L322 just about out of warranty - Can I trust dealer to find any issues?

[spudboy]

I've got 3 weeks of my 5 year warranty left on my Diesel '03 Rangie, and have booked it in to get a "pre-expiry warranty check" at the local Adelaide dealer next week.

They are going to replace the front diff items that are a well known recall issue on the early L322s (don't think it is the whole diff - just the front part......) even though I've had no issues with the diff, and it is the original one it left the factory with.

Anything else that needs to be checked whilst I can still get LR to pick up the tab?

They have said they will spend an hour or so going over the whole car (I have to pay for the hour's labour - $125) to see if they can find any other warrantable items.

Do you reckon I can trust them to find things on my behalf, or should I be taking it to an independent LR company?

[ariddell]

Personally i'd be tempted to take it to a 3rd party specialist as i would have thought you would get a more unbiased opinion especially if they know upfront that any faults found will be being done by the main dealer under warranty rather than through them.

Only other thing i can think of on L322s known to fail regularily would be the steering wheel tilt/reach motors if you have a Vogue but they're not something you'll really be able to have done unless you plan on spending the next 3 weeks making the motors wind the wheel around constantly.

Suspension airbags etc may be worth a good check too since we just had to replace one of the front ones on ours recently but i don't know if warranty would cover them with them potentially being classed as wear and tear parts.

Mine's in for the diff recall next week too.. :)

[PhilipA]

A specialist might be the go.
I understand that the aftermarket has a front driveshaft mod now that puts a UJ near the diff. A dealer would never fit this, so may be worthwhile to have one fitted.
It is the misalignment between the shaft and diff that chews out the splines.
Regards Philip A

[Scouse]

A specialist might be the go.
I understand that the aftermarket has a front driveshaft mod now that puts a UJ near the diff. A dealer would never fit this, so may be worthwhile to have one fitted.
It is the misalignment between the shaft and diff that chews out the splines.
Regards Philip AThat's the new 'recall' Philip.

I would advise getting an independent inspection. It'll probably cost the same as the dealer charges & it stops the dealer getting into trouble from Land Rover as "end of warranty checks" are a big no no.

If the dealer does check it over, get them to word it as a 'pre-trip inspection' for their own sake. I'm sure they'll do the right thing by you.

Also make sure if they notice anything unusual which can't be repaired before warranty expires that they notify Land Rover otherwise you or the dealer will be up for the repair costs.

[spudboy]

OK - I have about 3 weeks left, so I will get Soveriegn to give it the once over for me. They are cheaper per hour as well :)

Scouse - how come the pre-warranty checks are a big no-no? Wouldn't the dealers get reimbursed by LR for the work they do, so that they are not out of pocket?

[rovercare]

Scouse - how come the pre-warranty checks are a big no-no? Wouldn't the dealers get reimbursed by LR for the work they do, so that they are not out of pocket?

That's why its a big nono, as the company doesn't want to pay for any warranty claims, if it don;t have to, dealers have some horrendous scams when it comes to warranty work, they do it to make coin from the mother company;)

[Scouse]

Dealers can't (aren't supposed) go looking for work.
Officially, it has to be reported by the owner. If they find something, they will report it to you first, then you can authorise the work to be done.

Payment isn't the issue. If there's a legitimate warranty repair, Land Rover will pay.

[spudboy]

Well I got the call from Solitare this arvo about the warranty work to be done. New front diff is now installed, as expected.

There is also an oil leak from the turbo which appears to neccessitate replacing the whole turbo assy! Don't know what that is all about! Seems a bit extreme for an oil leak, but who knows.

The only other thing they mentioned was the wipers needed replacing, so nothing else to be done according to them.

That 5 year warranty was the best $$ ever spent I reckon :D