Thanks DiscoJeffsetter ... I'll be following up on your advice. Come to think of it the dealer in Tamworth did mention something about doing a smoke test in the future ... for some reason I promptly forgot about it.
Cheers.
Printable View
It is great to see pros, cons that come with the brand we suppose to trust. In the end, it isn’t about the car but the people who are around it, dealership and LRA. It is going to be an issue if those people don’t care about you while you are in trouble, or can’t provide the help we deserve.
I had own my D4 almost 3 years, but went back to the dealer for warranty work more than 3 times, twice cut short my holiday plan. I almost lost my faith after I complained to LRA as one of the member suggested, it seems that customer service show no sympathy to the circumstances and asked me to go to dealer if any problems.
I had known that I didn’t pick up a D4 for its reliability, but it’s camel trophy story led my dream to overlanding and adventures. I still want to pursue my dreams with my D4 after all, built up my gears and knowledge about D4. I refused to switch to my Toyo friends, told them that the experience like going out with hot mistress and you had to pay the price. They might never have such feeling since they so originary, no one will look up at them.
I also got myself cover with 3rd party extended warranty. Just a quick note that I would like go to the dealership if the owner is passionate about the LR they drive. My dealer want too bad in service.
Cheers
Fact of the matter is, each brand/car has their faults. Some are lemons, some just don't break. Not mechanical, but my mother-in-law's 2014 Prado has a dead radio/multimedia display, just out of warranty. Turns out it's a pretty common problem. Will they replace it under warranty, not sure yet. $1,300 to replace if not. Pretty crap that it's still so young, cost her $65k, and now has a dead radio - and it's not a serviceable part!! Ridiculous.
We had 4 stereos go on 4 Toyota’s in 2 months..
Not covered by warranty apparently..
I had a D4 coolant leakage which was never fixed by the dealer although it was requested on every service, and the extended warranty does not cover this type of failure. Eventually I got it fixed by a local mechanic with a slightly longer hose and no problems since.
I noticed advice on UK LR sites that the D4 gearbox oil and filter should be changed every 52,000km for anyone towing heavy trailers. I pull a 3T caravan and have done so through all climates over many kms. I got my local mechanic to change my D4 HSE gearbox oil at 114,000km and he said I had just got it done in time as the oil was putrid. This does require a new metal gearbox pan and filter, but the new pan is re-usable (unlike the original plastic one).
It doesn’t require the steel pan. But it’s a good improvement to reduce future service costs.
IIRC this is a Land Rover idea, not ZF's
From the attached ZF Guide :
"Depending on the driving style, ZF recommends a transmission oil change every 80,000 to 120,000km or after 8 years at the latest"
Some have perhaps somewhat cynically suggested that "for life" may be interpreted as "for length of warranty"
David
Attachment 137049
Still a bit ambitious at those numbers I think. I done my first transmission oil change at 72,000ks and that was way to long looking at the colour and smell of the oil, done another one at 92,000ks then at 140,000ks - could have stretched out maybe another 10,000ks just going on the colour of the oil.
I guess unless you have a remote filter which could be damaged , where else could you put it other than inside the sump. Im happy to drop the sump every 50-60,000ks to change the filter . Just need to remember to turn the air con off before you start as the drain runs straight down the box and you think your new gasket is leaking.
Cheers Ean