Thanks Freddie 17. Any help or advice will always be accepted by me, so thanks. I"m so used to my 5door Serengeti TD4 Auto which we have had for over 7 years that I cant get over how rough the 3 door is compared to our 5 door. Our Serengeti starts on the button no matter what the temperature is but this TD4 Sport is a bitch to start. The bloke I bought it off cheershad the IRD/VCU sorted just before I bought it.
He's told you a pack of lies, or doesn't know anything about Freelanders - probably both.
He states that he has sorted the IRD/VCU - but it is running mismatched tyres. The 2 do not compute. Running mismatched tyres is the fastest way, apart from running 1 with no air in, to kill a VCU & IRD.
Lets hope the odd 1 tyre was replaced just before you got it to pass a MOT.
Don't use the car until you have all he tyres replaced with the same make/model of tyre - and, as stated, done a 1 wheel up test. Also change the oils in the IRD and diff - make sure they come out looking like oil, not a grey/metallic mess.
If the bangs and other noises only occur over rough ground, rather than on level but when turning, then the transmission (IRD/VCU/diff) is hopefully OK. There will be something worn with the suspension (unless there's something rattling around in the fish tank!). I'd have thought this was difficult to diagnose remotely over the forum. I'd have thought you need to get a local & trusted garage to look over it if you can't identify the problem yourself. It may be something cheap and simple, like drop links, that once resolved, give a ride to match the aesthetic condition of the car. It may of course be something more serious, but hopefully not.
As for the poor cold starting, common problems would be the old chestnuts of lift pump, HP pump pressure regulator solenoid O rings or rail fuel pressure sensor wiring/connector. First check point would be to plug in a diagnostics tool and check the low and high fuel pressures. What they should be I don't remember, but they will be on here (should be a sticky thread!).
