another throughout their lifes and think the new Defender is the best of them all. And no leaks! I guess time will tell.

From my memory of the conversation they now live in Victoria. They had more or less driven straight to Darwin after purchasing the vehicle, with one or two side trips, putting on 7,000kms by the time they got here.

I asked them what it was like overtaking road trains and in unison their response was an animated "wow" at the rate of acceleration - the vehicle has two batteries, one for starting and the other to run a supercharger (I assume to compensate for turbo lag).

What was really amusing is they still own an Isuzu County with 1,095,000 kms on it, having taken it all over Australia, including long desert trips. Everyone who learns about it wants to buy it off them - I tried! Even the local garbo on his rounds one day, saw it in the driveway. and wandered up to the house to make an offer. But not for sale. And while on the County, there is old timer living somewhere around Humpty Doo, that I've had a chat with,who reckons the County is the best vehicle (not just best LR) he has ever had.

I guess each to their own on what they expect to put in to and get out of a vehicle 'that is the best they've ever had'.

[Beasdefender]

Alan, I have done over 11,000km from the south coast of NSW through Melbourne, Flinders Ranges, Birdsville, Alice Springs, Tanami Track, Gibb River rd with all its off shoots and my Beast has been SPECTACULAR. Not the slightest hint of anything I would call trouble. I have had issues in three areas which I will document elsewhere:

1. The adaptive cruise control is patchy. It seems to go off and on for reasons I can't understand. I think it is because it won't work off made roads and/or it must have line markings either side of the lane it's in. I am not sure but either way, I don't see it as a problem.

2. Ventilation has been a problem with far too much dust getting into the cabin. I suspect I am not using the system properly, but the 'recirc' air button seems to go off on its own, somehow. It might be related to cabin pressure or similar but the cabin is dustier than I would like.

3. When I have time, I will document my tyre issues (three punctures over a short period of time) but that is hardly the car's fault. I think the tyres fitted - confirmed by a tyre shop in the North - are great for Brighton, Noosa and Mosman, but not much chop for the Gibb River Rd.

I can't commend the reliability of my Beast enough. It's a rock solid gem.





Hi folks

I've started to see a few of the new Defenders around in the Top End which has peeked my curiosity. So Im curious to know what the ownership experience has been like for the new vehicle?

On the Australian product review website, Defender 2020-2022 owner reports average 2 stars. Some of the horror stories written by frustrated owners and the vitriol aimed at Jaguar Land Rover is astonishing. Are they really that bad? Im fully aware that these product review websites tend to draw complaints and negative reviews rather than those from satisfied owners.

Therefore I'm coming to this forum for an alternative perspective. I'm genuinely interested in the experience of buying and owning a new Defender. Was it was fully functional on delivery, and what has been your subsequent service and maintenance experience? Have you been impacted by the current supply chain and parts shortages?

Cheers

Alan

[ramblingboy42]

6 grand for ANY headlight is just too much for me......you wouldn,t put a $6,000 ceiling light in your kitchen would you?

I don't know of any type of automotive headlamp or accessory costing that much.....well I do now.

.......and that type of thing is basically the dividing line for me when it comes to considering purchasing a 663 defender.

.......and then it comes with poxy tyres.....really?

[100inch]

Deleted

[Graeme]

1. The adaptive cruise control is patchy. It seems to go off and on for reasons I can't understand....

2. Ventilation has been a problem with far too much dust getting into the cabin. I suspect I am not using the system properly, but the 'recirc' air button seems to go off on its own, somehow. It might be related to cabin pressure or similar but the cabin is dustier than I would like.
For #1, perhaps the brake light switch is activating and for #2, don't use recirc on dusty roads and ensure that the fan is on hard enough to pressurise the cabin.

[scarry]

Recirc on many vehicles goes off after a timed period,so probably normal.

As said,always use fresh air in dusty conditions.

Tyres,OEM tyres on any vehicle are generally not the go for any more than running on the Black Top.

But you may have tyres with a size there is not many options,which is a normal issue for LR's.

[JessicaTam]

Recirc on many vehicles goes off after a timed period,so probably normal.

As said,always use fresh air in dusty conditions.

Tyres,OEM tyres on any vehicle are generally not the go for any more than running on the Black Top.

