Land Rover Defenders

2018 Hopefully Sorry couldnt resist.

What reliability issues??

When you were describing your old series 3 I initially thought you were talking about a Toyota 79 series V8.

Defenders have always been reliable - so anything from when they were first released in the early 90s.

Have owned both a Series IIA and County 110 and neither ever left me stranded but both required constant attention, maintenance and sorting out niggling issues and the occasional more expensive repair. Once small kids came along I decided it wasn't worth it.
In terms of reliability its chalk and cheese with the 3 Toyotas I've owned.
But I get the deep longing. The County 110 regularly went places with relative ease where the lifted & locked mob were struggling.
But personally I'm still at the "never again" ... we'll see ...

Had a 96 Tdi Defender wagon from new. Sold it in 2012 with 350,000kms done. A third of those kms were towing van. Was very reliable - and in some pretty rough places. Not dustproof. Once we got used to the rather cramped sensation - more apparent than real - it was much more comfortable to travel in than our previous Hilux. Sold it because our vanning days were over and it was time to get a "city" car. Our biggest problem was finding competent mechanics - gave up on the dealer service departments and were lucky enough to find a couple of ex-army mechanics who loved landrovers!

I recommend that you go to the AULRO forum and ask the question.
Unlike many forums, you will get some honest answers along with the usual hyperbole. ( or Hyper bowl If your name is Gillard)

Regards Philip A

Reliabilty for all Land Rovers took a leap forward in 2006 when Ford bought them. They started using more engines and gearboxes that were common across a wider range of brands. I don't have a Defender but the build quality and reliability of my Land Rover has been first class.

I have 2 defenders, a 1997 300tdi (with 350k on clock) and 1999 td5 (with 80k on clock) - both 130 dual cabs. They are reliable ...

they reliably let water drip on my foot when it rains,

they are reliably noisy, but

they reliably get me where I want to go, and

driving them reliably puts a smile on my face.

It is particularly pleasing when you get a big wave, or someone from the Landrover community is generous with their advice, loans you that special tool you'll only need once, or gives you a part your chasing - just cause they happened to have one. You simply don't get that experience of being part of a community with other makes (other than pre 1976 volkswagons)

I agree with the comments about finding landrover friendly independent mechanics, they are reliably hard to find in the country. But (touch wood) I haven't needed one for a few years - diy regular basic servicing. Apple a day keeps the doctor away.

Reliability? Well my 2010 110 Defender has done a 160K and never missed a beat.
Yes it's well maintained but no more than most vehicles used to go remote.
Yes I've had upgraded axles fitted.
We've had a remap for towing...... certainly pulls the van so well it totally leaves the Prado we had for dead with much better fuel consumption as well.
My 4th Landie....3 Defenders and 1 Disco.
1 breakdown (reduced power from TPO) with a Td5 Deafener..... LRA did everything to get us back home including camper.
You'll get plenty of the "I had a mate who had one" stories but they're mostly fantasy.
We stopped at Quobba recently and the old bloke running the site couldn't wait to tell me about the fit of the body panels on his early 70s Rangie.....
Try one you may like it.
AlanH.

Had three Defenders over the years, but must say enjoy my current vehicle as well.

My only complaint was having to drive with a raincoat on when it was raining ;)

Good luck with your deliberations...

Cheers, Baz

I had a 2010 dual cab 130 for 3.5 years. The only issues I had I believe were dealer caused and we're certainly fixed by the dealer at no cost to me.
The first was a minor issue ( hose clamp not tightened properly) which allowed an intercooler hose to blow off 10 min after servicing.
The second would have cost a pretty penny as the front diff blew outside Tibooburra. Flat bed to broken hill and then trucked to Brisbane (my final destination for the trip) while I was given a hire car and sent on my way. Cause finally diagnosed as no oil in diff from service 3500km earlier.
All in all I was very happy with my defender, and would have happily kept it except my 4'0" wife didn't believe it was family friendly... I just think she was sick of using a ladder to get in and out ??

