MOST DANGEROUS 4X4 EVER MADE!

Hi DiscoMick and Basil, I understand that things can fail, but that’s what a warranty is for, or at least, that’s what a warranty is SUPPOSED to be for.

The warranty on this heap was never worth the paper it was written on. My old L322 RR was without question, the most unreliable vehicle I have ever owned, and over the years I’ve had some bombs.

BUT, no matter what the problem was, both the dealer and LRA made sure it was fixed ASAP and fixed properly.

From the first service on this new RR, I learnt quick smart that things had changed and the warranty was crap.

I’m 20 stone so I’m going to be hard on seats but you would expect seats to last at least beyond the first service.

I noticed the leather was being cut into on the side of the driver’s seat and I also noticed that, through a poor design, that there was a razor sharp edge along the entire length of the top of the plastic shroud on the side of the seat. And this is on both the driver’s and passenger’s seats.

when I put the RR in for it’s first service, I pointed out the problem and the cause and they said they would get onto LRA.

When I pick the RR up, I was informed that LRA stated that this was not a design fault but was ware and tare which means it’s not a warranty issue.

So I had no choice but to fix the DESIGN FAULT myself or the seats would have been torn to shreds.

I had to get some cores sandpaper and round off the top of the plastic shroud, on both seats.

Now my seats have black painted shrouds but the base plastic is white.

Luckily, I found that one of the permanent markers I use was almost the identical colour so I was able to touch up both seats to the point where you can’t see the fix.

This had to be done to a vehicle touted as a so called “LUXURY” vehicle that has nothing more than a worthless warranty.

And I can assure you things have gone down hill fast from there.

I like a lot on here would love a RRS.
I think i'll find the $5000 and rebuild
the gearbox in my '93 200tdi disco.

Andrew

warranty is to check poor workmanship,not design faults.
design faults are covered for service life.
service life of a rangerover would be decades not a few years [how long is string?].

had to replace a battery today that is 3 months old.the original goes on slow recharge.the hilux used as a road patrol does stop start and idle all day.this only surface charges the battery causing on high demand the common rail engine to stop.

a backhoe this week had a alt failure due to dust.a tractor isnt going to be used in dirty conditions.they drove the tractor for 4 hr with no alt untill the gearbox stopped changing.taken 4 days to charge the battery,
tha alt isnt servicable.a aftermarket servicable alt didnt fit-the new alt was a few hundred cheeper than the aftermarket.

what is criminal is the price for some alt.
when i worked at JRA staff discount was 70-80% on local sourced parts.

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Originally Posted by AKW

I like a lot on here would love a RRS.

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Hi Andrew, the Range Rover Sports and the Range Rover Vogue are two different vehicles with not much more than the name being similar.

I would happily own an RRS over this heap.

yep, but still lots of electronics the 200tdi has none.
Most new trucks have electronic engine and trans control
with few problems even pulling 3or4 trailers out west.
Still love a RRS though and a 22 or so foot ind air suspended
van to go behind it.


Andrew

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AKW

yep, but still lots of electronics the 200tdi has none.
Most new trucks have electronic engine and trans control
with few problems even pulling 3or4 trailers out west.
Still love a RRS though and a 22 or so foot ind air suspended
van to go behind it.


Andrew

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I beg to differ, ACMs are OK on linehaul B double work, but can only change two half gears at a time. That's not quick enough dragging 150 tonne over a reasonable jump up. Broome is a long way from help when the gearbox computer goes to lunch, under warranty. KISS.

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Originally Posted by bob10

:eek: My 1999 D2 with 337,000 km's is looking good, amigos and all, the future of 4wd's doesn't look that great, especially if you are in remote areas. Might be ok in Europe, but here? If only we had a locally built product , built for our conditions, without computers. Bob

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Bob10, I was thinking exactly that a while back. We all need to get together, throw in a few bob (pardon the pun) each, take the various models (maybe start with one) LR make, improve them so they're bulletproof and so much totally more reliable than any Jap brands, built to Australian conditions and sell them to the world. Harley Davidson did it, didn't they?!
I've got a 96 model Defender, lovely character but full of basic flaws that could be easily fixed at design stage. It could possibly even be done under licence from LR. I might make some enquiries and put aside a few mill to kick things off.

G'day Tim,

I'm really sorry to hear about all the troubles you've been having, but am very glad nobody's been hurt so far.

I'll be sure to refer to this thread when my better half starts eyeing off RRs again. Although to be fair, since buying the Defender she has commented more on how much she would like a 90 and I haven't heard so much about RRs anymore.

I know the Defender is susceptible to some of these issues too, but, touch wood, I'm guessing nowhere near as much as the luxury models.

Has anyone spoken to Consumer Affairs or similar about this?

James

From the perspective of a relatively recent Range Rover owner, I'd suggest that the only part of the LR / RR worth preserving is the suspension design. Maybe parts of the drive-train and the diesel engine(s).

For the rest, I'd happily chuck it and graft the chassis (beefed up!) under a working, proven Jap body. With reliable electrics, upholstery, etc.
I was amazed to discover that there are two companies in Britain that build bespoke LR chassis...properly, with good quality steel and all the dimensions correct...

Why not go start with something like that, and by-pass LR altogether ?


Cynical Old James in Gosnells.

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Originally Posted by jc109

G'day Tim,


Has anyone spoken to Consumer Affairs or similar about this?

James

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... I'd say lots of folk have...and given up for the same reasons... that government legislation has no teeth, -and its 'NICE' when you stop hitting your head against a brick wall !

James