Defender build quality

**rrturboD** · 11th February 2008, 10:17 AM

Land Rover had a new Defender on display at the 4WD Spectacular, held over the last weekend.

The vehicle came complete with visible drain holes. One in each door! Looking through the drivers window to the passenger door, at the footwell (front) you could see daylight (actually the grass on the other side) through where there should have been a door seal. Each door was the same, but the passenger door the worst (hole looked to be about 30mm long and 10mm high). With a black interior, and bright sunlight, the holes stood out like the proverbial.

Given that this was a brand new vehicle, and lots of non LR public having a look at all the vehicles, pretty poor that they could not get the door seals to at least look like they might seal!

After spotting that I lost interest, as I was sure that I would find other build issues.

A friend asked the salesman about the gaps, and was told that this was a LRA supplied vehicle, so nothing he could do about it, interesting response, as are not all vehicles supplied by LRA, and I bet LRA would want the local dealer to 'fix' any problems.

**Chucaro** · 11th February 2008, 10:46 AM

Mate, the last time that I made comments about Land Rover and their quality some people hit the roof

So.........I am going to be very very quite

and see how the dust settle in this topic

**Greylandy** · 11th February 2008, 11:21 AM

I bought a new TD5 in 2004 .. it was exactly the same. The only difference was .. I loved it!

That is what makes them unique, all the "good and bad" of a 60 year history!

You either "GET IT" .. or you don't. Simple as that.

They are what they are ... if you want a Defender with D3 or RR build quality .. wait for the new one due in 4-6 years.

**Xavie** · 11th February 2008, 11:40 AM

I don't think this is what you mean but with mine in the rear passenger and front doors you can see to the ground when the doors are closed. The gap is between the body and the doors (if that makes sense) so just below where the bottom hinges are.

The gap is huge but I never thought anything of it to be honest I must admit I thought it was normal!

And I'm sure LRA really couldn't give a flying .........

Xavier

**p38arover** · 11th February 2008, 11:49 AM

Defender build quality

An oxymoron, surely.

**Chucaro** · 11th February 2008, 11:54 AM

The gap that you are referring to is designed with a purpose of acting as a drainer.

Do not forget that the Defy is a ATV.

The only thing that you have to watch is that with a bit of bad luck the $2.00 gold coins can go true it.

I used to have a FJ40 one of the last true ATV from Japan. My old 109 was heaps better and the Defy keeps the tradition going

**loanrangie** · 11th February 2008, 12:23 PM

Originally Posted by Greylandy

I bought a new TD5 in 2004 .. it was exactly the same. The only difference was .. I loved it!

That is what makes them unique, all the "good and bad" of a 60 year history!

You either "GET IT" .. or you don't. Simple as that.

They are what they are ... if you want a Defender with D3 or RR build quality .. wait for the new one due in 4-6 years.

Sorry but i dont buy that, if i'm paying 50k plus on a vehicle i expect not to see the ground when the doors are closed, you can have character and build quality. I love the LR products but even my 81 rangie had less gaps than a new deffy.

**Greylandy** · 11th February 2008, 12:57 PM

Originally Posted by loanrangie

Sorry but i dont buy that, if i'm paying 50k plus on a vehicle i expect not to see the ground when the doors are closed, you can have character and build quality. I love the LR products but even my 81 rangie had less gaps than a new deffy.

That is exactly my point and the reason why you prefer Rangies and Discos. All vehicles have inherent flaws and we as consumers either except those flaws or look for another vehicle without them.

The fact that a 2008 Defender has the same body as 25 years ago doesn't matter to me, I know its going to let dust in and leak water at the door tops. What matters is that its extremely capable offroad, can carry a ****load of gear, is reliable and hold its value.

I like Discos and Rangies but I won't buy one for myself because the cargo area is too small and they just depreciate far quicker than any Defender can. That "to me" is more important than door seals.

I'm not saying build quality is the only thing that gives them character. I think their history and unique look is what gives them character BUT ... because of that "close" link with history (old body design) is why they have build quality issues.

**stevo68** · 11th February 2008, 01:00 PM

Sorry but i dont buy that, if i'm paying 50k plus on a vehicle i expect not to see the ground when the doors are closed, you can have character and build quality. I love the LR products but even my 81 rangie had less gaps than a new deffy.

Spot on, with the LR range having a reputation for poor build quality and reliability, one would think that with any new vehicle hitting the market, especially at a show the vehicle on display would be the best available. That is the 3rd or 4th in a matter of weeks that people have seen a Fender and made comment on issues with the show vehicle.........including Fender drivers. Poor LRA,

Regards

Stevo

**loanrangie** · 11th February 2008, 01:17 PM

Originally Posted by Greylandy

That is exactly my point and the reason why you prefer Rangies and Discos. All vehicles have inherent flaws and we as consumers either except those flaws or look for another vehicle without them.

The fact that a 2008 Defender has the same body as 25 years ago doesn't matter to me, I know its going to let dust in and leak water at the door tops. What matters is that its extremely capable offroad, can carry a ****load of gear, is reliable and hold its value.

I like Discos and Rangies but I won't buy one for myself because the cargo area is too small and they just depreciate far quicker than any Defender can. That "to me" is more important than door seals.

I'm not saying build quality is the only thing that gives them character. I think their history and unique look is what gives them character BUT ... because of that "close" link with history (old body design) is why they have build quality issues.

I actually dont prefer rangies and disco's to defenders, it just suits my needs at the moment. There are flaws then there built in flaws which the defender has always had and if they ever want the deffy to be profitable they need to fix them. There is no reason LR cant build the def with the exact same body using modern manufacturing techniques, checker cab and the london taxis can do it why cant LR ? No child restraints or any airbags is a joke in 2008 (airbags i can live without but not everyone will)
Pretty soon it will only be a few old enthusiasts that will buy them and by that stage they will be dead and buried as was the P76. dont get me wrong i like the fender and what it is but i wont justify buying a car this side of the millenium that basically hasnt been improved since 1982.

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