Grenadier Experience and measurements to L663
I would agree except it was designed by Magna Styer and is being built by the newest Mercedes Factory that is less than 5 years old. That should instill some confidence that it will be built right.
I don’t care who it was designed by or where it’s made. It’s a patchwork of systems assembled under a new manufacturer who has never launched a car before. I’ve read a good number of early adaptor reports regarding issues in everything from the gearbox to the electronics to activating the differentials. To say the Grenadier will outlast anything is a major stretch. Reliability is not something that can be marketed, it’s something that must be earned.
Generally I would agree that 1st year vehicles especially by a 1st year manufacturer would be a huge non starter, but the Grenadier is a bit different.
95% of the mechanical components are already tried and true. For better or worse, we have seen the BMW 6 mated to a zf for how long now?
Carraro, been around awhile, same with the lockers, the chassis builders, etc..
Minimal computer controls to go wrong also.
Calling it a "patchwork" of parts is a bit misleading.
I think the Defender is great. Ive been waiting 3 years to order one. I have the money, Ive been waiting for them to fix the many bugs in their finished product.
The first year the wind noise/windshield issue...I figured they would sort it out the next year.
They didnt.
Nor did they sort anything out.
So I figured I would order a 2024 but then find out I have to live with the base stereo and no rear sight or whatever on my 85K dollar truck.
Just the principle. Plus I dont think they sorted any issues from 1st year production, let alone 4th year production.
I honestly think LR could care less as long as they can push units out the door. Their customers keep buying them so why fix it?
The Defender is a great truck and it sure is pretty, but after 50k miles there aren't many people who keep them. (LRs)
So its true...we dont KNOW reliability on a vehicle not really even out yet, but we DO know the LR record and history.
IDK....
I do think the Grenadier is cool though.
95% of the mechanical components are already tried and true. For better or worse, we have seen the BMW 6 mated to a zf for how long now?
Carraro, been around awhile, same with the lockers, the chassis builders, etc..
Minimal computer controls to go wrong also.
Calling it a "patchwork" of parts is a bit misleading.
I think the Defender is great. Ive been waiting 3 years to order one. I have the money, Ive been waiting for them to fix the many bugs in their finished product.
The first year the wind noise/windshield issue...I figured they would sort it out the next year.
They didnt.
Nor did they sort anything out.
So I figured I would order a 2024 but then find out I have to live with the base stereo and no rear sight or whatever on my 85K dollar truck.
Just the principle. Plus I dont think they sorted any issues from 1st year production, let alone 4th year production.
I honestly think LR could care less as long as they can push units out the door. Their customers keep buying them so why fix it?
The Defender is a great truck and it sure is pretty, but after 50k miles there aren't many people who keep them. (LRs)
So its true...we dont KNOW reliability on a vehicle not really even out yet, but we DO know the LR record and history.
IDK....
I do think the Grenadier is cool though.
Generally I would agree that 1st year vehicles especially by a 1st year manufacturer would be a huge non starter, but the Grenadier is a bit different.
95% of the mechanical components are already tried and true. For better or worse, we have seen the BMW 6 mated to a zf for how long now?
Carraro, been around awhile, same with the lockers, the chassis builders, etc..
Minimal computer controls to go wrong also.
Calling it a "patchwork" of parts is a bit misleading.
I think the Defender is great. Ive been waiting 3 years to order one. I have the money, Ive been waiting for them to fix the many bugs in their finished product.
The first year the wind noise/windshield issue...I figured they would sort it out the next year.
They didnt.
Nor did they sort anything out.
So I figured I would order a 2024 but then find out I have to live with the base stereo and no rear sight or whatever on my 85K dollar truck.
Just the principle. Plus I dont think they sorted any issues from 1st year production, let alone 4th year production.
I honestly think LR could care less as long as they can push units out the door. Their customers keep buying them so why fix it?
The Defender is a great truck and it sure is pretty, but after 50k miles there aren't many people who keep them. (LRs)
So its true...we dont KNOW reliability on a vehicle not really even out yet, but we DO know the LR record and history.
IDK....
I do think the Grenadier is cool though.
