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adiep



Member Since: 18 Nov 2012
Location: Gibraltar
Posts: 204

Gibraltar 2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SW Alpine White
reliability
hi guys, im pondering if to buy a defender or not and have been reading up a bit on defenders, and now have a couple of thoughts that I think can make up my mind whether to buy or not. first one, are the new TDCi Puma models really really noisy to drive, or are they what you might consider similar to a typical diesel? secondly, you cant help but read about reliability issues with defenders, i cant figure out if thats a bad reputation from way back or whether stuff just regularly goes wrong for no apparent reason... do you guys find your motors relatively troublefree?

lastly, as a first defender, (which would be my sole car) should i go for Puma model or the TD5? Is the puma so much more refined to make it more liveable on a daily basis?

also, has anyone done any sound proofing and engine remapping? Very Happy
Post #188044 24th Nov 2012 9:32pm
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WelshGas



Member Since: 01 Oct 2010
Location: Vale of Glamorgan
Posts: 935

Wales 2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Santorini Black
I have a 2010 MY 90XS. It is my daily drive and family car. I have had no mechanical problems in 30,000 miles. Only warranty claims have been corrosion on bumper, small area of paint bubbling on windscreen surround, side step and headlight bezel all fixed under warranty. Don't forget people post on forums if they have problems rarely if they do not. My Defender has taken me all over UK and France. Thumbs Up LANDYWATCH

Neighbourhood Watch for Land Rover Owners

http://www.landywatch.co.uk/smf2/index.php
Post #188055 24th Nov 2012 9:46pm
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custom90



Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 20355

United Kingdom 
NEVER once had mine breakdown in 3 years of ownership. Only had ordinary maintenance completed of which to be expected.
Wouldn't have anything other than a Defender myself.

Thumbs Up $W33T $0U7H3RN $UG4R
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Post #188058 24th Nov 2012 9:50pm
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Landlord



Member Since: 27 Oct 2009
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 582

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 90 Td5 HT Cairns Blue
Hi adiep

You really need to book a long test drive and get a good feel for the vehicle. They are great cars but not everyone's taste and not like a normal daily car. I've had my TD5 for the past 5 years from nearly new and have had very few issues, I think only one warranty return for a faulty door lock. Serviced once a year, used on and off road, taken abroad on camping trips and next year to the Artic Circle.

Is a Defender a comfortable, quiet, daily commuter - no (although many are used for such things) however for a good all rounder, off road, on road, towing, long distance, expedition, adventure, green lanes, pay and play, hobby, you can't beat them Thumbs Up

Good luck in our quest for a definitive answer, however as a last comment I haven't regretted buying one and intend to keep it Thumbs Up 2007 TD5 90 Hard Top
Post #188061 24th Nov 2012 9:53pm
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jst



Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 8025

 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
i run a tdi, 2 TGVs, and a puma. used to run a td5.

the puma is the quietest of the lot and easiest to live with for a daily vehicle.

alot depends on what your used to

reliability wise - no major problems with my Puma, none with the td5. Cheers

James
110 2012 XS Utility
130 2011 M57 bespoke Camper
90 2010 Hardtop
90 M57 1988 Hardtop
Post #188062 24th Nov 2012 9:54pm
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warren



Member Since: 14 Oct 2009
Location: East Lancs.
Posts: 903

England 2009 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 HT Santorini Black
I think the Pumas are pretty much sorted now. I had a few issues with mine, and apart from one occasion where it lost all drive its never left me stranded. There was a few transmission and bodywork issues over the first couple of years i had it but the dealer always sorted it under warranty.

Now it's out of warranty I've got no issues with it. The EGR valve gets a bit vocal sometimes, and the engine management light lit up the other day, but had it checked out and it was the MAF sensor throwing a strop, but that's the only issues I've had since the warranty ran out.

As for noise, as long as your not storming around with it sat on the limiter it's pretty civilised. Yes the engine is pretty much always audible, but I like to hear an engine doing its thing.

Around town it can be hard work at times, but it makes up for it in every other situation.

I think that as long as you have a decent dealer nearby there's nothing to worry about.
Post #188080 24th Nov 2012 10:21pm
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GREENI



Member Since: 22 Aug 2010
Location: staffs
Posts: 10381

United Kingdom 
I've owned my td5 for 2.5 years.
It's let me down once, but I still drove home, it was the loom breaking down and cost me £70 to repair. That's good for ANY car.
Post #188085 24th Nov 2012 10:23pm
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lrmaniac



Member Since: 04 Feb 2010
Location: Lisboa
Posts: 762

Portugal 2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Keswick Green
Have my 110 Tdci for 2 1/2 years! Not a problem so far...Did a big trip this summer (6500km), zeero problems so far!

