Are they really this bad? (Software, electrical gremlins...)

[DirtBuddha]

First Post here. I want to buy a Grenadier and have been doing my research for several weeks now, but am getting put off by all the references to software glitches, electrical gremlins and so on. For example, the screen grabs below are from less than 5 minutes browsing a couple of Grenadier Facebook Groups yesterday. This does not instill confidence.

I'm keen to hear real-life owner reports.... do IG's suffer from software and electrical issues like this much?

And are the petrol versions any more reliable than the diesels? I would imagine that since petrols have no DPF, AdBlue and all that junk then maybe they are... but many of the electrical/software issues don't seem to relate to the engine but the car in general.

 

[Tenac]

Those glitches and quirks and problems are from real owners... Do they suffer from software issues Yes without a doubt. Electrical only issue I know of is when you are doing a brake controller addon. The B58 is the best platform for any similar option on the market. Hence why Toyota even uses it. Honestly the only issue that would keep me from being a repeat buyer would be the Front Driveshaft issue.

 

[Granite Deer]

These responses are both true:

1. Online forums bring out problem reports. For every person posting something positive, ten people are griping. It's the nature of online and rarely offers a balanced perspective.

2. If those problem reports put you off, then you might be considering the wrong vehicle, as this is a brand new model from a brand new manufacturer. Buy the second model model year of an existing vehicle from an established manufacturer.

The are problems, but the vehicle is incredibly well-built. It is a fantastic daily driver for me. Ineos is figuring it out as they go, and ownership will require some patience.

 

[landmannnn]

My early model had the door seals and locks replaced. The only other issue being a cheap plastic connector on the diesel EGR. These were replaced on an Ineos campaign for a redesigned version.
No software glitches, heater works, no problems with the driveshafts.

 

[Dokatd]

For me, the worst part is the trucks handling. I never really had too much of a problem with software. Granted there were some issues and mine is certainly not perfect. But the handling and front shaft issues are real. The handling issues can be adapted to or largely corrected. The drive shaft issue has yet to be solved. Though I am cautiously optimistic that it will be handled in the coming weeks or months.

This truck is not special and shouldn't be held to any different standards. People here and there will tell you it's some hard core old school military grade machine that is just going to handle as it does. But being a collector of hard core, old school military machines both vastly bigger and even smaller than the Grenadier I can say non drive as shit as the Grenadier when it comes to steering etc. But at least the Grenadier is more comfortable

 

[Commodore]

First Post here. I want to buy a Grenadier and have been doing my research for several weeks now, but am getting put off by all the references to software glitches, electrical gremlins and so on. For example, the screen grabs below are from less than 5 minutes browsing a couple of Grenadier Facebook Groups yesterday. This does not instill confidence.

I'm keen to hear real-life owner reports.... do IG's suffer from software and electrical issues like this much?

And are the petrol versions any more reliable than the diesels? I would imagine that since petrols have no DPF, AdBlue and all that junk then maybe they are... but many of the electrical/software issues don't seem to relate to the engine but the car in general.

Go look on any forum. Jeeps are earring camshaft’s, Toyotas GMs are blowing engines. Fords have cam phasers going bad. Forums have a self selection bias.

I have 22,000 miles on mine. It’s been good. Had the HVAC issue fixed but that isn’t an issue with the newer builds

 

[ryket]

I'm keen to hear real-life owner reports.... do IG's suffer from software and electrical issues like this much?

Yes and no. There are some software issues but they're generally not a big deal and shouldn't stop you buying IF you like it. The rest of the car is mostly solid and reliable. The front driveshaft issue is a real problem but I believe it's only affecting lifted vehicles.

The gas/petrol engine is detuned so it should last longer than other B58s.

 

[OkGo]

Drive both, diesel and petrol. Both the engines are good. But the diesel feels right.

The car is a good collection of parts, some issues with assembly and some issues with things like the front drive shaft. There are a few things with the software, and the heating/cooling is a bit of a hit/miss and there were(are?) a few build quality issues.

Think about why you want one, what will you do with it. If the requirements match, it's a good buy. If not, you will regret an expensive investment every day of your ownership. The Grenadier is not a generic all around okay car. It's really only worth buying if you will use it use it.

IMHO

 

[Dokatd]

Drive both, diesel and petrol. Both the engines are good. But the diesel feels right.

The car is a good collection of parts, some issues with assembly and some issues with things like the front drive shaft. There are a few things with the software, and the heating/cooling is a bit of a hit/miss and there were(are?) a few build quality issues.

Think about why you want one, what will you do with it. If the requirements match, it's a good buy. If not, you will regret an expensive investment every day of your ownership. The Grenadier is not a generic all around okay car. It's really only worth buying if you will use it use it.

