Car shopping and a 2025 Defender is definitely in the mix. Whether it be a well optioned X Dynamic SE, an X or a P500 is up for discussion. I’ve seen posts here and elsewhere that the V8 isn’t as reliable as the P400. Would like to learn more - is that true, or not?

 

The LR V8 has been around for a long time and has proven to be a reliable engine. The P400 is also a good engine.

 

Have 2 p400s and a 2010 jag xfr with one of the original p525s and traded in a 2015 RRS auto with p525. No problem with any of them.

 

It seems some of the problems are caused by lack of regular maintenance

 

Lack of maintenance and proper care is always cause of trouble.

 

With the Defender, there’s really no wrong answer. The P300 I4, P400 I6 and P500/P525 V8 are all excellent. The V8 is notorious for timing chain issues and coolant crossover pipes. Timing chain issues can be easily avoided by changing your oil every 5000-7500 miles instead of the recommended 15000 mile intervals. I had an LR4 with the NA 5.0 V8, and I changed my oil every 5000 miles and never had any issues with the timing chains in the 10 years and 95000 miles I put on it. Crossover pipes deteriorate every 3-5 years and it’s an expensive fix. They did update the design, though, and it appears to be significantly more robust. There are also aftermarket metal coolant lines that are available. Overall, if you take care of it, do your oil changes every 7500 miles at a maximum, you’ll be fine.

 

I like the P525 engine and had one in my last Ranger Rover Supercharged. My only gripe with it is the weak point of the coolant crossover pipes which seem to go out every 30k miles or 3-5 years and as previously stated is not a cheap fix and not something I really want to add to the regular maintenance of the engine if I'm going to keep it.