Freelander Newbie Here

Hi everyone,
Just recently bought a 2001 (Y) 2.0 Td4 GS 5dr Automatic Freelander, initial feeling is I like the car a lot but already I've noticed water collecting in the toolbox compartment which a check here reveals may be due to back door seal failure, I've also noticed it's a bit damp in the front seat passenger glove box, not sure why that is. Apart from that (touch wood) everything else seems ok but I could be wrong.
Looking through the Freelander Forum here and on another site they appear to have a lot of problems to the point were some people positively discourage people from buying one, surely there not that bad, afterall I see lots of them on the road. My car will not be used for off road purposes just everyday use like going to work (26 miles round trip) nipping to the shops, transporting the family around here and there, we do like going to the Lake District which is only an hour or so drive from where we live, I will be pulling a small trailer now and again or bike trailer so I'm hoping for a reliable trusty relationship to develop between me and the Freelander or is that just wishful thinking on my part.

Hello and welcome mcbiker

Welcome to the fray, good choice of vehicle, the TD4 is the pick of the bunch and the auto is the easuiest for towingand offroad.

mcbiker said:

I've also noticed it's a bit damp in the front seat passenger glove box

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Not sure about that. The passenger foot well can get damp because of a leak in the heater matrix or a gap in the valence or rubber trim along the base of the wiondscreen.

Looking through the Freelander Forum here and on another site they appear to have a lot of problems to the point were some people positively discourage people from buying one, surely there not that bad, afterall I see lots of them on the road.

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If you want a fright, look at the Defender or Discovery forum, just as many owners witgh problems. The same goes for any make of car, really, if you need help on a forum it is going to be a problem.

Certainly the Freelander 1 was the car that saved Land Rover in the late 90's, anmd for many years the best selling 4x4 in UK and Europe. It's an easy target for good natured ribbing from other LR owners, but there are plenty of owners who can demonstarte its suprising capabilities off road - plus on road comfort and 40mpg!

That said, there are two big flaws. The Rover K-series engine (1.8i in the Freelander) is prone to head gasket failure, particularly in the Freelander and Lotus Elise, though I suffered one in a 1.6i Rover 400. Secondly, early models had a design flaw in the transmission, mostly related to the VCU seizing and going on to damage other components such as the IRD.

so I'm hoping for a reliable trusty relationship to develop between me and the Freelander or is that just wishful thinking on my part.

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I don't bother touching wood anymore when I say that our two Freelanders are the most reliable cars we've ever had. Never miss a trick. We love them for it. The misses needs a 4x4 for work but does lots of road miles inbetween. The economy and comfort of the Freelander makes it an ideal choice. She could do with a larger boot for equipment but we have test driven Discos and just don't find them as comfortable, neither are they as economic. We'd both quite like a Defender as we'd enjoy that, but it would have to be a third vehicle as it wouldn't be practicle or comfortable for the mileage she does and there is no way that we will give up the Camel!

Cheers

Blippie

Thank's Blippie for your insights, much appreciated.

Like all vehicles - there are good ones and bad ones - when they are running well they are good motors, but can be expensive if the go wrong.

welcome to the madhouse and good luck.