4Bee4Bee
Well-Known Member
- Posts
- 322
- Location
- Shropshire
Hello,
Against my better judgement I bought a three door hardback 2003 Freelander 1 TD4 in August. This is my second Freelander having owned a petrol 1.8 one back in 2003. Living up near Kendal, I wanted to again have something that helps cope with bad weather, and dirt tracks to supplement the main car. Yes, I know I'll get a lot of stick for becoming a gaylander once more, but a much as I like tratters too, they are just too uncomfortable when I have to do longer runs in the vehicle.
The car had 90k on the clock when I bought it, and very good bodywork/interior, so after changing every filter possible, and most fluids I've taken the FL on a couple of 700 mile round trips and all has been fine. A few little niggles to sort out still, as can be expected on a vehicle of this age, and as a precaution until I sort some new tyres, (and VCU), I've taken the propshaft off temporarily. The car had no clunks when driving it with it on, but with there being different tyres between the front and rear axels, I didn't want to take any chances in messing things up, as the VCU is at a critical age, and I know the mismatch causes problems too. I know these tyres are not much cop, and it was taking a chance, but after spending many wasted trips looking at pre-facelift models described as being in 'excellent condition', to turn up and find dents, scratches and rust, and knackered interiors, and noises from the car, even with the VCU 'removed to improve fuel economy'. (Why do sellers do that? - then when you question it, you get told, 'what do you expect for a car of that age?'). Therefore, finding a clean car, with a propshaft and no clunks, resistance, or grinding noises from transmission seemed like a chance worth taking, even if the tyres were odd between axels
I've gathered a ton of information from this site, and expect I will experience more as I go through the inevitable expected and unexpected jobs. Hopefully the odd bit of info I can chip back in will be useful to someone somewhere too.
In the meantime, it's good to be back in one of things, even if they do have a reputation.
Jim
Against my better judgement I bought a three door hardback 2003 Freelander 1 TD4 in August. This is my second Freelander having owned a petrol 1.8 one back in 2003. Living up near Kendal, I wanted to again have something that helps cope with bad weather, and dirt tracks to supplement the main car. Yes, I know I'll get a lot of stick for becoming a gaylander once more, but a much as I like tratters too, they are just too uncomfortable when I have to do longer runs in the vehicle.
The car had 90k on the clock when I bought it, and very good bodywork/interior, so after changing every filter possible, and most fluids I've taken the FL on a couple of 700 mile round trips and all has been fine. A few little niggles to sort out still, as can be expected on a vehicle of this age, and as a precaution until I sort some new tyres, (and VCU), I've taken the propshaft off temporarily. The car had no clunks when driving it with it on, but with there being different tyres between the front and rear axels, I didn't want to take any chances in messing things up, as the VCU is at a critical age, and I know the mismatch causes problems too. I know these tyres are not much cop, and it was taking a chance, but after spending many wasted trips looking at pre-facelift models described as being in 'excellent condition', to turn up and find dents, scratches and rust, and knackered interiors, and noises from the car, even with the VCU 'removed to improve fuel economy'. (Why do sellers do that? - then when you question it, you get told, 'what do you expect for a car of that age?'). Therefore, finding a clean car, with a propshaft and no clunks, resistance, or grinding noises from transmission seemed like a chance worth taking, even if the tyres were odd between axels
I've gathered a ton of information from this site, and expect I will experience more as I go through the inevitable expected and unexpected jobs. Hopefully the odd bit of info I can chip back in will be useful to someone somewhere too.
In the meantime, it's good to be back in one of things, even if they do have a reputation.
Jim
