Should I consider buying a Freelander?

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MikeV8SE

MikeV8SE

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OK, honest opinions guys! Here's the scenario - I've just sold my V8 Range Rover Classic as it was too thirsty for regular use and, if I'm honest, a bit bigger than I needed - although that wasn't a problem.

I have been looking at replacing it with a 300Tdi Discovery, but most of them in my budget are a bit ropey - but then they are 15+ years old!

I've always liked the Freelander and images like those of matacaibo on here (below) make me want one more:

How_a_Freelander_pees_Pindale.jpg


OK, so here's the deal. This is a third card for us - both myself and the missus have daily drivers. However, my 330Ci is a bit thirsty, so would like to use whatever I get for commuting too, hence why I would like a diesel. It will also be used for:

- tip runs (so needs a decent boot area)
- greenlaning
- offroading (pay & play days)
- towing (motorbike(s) to trackdays)

The bit that worries me is the offroading. I like the idea of something different and slightly inappropriate and it should also be quite nimble. To make it more 'fit for purpose' I'd fit some A/T bigger tyres to raise the ground clearance and fit some recovery points, underbody protection and a snorkel for wading. Would these few upgrades make it a credible offroader? Or will I get stuck on a regular basis?

Honest opinions would be greatly appreciated! :)

Thanks.
 
After all you have seen and read on here? you must be stoned/retarded or completely out of touch.
 
they are , despite the **** taking on this forum very capable off road even as standard ,upgrading it will make it even better , of course ground clearance is its down fall and its never going to be a fender, but its still the best in its class, stick to the td4 and do a bit of research so you know what to look out for, most of the niggles have been sorted by this forum, so i say go for it :)
 
Get an auto if your going to use it off road. Diesel only. If you pick your route carefully, a Freelander is capable off road. It does have limits, but every vehicle has them. You can take them iff road, and have fun in them. Proof in the vid's below. Off road protection is expensive, but cheap if you can bend/shape/weld metal yourself.
 
Hmm...mixed reviews then! As expected really!

Ming - will I get a TD4 for around £1,500 - £2,000 do you think? Don't wanna spend more than this as I know it's gonna get bashed about a bit!

Hippo - why is underbody protection so expensive? Is it more so than for other LR models then? Guess there's less of a market for it.

I think it's a real shame they didn't give it more ground clearance and locking diff's, as the light weight and narrow tyres should have made it a fantastic offroader - like a modern Series' car really! Missed opportunity I think.

Also, I am planning some small expeditions of the next 12-18 months - Pyrennes, Morocco, etc - anyone done such trips in a Freelander 1? Do they cope or are they a lot more fragile than the Discovery 1 (my other option)?

Cheers!
 
ages ago, one of the land rover magazines featured someone who used a td4 auto for regular jaunts down to morocco, he was well happy with it.

the freelander will never cope with as extreme terrain / mud as the defender, but it is very good at what it does, and loads more comfortable for long distances.

as for locking diffs, the later versions have traction control, which works very well indeed, certainly never had any issues in the recent snow and ice, even when I was being a tit it didn't get stuck.
 
Optimus Prime said:
ages ago, one of the land rover magazines featured someone who used a td4 auto for regular jaunts down to morocco, he was well happy with it.

the freelander will never cope with as extreme terrain / mud as the defender, but it is very good at what it does, and loads more comfortable for long distances.

as for locking diffs, the later versions have traction control, which works very well indeed, certainly never had any issues in the recent snow and ice, even when I was being a tit it didn't get stuck.
Click to expand...

Don't think I'll get a later model with T/C for my money unfortunately. I guess some left foot braking could fool it into giving traction?

Excuse my ignorance, but what is the 4wd setup on the Freelander? I believe it to be permanent 4wd, does it have a viscous coupling like my old RRC? What about diffs?
 
Going from a Rangie to a Freelander (in terms of off road performance) is a bit of a jump. I've had my Freelander nearly a year and haven't got stuck yet. Though, I have aborted many lanes due to ground clearance. Something I may not have done if I had a Disco or a Defender.

You say you need boot space for going to the tip. The Freelander's cargo hold has a reasonable amount of height but not a lot of depth. You won't get much in it compared to a Disco. Even my dog will hate me for an entire day if I make him endure a trip in the cargo hold of a Freelander. I don't go up the tip very often but whenever I do, I always take a trailer.

If you get a Freelander you will always have to put up with the fact that you're the underdog. (Unless someone turns up in a RAV4, but then again that's unlikely) If someone makes a joke, you can be 99% sure that it's about you. When you go out to rescue people in the snow, you will get comments like "will it do it?" and more than a few smirks. Oh, and when you go to pay and play days you will also get comments like "it won't do it LOLOL" from the event organisers. Sometimes I think they just don't want to risk their track getting branded as being easy. On the other hand, few are going to question the capability of the Disco.

The Freelander TD4 is good if you want a vehicle that's a good compromise between a conventional 4x4 and a saloon car. The fuel economy isn't bad, it's comfortable for long distance journeys and it will cope with mild to moderate off road conditions. If I had to sum it up in one phrase, I'd say it's the jack of all trades, but master of none.
 
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Thanks Rich! You say never got stuck - I assume that is not your Freelander in your avatar then?! Haha!

I think boot space will be fine with the back seats folded down - I actually quite fancy a 3 door hardback, and may just remove the back seats altogether.

I think I'd find it amusing to 'surprise' people with what it can do, I'm not easily offended so don't really care if I get a few snidey comments, it's all fun and games.

The only thing that concerns me is the robustness of them, and the limited ground clearance. I do wonder if they were built to a lower standard than a Disco 1 which, rust aside, is virtually indestructible. Would a Freelander take greenlane and pay & play day abuse? The last thing I want is to be repalcing parts every weekend!

Also, which point on the car causes the ground clearance issues everyone mentions?
 
if yu need boot space, consider an X-Trail - very similar in performance as a Freelander - designed more as an SUV than an offroader, but less mechanical problems and just as capable off-road.

There is very limited off-road parts available for most SUV's as that is not their primary market.
 
The Mad Hat Man said:
if yu need boot space, consider an X-Trail - very similar in performance as a Freelander - designed more as an SUV than an offroader, but less mechanical problems and just as capable off-road.

There is very limited off-road parts available for most SUV's as that is not their primary market.
Click to expand...

Boot space isn't my primary consideration - any of the smaller SUV's would do the job really! As long as it's bigger than a 3-series coupe of a 206 convertible then it'll do the job! :D
 
MikeV8SE said:
...Hippo - why is underbody protection so expensive? Is it more so than for other LR models then? Guess there's less of a market for it...
Click to expand...
Not many peeps make off road pretection for Freelanders. Mantec do, but don't list their prices. :) So here goes:

Freelander 1:
v6 only raised air intake £203
eggsause guard £312
sill protectors £91
sump guard £246
tank guard £192

Freelander 2:
sump guard £242
tank guard £320

Prices are Sept 2009, and dun't include vat :eek:
 
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MikeV8SE said:
Also, which point on the car causes the ground clearance issues everyone mentions?
Click to expand...

The exhaust system hangs low and isn't nicely tucked up like that of the Disco. I still cringe whenever I hear something scrape down there!

Common workaround:

3852224601_2950f180f7.jpg


Unlimited MPG mod:

2005freebieonflatbed.JPG


veh2a.jpg
 
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