Dangermike

Active Member

• Jul 4, 2011

• #1

Hello! I'm looking to purchase a freelander!

And I would like to know the pros and cons of the different types. I don't have loads of money so was going to look for one around 2.5k - 3k

Thanks

 

storm99

Spreading Joy & Harmony

• Jul 4, 2011

• #2

Petrol = Disaster

Diesel = Bit Better

Freelander = See Petrol

 

R

rhodie

Active Member

• Jul 4, 2011

• #3

keep 2k to fix what ever you buy

 

Optimus Prime

Well-Known Member

• Jul 4, 2011

• #4

td4 everytime, esp if you can find an auto

 

chromiumuk

Well-Known Member

• Jul 4, 2011

• #5

Agree with Opti, Td4 is within your budget & is good (especially auto)

Petrol is best avoided due to head gasket failure (design flaws)

Early L-series diesel is good, simple unit but slower than Td4 with a cambelt to change & the earlier higher stressed IRD.
Td4 is more complicated but fairly reliable apart from some sensors & ancillaries but has camchain, better performance/economy & redesigned sturdier IRD.

Whichever diesel you go for it would be wise to save a couple of hundred quid for the odd issue & read up on here what to look for on each model.

All Landrovers require regular maintenance & spannering to keep them running well & the Freelander is no exception. It'll take a little more looking after than one of the japanese offerings but they are far superior from a handling/ride point of view & once you fit a roverron synergy tuning box with egr bypass for less than £250 they have pretty good performance too for a 4 wheel drive. They are exceptional in the snow & the hill descent mode is superb going down icy hills.

 

Last edited: Jul 4, 2011

Ian jones

Well-Known Member

• Jul 4, 2011

• #6

Hi fully agree with the seinior chaps , whatever you get check all 4 tyres are the same make and size good luck

 

pardec

Active Member

• Jul 4, 2011

• #7

Make sure the the props and vcu are there

 

Dangermike

Active Member

• Jul 4, 2011

• #8

Hey,

Thanks for the advice..

ATM i own a MG ZR so i know all about the Head Gasket...

With the uprated gasket are the petrol ones still a problem?

and since im not really a 4x4 guru some of the terms are passed me..
Like IRD
VCU

Thanks again.

The reason im looking for a Freelander is the size and money really. just want to start off with a small 4X4.

 

The Mad Hat Man

Well-Known Member

LZIR Despatch Agent

• Jul 4, 2011

• #9

with a freelander - forget all yu know about the ZR - in the Hippoo, its a whole new ball game - but with dodgy balls .

only consider diesels unless yu have very deep pockets

 

Dangermike

Active Member

• Jul 5, 2011

• #10

Hmmm ok thanks! Will see what I can find!

 

tonyt37

Active Member

• Jul 5, 2011

• #11

Hi Mike

I've had both. I prefer the TD4. My 1.8GS did suffer the headgasket failure but was replaced with the upgraded one, head skimmed and thermostat mods etc and i never had another problem. I sold it on and then somebody at work bought it about a year later. He's done another 30K (now 96K) and still going strong.
I found the petrol a bit underpowered particularly if towing. If you go for TD4 auto watch the road tax. It falls into a higher bracket!
Check for damp in boot well. They suffer from leaky back door seal.
Other than the head gasket I haven't had any major problems.

Good look with the hunting.

Tony

 

chromiumuk

Well-Known Member

• Jul 5, 2011

• #12

Dangermike said:

Hey,

Thanks for the advice..

ATM i own a MG ZR so i know all about the Head Gasket...

With the uprated gasket are the petrol ones still a problem?

.

Click to expand...

Yes, they're a huge problem. The Freelander is a big old lump for that 1.8 to lug around so the design flawed engine works harder & that's when you start to get problems.

VCU = Viscous Coupling Unit
IRD = Intermediate Reduction Drive

You need to read up on how the Freelander 4 wheel drive system works & then you'll understand them better, but vcu's can start to seize as they get older which then stresses the ird causing it to fail.

 

Last edited: Jul 5, 2011

chromiumuk

Well-Known Member

• Jul 5, 2011

• #13

tonyt37 said:

Hi Mike

. If you go for TD4 auto watch the road tax. It falls into a higher bracket!

Tony

Click to expand...

If you go for an X-plate Td4 then you're around the £215 mark. Y-plate to 55 plate comes in at the £245 mark. It's the 06-plate on Freelander 1 Td4 autos that come in around the eye watering £435. My figures might be around a tenner or so out as I know tax went up in April but they're close enough.

ps. go for the commercial & the tax is at the lower end regardless of the year but your insurance will cost more.