 | Home > Puma (Tdci) > reliability |
 
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| adiep Member Since: 18 Nov 2012 Location: Gibraltar Posts: 204   
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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?  |
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24th Nov 2012 9:32pm |
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| WelshGas Member Since: 01 Oct 2010 Location: Vale of Glamorgan Posts: 935  
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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.
 LANDYWATCH
Neighbourhood Watch for Land Rover Owners http://www.landywatch.co.uk/smf2/index.php |
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24th Nov 2012 9:46pm |
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| Landlord Member Since: 27 Oct 2009 Location: Hampshire Posts: 582  
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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
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 2007 TD5 90 Hard Top |
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24th Nov 2012 9:53pm |
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| jst Member Since: 14 Jan 2008 Location: Taunton Posts: 8001  
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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 |
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24th Nov 2012 9:54pm |
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| warren Member Since: 14 Oct 2009 Location: East Lancs. Posts: 903  
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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. |
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24th Nov 2012 10:21pm |
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| GREENI Member Since: 22 Aug 2010 Location: staffs Posts: 10379
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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. |
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24th Nov 2012 10:23pm |
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| lrmaniac Member Since: 04 Feb 2010 Location: Lisboa Posts: 762  
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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. |
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24th Nov 2012 10:29pm |
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| adiep Member Since: 18 Nov 2012 Location: Gibraltar Posts: 204
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Thanks everyone, quite reassuring
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 |
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25th Nov 2012 1:30pm |
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| Knot Yet Member Since: 01 Mar 2010 Location: West Sussex Posts: 197 
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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
 Defender 110 Puma Utility XS |
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25th Nov 2012 4:52pm |
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| rossy Member Since: 29 Nov 2010 Location: Co. Roscommon Posts: 1296  
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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 ! |
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25th Nov 2012 5:22pm |
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| Regard Member Since: 08 Dec 2011 Location: RSA Posts: 251  
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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! |
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25th Nov 2012 5:30pm |
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| lrMike Member Since: 26 Feb 2010 Location: Athens Posts: 177 
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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. |
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25th Nov 2012 6:09pm |
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| Shax Member Since: 05 Oct 2010 Location: London Posts: 391 
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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 |
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27th Nov 2012 12:06am |
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| Birdy Member Since: 07 Oct 2011 Location: Côte d'Azur Posts: 864  
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Reliability?
If you mean leaks, rust, faults, noises thatll have you tearing your hair out or running to the dealers every five minutes, its the worlds worst vehicle, cant be compared to a normal car, dont 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 isnt anything else thatll keep you going like a Land Rover. Only you can decide on your needs and priorities. Peter |
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27th Nov 2012 12:58pm |
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