But you may have tyres with a size there is not many options,which is a normal issue for LR's.
The recirc times out. If you press and hold the recirc button until it flashes it will stay on until you turn the ignition off.

[workingonit]

6 grand for ANY headlight is just too much for me

...eeeek!

LED Matrix Headlights - PAIR - RHD for Land Rover Defender L663 (https://www.powerfuluk.com/led-matrix-headlights-pair-rhd-for-land-rover-defender-l663.html)

[one_iota]

6 grand for ANY headlight is just too much for me......you wouldn,t put a $6,000 ceiling light in your kitchen would you?

I don't know of any type of automotive headlamp or accessory costing that much.....well I do now.

.......and that type of thing is basically the dividing line for me when it comes to considering purchasing a 663 defender.

.......and then it comes with poxy tyres.....really?

Thankfully the Matrix headlights (the ones in question) are optional as indeed is purchasing the whole Defender....:tease:

The first thing I did when I bought my Defender all those years ago was put decent tyres on it.

[scarry]

6 grand for ANY headlight is just too much for me

That is for a pair.

A late model LC200 VX or Sahara, pair of headlights is a similar price.

Just dont break them[biggrin]

[DiscoJeffster]

That is for a pair.

A late model LC200 VX or Sahara, pair of headlights is a similar price.

Just dont break them[biggrin]

Or use your insurance if you do [emoji2369]

[Eric SDV6SE]

That is for a pair.

A late model LC200 VX or Sahara, pair of headlights is a similar price.

Just dont break them[biggrin]

BMW 5 series adaptive headlights are 5k a side....

[scarry]

BMW 5 series adaptive headlights are 5k a side....

I think some forget that they are not the sealed beam that was in the HQ Holden.....[wink11]

In fact the LED lights in this vehicle we have now are absolutely brilliant,virtually no need for spotlights.
Way better than the Xeon that we had in the D4,and i thought they were great.

Then there are adaptive headlights that are more complicated and better again.

[100inch]

Hi folks

I've started to see a few of the new Defenders around in the Top End which has peeked my curiosity. So Im curious to know what the ownership experience has been like for the new vehicle?

On the Australian product review website, Defender 2020-2022 owner reports average 2 stars. Some of the horror stories written by frustrated owners and the vitriol aimed at Jaguar Land Rover is astonishing. Are they really that bad? Im fully aware that these product review websites tend to draw complaints and negative reviews rather than those from satisfied owners.

Therefore I'm coming to this forum for an alternative perspective. I'm genuinely interested in the experience of buying and owning a new Defender. Was it was fully functional on delivery, and what has been your subsequent service and maintenance experience? Have you been impacted by the current supply chain and parts shortages?

Cheers

Alan
You are better off heading to Defender2 forum or the FB groups.
As you can see, too many posts on here are from people with zero L663 experience...
My new 110 is only a few months old but most practical LR in my current line up. My advice is to go for the highest trim level you can justify and monitor the Vista sheet during order/build. Many people got caught out with changes. Mine arrived as ordered. m

[discojools]

I'm up 12000k now in my D250 S 110 model. Plenty of power and 18" wheels. Just had new electronic rear diff fitted after first one caused vibration when towing. Door seals have been replaced because they squeaked. New ones are better but not perfect. Couple of rattles fixed. Otherwise all is good.
Just setting it up for trips with Rhino rack off my D4 fitted with new backbones, lithium second battery, Rhino front bar coming in September and custom Tanami drawer system. Looking at Tuffants and off-road tyres now. Anybody fitted 285/70 or 65/18 BFG or similar? Want to know about any rubbing problems.
Only criticism is rear suspension feels quite hard compared with the luxurious ride of my D4. Also a bit noisier than D4.

[grey_ghost]

Clocked up 37,000 today. And a new update was installing when I got home - will be interesting to see what it is. I think it was 3.3.5.

[Jase_T]

Clocked up 37,000 today. And a new update was installing when I got home - will be interesting to see what it is. I think it was 3.3.5.

The new update removed the pivi weather app. I actually really enjoyed that app.[bawl]

[SimmAus]

Clocked up 37,000 today.

That’s a full days driving for sure.