Had a Td5 for 10 years with some issues ( replaced flywheel, clutch, starter motor, head gasket and injector loom), not very serious, I think considering it made 150000km... Regards
Joao

'10 Land Rover Defender 110 CC
'08 BMW F800GS
'64 SIIA Forward Control
'69 SIIA 109 ZA CKD
_____________________________________________
You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say will be misquoted, then used against you.
Post #188090 24th Nov 2012 10:29pm
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adiep



Member Since: 18 Nov 2012
Location: Gibraltar
Posts: 204

Gibraltar 2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SW Alpine White
Thanks everyone, quite reassuring Smile

I think I have that defender itch that just needs to be scratched, ive even measured out the hieght of the underground car park in my apartment block to make sure it fits Smile
Post #188226 25th Nov 2012 1:30pm
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Knot Yet



Member Since: 01 Mar 2010
Location: West Sussex
Posts: 197

England 2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Orkney Grey
For what its worth I use mine as a daily commuter for a round trip of 130 miles - almost every day of the week, mix of A roads, M25 and West London traffic. I've also had a Lotus Elise, Focus ST and a Passat but the best by far has to be the Puma - just about to get my fourth - if you include hubby's - I have no intention of ever changing - until of course I'm too old to hoist myself inside Rolling Eyes Defender 110 Puma Utility XS
Post #188272 25th Nov 2012 4:52pm
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rossy



Member Since: 29 Nov 2010
Location: Co. Roscommon
Posts: 1296

Ireland 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 CSW Stornoway Grey
so far so good. In 15 months I have only had a couple of leaks which I fixed myself and a noisy wiper operation which is being fixed by the dealer on Thursday (new wheelboxes).

I have limited mechanical knowledge but oils I can do so with fingers crossed I change the engine oil and filter twice a year and once a year I do the gearbox oil, transfer box oil and both diffs hoping that will be enough to stave off problems in those areas.

In fact this is the ONLY car I have ever owned where I have not had to make repeated dealer visits in the first year of ownership - and that includes a few Jap motors so I've just realised that the Puma, so far, is actually the most reliable car I've ever had - aint that something !
Post #188279 25th Nov 2012 5:22pm
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Regard



Member Since: 08 Dec 2011
Location: RSA
Posts: 251

South Africa 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 X-Tech LE Orkney Grey
Mine sits at 60 000km and NO issues!

If you have an option between Td5 and Puma.....do not even look at the Td5!

I have remaped mine and I've put a bigger intercooler in and now the Puma is a new monster! it should have come from the factory like this! Thumbs Up
Post #188280 25th Nov 2012 5:30pm
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lrMike



Member Since: 26 Feb 2010
Location: Athens
Posts: 177

Greece 
2,4 Tdci

2 and a half years.

50.000kms

Not used for daily drive but long journeys and some hard off-road.

Changing oil and filter every 6.000 kms.

No problems at all.

Mike.
Post #188287 25th Nov 2012 6:09pm
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Shax



Member Since: 05 Oct 2010
Location: London
Posts: 391

England 2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey
Mines at 34,500 miles, Jan 2010, and have had a couple of minor warranty issues... No worse than my Meriva VXR that needed 11 visits to the dealer to sort a bloody window issue!
Absolutely love my Puma, and would have no hesitation buying another.. Really missing it now mine has gone in for the usual wind screen / bulkhead corrosion issues... ... ,-------,
.. I [__][_]|__
.. I __ |"_|"__|
.. "(o)====(o)"
^^_-^-_^-^_^^^^^--^^^^
PAUL
G7ALW 14.200 USB
26FB458 / 27.275 SSB
Post #188698 27th Nov 2012 12:06am
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Birdy



Member Since: 07 Oct 2011
Location: Côte d'Azur
Posts: 865

France 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Santorini Black
Reliability?

If you mean leaks, rust, faults, noises that’ll have you tearing your hair out or running to the dealers every five minutes, it’s the world’s worst vehicle, can’t be compared to a normal car, don’t buy one.

On the other hand, in continuous Series/Defender ownership for over fifty years, the only potential “get no furthers” were a faulty electrical fuel pump (bodged), a couple of broken half-shafts (stick it 4WD and drive slowly) and clutch hydraulics (got it back home from the South of France with great fun at the toll booths - missus running up to the barrier to pay, me approaching slowly keeping it in gear).

In other words there isn’t anything else that’ll keep you going like a Land Rover.

Only you can decide on your needs and priorities.

Peter
Post #188848 27th Nov 2012 12:58pm
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