95% of the mechanical components are already tried and true. For better or worse, we have seen the BMW 6 mated to a zf for how long now?
Carraro, been around awhile, same with the lockers, the chassis builders, etc..
Minimal computer controls to go wrong also.
Calling it a "patchwork" of parts is a bit misleading.
I think the Defender is great. Ive been waiting 3 years to order one. I have the money, Ive been waiting for them to fix the many bugs in their finished product.
The first year the wind noise/windshield issue...I figured they would sort it out the next year.
They didnt.
Nor did they sort anything out.
So I figured I would order a 2024 but then find out I have to live with the base stereo and no rear sight or whatever on my 85K dollar truck.
Just the principle. Plus I dont think they sorted any issues from 1st year production, let alone 4th year production.
I honestly think LR could care less as long as they can push units out the door. Their customers keep buying them so why fix it?
The Defender is a great truck and it sure is pretty, but after 50k miles there aren't many people who keep them. (LRs)
So its true...we dont KNOW reliability on a vehicle not really even out yet, but we DO know the LR record and history.
IDK....
I do think the Grenadier is cool though.
That factory has been there since 1997.
Sure, the Grenadier will last longer by virtue of it not having 23 computers, a a mild-hybrid supercharger, an extra turbo, navigation, a dozen cameras, a hundred sensors, adaptive cruise control, a gauge cluster, power mirrors...
Recirculating ball steering will certainly last forever. Someone above thought this might be good because they're getting older and looking for a "last car" or something - as long as you don't plan to turn much once the arthritis sets in.
Idk, I'm too spoiled by modernity. I had to admit I don't want a new old truck that probably drives like a Home Depot rental once you get above 75.
The Grenadier will last longer. Eating a paper towel would also last longer than eating some duck fat fries.
I don't want 13 mpg ever again unless it's in my boat.
If I mention my wife's Taycan EV that gets 240 miles of range, I'd get crucified with "that sucks, you're a moron for putting up with such limited range". But somehow it's okay for a truck to get 240 miles on a tank? No. F that. The Taycan charges at home every few days while we sleep. Have only charged twice on the road for 15 minutes each. Does anyone actually like to stop and get gas?
The Grenadier is an axe. Chopping wood is fun when you go camping. It would completely suck if it was a daily chore.
Recirculating ball steering will certainly last forever. Someone above thought this might be good because they're getting older and looking for a "last car" or something - as long as you don't plan to turn much once the arthritis sets in.
Idk, I'm too spoiled by modernity. I had to admit I don't want a new old truck that probably drives like a Home Depot rental once you get above 75.
The Grenadier will last longer. Eating a paper towel would also last longer than eating some duck fat fries.
I don't want 13 mpg ever again unless it's in my boat.
If I mention my wife's Taycan EV that gets 240 miles of range, I'd get crucified with "that sucks, you're a moron for putting up with such limited range". But somehow it's okay for a truck to get 240 miles on a tank? No. F that. The Taycan charges at home every few days while we sleep. Have only charged twice on the road for 15 minutes each. Does anyone actually like to stop and get gas?
The Grenadier is an axe. Chopping wood is fun when you go camping. It would completely suck if it was a daily chore.
Last edited by _Allegedly; Jun 2, 2023 at 08:20 PM.
I don’t care who it was designed by or where it’s made. It’s a patchwork of systems assembled under a new manufacturer who has never launched a car before. I’ve read a good number of early adaptor reports regarding issues in everything from the gearbox to the electronics to activating the differentials. To say the Grenadier will outlast anything is a major stretch. Reliability is not something that can be marketed, it’s something that must be earned.
I am also a founding member on the largest ineos forum. The electrical gremlins are no different than what the L663 faced. A software update will get rid of the electrical issues which are the warning lights. Here is the thing, people have been able to use the vehicle even with the warning lights. The locker issue is a non issue, it had been figured out. We expected the locker would lock up as soon as you press the button. What we have found out is you need some wheel spin for it to lock. Main reason is the locker sensor is tied to the wheel and not the axel. We all agree it would have made more sense to tie it to the axel but the engineering has their reasons. There has been no issues with the gear box. The transfer case is stiff and people are realizing that it takes more force the first few times. After that, it is muscle memory and lubed up and has been a non issue. The IG had been peoples for 6 months at most. Like l663, we are figuring it out. Reilablity is something we will see in a few years. Nothing is guaranteed except having problems with your LR once you get out of warranty. Just kidding.
