steely dan
Active Member
I'll sit back and watch this thread with great interest ............
Andy Land
Well-Known Member
I'll sit back and watch this thread with great interest ............
Me too ... someones got a fat wallet he wants to shrink!
Optimus Prime
Well-Known Member
I have a td4 auto commercial, which I use for work, and I am very happy with it. It is comfortable, reasonable economical (well bearable) and goes everywhere I need it to.
It carries everything I need for work, and suits my needs perfectly.
How's that for starters ?
(and I'm not a hairdresser)
teddywood1
Well-Known Member
i have a td4 auto and love it to bits my wife has a 1800 petrol and yes she had the head gasket done but she still lover hers to bits I am in Raynet and we can get called out for serches or in deep snow or floods to ferry ambulance staff around and would never part with mine but I do keep it serviced regular no use not sevicing it does not pay you
Soloby Rob
Banned
The best and most positive thing I can honestly say about hippo's is.......
I aint got one
I aint got one
Mantamad
New Member
I bought a Freelander 1.8 new in 2001 and it was completely reliable in the almost 3 years we had it.
My Father in law then bought a year old 1.8 petrol, ran it for 5 years and never had to change so much as a light bulb in all the time he had it.
Our main family car is a 2005 TD4 that we have had for 3½ years, its only faults have been a failed fuel pump and worn anti-roll bar drop links.
I also have a 1998 1.8 petrol that I bought in 2010 and used last winter and again this winter, its got around 117k on the clock but had a new engine fitted at 70k (4 years ago) I bought it very cheap and brought the maintenance items up to date last summer and its been ideal so far and doing 31 mpg.
So they are not all bad
My Father in law then bought a year old 1.8 petrol, ran it for 5 years and never had to change so much as a light bulb in all the time he had it.
Our main family car is a 2005 TD4 that we have had for 3½ years, its only faults have been a failed fuel pump and worn anti-roll bar drop links.
I also have a 1998 1.8 petrol that I bought in 2010 and used last winter and again this winter, its got around 117k on the clock but had a new engine fitted at 70k (4 years ago) I bought it very cheap and brought the maintenance items up to date last summer and its been ideal so far and doing 31 mpg.
So they are not all bad
I have had my TD4 for a couple of months now, bought as a winter hack. Can't really fault it, easy and comfortable to drive, meets all my winter needs, room enough in the back for the kit I carry with the ability to go down farm tracks. Better on fuel than a disco also smaller which is a serious consideration for me and far more comfortable and reliable than a defender, I think I have a good well equiped vehicle for not a lot of money
dogsNsurfboards
New Member
i love my 2003 2dr softtop when it's running properly
old freelander 1.8
New Member
We have a 98 1.8 5 door with now nearly 150,000 on the clock. She's not had a head gasket change or anything.
The bodywork is very sound with no rust apart from a small piece the size of a 5p on the tailgate, compared to my old Disco1
We had an issue with the VCU so removed it and use it in FWD. The other winter when we had the really bad snow and ice she coped admirably through the highlands and islands of scotland in the snow and ice just in FWD.
She's had bits and pieces done, normal wear and tear as she is getting on but it's things we've done at home. A garage has not done anything to her as we've done everything.
Parts are very well priced to, apart from the tailgate handle.
We want to get another Discovery soo but we're not getting rid of our freelander, we're keeping her no matter what we get.
Unfortunately you'll get the usual responses on here from the usual people with comments like 'Burn it, Don't buy a Gaylander, Buy a Landrover instead, Why, Why, Why'
There are Freelanders out there with issues and problems but you won't here about all of the Freelanders without issues and problems because they don't see the need to go on a forum. Same as all the other Landrovers.
The bodywork is very sound with no rust apart from a small piece the size of a 5p on the tailgate, compared to my old Disco1
We had an issue with the VCU so removed it and use it in FWD. The other winter when we had the really bad snow and ice she coped admirably through the highlands and islands of scotland in the snow and ice just in FWD.
She's had bits and pieces done, normal wear and tear as she is getting on but it's things we've done at home. A garage has not done anything to her as we've done everything.
Parts are very well priced to, apart from the tailgate handle.
We want to get another Discovery soo but we're not getting rid of our freelander, we're keeping her no matter what we get.
Unfortunately you'll get the usual responses on here from the usual people with comments like 'Burn it, Don't buy a Gaylander, Buy a Landrover instead, Why, Why, Why'
There are Freelanders out there with issues and problems but you won't here about all of the Freelanders without issues and problems because they don't see the need to go on a forum. Same as all the other Landrovers.
I bought mine (V6 auto) a few months ago for the winter season (we live at the top of a long, winding and steep hill which has left me caught out during each of the last three winters).
Unfortunately there hasn't been the slightest hint of snow around the West midlands so I haven't had the opportunity to "try it out".
I got it at a really good price and so far I have had the following done;
1) Sticky caliper fixed and pads replaced £65
2) Power steering pipe - Part was £48 from Land Rover. Labour including a new MOT and track rod end £150.
3) Mine was the soft top. I decided to treat myself to a hard top (so this expense can't really be classified as a repair) £50 (and the nice guys at Equicar 4 x 4 took the soft top off and fitted the hard top for me for no charge while I was there).
I have been wondering what to do when the Spring returns. At the moment I'm undecided as to whether to sell (I do like the look of the Freelanders) or to take the prop shafts off, put them in my shed, keep the freebie and then refit them in November.
Andy.
Unfortunately there hasn't been the slightest hint of snow around the West midlands so I haven't had the opportunity to "try it out".
