i have a 1998 freelander diesel bought a year ago and have had really bad luck with it, goes through new tyres in a couple of months so had the prop taken off making it 2wd, bushes, links, oil leaks, water leaks inside car and now the garage think it needs a head gasket done as water is dissapering somewhere but not on the ground, i has discoverys before this but they are too big and thirsty, have spent £2000 on bits and bobs in the time ive had the car, i use it for towing horse trailers and general driving, at some horse shows on wet ground the 4x4 is needed, what should i do should i upgrade to the 2003 onwards or keep spending money on this? how can i make it 4x4 without wearing tyres? or should i change to a different model? help please
RichM
Well-Known Member
How many miles has it done? I'm not an expert but from what I've read on here previously, it sounds like the worst case scenario is a problem with the VCU/IRD. A bad VCU/IRD can cause excessive and uneven tyre wear. If this is the case, it's very expensive to fix. I suggest doing the tippex test. Instructions can be found here:
http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/1015222-post3.html
Do keep in mind that any full-time 4x4 vehicle will wear tyres out quicker than a 2wd vehicle. That said, don't just go by what I've said. Wait for others to reply.
If you want something more reliable, yet suitable for your needs, I'd suggest taking a look at the Nissan X-Trail.
Rich
http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/1015222-post3.html
Do keep in mind that any full-time 4x4 vehicle will wear tyres out quicker than a 2wd vehicle. That said, don't just go by what I've said. Wait for others to reply.
If you want something more reliable, yet suitable for your needs, I'd suggest taking a look at the Nissan X-Trail.
Rich
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Darmain
Well-Known Member
Well, to be honest, you bought a 12 year old car that sounds like it need a lot of work to get it up to scratch again. Its possible buts is going to take a lot of money and its proably not worth it. Trouble is you've spent the cash so there is no easy way forward. By the sound of things I would suggest you cut your losses. I would also suggest that unless you enjoy working on the car youself that you look at an alternative make of compact 4x4. Any Freelander is a maintenace moneypit, which can be offset by doing as much of the work yourself as you can.
ashleywood.ash
Active Member
also note in towing horses you are probably breaking the law with weight restrictions.
its had a new vcu and now the prop has been taken off, i dont know a thing about cars so it has to go to the garage, someone else has said im breaking the law towing with it, what do u suggest i get instead has to be a daily car too, same sort of mpg, 4x4 but i do have a budget of approx £4000 x trail out of my budget! trailer weighs 905kg pony weighs 450kg other pony weighs 250kg i thought the freelander was ok to tow 2t?? have had discos before but no other 4x4, dont want to go bigger than a disco really any help please
RichM
Well-Known Member
The Freelander is technically fine towing 1605kg. If you carry both ponies at the same time, you would be over the legal limit if you passed your test since 1/1/1997. If you carry just one animal, you're well within the limit.
If you passed your test since 1st January 1997, you're not permitted to tow anything which exceeds the weight of your vehicle. (The Freelander 1 is around 1525kg kerb so do the maths) If you passed your test before 1/1/1997 you don't need to worry about this, but keep in mind the Freelander has a recommended towing capacity of 2000kg.
I don't know much about ponies but if you're driving in fields a lot and towing a trailer, I'd say it would be pretty daft to try and do it with anything other than a 4x4. I would personally be reluctant to drive on wet grass in a normal 2wd saloon car, let alone with a 1300kg+ trailer on the back.
I suggest getting a rough quote for repairs, and then evaluate whether or not it's worthwhile keeping the vehicle. If you do get another vehicle, I recommend getting it from the trade. I bought my Freelander TD4 last month, and I've already spent over £1000 on repairs... Had I bought it from the trade, they would have been obliged to provide a 3 month warranty. For me, trying to save money by buying privately, simply did not pay off. I'm certainly not gonna take that risk again!
