Hello all,

My "impulse purchase" of the year has been this 2006 Freelander TD4, commercial body. Initially it seemed like a great buy, as they aren't particularly common, looked like it would be great fun and it's a van, so it's good for work. I had it delivered from a used dealer hundreds of miles away, without looking at it. What could possibly go wrong? Just 162000 miles.

I absolutely definitely overpaid for it but it does look cool (apart from the shocking paint job on the wheels)and drives nicely and the guy who delivered it was really nice, which goes a long way to making it better.

Here's what was wrong initially, if anyone would like to chime in with possible solutions for some of the remaining problems, I'd be extremely happy:

- Lots of white smoke on start up if left for a few hours and 30s of lumpy running. It was very embarrassing if starting in public, I asked some advice, was told probably leaky injectors, had an independent BMW specialist do a leak-off test which identified one injector leaking way out of spec and a second leaking within spec. Both of those were replaced with tested 2nd hand injectors (and coded properly?) and the problem is 95% eliminated now; engine is smooth even on a cold start.

- Rear window winder switch doesn't work. The rear window does work though for opening and closing the door. It goes down when the roof is taken off and (thankfully) goes back up with the key in the rear door when the roof is back on. (that was a scary moment before i realised that the only function of the rear keyhole is to put the window up - obviously it doesn't lock or unlock anything). Also the rear wash/wipe doesn't work. That doesn't bother me because it's redundant equipment in my opinion. However, these things are maybe linked.

- No prop shaft. I was given a discount to buy myself another one. I think I will have the VCU done before I fit it though. The IRD and Diff look ok....but could still be stuffed. I'll find out.

- Hill descent mode only operates in reverse. It's a great system! I have never descended a loose/difficult slope backwards with such ease. Unfortunately, it will give an error light if driven too far in 1st making the system unavailable and won't engage in 1st in any event. Obviously the 1st gear switch is faulty but I haven't found it yet. Is it on the gearbox or part of the stick assembly?

I get about 36mpg driving hilly A and B roads. I don't think it's too bad.

I thought it would be a Euro 4 and qualify for the cheaper tax band but no, it's still a Euro III engine.

It is registered as having 3 seats, so I have temporarily removed the cage (much easier than implied in other threads: it comes out through the roof) and have fitted the single seat from a row of three. Just need the plastic side panels from a passenger version to finish the job.

It's a nice drive and great fun with the rear roof and targa panels off, really enjoyed having it this summer. Previous owner was the chairman of the association of a particular and distinctive-looking breed of sheep in the north of England. Plenty of hair under the wooden floor backed this up.

Here is a photograph. Not a good one, I don't seem to have taken any others. I have the roof bars too.

Great looking, and indeed rare.
There are one or two on here that would certainly like to own it…

Welcome to the forum.

Nice write up

There are various threads on here about reinstating prop shafts and the possible perils. Your expectations look to be in the right place

First thing I would do is put a good quality injector cleaner in a full tank it works great on a Smokey Freelander

Before you spend more money on it I would run it for a bit and make sure it’s for you they definitely aren’t for everyone
I am on the lookout for a commercial myself so look forward to your posts on the progress

Welcome to the asylum. As said bit of a rare beast but it looks a nice example.
It will be worth draining the IRD oil before you splash out on props/VCU & bearing hangers. Make sure you undo the fill plug FIRST (before draining) using a single hex socket as the fill plug rounds off very easily. Once the fill plug is out drain & inspect the oil/magnetic drain plug for debris (the drain plug will always be a bit furry with fine filings) but anything larger may spell trouble, all the best.

Nice looking commerical. Love to see them still about, must be getting rare now.

Thank you everyone for your replies. Just after I bought it I saw an absolutely mint Commercial for sale at the other end of the country, for just a couple of hundred more, but I haven't seen any others in person. It's quite cool having the Special Products sticker under the bonnet.

There are quite a few 3 and 5 door passenger variants around the area though, nowadays.

As for the freelander "not being for everyone", I'd argue it's a very easy vehicle to drive and quite comfortable. I was previously using a shared 04 Suzuki Grand Vitara for work, which was very capable, maybe more so than the freelander (even if we're only comparing handbrake hold), but not so enjoyable on the road.

Dar ran, if you want to turn your standard 3 door into a commercial, I can give you the dimensions of the wooden floor! Just chuck the seats out and spray matt black over your rear windows! But thanks, i will let the forum know should I wish to sell in the future....

Meanwhile I have just been to have the tracking done, so the thing rolls beautifully straight now. I've got the day free and it's dry so might have a look at the IRD oil while I've got the chance.

Regarding 1st gear switch, is it more likely to be the switch or the wiring at fault? Or equal odds?

Andy Warren said:

Welcome to the asylum. As said bit of a rare beast but it looks a nice example.
It will be worth draining the IRD oil before you splash out on props/VCU & bearing hangers. Make sure you undo the fill plug FIRST (before draining) using a single hex socket as the fill plug rounds off very easily. Once the fill plug is out drain & inspect the oil/magnetic drain plug for debris (the drain plug will always be a bit furry with fine filings) but anything larger may spell trouble, all the best.

Click to expand...

I drained the oil yesterday. It was pretty dark and only maybe 800ml in there...... lots of very very extremely fine metallic particles, the drain plug was more like Marge than Bart. But no flakes or large solids....maybe ok?

Hi,on the face of it that sounds normal. Once you put new oil in it I would do 500 miles then change again to give it a decent flush if you don't know the service history. I think the IRD takes about 0.9 of a litre on changes.