I hear ya. I think it really comes down to the Tech, regardless of JLR or Indie Shop. LR is just covering the people they hire. If an LR tech makes a mistake, they'll cover it. If an Indie one does they won't.

All that aside. I fully get your point on reliable service at Indie versus JLR... regardless of if covered or not, you don't want an issue or frequency of issues, to begin with.

 

Indies dont have latest info on electronics, tools/procedire, recalls etc. I don't think they can flash firmware and do other things. I doubt they can even edit CCF files like some people here with few exceptions.
They can do brakes and oil change, probably.
I remember that nobody in Toronto area could rebuild my Volvo diff, not even specialized shops (eventually LR indie did).

 

The 21k miles first schedule maintenance should not cost $1200 at the dealership unless they add a bunch of other items that are not on the JLR prescribed list. If that's the case, just tell them to remove those items unless you actually want to have those things done as well.

IF not, call another JLR dealership.

Long interval oil change has been implemented for decade in Europe and 21k miles first oil change is not uncommon among various European brands.

More doesn't necessarily always mean better.

Speaking of oil, bmw eliminated the dipstick many years ago and rely on the computer to monitor and determine when the oil change is needed

This every 5k miles oil change practice that I see in the states is outdated. I changed the oil on my 2006 Audi 2.0T FSI every 10k miles (doubling the conventional wisdom) and it had over 200k miles when I sold it 10 years later. Never had any motor problem.

 

Heres to a long and reliable toyota like service life. If my 110 gets to 150k maybe 200k miles without an engine/ trans or similar catastrophic failure, ill be happy. So far only had minor ****les and repairs. Love my car. It makes me want to keep it and drive it into the ground.

 

Some overseas are pushing to 100K miles. Screenshot from chat.

 

Same here, l've bought my Defender outright and won't be able to buy another, l love the vehicle and intend to keep it for as long as it will last.

 

@NativeTexan - Where'd you take yours in for the service? I've done several of my own, but now that it's telling me I "need service" I'm thinking of bringing it in. I'd like to see what else they do.

 

Speaking of crazy JLR dealerships quotes, I requested one on parts and labor for the side steps, which then wanted them painted black in the areas where you step into, and the modern mud flaps. They wanted $6500. Hard pass.

 

Ouch.

If you decide to do this DIY style, Powerful UK has some great videos online.

 

Sewell in North Austin is way better than downtown in both service and sales in our experience.