Rich
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hi i bought my freelander from trade 1 yr ago and have spent over £1200 on repairs, it came with a 3 month warranty , i dont really want to drive anywhere towing in 2wd as i dont think its safe enough, i drove the trailer empty today and i was alot different than in 4wd, my freelander works its just passed a mot and has 6 months tax, have since found out its common for them to have ratio probs until a certain year 2003? when the prob was fixed, i will look into disco prices part exchanged my last one for this, i have been told to part x this for a jap 4x4 what do you think?
oh and gear box overhaul is approx £700 + parts, hasnt leaked any water since i got it back from garage (thur) so will keep an eye on it but looking good for that, but if i get the gearbox overhauled then im still not legal to tow the ponies and i wouldnt want to risk them getting hurt, discos wernt much more expensive on fuel, but go wronge as much as the freelander! im flapping now about towing with freelander may just see if i can part x it for something suitable for my needs
ashleywood.ash
Active Member
the freelander is capable of towing up to 2000kg legally and will do so easily, I am surprised by the fact that both your box and pony's are light weight.
however freelander manual is known for weak clutch (that you will read often on here) so towing the 1600kg you are asking it too in fields may result in a few bills.
if you dont get involved in cars yourself and have to have them fixed at the garage I would recommend you look at a Hyundi Sante Fe. the auto is prefered but manual is also good, they are 2.0 diesel and have good economy. they are cheap to buy and repair and have reliablity that equals the japs. you will also find that amongst the caravan club and caravan and camping club members they are the most highly recommended towing 4x4 on the market and will tow up to 2000kg. if you need to tow a little more weight, then for towing kia sorento 2.5 diesel is next favourite of the caravanners.
this may get some stick, but if you dont want high costs and are not interested in fixing yourself most Land Rovers are not the best option. japanese is good but i would go Hyundai or Kia. (also keep in mind jap cars like rav 4 only have 1600kg tow weight, and also believe x trail to only legally be 1800kg)
thanks
however freelander manual is known for weak clutch (that you will read often on here) so towing the 1600kg you are asking it too in fields may result in a few bills.
if you dont get involved in cars yourself and have to have them fixed at the garage I would recommend you look at a Hyundi Sante Fe. the auto is prefered but manual is also good, they are 2.0 diesel and have good economy. they are cheap to buy and repair and have reliablity that equals the japs. you will also find that amongst the caravan club and caravan and camping club members they are the most highly recommended towing 4x4 on the market and will tow up to 2000kg. if you need to tow a little more weight, then for towing kia sorento 2.5 diesel is next favourite of the caravanners.
this may get some stick, but if you dont want high costs and are not interested in fixing yourself most Land Rovers are not the best option. japanese is good but i would go Hyundai or Kia. (also keep in mind jap cars like rav 4 only have 1600kg tow weight, and also believe x trail to only legally be 1800kg)
thanks
RichM
Well-Known Member
If you can spend a little more than £4k you may find a decent Disco II TD5 (Diesel) These were built from 98 onwards IIRC. They are more reliable than the Freelander and more capable for towing. It's a more modern looking than that of the Freelander 1 imo. Although it does still retain many of the body styling lines from its predecessor as you can probably tell.
I have a Freelander 1 and this evening, I parked up next to a Disco. Yes, the Disco is a bigger all round, but not drastically. I mean it's not like going from a Fiat Panda to a Volvo V70 estate. The biggest difference is the height of the vehicle. In fact, I was surprised to see that the Disco didn't dwarf my Freelander while it was parked next to it. Unless you live in a city, I really wouldn't be put off by a marginal increase in size. That said, it will probably feel somewhat bigger because of the ride height.
It will also look the part when towing a horse box and ofc, it will do it with ease. The Disco II TD5 averages just over 31mpg, while your Freelander L-Series diesel should average around 36mpg. On the other hand, the disco may cost you less in repair bills.
As already mentioned though, there is the Hyundai Santa Fe. However, if a badge is of any importance to you, you would be forgiven for not wanting to own one. But if it's your cup of tea, and if it suits your needs, then ofc, why not?
Rich
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thanks for replys, what are the discos like for going wronge? my other half has a 300 tdi now and we have had 200tdi, we have had problems with head gaskets on the 300, are there any common faults i should look for on a td5 disco? will have a look at the other makes but if i need to tow the mam of the trailer to be legal this is approx 2350kg and i know the disco can do it, will look on the autotrader site for dimmentions of the other makes and check tow weight, thanks again for replys
Having spent some considerable time towing 2 Highland (heavy) horses around I can say that the best vehicle by far for the job is the Landrover Discovery Series II TD5 Automatic.