G/Day BooBook, ...Its all very simple,you have to hate and luv them at the same time!, end of story....Ive had a 96 130 TDI tray back for 17yrs, transmission, engine , diffs, all original, at 350,000ks. Its leaked oil from day one
and engine is a bit fumy now. they are a very high maitaintance vehicle and the same probs can surface regulary, model wise I don't think there is a lot of difference in reliability, but you must get to know your vehicle and only have someone that knows landrovers work on it. they are as tough as they are weak so be careful in heavy going with weight on . Oh !, and yes a rain coat and ear muffs are handy if your not used to them..lol....Happy landroving

Cheers Axle

Boobook...

On a more serious note than my previous offering, my favourite of the three I owned was a TDi200 three door, and in fact being a "closet 'Fender lover" (still) I am on the look out for a similar version as I rue the day I sold it...

Um, please don't mention if to Mrs Landy, some things are just best left, well unsaid, till it arrives in the driveway!

You can read some more about the "Red Rover - Makeover here"

Ps: I've still got my raincoat, lying in waiting for another 'Fender...

Cheers, Baz

You've only had 2 replies from owners of later model (2010) Defenders. Both report no inherant issues, one saying his diff issue was caused by the dealer and fixed for free. No mention of oil or water leaks in these models, both having done reasonable kms. If you buy a 20 year old car you will be under it all the time. So your answer is to buy one that is up to 5 years old and you won't need overalls or a raincoat but the car may lack the character you crave. Personally, I hate driving them, give me a Disco any day. And old things? No thanks. I'm old and not much works well on me anymore, why should a car be any different? :-)

Boobook you keep referring back to your old series 3 but they have not been made for nearly 40 years so as far as modern Defenders are concerned the series 3 experienced are not all that relevant.

I also owned a series 3 and my experiences with it are not all that relevant to my current RRS.

The ergonomics etc of the newer Defenders are not the greatest but once you get used to them they are fine. Actually similar inside to a newer 79 series diesel V8 ute but you get A/c in the Defender.

People say you are cramped behind the drivers seat and that certainly the first impression but it grows on you and is certainly comfortable. They are a vehicle where first impressions are misleading and you need to live in one for a little while to gain the full experience.

The issue of water and dust ingression is a problem - hey look at the glass half full perspective - it lets out the water quicker.

For sure the engine is only half the size of a 79 series but in the real world on the road there is not a lot of difference as the 79 series V8 for its size is a low performance engine where the 2.2 Puma is a high performance engine for its size.

A Defender is not a replacement for a 200 series V8 - for outback touring the 200 will it in more comfort and easier - afterall they are a different class of vehicle. The Defender compares favourably with a 79 series.

Oh - I do not have a Defender but am familiar with them - I don't have a 79, or 200 series but my brother has had both so reasonably familiar with them - he got rid of his 79 series and upgraded to the 200 series as he was not happy with the low power of the 79 and its poor performance (for engine size - is about the same as my 2.7 diesel). I mention the 79 as on paper it is logical competitor to the Defender.

If you are able try and borrow a Defender and see how you go - but they are basic motoring that is very capable offroad and pretty good onroad as long as you are not in a hurry. I don't think your series 3 experiences are still relevant to the newer vehicles.

Personally I think the 79 series and the Defender are dinosaurs and should have been pensioned off years ago as I prefer a bit more comfort these days. However there is a popular following for both and they have great resale value.

Good luck

Garry

OK BB ....

Had a 3.9 Izusu County in '87 for a few years.
Rock solid engine but the gearbox failed at 70K and was on the way out again when I traded it for a '94 TDI.

Didn't have it long enough to form an opinion.

Traded it for a '96 V8 Disco which was great but had a tad of a drinking problem (may have been my driving style). It had a most annoying trait with the MAF where it would decide it wouldn't start when you wanted it to. You could crank the bejesus out of it to no avail. Get out and walk around it swearing your bloody head off, get back in and it would start first time.

Traded it for a '03 TD5 Defender which cracked 2 heads.

Thought about a Puma but couldn't get my head around a 2.2l engine.

All in all a very competent piece of kit straight off the showroom floor and IMHO only surpassed by a current 79 series (which must have front and rear lockers).

But as you can see from my record, reliability is still not their strong suit (obviously can't comment on current as have not driven one. I've spoken with many who have one and they are happy, but then again I'm very happy with my current grunt machine which has similar consumption figures to all the diesels listed above).