Gaza wrote:

Renault own Nissan hence the engine sharing. The lump in the Pathfinder and Navarro is an old design that has been pushed to the limits and consequently has had a large number of failures. The failure rate in the Navarro is very high probably because they are driven by people who have no interest in them and hammer them constantly. Is there something in the Navarro handbook that says when on a motorway the thing must be driven drive flat in the outside lane?

The Navarro and the Pathfinder are essentially the same vehicle with the same platform and mechanicals and a lot of shared interior trim.

I took one around the 4x4 course at Bedford Aerodrome a couple of years ago and it was very capable. As others have noted the engine sounds as though it wws from a Routemaster bus.

NJF wrote:

scoobystiv8,

You're plainly and probably reasonably upset but also atypical. I tell lots of people how poor I think my Mercs have been (12 years' ownership; 3 cars) and how much I have enjoyed my Land Rovers (5 years; two cars; 1991 110 CSW and 2007 D3 HSE). Nuff said?

scoobystiv8 wrote:

Unfortunately my comparisons are my Subarus which just dont break, and now the Pathfinder which again is out performing Land Rover.

Strange cause my mate works for nissan (he sells company lease deals) and he says that most pathfinders that he has had out on contract have been returned before the deal is up because they are either, a: not fit for purpose or b: break down far too often.

As for subaru i had one when i was in my early 20's and i could only ever manage about 15mpg, i hardly call that good economics!!

This is only my 2nd LR but in the year i've owned it has only ever been in the garage once, for 2 days, thats better than when i had the subaru because my local dealer, like LR, could never get parts.

Thats my opinion, and like everybody will have/know of good and bad in both brands.

MelanieH wrote:

I've also got a merc, which after 9,000 miles - the 7 speed tiptronic gearbox went....

(nearly)

MelanieH, did you have problems with a low-speed shudder, perhaps preceded by the 'box "hunting" up and down the gears at very low speed? My September 2006 320CDi is doing that now, even after a dealer reset. I'm hoping it will last until September this year, when the lease expires and (global financial Armageddon permitting) I can switch to a D4. It's a pity, because in all other respects the car is really superb, and I'd buy it if I thought it would be reliable. I heard that the problem is still linked to the way that the gearbox intercooler runs through the main radiator matrix ... made by Valeo?

ayrshiredisco wrote:

scoobystiv8 wrote:

Unfortunately my comparisons are my Subarus which just dont break, and now the Pathfinder which again is out performing Land Rover.

Strange cause my mate works for nissan (he sells company lease deals) and he says that most pathfinders that he has had out on contract have been returned before the deal is up because they are either, a: not fit for purpose or b: break down far too often.

As for subaru i had one when i was in my early 20's and i could only ever manage about 15mpg, i hardly call that good economics!!

This is only my 2nd LR but in the year i've owned it has only ever been in the garage once, for 2 days, thats better than when i had the subaru because my local dealer, like LR, could never get parts.

Thats my opinion, and like everybody will have/know of good and bad in both brands.

I am not into fuel economy, hence I had the D3 V8. I am only protraying my 10 years of Land rover ownership, I am not saying the Nissan is perfect, just its more reliable in my case. I dont buy cars for economics, my subarus which I have had 4 have never let me down, 2 covered in excess of 150K Forester Turbo and Impreza UK Turbo. If you look at most reliability surveys I think you will find alot of unhappy owners, Nisan is not perfect but for over 10K less than a LR se spec it makes sense especially when its bought and paid for, also wont lose as much money. I paid 14K for my Aventura which is specced as per HSE, I can keep it for 2 years and sell without losing much money and without all the breakdowns. Any Nissan mechanic will tell you the problems are with Navars D22s not the Pathfinders or D40 Navaras. I have alot to do with the motor industry and have a fair knowledge of what works and what doesnt. Again its each to there own.

scoobystiv8 wrote:

I have alot to do with the motor industry and have a fair knowledge of what works and what doesnt. Again its each to there own.

Not enough to get yourself a decent dealer to sort out your everyday D3 problems though eh