There have been major alignment problems, I posted my Jan 08 90 with totally misaligned shell.

Got a few comments on here calling me too fussy (because windows did not fit and I could not open some of the doors) and some sympathy.

I don't think anyone should be in any doubt, buying a new Defender at the moment is nothing more than a lottery. The chances of you getting a straight one seem less good than ever.

I cannot imagine the type of control and supervision on the Defender line. Outwardly it would seem that they are being thrown together and delivered to you with absolutely no quality of work or subsequent checking.

My unit was a disgrace and from the pictures I've seen here things are worse than when Red Robbo was in charge.

Land Rover have never contacted me regarding the bent one, and the other blue bent unit that followed it. How the company can afford all the post rectification work is beyond me. Mine was so bad that when LR asked the dealer to fix it they refused.

I have an Indian Tafe tractor and the build quality and consistency is miles better than a Defender. I think the workforce and management on the Defender line have got a big shock coming. I can't see Tata standing for this.

If you have a Defender on order check all the alignment carefully before handing over your cheque. In particular the B pillars and their alignment with roof and lower door areas.

My April 08 new 'straight' one (in black) has developed rust on the corner of the bulkhead, and on the rear of the bonnet. There is a clonk selecting 3rd and a transmission clunk which the dealer says will get better. I'm delighted with it compared to the other ones! Just fitted some fab tyres, 265 `General Grabbers, very sticky, thanks AJS!
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Simon D

Glad I'm not the only one.

I have had 2 duffers and will not touch one again I'm afraid. Gone back in a D3 HSE and it's fabulous.
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Andy

110 2.4d XS CSW

CFB wrote:

Glad I'm not the only one.

I have had 2 duffers and will not touch one again I'm afraid. Gone back in a D3 HSE and it's fabulous.

mse wrote:

I have a feeling that the money saving approach to keep ford's favour has hit a little too hard.

Mine cost me nearly £20k in lost revenue. I pissed off a lot of my customers that have been with me since the beginning due to a vehicle that is not designed or put together properly. Sad but true. Gone back to Td5's now as I find them a lot more of a 'solid' motor, driveline probs are minimal to non existant

Same story with the transit vans, too much downtime. Sent 6 back, got refund, walked straight into Mercs and bought new sprinters. Had them before, tried the transit as the deals seemed unbeatable but by f k it cost me dear in the long run

i dont think they are that bad - there is always a bad few in any car.
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Mike
2.4TDCi 90CWS XS
300TDi Discovery

don't think the Defender and D3 are made in the same building did not see it last week when i was there

Yes they are. And the FFRR and RRS as well. It's only the Freelanders that are made elsewhere (Halewood). The Defenders have their own little area towards the rear (from where you enter on a tour) which is the only part of the final assembly area that actually looks like a mechanic's workshop. It's like you time warp back 50 years when you enter that part of the factory - lots of rubber mallet work.
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2007 Defender 110
1970 Alfa Romeo 1750GTV

RLD wrote:

don't think the Defender and D3 are made in the same building did not see it last week when i was there

Quote:

Same story with the transit vans, too much downtime. Sent 6 back, got refund, walked straight into Mercs and bought new sprinters. Had them before, tried the transit as the deals seemed unbeatable but by f k it cost me dear in the long run