David Stafford
New Member
When I was ready to buy a 4x4, I looked at all sorts of options, but eventually for price, performance and looks, I settled on a Freelander. I started my search on Ebay and while looking for a suitable example, read a few scare stories on other LR forums along with comments from friends and acquaintances. I wanted a vehicle that could serve as a daily drive and would perform adequately in off-road situations. I have a couple of farms on which I shoot and access is only viable with a decent 4x4. Question is, is the Freelander a solution?
Thanks to my research, I was armed with some questions to ask that I would NEVER have thought of, like "Is it still a 4x4?" "Does the sunroof work?"
A perfect example appeared on Ebay that was close to me and ticked all the boxes - Under £1000; Auto; Generally good condition. I called the seller and found it had no service history and had been a recent purchase but quickly replaced by a Range Rover. The seller had no idea if critical parts had been replaced or not.
I went to see it and after an uneventful test drive negotiated the price to £700 as seen and drove off wondering if I'd made the right decision or not. The 1 hour drive home showed the vehicle to be running well, no smoke, smooth acceleration, properly functioning gearbox and a surprisingly comfortable ride.... apart from an annoying knock when I went over bumps.
I went back to the Freelander forums and made a check-list of things to replace or at least confirm that they were OK. First of all - The VCU. That was fun! Fortunately, I have a scissor lift at my business, so I was able (despite bruised knuckles and extremely gymnastic positions) to replace it with a reconditioned unit from a recommended supplier. I also changed all the bushes I could get access to and discovered the source of the knock - a drop link. I changed both and made my first mistake. We'll come to that later.
While scanning the Freelander parts for sale, I spotted a complete leather interior at a bargain price. Also, an electric rear window upgrade was needed as the new door cards were fitted with electric switches. All very easy to install.
Naturally, the sunroof didn't work and despite the exhortations from LR sites to the effect that if it doesn't work but doesn't leak, leave it alone, I decided I knew best and went ahead and ordered a new frame as the old one was rotten. I am now a Freelander sunroof expert. Everything that could, in your wildest nightmares, have gone wrong, did so. I can now strip, re-assemble and synchronise the sodding Freelander sunroof in my sleep!
The engine got a full service including the breather upgrade, new filters throughout and some badly needed fresh oil. All was running beautifully. Comfy seats, but no air-con. What to do?
I am now a Freelander air-con expert...... Why hide the fixings for the condenser and then make them so they seize???? That process was fun too. In the end, the air-con was working.
I also got the folding wing mirrors to fold - most of the time. If they don't fold, I switch them to the passenger side and operate the up/down switch, then back to fold and they work - go figure?
I swapped the wheels for a set with dual off-road/normal tyres and sold the old ones. I got stuck very easily with the old ones and have never had a problem with the Turbo Ranger tyres installed.
So far so good, but the knocking was back. When I took it to my friendly mechanic for an opinion, he said, "Never mind the knocking, what about that whine?" The noise I put down to tyre noise turned out to be the bearings either side of the VCU deciding to fall part. So, back to bruised knuckles and a revisit to the VCU. While I was there, I thought it might be a coincidence, but maybe the knock was a dodgy drop link? Sure enough, one of them had gone again. The earlier replacements had been bought as they were cheap on Ebay - now I know why. Similarly, the VCU bearings were cheap, so everything has been replaced with LR parts from my friendly local supplier Steve Toyer - who has been very helpful despite my newbie questions.
I also decided to change the brakes..... I am now a Freelander brake expert - especially the rear drums. I expect to become a handbrake expert in the not too distant future as well.
Sorry for the lengthy story. If you're still with me, my overall impression is that despite the negativity surrounding the Freelander MK1, my experience has been well beyond my expectations. The old girl (160K) is running well, does the job I want it to and looks good too. The upgrades have made driving more pleasurable and now I know that cheap parts are cheap for a reason, I'll only buy LR parts in future.
Would I recommend buying one? Yes.
Cheers
David
Thanks to my research, I was armed with some questions to ask that I would NEVER have thought of, like "Is it still a 4x4?" "Does the sunroof work?"
A perfect example appeared on Ebay that was close to me and ticked all the boxes - Under £1000; Auto; Generally good condition. I called the seller and found it had no service history and had been a recent purchase but quickly replaced by a Range Rover. The seller had no idea if critical parts had been replaced or not.
I went to see it and after an uneventful test drive negotiated the price to £700 as seen and drove off wondering if I'd made the right decision or not. The 1 hour drive home showed the vehicle to be running well, no smoke, smooth acceleration, properly functioning gearbox and a surprisingly comfortable ride.... apart from an annoying knock when I went over bumps.
I went back to the Freelander forums and made a check-list of things to replace or at least confirm that they were OK. First of all - The VCU. That was fun! Fortunately, I have a scissor lift at my business, so I was able (despite bruised knuckles and extremely gymnastic positions) to replace it with a reconditioned unit from a recommended supplier. I also changed all the bushes I could get access to and discovered the source of the knock - a drop link. I changed both and made my first mistake. We'll come to that later.
While scanning the Freelander parts for sale, I spotted a complete leather interior at a bargain price. Also, an electric rear window upgrade was needed as the new door cards were fitted with electric switches. All very easy to install.
Naturally, the sunroof didn't work and despite the exhortations from LR sites to the effect that if it doesn't work but doesn't leak, leave it alone, I decided I knew best and went ahead and ordered a new frame as the old one was rotten. I am now a Freelander sunroof expert. Everything that could, in your wildest nightmares, have gone wrong, did so. I can now strip, re-assemble and synchronise the sodding Freelander sunroof in my sleep!
The engine got a full service including the breather upgrade, new filters throughout and some badly needed fresh oil. All was running beautifully. Comfy seats, but no air-con. What to do?
I am now a Freelander air-con expert...... Why hide the fixings for the condenser and then make them so they seize???? That process was fun too. In the end, the air-con was working.
I also got the folding wing mirrors to fold - most of the time. If they don't fold, I switch them to the passenger side and operate the up/down switch, then back to fold and they work - go figure?
I swapped the wheels for a set with dual off-road/normal tyres and sold the old ones. I got stuck very easily with the old ones and have never had a problem with the Turbo Ranger tyres installed.
So far so good, but the knocking was back. When I took it to my friendly mechanic for an opinion, he said, "Never mind the knocking, what about that whine?" The noise I put down to tyre noise turned out to be the bearings either side of the VCU deciding to fall part. So, back to bruised knuckles and a revisit to the VCU. While I was there, I thought it might be a coincidence, but maybe the knock was a dodgy drop link? Sure enough, one of them had gone again. The earlier replacements had been bought as they were cheap on Ebay - now I know why. Similarly, the VCU bearings were cheap, so everything has been replaced with LR parts from my friendly local supplier Steve Toyer - who has been very helpful despite my newbie questions.
I also decided to change the brakes..... I am now a Freelander brake expert - especially the rear drums. I expect to become a handbrake expert in the not too distant future as well.
Sorry for the lengthy story. If you're still with me, my overall impression is that despite the negativity surrounding the Freelander MK1, my experience has been well beyond my expectations. The old girl (160K) is running well, does the job I want it to and looks good too. The upgrades have made driving more pleasurable and now I know that cheap parts are cheap for a reason, I'll only buy LR parts in future.
Would I recommend buying one? Yes.
Cheers
David
nice looking car there, I have to admit mine is growing on me I have had mine for about two months now at least I know were to go when I sort out my ac next year they are nice looking motors