[zilch]

. Looking at Tuffants and off-road tyres now. Anybody fitted 285/70 or 65/18 BFG or similar? Want to know about any rubbing problems.


We had the ADR certified rear caliper change from Tuff Ant and fitted the 18” Simpson Alloys to our P400 with
Falken Wildpeak AT3W in 275/65 R18, no rubbing, tight in the front wheel arch, but enough space just ;)

180467

[grey_ghost]

That’s a full days driving for sure.

That’s what happens when you love driving a new Defender [emoji6]🤣

[scarry]

Not a bad good honest review.

Is the new Defender all it's cracked up to be? Defender Tow Car Review @nextleveloz Episode 15 - YouTube (https://youtu.be/j_6cVGXgKJE)

[one_iota]

Not a bad good honest review.

Is the new Defender all it's cracked up to be? Defender Tow Car Review @nextleveloz Episode 15 - YouTube (https://youtu.be/j_6cVGXgKJE)

Unfortunately, since posting this David's Defender was put on a tilt tray in Exmouth!

Land Rover New Defender Owners Group - founded in Australia ?? (https://www.facebook.com/groups/782260445928293/permalink/1492327114921619/)

[scarry]

Unfortunately, since posting this David's Defender was put on a tilt tray in Exmouth!

Land Rover New Defender Owners Group - founded in Australia ?? (https://www.facebook.com/groups/782260445928293/permalink/1492327114921619/)

That is a closed group.

Hmmm,bugga.What happened?

I looked at that vid I posted up again,and the vehicle is probably the wrong choice for the job,in my opinion only.
A bit more research and all would have been revealed before the purchase.

The weights are the biggest issue,with a few other gripes that he mentions.

[one_iota]

That is a closed group.

Hmmm,bugga.What happened?

I looked at that vid I posted up again,and the vehicle is probably the wrong choice for the job,in my opinion only.
A bit more research and all would have been revealed before the purchase.

The weights are the biggest issue,with a few other gripes that he mentions.

It was going into limp mode occasionally. Rather than press on he decided to get it delivered to Land Rover service. Not sure but suspect it might be a DPF issue as it is consuming a lot of Adblue.

[grey_ghost]

Clicked over 65,000km the other day. It’s booked in for the next service (68,000km) in a few weeks.

Only issue - 2 windshields..

[Red90Puma]

Hi folks

I've started to see a few of the new Defenders around in the Top End which has peeked my curiosity. So Im curious to know what the ownership experience has been like for the new vehicle?

On the Australian product review website, Defender 2020-2022 owner reports average 2 stars. Some of the horror stories written by frustrated owners and the vitriol aimed at Jaguar Land Rover is astonishing. Are they really that bad? Im fully aware that these product review websites tend to draw complaints and negative reviews rather than those from satisfied owners.

Therefore I'm coming to this forum for an alternative perspective. I'm genuinely interested in the experience of buying and owning a new Defender. Was it was fully functional on delivery, and what has been your subsequent service and maintenance experience? Have you been impacted by the current supply chain and parts shortages?

Cheers

Alan

2021 D200 90 28,000 kms including some of the toughest off road tracks in NZ. No issues (except for 3 sidewalls in a month on those dreadful Goodyear tyres). Lovely to drive, ample power, grand touring car, Pivi sometimes unintelligible. Had the 3 previous 90 series this one a whole new ball game

[3rs]

MY23.5 110 D300 SE , just did 10k km in 3month.

Have the following replaced at 5k km




RHF Lower Control Arm
LHF Door Channel Seal
Outer Glass Weather Seal
Inner Glass Moulding


As of now Im hearing creaking noise from the left Safari window, so not sure if anyone have encountered this. I might have to take it back to the dealership again for a fix.

Other than the above, I love the car, it is very comfortable for long trips, and a solid car all round. I have test driven the new RRS.

I would still go for Defender because it is like an offroad version of RRS, has both the comfort (very similar to RRS) , enough luxury (interior not too far apart from RRS, RRS slightly better due to leather and Seat design) but with utility capability.

The only thing I wish to have is the Dynamic function from PIVI Pro, so I can choose COMFORT or DYNAMIC for Engine,Steering,Susspension and GearShift. I believe only the V8 has them. but in the States, it can be software activated, as well as other features.

