Hello everyone, I am seriously thinking about jumping into the pool this spring and getting a Defender. I am really excited about it but also quite leery about the bad publicity LR receives (and yes I agree from perusing this board for awhile that this is mostly from people who have never owned an LR) So far I haven’t seen anything to scare me off. LOL I realize that these are high end vehicles - they are expensive - the insurance is more etc. But It’s kind of like getting a Dog - it’s not the purchase price of the dog …… it’s all the expense that comes later that a new dog owner probably doesn’t think about.

I have a few questions:

1. I believe the warranty is 4 years - 50,000 miles. Engine Oil - Brakes - Tires aside ….. are normal maintenance schedules covered? If not - what are the mileage markers for the LR maintenance schedules and what are the typical charges?
2. Is it true that LR does not offer their own extended warranty (only third party?) Would anyone be able to give me a ball park figure on what a 100K warranty would cost? And do you need to purchase when you purchase the vehicle? Or can you pull the trigger down the road?
3. Do dealers typically carry most common repair parts? And if the vehicle is “inoperable” and they have to order the part(s) do they typically offer a loaner vehicle? I’m guessing very dealer dependent…...
4. I see owners talking about getting oil changes at 21,000 miles. No matter the quality of oil - I don’t really understand this. Is there some “weird technology thing” about LR that this is acceptable?
5. Thinking about getting the “Heads up” windshield and I live in Colorado (lots of rocks chips) Is the windshiled different? Or is it just “projected” on to the windshield? Can a company like Safelite fix a rock chip on an LR? Can they calibrate? Or does it have to go to an LR dealer?

Sorry for all the questions - but I really appreciate any information provided! Happy New Year and be safe.

 

I also live in Colorado and hopefully can answer some questions.

1. Normal maintenance is not covered and is expensive ($750’ish for first scheduled maintenance), but infrequent. It simply doesn’t require a lot of short service intervals.
2. Extended warranties are all dealer offers during the financing “experience”. I would avoid all of them. Like a plague. They aren’t easily transferable unless you plan to stay in the area where you buy and even then, it’s mainly pure profit to the dealer and a big expense to you.
3. I use Land Rover Denver and they typically offer a loaner vehicle if I schedule in advance. You may have to wait a bit to get a service appointment but they have been good. This is not something I can say about the dealers when I lived in Houston.
4. There are long oil change intervals and it seems counterintuitive, but that is Land Rover’s recommended schedule and I have been sticking to it. I’ve only had one service interval so far on my 2020 Defender HSE.
5. The heads-up display project onto a spot on the driver’s side. I just replaced my windshield a couple of months ago. Safelite can do calibration upon replacement but they were so dismal to work with, I used the dealer to do mine. I have full glass replacement on my insurance so they paid for the whole thing. If you don’t have full glass replacement I would suggest getting it and making sure you don’t follow people so closely.

if you like the Defender, and it’s in your budget, get one. The negativity and ugly comments are often from non-Land Rover owners who “hear” they are unreliable. Mine has been absolutely reliable and I love driving it. My experience has been more the dealer makes or breaks the experience. The Houston Land Rover dealers break it, but my faith has been restored by Land Rover Denver. If you go there and need service, ask for Jessika Galbraith. She has been nothing but a joy.

 

I bought a 4 cyl 110 in September and love it. As for service intervals I plan on getting an oil change at 8500 miles. I had a great salesperson. I drove everything in its class and chose this- over an X5 and X7, Cayenne and Mercedes GLE.



QUOTE=Falstaff81;885902]Hello everyone, I am seriously thinking about jumping into the pool this spring and getting a Defender. I am really excited about it but also quite leery about the bad publicity LR receives (and yes I agree from perusing this board for awhile that this is mostly from people who have never owned an LR) So far I haven’t seen anything to scare me off. LOL I realize that these are high end vehicles - they are expensive - the insurance is more etc. But It’s kind of like getting a Dog - it’s not the purchase price of the dog …… it’s all the expense that comes later that a new dog owner probably doesn’t think about.

I have a few questions:

1. I believe the warranty is 4 years - 50,000 miles. Engine Oil - Brakes - Tires aside ….. are normal maintenance schedules covered? If not - what are the mileage markers for the LR maintenance schedules and what are the typical charges?
2. Is it true that LR does not offer their own extended warranty (only third party?) Would anyone be able to give me a ball park figure on what a 100K warranty would cost? And do you need to purchase when you purchase the vehicle? Or can you pull the trigger down the road?
3. Do dealers typically carry most common repair parts? And if the vehicle is “inoperable” and they have to order the part(s) do they typically offer a loaner vehicle? I’m guessing very dealer dependent…...
4. I see owners talking about getting oil changes at 21,000 miles. No matter the quality of oil - I don’t really understand this. Is there some “weird technology thing” about LR that this is acceptable?
5. Thinking about getting the “Heads up” windshield and I live in Colorado (lots of rocks chips) Is the windshiled different? Or is it just “projected” on to the windshield? Can a company like Safelite fix a rock chip on an LR? Can they calibrate? Or does it have to go to an LR dealer?

Sorry for all the questions - but I really appreciate any information provided! Happy New Year and be safe.[/QUOTE]