I remember the day someone told me about the Grenadier about two years ago. I researched the car and followed the updates prior to finding the exact one that I wanted. I drove over 100 miles with my father to look at it. He was so excited for me. It was honestly a day I'll never forget (that's worth $90K, but not this car)
Let me also begin by saying how much I love this car. I love that it's utilitarian, it's low geared, I love it's aesthetic and the ethos behind the company / car. I love everything about it.... but then I bought one.
The Build:
*Scottish White
*Smooth and Rough Pack
*black leather seats
*saddle leather package
*High aux package
*Tow package
*18" steels / KO2's
Notwithstanding the foregoing, this has been my experience in the six (6) weeks that I have had my Grenadier:
The Issues:
[Please see photos and videos of all issues indicated below]
*ALL door seals have had to be replaced:
The dealer represented and warranted at time of delivery that ALL seals (i.e., doors, rear cargo, safari windows) were all water tight and had been tested twice.
However, all of them leak.
Having the experiences below, there is absolutely no way that the dealer could not have been aware of this issue. It is absolutely blatant.
*The Safari Windows leak:
They leak into the headliner, electronics, dashboard, and footwell from what I can tell so far.
Water flooded into the car from behind the rear view mirror, passenger door footwell and headliner. I had used my very low pressure hose to get rid of bird droppings; no car wash, no high pressure wash. A hose. Now, the interior is ruined... after 6 weeks.
*Headliner Stain:
Headliner permanently stained and dealer says i'll have to live with it.
I will not "live with this". As a $90K car, why would I even have to be dealing with this?
The previous car I had, the dealer and manufacturer bent over backwards to make sure that you were happy and that the car was 100%. This has been the OPPOSITE experience.
*Paint Gouge & "globby" undisclosed fix:
Approx two weeks after purchase, I noticed that the dealer covered up a gouge in the paint on the driver door with what looks like nail polish (photo attached). It's GLOBBED on. Dealer says if I want the original factory paint then there's nothing he can do. He can re paint the door but no guarantee re: color match. Unacceptable.
*Interior damage was present at delivery (I did not see it and the dealer did not disclose):
The driver side door appears to have scratch marks as if someone took a knife to it. One very long scratch is at driver side knee area is present. I only noticed it upon opening up the door to show a friend the car and she spotted the scratches.
The dealer begrudgingly offered to replace parts a month ago. No response. They don't pick up or call back.
Today I connected with them and they won't ship my local dealer the parts, I have to drive 150 miles to where I purchased the car to pick them up and have them installed.
This is unacceptable as this should never have passed inspection in the first place and now the dealer is telling me that they never told me that they would ship the parts to my local Ineos dealer.
Why is it that I have to get audibly upset in order to have anything done with these Ineos dealers and the company itself? I don't want to be that person, but I have no issue with doing so should the circumstances require.
*Rear Cargo area leaks:
Leak occurs even when doors are closed. Rubber gasket is warped beyond belief.
*Used parts provided and represented as "new":
Dealer offered to "throw in" rubber floor mats as the car has carpet, which I did not want, however, the rubber mats he provided were USED. They were not sealed and when I told him that they appeared used, he made unacceptable excuses.
*Driver Seat Fails to Engage:
Driver seat doesn't engage OR it engages when I have had to stop suddenly - point being that I pushed the seat back and forth hard to make sure the seat was locked and by all means I thought it was. However, it wasn't, and I didn't know until it could have been too late. The seat also engages "one click" to the left or the right. IMO, the "unengagement" of the seat poses a serious risk of injury, death, etc.
*Electronics have the usual quirks
*Carpetting is not cut properly and EVERYTHING sticks to it. It costs approx. $5-6K to install the plastic flooring
*Grinding Noise (rear drive train):
This is concerning. At low RPM's, when I tap the accelerator and let go, just before I stop I hear a grinding noise. Some think it's the exhaust, however, the "grinding" vs "exhaust" note has become more pronounced.
*Saddle Leather Steering Wheel:
Buttons are "squishy" and a new steering wheel had to be ordered. I've owned the car 6 weeks and it needs a new steering wheel. Interesting.
Costs:
*Steering Wheel: $2,000
*Door Re-Paint quote (likely higher): $5,000
*Door Seals: Labor plus parts I would venture $2,000. Despite warranty these seals cost plenty as anyone who's bought parts from Ineos.
Labor for all repairs: $200/hr // Nearly $10,000
Steering wheel - "One day"
Door Seals - "One day"
Paint - 3-4 days work
Grinding Noise - 1 hr for inspection and unknown for repair
Seat - unknown but Recaro seats are expensive and with the news of the company's bankruptcy this could result in all seats requiring replacement
New Headliner - unknown but the entire headliner requires replacement + labor costs
Electronic Damage - unknown but the water got into the electronics
My point here is not to bash the Grenadier. I have wanted this vehicle for over two years. After 6 weeks, it's been nothing but problems, lies, driving to the dealer, waiting for parts.... Is that $90,000 gets you these days?
I also write this hoping that Jim Radcliffe himself sees how his company via the NA dealers are treating his customers. They are making you feel "lucky" to have the opportunity to give them your money and when something goes wrong, poof you can't get ahold of anyone to fix the issue. Again, all of these issues have occurred before I will make my second payment.
So, what will I do about this? Get all warranty work done and continually attempt to relay my experiences to the owner of this company. I am an enthusiast, not someone who wanted a less expensive G Wagon. This is unacceptable and a car that is "Purpose Built" cannot even remain water proof against a hose.
Full video of rear cargo area leaking is available upon request (file too large).
Please note that many dealers on the forum have tried to remove my post. Food for thought.
