Thread: My D4's Reliability (or lack thereof)

Well, I think you have to take dealers' claims about extent of service with a tablespoon of salt. I mean, their job is to make a sale. Intelligence and a common sense will enable you to judge the reality of what a manufacturer can reasonably deliver. Sure, the dealer (er, salesman) might promise the moon, but it's nothing more than hearsay.
I broke down briefly off the Gibb River Rd last year. (It ended up being nothing more than a re-set) But I never expected LR to send in a Chinook to chopper the thing out.

Originally Posted by Stuart02

But that said, its not about what is reasonable for LRA to provide, its the misleading impression a lot of ppl seem to be getting from dealers, about the extent of the service.

The NRMA is no different - take out Premium Road Service and most of the Customer Service Staff will tell you it covers you anywhere but they really do not know - when you challenge them they go away and come back and tell you the real story (as me how I know). Not their fault they just to not know. Same as the dealers - they just do not what is really covered or not - you need to challenge them - I never take verbal answers for important issues any more.

I bet you did not read the fine print on the document covering the level of service that would be provided - most people don't.

garry

I have to say, read the contract. If it says they will get you from anywhere, then hold them to it. I don't think it does. When going into the bush, we can't expect the nanny state, public or private, to get us out of the trouble we have got ourselves into. We need to be self reliant, and if travelling solo or unprepared we have to hire some help and that costs $. I know I don't want my LR to be priced so that it covers the costs of recovering some people who can't be independent travellers. Its a bit like being taxed for other peoples dependence....mmm sounds like I'm on a soap box! I am not attacking anyone here, we just need to be able to recover ourselves, thats why travelling in a group is best, whether by 4x4 or bush walking, and being prepared with recovery, comms, first aid, know how, etc. I doubt I could fix anything really super electronic in my D4, normal mechanical stuff would probably be just OK, but thats the risk I take when I drive the car I choose......... because its fantastic! If I wanted to be in a lesser high tech vehicle I could drive an older Defender etc. and thats not a bad option for some people in super remote locations. I prefer the D4, and I will just bear the concequences, no one else will have to pay for my choices if I break down in a remote location.

I totally agree with being self-reliant and prepared, but roadside recovery is still meant to be your last resort line of defence.
When I lived in the NT I was a member of AANT for that reason. And I read the fine print. And I still carried belts, hoses etc etc, and a Sat phone.
The concept of insurance is that a lot of people pay a little and most don't ever use it. Even if LRA weren't subcontracting existing services to make it even cheaper, how much is a ferry toll to Moreton Is worth in customer relations?
This is, afterall, a company that fairly or otherwise is trying to shake off a reputation for unreliability.
Land Rovers are the only 4WDs I've ever wanted to own and drive and I'd forgive them the world. But seriously, the dealers are treading a fine line between making a sale, and putting a lot of people off the brand.

In regards to the Land Rover Assist program - it is now provided by Allianz Global Assistance (they purchased Mondial Assistance who have the contract). They have their own network of service providers (tow companies etc) but also use the state car clubs extensively - just look at the card in the glove box (see photo).

I'm not sure what the difference in service levels from LRA to the car clubs is - would have to read through all the PDS etc.

As far as my dealer goes in regards to the team advising customers and potential customers about where LRA will help you, they were unaware of the 2wd recovery vehicle restrictions but knew that Fraser Is was not covered. I suggested that the team get educated about the product they are selling.

I think everyone should be aware that there can be a vast difference between what a dealer promises you, and what the manufacturer provides. That seems to be true for any brand, and I would have thought, self-evident? As I said before, if your dealer has personally promised to recover you from _anywhere_ under _any_ circumstances, then get it in writing and hold them to it. If they don't honour it, then by all means come on here, rant, rave, name-and-shame.

Despite what Ozscott may think, I'm no flag-waving, one-eyed LRA apologist, and I've had my fair share of arguing with them (the recovery point debacle 5 or so years ago comes to mind), to the point of having one of my cars black-listed by them! But I think it's ridiculous to try and hold them to a standard that is unattainable. There are two undeniable facts here:

1. LRA will recover you from any gazetted road on mainland Australia (plus a few other nominated places) as long as a 2WD recovery vehicle can reach you. They guarantee that.

2. LRA sub-contract this service out to local registered break-down agencies. It's a big country - they have to.

What is "unreasonable" about the above? The minute you change point 1's "2WD" to "4WD" recovery vehicle and "gazetted road" to "anywhere", you have agreed to the impossible - even the Australian Army couldn't guarantee that. Road-side assist is NOT meant to be your "last line of defence" - the last line of defence is you, and how prepared you are.

LRA (or Toyota, or Nissan or whoever) cannot determine, let alone dictate, what vehicles a local sub-contractor will have available, other than knowing that they must at least have the capability to recover from a road-side. So that is what they can reasonably depend on.

This is what I think Ozscott hasn't thought through. The cost of backing up a "4WD anywhere" service would bankrupt any Australian business, not just LR. It is completely illogical.

If you have your own pet location, where you know there are 4WD recovery services available, then just use them! If you _really_ think you have a case for LRA paying for that recovery, be proactive - contact someone like James Scrimshaw at LRA and discuss it.

Road-side Assist will provide "peace-of-mind" for any situation covered by the points above - you get that for free remember. If you're venturing further afield, then be prepared. As Roger said, I don't want to have to pay more for my LR just because someone thinks LRA should recover them from the Calvert Ranges for free.

Cheers,

Gordon

Originally Posted by gghaggis

Road-side assist is NOT meant to be your "last line of defence" - the last line of defence is you, and how prepared you are.

My hat is truly off to you, Gordon!

Maybe you can enforce the ACL for repairs in the middle of nowhere...

Reasonable costs

If the consumer has no option but to
take goods elsewhere for repair, they do
not have to get the original supplier’s
agreement or provide quotes. However,
the supplier only has to pay the
‘reasonable costs’ of repair.
A reasonable cost would be within the
normal range charged by repairers of
such goods, and include:
> the cost of the repair
> any other associated costs
incurred by having the goods fixed

elsewhere, such as transport costs.


My dad has used this to get a full rebuild on his Isuzu truck. Radiator fan (shattered after being hit by something) somehow holed the radiator in his truck, in turn destroyed the motor. He only mentioned the ACL, and 3 days later Isuzu approved a full rebuild.

Not a bad outcome.

Interesting to see what happens over the coming years with ACL.

Brett.....