Last edited by ADVAW8S; Jun 2, 2023 at 08:09 PM.
you seem like someone that is life of the party. I've been a owner of a L663 since mid 2020 and been very happy. I will also say the same teething problems the Grenadier is same problem many of us dealt with in beginning and as you seen on the forum, ask our very own @GavinC how he felt when his hybrid system left him stranded on side road with his family. Or how about the people who had all the electrical gremlins who had warning signs flash on our screen for multiple issues.
I am also a founding member on the largest ineos forum. The electrical gremlins are no different than what the L663 faced. A software update will get rid of the electrical issues which are the warning lights. Here is the thing, people have been able to use the vehicle even with the warning lights. The locker issue is a non issue, it had been figured out. We expected the locker would lock up as soon as you press the button. What we have found out is you need some wheel spin for it to lock. Main reason is the locker sensor is tied to the wheel and not the axel. We all agree it would have made more sense to tie it to the axel but the engineering has their reasons. There has been no issues with the gear box. The transfer case is stiff and people are realizing that it takes more force the first few times. After that, it is muscle memory and lubed up and has been a non issue. The IG had been peoples for 6 months at most. Like l663, we are figuring it out. Reilablity is something we will see in a few years. Nothing is guaranteed except having problems with your LR once you get out of warranty. Just kidding.
I am also a founding member on the largest ineos forum. The electrical gremlins are no different than what the L663 faced. A software update will get rid of the electrical issues which are the warning lights. Here is the thing, people have been able to use the vehicle even with the warning lights. The locker issue is a non issue, it had been figured out. We expected the locker would lock up as soon as you press the button. What we have found out is you need some wheel spin for it to lock. Main reason is the locker sensor is tied to the wheel and not the axel. We all agree it would have made more sense to tie it to the axel but the engineering has their reasons. There has been no issues with the gear box. The transfer case is stiff and people are realizing that it takes more force the first few times. After that, it is muscle memory and lubed up and has been a non issue. The IG had been peoples for 6 months at most. Like l663, we are figuring it out. Reilablity is something we will see in a few years. Nothing is guaranteed except having problems with your LR once you get out of warranty. Just kidding.
I didn’t bring up the Defender or excuse JLR’s problems. I’m sorry to hear Gavin was stranded, that sucks. Hell, I wish JLR would recognize these problems more than anybody. The last thing I want is to be faced with something like a $4k LED replacement because mine crapped out at 50,001 miles.
Back to the Grenadier, all I said was any claims about reliability are speculation. I too have followed this development since the announcement and have been closely watching the track record via Facebook groups, there are real problems for a vehicle touted as having a 30 year lifespan. It’s not a knock on the car, I hope it’s badass as a fellow enthusiast.
Happy Friday
Last edited by EchorecT7E; Jun 2, 2023 at 08:35 PM.
...ask our very own @GavinC how he felt when his hybrid system left him stranded on side road with his family.
As others have mentioned.
It's more expensive than I anticipated by a lot
It's more expensive than my P400 SE which has rear locker and all the off-road chops
It does not appear that is as billed, a cheap to mod platform
It's wading depth is worse at a paltry 800mm
It does not (as I mistakenly thought at time of ordering) have a factory snorkel. RAIs can **** right off.
It has inferior departure, approach and break-over angles to my Defender
I think it looks great. I love that it comes with factory lockers and sliders. The winch too but that's a lot pricier than anticipated.
I love that it comes on 17" rims albeit with tires that are too small. Less than 32" on the 17" rim. 32" on the 18" rim
I would have a lot of fun with one.
I'm indifferent to live axle v IFS/IRS
I've hd no problems with my air suspension. very useful for me. I couldn't fit a Grenadier in my garage with ski-rack AFAIK
I do like the simple approach when it comes to mirrors and suspension components though.
I think buyers will be very happy with their Grenadiers. I'll not be among them unfortunately (or fortunately)