Have a good weekend all.

Cheers
J

[tonyci]

Hi Just ticked over 50K. Only issue is the coolant low warning light pops up randomly and turns itself off again after turning a corner or hitting a bump.Level is ok no loss. Will get it checked soon.
The defender has been off-road a few times love it.
Cheers

[discojools]

Just an update on my Defender. Since my last post in August 22 I became suspicious of the ride which I thought was a little bit brutal. I had driven a neighbour's Fender and the ride was luxurious nothing like mine. Many visits to the dealer who insisted that there was nothing wrong. Changed dealers who said the same. Earlier this year I knew I had a problem. Bought a GAP Diagnostics tool and with a lot of help from very knowledgable friend we finally found that Damper Current which opens the bypass valves in the damper was not as it should be. I sent these graphs to ULR together with ones that Patrick at GAP and also from a friend who had the tool. Finally ULR did another another test called a picoscope and agreed that the chassis controls module was not working correctly. They have ordered one but it's taking a long time to be delivered. This has been going on for a year now and the whole thing has been very frustrating. Why both dealers did not do the picoscope test in first place I don't know. Why the dealer's standard diagnostic tool doesn't do this test I don't know. I reckon that there must be other Fenders with this problem. It's not so noticeable in the suburbs and a lot of people wouldn't be able to tell the difference.
Apart from very squeaky door seals the car has been good.
In the meantime I really hope it's sorted before a big trip in October.

[DiscoJeffster]

This isn’t the first time I’ve heard about the new deefers being harsh and some questioning the ride control. Good luck trying to get it resolved buddy.

[one_iota]

Just an update on my Defender. Since my last post in August 22 I became suspicious of the ride which I thought was a little bit brutal. I had driven a neighbour's Fender and the ride was luxurious nothing like mine. Many visits to the dealer who insisted that there was nothing wrong. Changed dealers who said the same. Earlier this year I knew I had a problem. Bought a GAP Diagnostics tool and with a lot of help from very knowledgable friend we finally found that Damper Current which opens the bypass valves in the damper was not as it should be. I sent these graphs to ULR together with ones that Patrick at GAP and also from a friend who had the tool. Finally ULR did another another test called a picoscope and agreed that the chassis controls module was not working correctly. They have ordered one but it's taking a long time to be delivered. This has been going on for a year now and the whole thing has been very frustrating. Why both dealers did not do the picoscope test in first place I don't know. Why the dealer's standard diagnostic tool doesn't do this test I don't know. I reckon that there must be other Fenders with this problem. It's not so noticeable in the suburbs and a lot of people wouldn't be able to tell the difference.
Apart from very squeaky door seals the car has been good.
In the meantime I really hope it's sorted before a big trip in October.

also described here:

Hard suspension (https://www.aulro.com/afvb/l663-defender/294296-hard-suspension.html)

[Graeme]

No power was getting to any of the shocks at any time so it appears to have a faulty chassis module.

[one_iota]

No power was getting to any of the shocks at any time so it appears to have a faulty chassis module.

Hi Graeme. I noticed you've been on the case. How many instances have you heard of other than Julian's?

[Graeme]

Julian contacted me after I commented on his thread, having kept in touch since early D4 days. He mentioned that someone on FB was also having the same very stiff suspension with his brand new vehicle, although nothing diagnosed as being wrong and seemingly fobbed-off by the dealer. I wonder that if there's 1 vehicle with rock-hard suspension due to a faulty component yet no DTCs stored then there could easily be others.

[scarry]

A bit dragged out,but an honest review.Seems the vehicle still has some sort of issue that has not been sorted.

Full review of our Second Defender breakdown recovery & repair process. How did Land Rover go? - YouTube (https://youtu.be/Niwx8U-cOZw)

[Hopalong]

186573186574186575
Just home from big outback trip a little over 10000 kms 8 weeks .Dpf did not burn with all the slow travel ,threw up a warning lamp ,cleared [smilebigeye] with gap tool no other problems

[Graeme]

In the meantime I really hope it's sorted before a big trip in October.Fingers are crossed that LR can get the chassis module from the new donor vehicle programmed for yours tomorrow.