IMHO

Genuinely curious, if one were to Use it Use it what would that mean. It's based on a vehicle that was ultimately used for everything from Plumbers to overlanders, farmers, flower shop owners etc etc. so is the Grenadier just an off-roader or should it be treated like the old Defender and act as an all around vehicle for town and country.

 

[Granite Deer]

Genuinely curious, if one were to Use it Use it what would that mean. It's based on a vehicle that was ultimately used for everything from Plumbers to overlanders, farmers, flower shop owners etc etc. so is the Grenadier just an off-roader or should it be treated like the old Defender and act as an all around vehicle for town and country.

Great question, and why I bought it. I'll never rock crawl with the thing, but I'll use it for getting across my unpaved property, hauling, loading, moving, and just generally working. That's if my 2 large dogs will let me when they aren't using it.

I had a Wrangler and a Bronco (Sasquatch). Didn't enjoy either of them. Those pivot so hard to technical 4x4 enthusiasts that they lost the ability to tow. Or ride pleasantly. Or be tolerable for people in the back seat. The Grenadier is so much better of an all-rounder.

There are a few YouTube channels from people using them as hard-working farm trucks. Low-traction, heavy towing, filthy animals aboard. I appreciate those more than channels that show maximum wheel articulation on a stump.

 

[Dokatd]

Great question, and why I bought it. I'll never rock crawl with the thing, but I'll use it for getting across my unpaved property, hauling, loading, moving, and just generally working. That's if my 2 large dogs will let me when they aren't using it.

I had a Wrangler and a Bronco (Sasquatch). Didn't enjoy either of them. Those pivot so hard to technical 4x4 enthusiasts that they lost the ability to tow. Or ride pleasantly. Or be tolerable for people in the back seat. The Grenadier is so much better of an all-rounder.

There are a few YouTube channels from people using them as hard-working farm trucks. Low-traction, heavy towing, filthy animals aboard. I appreciate those more than channels that show maximum wheel articulation on a stump.

I very much agree with your perception of use. I think that's a solid mind set. With that I would suggest that the truck should be pleasant to drive from farm to market. Even if the market means a highway. So the desire to have these things drive well on the highway is not so far fetched. They aren't just for driving the trail of tears.

 

[Eric]

Those glitches and quirks and problems are from real owners... Do they suffer from software issues Yes without a doubt. Electrical only issue I know of is when you are doing a brake controller addon. The B58 is the best platform for any similar option on the market. Hence why Toyota even uses it. Honestly the only issue that would keep me from being a repeat buyer would be the Front Driveshaft issue.

You can strike brake controller issues out for UK and EU, where overrun brakes are used. Any issues with these are brought about with the software not liking the lights, it has to deal with tungsten, LED and sometimes a mix of both.

 

[DirtBuddha]

So my intended use is for overland trips/expeditions of up to a month or two, in Morocco/Africa, remote parts of Eastern Europe etc.

My wife and I need a vehicle that is comfortable to drive very long distances but also extremely dependable and capable off road.

I've owned several old Defenders before, and a couple of Land Cruisers, and am very capable mechanically. However, I'm not good with electrics and besides, any vehicle that either needs sophisticated diagnostic software and a laptop to fix, or worse, must be returned to a dealer to be fixed, is not something I'm willing to risk when stuck in the middle of the Sahara desert, or miles from anywhere in a remote area.

 

[DirtBuddha]

And threads like this don't help build my confidence... https://www.theineosforum.com/threads/software-issues.12420238/

 

[Jeremy996]

So my intended use is for overland trips/expeditions of up to a month or two, in Morocco/Africa, remote parts of Eastern Europe etc.

My wife and I need a vehicle that is comfortable to drive very long distances but also extremely dependable and capable off road.

I've owned several old Defenders before, and a couple of Land Cruisers, and am very capable mechanically. However, I'm not good with electrics and besides, any vehicle that either needs sophisticated diagnostic software and a laptop to fix, or worse, must be returned to a dealer to be fixed, is not something I'm willing to risk when stuck in the middle of the Sahara desert, or miles from anywhere in a remote area.

If you really want a vehicle without electronic gizmos, you will need to buy an old one, 300Tdi Land Rover Defender, 70 Series Cruiser and the like. No old school vehicle can meet the emissions requirements over the time mandated, so electronics are compulsory.
Electronics, after the initial burn-in period, are normally very reliable, so are often not the weakest link.
My Grenadiers have only left me stranded once and that was driver error, (I drowned it; documented on here); I have had minior software issues, dodgy HVAC, water ingress, the lock recall and the plastic rod recall, all dealer sorted, but otherwise it has been the most fault free of the vehicles I have owned.

My wife has a large fund of tales, mostly of the "When I had to push the Land Rover" variety, (Disneyland Paris, Le Shuttle, Channel Tunnel, car parks in Cumbria and Northern France). So far, the Grenadier has not incurred the spousal wrath!