The Auto is a must for this, and the traction control system is awesome for the job.
I've sat in muddy paddocks and watch all the others struggle - especially the smaller SUVs of all types and manufacturers.
The Freelander TD4 Auto comes very close in it's ability, but only one small pony at a time.
Now, a big BUT to this on the Freelander - being a smaller weight vehicle - I've watched a Honda CRV (similar weight) being bounced around by a distressed horse in the box attached to the back.
This was while stationary, but if it happened on the road you'd loose all control of the vehicle - it was very scary to watch.
Another benefit of the Disco is the airbag suspension at the rear - keeps the ride level for towing.
The Auto is a must for this, and the traction control system is awesome for the job.
I've sat in muddy paddocks and watch all the others struggle - especially the smaller SUVs of all types and manufacturers.
The Freelander TD4 Auto comes very close in it's ability, but only one small pony at a time.
Now, a big BUT to this on the Freelander - being a smaller weight vehicle - I've watched a Honda CRV (similar weight) being bounced around by a distressed horse in the box attached to the back.
This was while stationary, but if it happened on the road you'd loose all control of the vehicle - it was very scary to watch.
Another benefit of the Disco is the airbag suspension at the rear - keeps the ride level for towing.
DD3
New Member
Buy a newer model, if you can of course. They seemed to be better all around from 2001 model. Amongst other improvements the diff ratios were changed for the better.
thanks for reply, i have been looking at the kia and discos on autotrader, quite pricy! didnt want to go over £4000 if i can help it, also been looking at the nissan terrano any views? they look horrible but may have to comprimise on looks? the x trail is the same as the freelander can only pull 2t, is the eu law enforced? i only travel locally with my pony no further than 35 miles, i see alot of people at shows with freelanders towing horse trailers, when did this law come out, really worried about it now, i have been told the ratio was fixed in 2001-2003 on freelander and i never tow 2t, may be worth looking into the single trailer instead
bearmatthews
New Member
Freelanders arent great towing vehicles to be honest!
Heavy Towing nackers the vcu's and then the IRD and the rear diff... and and
this all = MONEY PIT!
I suggest you go for a jap 4x4... a newer vitara or grand vitara maybe?
How about a rav-4??
These are some of the small 4x4's i can think of?
Cheers, all the best!
Heavy Towing nackers the vcu's and then the IRD and the rear diff... and and
this all = MONEY PIT!
I suggest you go for a jap 4x4... a newer vitara or grand vitara maybe?
How about a rav-4??
These are some of the small 4x4's i can think of?
Cheers, all the best!
thanks for reply, does this also happen with the newer freelanders? mine had vcu and ird last year, vitara cant tow as much weight as the freelander, rav 4 lower again, how does the new car tax affect say a 2002/3 freelander or disco? although endless money pits they do seem to be evryones choice for towing horses (well the disco anyway, mixed views on the freelander)
ashleywood.ash
Active Member
towing laws are set in stone and are getting enforced more and more everyday and the likes of VOSA and traffic tend to target horse boxes etc because they know they are likely to be too heavy for the vehicles, so my advice is do not comprimise weight, at the end of the day the figures are for your safety and everyone elses, as mark said if a horse gets distressed a small 4x4 will loose control. people using the likes of freelanders for towing 2 horses etc will get caught sooner or later as it is all hot on the agenda.
i have owned a grand vitara and several vitara's and would not recommend them (but this is just me) as parts expensive, hard to get and it wasnt reliable or a nice tower.
as for the terrano the terrano 1 2.7tdi is not that good i have heard but i have a few friends with the terrano 2 3.0td and say it is fantastic with better economy etc so maybe a good choice.
they are not a popular option but my aunt tows with a jeep cherokee. as said not popular but will tow 2800kg and are cheaper to buy, and she hasnt had any problems
i have owned a grand vitara and several vitara's and would not recommend them (but this is just me) as parts expensive, hard to get and it wasnt reliable or a nice tower.
as for the terrano the terrano 1 2.7tdi is not that good i have heard but i have a few friends with the terrano 2 3.0td and say it is fantastic with better economy etc so maybe a good choice.
they are not a popular option but my aunt tows with a jeep cherokee. as said not popular but will tow 2800kg and are cheaper to buy, and she hasnt had any problems