[Melbourne Park]

Squeaky door seals would be due to being the Defender being a monocoque and some movement going on.

With my D4 I had holes in my driver's door rubber, when it was 18 months old. The dealer blamed me. I explained I also have a 1997 Prado (bought new and I gave it to my son this year) and that its rubbers were fine, despite it being then (2015) 18 years old. I also complained that other owners had the rubber replaced by the dealer as it's a known run of bad rubbers. It's still never been replaced but it doesn't make any noise or leak dust. I was very glad to drop the dealer for an Indy. And I had an extra two year so called "factory" warranty.

I never bought a Gap Diagnostic IIDTool BT reader because they were around $Au1,000. If I buy a Defender it will be first on my extras list!

And by the way, LandCruiser Sahara drivers door mirrors costs close to $4,000. They have a reflection adjustment for night time rear headlights, that flexes the mirror to diffuse the headlights, which results in very high replacement costs. And a straight mirror is an issue too ...

[Melbourne Park]

Julian contacted me after I commented on his thread, having kept in touch since early D4 days. He mentioned that someone on FB was also having the same very stiff suspension with his brand new vehicle, although nothing diagnosed as being wrong and seemingly fobbed-off by the dealer. I wonder that if there's 1 vehicle with rock-hard suspension due to a faulty component yet no DTCs stored then there could easily be others.

I checked with Land Rover Brighton - Melbourne suburb. Although I use an Indy I am considering a Defender, and I mentioned to the sales guy about that issue, and he said they had had a few with the hard ride and it wasn't straight forward to sort out, but they now had a handle on how to fix it. I did not realise it was a major issue ...

I had mentioned to the sales guy that the my wife preferred the Landcruiser (we only did back to back driving tests around our area). She much preferred the 300's smoother ride, and I had thought she'd love the Defender after a big 300 Tojo because the 300's should feel a whole lot more cumbersome I had planned. Also she also disliked the dashboard of the Freelander as it did not show an analogue style speedo ... I presume that the digital speed reading can be switched over to a conventional looking analogue (impression of at least) speedo?

[Melbourne Park]

... Also she also disliked the dashboard of the Freelander as it did not show an analogue style speedo ... I presume that the digital speed reading can be switched over to a conventional looking analogue (impression of at least) speedo? And yes it can, the digital dash can have an analogue looking speedo and tacho. On the test vehicle I could not work out how to incorporate mapping in-between.

Graeme did you ever do a Llams for a Lexus 200 series? Their high mode drops down at a low speed ... I reckon the 500 and 600s would do the same as they have the hydraulic suspensions as well.

And here is a review of Defender issues which did scare me ... since I tow, I am still nervous about a monocoque.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hi1k-zUPFH4

My Indy also says about the Ford V6, that they have had some come in with the same issue that the Lion V6 has sometimes suffered from ... at least they have short block motors available.

[grey_ghost]

Bit of an update from me…

I have a [emoji638][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]]][emoji638][emoji637] Defender - delivered in September from memory.

Just clicked over one hundred and thirty nine thousand kms.

Zero issues…

[brucester]

Have a 2022 SE D300, 38k, with a lot of towing a van. Great vehicle replacing a 2016 Discovery.
Issues
Faulty battery replaced due to not doing Pivi pro updates
Halo headlight replaced (LED Headlights) (over 6k for light)
Both items replaced under warranty and no hassles from dealer.
Do oil change every 10k
Replaced tyres with Falken Wildpeaks by the dealer
Have Tuffant side steps and under body armour 192880
‘Have lithium battery under back floor for fridge and van charging
Adblue usage is fine and usage increases when towing but not excessively

[jwb]

MY23.5 D300 A few niggles with the Pivi screen not coming on which has now gone away - affected other LR types as well.
Dealer has been responsive to my requests to fix and replaced both the Pivi screen and battery during the process.
Effortless touring. 33k so far. Love it.

[one_iota]

The new Defender rates highly for reliability according to this publication:

Most and least reliable Land Rover models - What Car? Reliability Survey | What Car? (https://www.whatcar.com/news/what-car-reliability-survey-most-and-least-reliable-small-cars/n27549)