C

Cowboy Jane

New Member
Hi

I've just found this site, having just taken a Freelander for a test drive. I really liked it - it was lively, responsive and didn't feel a bit how I imagined it would feel to drive. I was quite smitten, and couldn't stop grinning all the way home cos it had been such fun to drive. However, I have a few hesitations and I was hoping a bit of a chat on here would clear a few things up for me. :rolleyes:

I read the article in 4x4 magazine about buying a used Freelander, and it didn't make for reassuring reading... :( it kinda made me feel that buying any Freelander is going to mean a regular trip to the garage. Is it really like this, or are some of the older models, or 1.8 models, making the picture/statistics look worse than they are for newer models?

This model has done 28000 miles - is that going to mean a service at 30000, and if so how much approx can a service be?

If anyone has any advice to a potential Freelander-ite, I'd be really grateful!

By the way what does the Td4 SE stand for? Are these all turbo models, or are there fewer turbos around?
 
TD4 is a four cylinder diesel engine, if you must buy a Freelander that is the best model. Do not touch a petrol with barge pole. Full genuine service history is essential.
Someone may be along shortly who will disagree, just my two penneth.
 
GARTHVADER said:
TD4 is a four cylinder diesel engine, if you must buy a Freelander that is the best model. Do not touch a petrol with barge pole. Full genuine service history is essential.
Someone may be along shortly who will disagree, just my two penneth.
Click to expand...

eggsacterly - oh and get the best longestest warranty that yu can get/afford.

Welcome to the madhouse.
 
TD4 is the engine of choice. 110bhp and 40mpg.

SE was the highest spec version until the indtroduction of the HSE is 2004(?). Make sure all the electric gadgets work including the headed mirrors, powerfold mirrors, cruise control, etc.

Don't believe the scare mongering. The 1.8 petrol engine is the one that is vulnerable to expensive failure and the early transmission problems were resolved in the first few years.

We have a 2002 TD4 GS and it has never let us down.

Servicing is due every 12 months or 12,000 miles.

Cheers

Blippie
 
Had my 2005 td4 now for just under a year with no real problems (aircon gitch)... best advice is not to read too much on here. Can make you too paranoid to enjoy the great drive a freelander can give you....
 
sadsack said:
Had my 2005 td4 now for just under a year with no real problems (aircon gitch)... best advice is not to read too much on here. Can make you too paranoid to enjoy the great drive a freelander can give you....
Click to expand...


Well said sadsack!;)
 
Hi

Thanks for that. I took an 06 Rav4 for a test drive to day, just to make sure - yuck! :p

It was actually top of my 'get a new motor' list, until I drove it... (such is my ignorance...!) It felt like driving a car in a big tin box. No where near my experience yesterday with the Freelander. :rolleyes: The Hippo had more stonk and the cabin felt cocooned. The Rav4 felt noisy, light and unresponsive in it's steering, the gear stick felt in the wrong place, the handbrake too close to it.... I could go on... Why the b***** are they so popular?

The only thing that worried me about the 04 Td4 SE I saw, was I had a few clutch issues, and couldn't tell whether it was my fault from not having experience of driving one...

I stalled it a couple of times at giveways, because I wasn't seeming to give it enough revs. But the garage owner told me I needed less revs than on my petrol car, contradicting what I was feeling with my feet. Are there any driving issues I should be watching for? I know the 4x4 mag said to watch for repeated stalling or a "tight sluggish feel" as this would indicate that a vicous coupling on it's way out. Is there any other way of checking? Please excuse my ignorance, car mechanics isn't my strong point...

btw does the Td4 stand for 'Turbo Diesel 4'?
 
Looks as LandRover got the Td4/5/6/8 to use.
VW always use TDI, with the letters in different colour to indicate what version of engine you have.
MB uses CDI
Dodge uses CRD
Volvo use D5 etc.
They all got their trademark protected abbreviation.
 
Thanks for clearing that up.

I had a major setback in my buying plan today... A relative who supposedly knows a fair amount about cars refused to go and check out my dealer (non-Land Rover) Td4 for me.

Having already told him I was considering a Rav4, he seemed to have come round to that ( a 3 door version which he said he could see me in as a 'ladies car'...). THis is despite the fact he is one of those ignorant 'Anti Chelsea Tractor/Let's not investigate the real statistics shall we' brigade. (He drives a older Rover and 3 Peugeots.)

Then I told him how excited I was by the Td4 drive, and would he check it out for me, mechanically, he went all nasty on me.

Said he wouldn't touch a permanent 4x4 (despite the fact the Rav4 is one too...), he didn't like Land Rovers. Then suggested I suss out a Mitsubishi, cos I could turn off the 4x4 drive...

He made some passing dig about it being a 'rich man's toy'

If anyone can help me reassure myself, that this person is not someone that knows anything about 4x4s, then please help! I got quite upset about this, as i really hoped he would help me clinch the deal/decision, and wasn't expecting so much 'general public' resentment against a Freelander.