I got it at a really good price and so far I have had the following done;
1) Sticky caliper fixed and pads replaced £65
2) Power steering pipe - Part was £48 from Land Rover. Labour including a new MOT and track rod end £150.
3) Mine was the soft top. I decided to treat myself to a hard top (so this expense can't really be classified as a repair) £50 (and the nice guys at Equicar 4 x 4 took the soft top off and fitted the hard top for me for no charge while I was there).
I have been wondering what to do when the Spring returns. At the moment I'm undecided as to whether to sell (I do like the look of the Freelanders) or to take the prop shafts off, put them in my shed, keep the freebie and then refit them in November.
Andy.
Andrew McIntyre
Active Member
Mines ok, apart from spurious rattles, buzzing vibrations and rattles that are damn near impossible to find. The buggers do my ed in. :lalala:
angeloc
Well-Known Member
I've had 2 - currently a TD4 - there are some things to be aware of like VCU and some worthwhile mods and then they are great.
Quite comfortable powerful enough economic for a 4x4 and handle really well on the road and lanes. As long as you understand it's limitations it is hard to beat it.
Quite comfortable powerful enough economic for a 4x4 and handle really well on the road and lanes. As long as you understand it's limitations it is hard to beat it.
Before you buy, check the drive train, in day light
The wife bought a TD4 recently, very cheap, by auction, when I got under it in day light, no VCU, no propshafts
The research I did in advance did warn of this, I didn't spot the ommission (it was cold, raining and dark the night she bought it, who crawls all the way under a 4x4 on a night like that? ), it also told me the TD4 was about the best freelander in our budget, a few more niggles than the XD diesel, but more power and torque to compensate, plus easy availabiliy of the 'ronbox' to give even more power and torque
The entire drive train can be replaced for around £1k, ird, vcu and rear diff, if you shop carefully and can do the labour yourself.
Auto boxes have a very mildy iffy rep, unless the oil is changed regularly, 5 years or 60k miles on the book
Even with the missing bits, I'm very happy with our new arrival and look forwards to getting it back to 4x4 mode and maybe doing some green laning when the wife isn't looking
The wife bought a TD4 recently, very cheap, by auction, when I got under it in day light, no VCU, no propshafts
The research I did in advance did warn of this, I didn't spot the ommission (it was cold, raining and dark the night she bought it, who crawls all the way under a 4x4 on a night like that?
), it also told me the TD4 was about the best freelander in our budget, a few more niggles than the XD diesel, but more power and torque to compensate, plus easy availabiliy of the 'ronbox' to give even more power and torqueThe entire drive train can be replaced for around £1k, ird, vcu and rear diff, if you shop carefully and can do the labour yourself.
Auto boxes have a very mildy iffy rep, unless the oil is changed regularly, 5 years or 60k miles on the book
Even with the missing bits, I'm very happy with our new arrival and look forwards to getting it back to 4x4 mode and maybe doing some green laning when the wife isn't looking
Well, thanks for all of your replies!
We are looking for a TD4 5dr, 04-06 plate for school runs & not much more else that's not a Chelsea tractor.
We are running an a3 2.0tdi sport at the mo which is very comfy, economic & nippy but the wife needs something higher up for child seats etc. I'm not expecting the world from a freelander, read alot of stuff about them & should be ok looking for all of the signs. What we don't want is a japcrap box, the fl's look rugged & who knows, we may get some snow this year...?
Any more positive thoughts & buying advice?
Richard
We are looking for a TD4 5dr, 04-06 plate for school runs & not much more else that's not a Chelsea tractor.
We are running an a3 2.0tdi sport at the mo which is very comfy, economic & nippy but the wife needs something higher up for child seats etc. I'm not expecting the world from a freelander, read alot of stuff about them & should be ok looking for all of the signs. What we don't want is a japcrap box, the fl's look rugged & who knows, we may get some snow this year...?
Any more positive thoughts & buying advice?
Richard
Well, thanks for all of your replies!
We are looking for a TD4 5dr, 04-06 plate for school runs & not much more else that's not a Chelsea tractor.
We are running an a3 2.0tdi sport at the mo which is very comfy, economic & nippy but the wife needs something higher up for child seats etc. I'm not expecting the world from a freelander, read alot of stuff about them & should be ok looking for all of the signs. What we don't want is a japcrap box, the fl's look rugged & who knows, we may get some snow this year...?
Any more positive thoughts & buying advice?
Richard
Buy a decent TD4, whip the drive train off it, buy some snow socks just in case and enjoy, refit the drive train, or sell it to the likes of me, when you want to sell the beast
Traction in snow is more about the tyre surface hitting the snow than the number of wheels being driven
*I mean real winter tyres work better than normal tyres and snow chains work best of all, with 'socks' in between
Phil E
Member
I normally just watch the posts, I giggle at some comments, I despair at others!
I've had my TD4 auto for 18mths, now has 60K on the clock. Have to say it's one of the best cars I've ever had. Proud to say that last year in the ice & snow I was the only car that could get out of our village & I was used twice by the local landlord to go to the beer suppliers to stock up the local.
As a photographer I'm also a Mac user. What's in common with both?.......they just do it!!
I've had my TD4 auto for 18mths, now has 60K on the clock. Have to say it's one of the best cars I've ever had. Proud to say that last year in the ice & snow I was the only car that could get out of our village & I was used twice by the local landlord to go to the beer suppliers to stock up the local.
As a photographer I'm also a Mac user. What's in common with both?.......they just do it!!
