Thread: New Defender - Servicing

I would drive my car to Melbourne for servicing for the first couple of years (2,400km round trip) every 10k

I then built a solid relationship with Adelaide dealer for the next couple.

One thing that’s very important is “good faith”, it will look after you outside of warranty - but only if you have demonstrated the same loyalty.

Something to consider! After all, an hour isn’t that long in a nice vehicle.

Originally Posted by Eric SDV6SE

Regardless of petrol or diesel, 34000km between oil changes is too long, especially for modern close tolerance engines. Considering the P400 is now running ceramic ball bearing turbochargers, oil cleanliness is even more important. Also especially for hi-po (relatively small capacity engines (400bhp from 3l) I'd be planning oil changes inbetween the LR scheduled intervals. Oil is cheap, engines aren't.

LR service schedule is Non-Arduous for 36k

Normal use in Australia is Arduous use, this includes domestic triangle runs etc (often worse for the vehicle than long highway km)

So after 15k and 7months ownership we dropped our P525 for an oil change -only at ULR, which I was happy to pay as we intend to keep it for longer. ULR told us they would do a full service (at no cost), next one probably at 25k. Seems having the free servicing means I can drop the car earlier and use up my free services (5, I think). So probably worth having a chat to the dealer.

Originally Posted by scarry

You could get the local guy to do in between services,just engine oil changes,then LR for the bigger services.

It is well documented that the long drainage intervals don't do engines any favours.

I'd do this ... Dealership for book services till w'tee gone and add an 'in between' oil service with a local. Benefit is when w'tee is up, you have an independent mechanic you know & trust.

Is there any reason an owner couldn't just change thier own oil in between the regular services?

I can't seem to find any info on the net with regards to D300 oil changes, other than that the capacity is 9.8l.

Is it like the D4 and fitted with a vacuum tube to the bottom of the sump?

If the capacity is over 9 litres then no wonder it has long service intervals, no need to change oil every 10,000km when there is twice as much in the sump

Originally Posted by discomatt69

If the capacity is over 9 litres then no wonder it has long service intervals, no need to change oil every 10,000km when there is twice as much in the sump

So if you change it at half intervals,basically at around industry standard of 15,000Km,12 months,you will use more oil than a similar sized diesel engine,with the shorter industry standard intervals, which will probably have a sump capacity of around 5 to 6L.

Those game enough to do oil changes at the rediculous 34,000Km,2yrs, will still be saving hardly any oil compared to an engine designed for the shorter industry standard changes.There is a saving of one oil filter,but in the whole scheme of vehicle costs is virtually nothing.

Originally Posted by scarry

So if you change it at half intervals,basically at around industry standard of 15,000Km,12 months,you will use more oil than a similar sized diesel engine,with the shorter industry standard intervals, which will probably have a sump capacity of around 5 to 6L.

Those game enough to do oil changes at the rediculous 34,000Km,2yrs, will still be saving hardly any oil compared to an engine designed for the shorter industry standard changes.There is a saving of one oil filter,but in the whole scheme of vehicle costs is virtually nothing.

Just because you change the oil, doesn’t mean you need to change the filter. In the old days it was 5k oil and 10k filter.

I’m not suggesting the interval, more that the oil can be changed without the filter. So long as the filter has medium to catch crud without restricting, no need to change it