I really wanted to buy this td4, especially as it came from a dealer that offered a third party 3 year warranty. Without my relatve's help, I would have to buy from a main dealer, pay at least 1.5k more, and only get a 1 year warranty... or start paying out for AA checks, which I have no experience of...???

:(
 
Sounds like that even if your relative did come and check out the flander for you, it would be a waste of time as you would only get a negative opinion if their mind is made up in the first place.

The td4 is the one to go for as mentioned, and if you have concerns over the manual, try an auto somewhere else.
There are loads of decent flanders around, and its a buyers market.

I would check the small print closely on independant warranties, as they dont cover somethings. Usually the bit that goes wrong at the time.

Take your time to find the right car for you, and not what someone else thinks may suit you.
You may be able to get the dealer to get the car serviced in with the deal, a reputable seller should do imo.
Leaving you to maybe use the saved cash to get an rac/aa or maybe an independant lr specialist.

You never know your luck, you may find such a person on here.

Good luck.
 
Cowboy Jane said:
Thanks for clearing that up.

I had a major setback in my buying plan today... A relative who supposedly knows a fair amount about cars refused to go and check out my dealer (non-Land Rover) Td4 for me.

Having already told him I was considering a Rav4, he seemed to have come round to that ( a 3 door version which he said he could see me in as a 'ladies car'...). THis is despite the fact he is one of those ignorant 'Anti Chelsea Tractor/Let's not investigate the real statistics shall we' brigade. (He drives a older Rover and 3 Peugeots.)

Then I told him how excited I was by the Td4 drive, and would he check it out for me, mechanically, he went all nasty on me.

Said he wouldn't touch a permanent 4x4 (despite the fact the Rav4 is one too...), he didn't like Land Rovers. Then suggested I suss out a Mitsubishi, cos I could turn off the 4x4 drive...

He made some passing dig about it being a 'rich man's toy'

If anyone can help me reassure myself, that this person is not someone that knows anything about 4x4s, then please help! I got quite upset about this, as i really hoped he would help me clinch the deal/decision, and wasn't expecting so much 'general public' resentment against a Freelander.

I really wanted to buy this td4, especially as it came from a dealer that offered a third party 3 year warranty. Without my relatve's help, I would have to buy from a main dealer, pay at least 1.5k more, and only get a 1 year warranty... or start paying out for AA checks, which I have no experience of...???

:(
Click to expand...

Family:confused:

Just a point on the 3 door, remember that on a Freelander, there is no difference in length or wheelbase between a 3 door and 5 door, even though some guides talk about SWB (short wheel base) and LWB (long wheel base) you have the same room in both. only difference is 3 door has a removable hardback (or softback) and 5 door has solid body.
 
Yes, family indeedy. Can always count on 'em when you most need them. :rolleyes:

Thanks Mantamad. I've not really considered a 3 door Freelander. To be honest, I don't really understand this removable back thing.. I can see it might be useful for transporting sheep or something - actually no, they'd jump out, wouldn't they... what is it for ???
 
Cowboy Jane said:
Thanks Mantamad. I've not really considered a 3 door Freelander. To be honest, I don't really understand this removable back thing.. I can see it might be useful for transporting sheep or something - actually no, they'd jump out, wouldn't they... what is it for ???
Click to expand...

It's for the summer :) I will be taking my hard back off this year, I never got round to it last year :( Mind you my FL has the full roof bar kit so that all has to be taken off 1st...........bit of a pain. http://www.freelanderowners.com/images/Gallery2005/Ravene/Ravene_2_W.jpg

But if we have a summer like we had last year my top is definately coming off this year!
 
Cowboy Jane said:
If anyone can help me reassure myself, that this person is not someone that knows anything about 4x4s, then please help! I got quite upset about this, as i really hoped he would help me clinch the deal/decision, and wasn't expecting so much 'general public' resentment against a Freelander.
Click to expand...

The TD4 is an excellent engine and in the Freelander it is in - by and large - and excellent car.

TD4, incidentally, referes to the fact it is a Turbo Diesel with 4 cylinders. (The Tdi300 engine in the older Discovery does not have 300 cylinders though!)

Why wouldn't you want permanent 4 wheel drive? The whole point of permanent 4 wheel drive is that it is there all the time, ready for when you need it. It gives you excellent road holding and handling. If you had to manually switch it on/off you would never have it ready for that patch of ice that you don't know is around the corner!

I don't think I will ever have a car that isn't 4x4 again - though I won't necessarily always stay with the off roader - a 4x4 saloon/estate car would give a similar feeling of reassurance.

The first gear is very low, lower than any of the competitors which does make it a bit tricky to get used to. It gives you the advantage over other cars if you need to work offroad, tow a caravan, hillstart, etc.

Try the "blob of paint" method (borrow the dealers tippex) that is described elsewhere to test the VCU.

Cheers

Blippie
 
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