Thursday, Jul 28, 2005 at 11:07
No I am not a dealer and I own a Freelander and a Discovery. I know what Landrover is like and while I don't like how they deal with the public I know they are no different to any other manufacturer - but I agree that doesn't make their actions ethical. I know from my own dealings with Landrover that you any stand a chance of getting what you want if you can hold some power over them - the website you have shown us is a way of getting that power - I understand that some people in the UK have had some wins over Landrover and that engines etc were replaced - not by the dudds you have indicated but engines that had been modded. However there are still many cases where owners have had no luck.
In my own case my Disco was new when I got it and there were issues - I got what I wanted only by threats, intimidation and sucking up. I had recent dealings with Landrover and couldn't get past their call centre - as it was a safety issue I was only able to get past the call centre when I involved the Dept of Transport (DOTARS) and threatened to flame Landrover Aust lack of customer focus to the 4x4 magazines and media - it was at the time the Disco 3 was just released and I guess LR didn't want the bad publicity so an Exec from the Tech area actually rang me. The funny thing is my concern was unfounded and if LR had a customer focus in the first place - I would never have needed to go the heavy.
I bought my Freelander late last year - 175,000k diesel. It shortly after suffered the drive train failures caused by a poor design issue with the 98/99 models. New parts are $6000. I didn't hit LR for the repair but it is a design issue similar to the 1.8 petrol engines - the car was fixed with used late model parts for a fraction of the new cost - the problem doesn't exist with these.
So - no, I am no dealer and understand the issues you face but Landrover is no different to other manufacturers because it is Government regulations that allow them to get away with it. Recalls can only be forced on manufacturers if the issue is safety related - problems with the cars are our problem - afterall we buy knowing what the warranty is (I don't agree with my own statement but it is reality). In theory, Landrover puts in a new 1.8 and it comes with its new warranty - odds are it fails and LR should put in a new motor - starting the warranty period on the engine again and the cost should force LR to do something but - the owner is now wise - sells the car - new owner is none the wiser and the has the problem - LR says no to a repair and the fight starts over again. We need to lobby Governments to change consumer laws on cars - lemon laws would be a start - it is no use hassling the car makers because they will not do anything unless forced.
here endeth the lesson
Gazzz
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