About to buy a Freelander - any tips welcome!

Hi All,

I'm a long time car nut just realising the fun my family and I can have with a 4x4, so we've decided to get a Freelander. It's a 2nd car so the max price is £4k which probably means an 02 model.

We're after a 3 door, does anyone have any tips for us newbies to help find a good car? I'm thinking transfer boxes, engine issues (I wanted a diesel but it looks like the 1.8 petrol is most likely) etc - really anything we need to look out for. Any advice gratefully received.

Sorry if I'm posting this in the wrong place, haven't had time yet to get round the site properly.

Thanks for any help

Ashley

Do NOT touch a 1.8 or a V6

:5biagree:

The Mad Hat Man said:

Do NOT touch a 1.8

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you can touch it, but don't buy it.

yes avoid petrol freelanders.

Thanks guys. OK, that's knocked a hole in my plans! What about the 2.5L V6 - any better??

Ashleys64 said:

Thanks guys. OK, that's knocked a hole in my plans! What about the 2.5L V6 - any better??

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no, still a petrol .

if you have your heart set on one........ diesel

The issue you have is the budget you want to spend means with the 1.8 versions you'll be at risk of ending up with someone else's problem car. Great engine when introduced, should never have been stretched to the bigger sizes and shoved into the likes of the freebie. The KV6 can be bullet proof at its core but is let down by weaknesses such as the VIS valve palarva (easier and nowhere near as expensive to fix than some will have you believe), plus they have to be serviced properly, and never, ever, run them in less than top notch oil changed no more than 10k. The oil burner is the best option, but look at the history, be very careful if it's patchy or non-existent for the last few years, ask about the running gear as well as check it over thoroughly and be prepared to batter them hard on price. If you're not awkward and picky then you'll be far more likely to buy a pup.

Beezlebub, thanks, appreciate the advice. As you say budget is a restriction and I could be faced with a choice of a 55k miles 1.8 or a 120k mile diesel... tricky choice. Also there are quite a few V6's out there, and much as I love bigger engines, I think I might end up spending a lot on gas, not to say maintenance. Back to the drawing board.....

120k diesel everytime

Ashleys64 said:

Hi All,

I'm a long time car nut just realising the fun my family and I can have with a 4x4, so we've decided to get a Freelander. It's a 2nd car so the max price is £4k which probably means an 02 model.

We're after a 3 door, does anyone have any tips for us newbies to help find a good car? I'm thinking transfer boxes, engine issues (I wanted a diesel but it looks like the 1.8 petrol is most likely) etc - really anything we need to look out for. Any advice gratefully received.

Sorry if I'm posting this in the wrong place, haven't had time yet to get round the site properly.

Thanks for any help

Ashley

Click to expand...

Read the freelander stickies and main threads and you'll never go for a petrol!! It's a couple of hours time well spent

Ashleys64 said:

Thanks guys. OK, that's knocked a hole in my plans! What about the 2.5L V6 - any better??

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refer to post #2.

Only ever consider a doozil and even then take great care.

Ashleys64 said:

Beezlebub, thanks, appreciate the advice. As you say budget is a restriction and I could be faced with a choice of a 55k miles 1.8 or a 120k mile diesel... tricky choice. Also there are quite a few V6's out there, and much as I love bigger engines, I think I might end up spending a lot on gas, not to say maintenance. Back to the drawing board.....

Click to expand...

You've answered your own question in a way. The KV6 can have a raging thirst if you've got a bit of a heavy foot, and compared the the 1.8 the oil burner is much better bet.

Don't get tied up about mileage, it's a bit of a misnomer really. How well the motor has been looked after and what has been done to it is way more important. Take your time is the best advice, you'll drop on something decent.