Up Pricing. When I read of the new Octo model, I thought “bad ***”!! So I asked my dealer here in Boerne if I could get on the list. They came back and told me yes, but there would be an “up charge” of $50,000!!!

I love to drive my 2021 Defender on and off road. Period. I hate the lack of reliability. Having almost 70k miles on my 110 HSE, I’ve had to have both headlights replaced recently because the running lights suddenly wouldn’t work. $3300 ea but I had the extended warranty. Both of my A pillar covers have blown off and they’ve had to flush the rear differential due to noice.

I hate to say that as soon as I find an alternative, I will leave Land Rover.

 

These aren't exactly "reliability" problems. Early cars had the DRLs go out as well as the A-pillar issue. The rear differential is supposed to be flushed at 63k miles per the owner's manual, but it really should be flushed before that. The rear diff clunking is just some friction. It is completely normal. JLR products have always been a higher-maintenance car than a Lexus or a BMW etc. Unless your car has broken down and left you stranded multiple times, Your complaints aren't exactly justified.

Also, the OCTA is a limited-edition product. There are only 1000 units coming to the US for MY25. It is more expensive because of the exclusivity, the fancy 6D suspension, as well as other mechanical differences.

 

While I appreciate the replied information, as a first time owner of a Land Rover product and 78 years old (so I have owned a lot of vehicles in my life), I very politely say that all of my issues came as a complete surprise and disappointment. To say that this is to be expected and live with it, as you have stated, is highly inappropriate.

As for the point of a limited edition, I thought that was the whole point of MSRP pricing and they start at $152,000. To add another 25% is a bit of greed in my estimation but everyone has their own opinion.

 

Ah, you didn't make it clear that they were adding a markup. Unfortunately that is something many dealers do, and there are people dumb enough to pay it. I completely agree that it is 100% greedy to significantly mark things up, especially when automakers tell dealers not to do it.

As for your problems, keep in mind that you have a second model year of a brand-new vehicle. There are always going to be small problems for the first year or two. Any bit of research into JLR would tell you that they are high-maintenance vehicles with not the best track record. We've had three Land Rovers since 2010, and all of them have required higher levels of maintenance than any American or German car we've owned. Its something you have to be willing to put up with. I don't mind it at all, because I love the brand and their products and I want to make sure my car is always maintained properly and taken care of.

 

Thanks for the reply. No one at the dealership advised me to expect issues with the Defender. I knew of the past history of reliability but took the plunge. I'm also on my third windshield and waited one year for new sunroof glass (damaged by a rock somehow). As I said in the beginning, love/hate but the up charge thing through me over the top to the decision to go a different direction. Not my vehicle.

 

a pillar and headlights.... lol AT lest it didn't grenade itself like previous LRs.
Windshield yes, a problem, but i have 4 cracks on my toyota windshield in 2 years.
I have basic lights and no sun roof (camping often, sunroof is a problem)