Freelander advice

[a187luv]

http://www.carpoint.com.au/used-car/LAN ... 84991.aspx

Hi Guys,

Friend from Bris inquired about this freelander, which is in Sydney. Don't know anything about Rovers, hopeing you guys can shed some light. Want to check it out this weekend, any particulars to look for?


Cheers
Jason

[Philip A]

By 2002 they had most of the intrinsic Freelander problems such as the self destructing IRD fixed. So apparently they are far more reliable than say a pre 2000 model.

But from what I hear the V6 is not too flash on fuel economy.
regards Philip A

[RangingRover]

at $21,000 I wouldn't waste my time.... Not sure what the tag on V6 freelanders usually is, but I know that I'd only consider them at a good bit under $20k, and under pain of death.

Hadn't heard that they fixed the common freelander problems in the later ones, it sure doesn't show. V6s are still full of faults, just with a few new ones. Intake manifolds still leak coolant, the little plastic throttle butterflies inside break and rattle as you go along. Rear diff mounts still chop out ridiculously fast. Still have the habit of niggling little faults that are impossible to trace, and usually unique to that one car. Not sure on whether V6s chew out IRDs still, haven't taken that much notice....

If you MUST have a freelander, a TD4 is probably the best option, but if you don't have your heart set on one, I'd advise moving on very quickly to something else - most of them will eat money as fast as the Rover bashers will tell you a rover will do.

[a187luv]

Thanks for the advice guys.

any other options you could recommend. any other models taken to consideration.
-$20k as a ballpark figure
-daily driver, 45mins to work
-low kms
-cargo space

[mickrangie]

Freelander advice....... burn it

[Loanrangie]

Freelander advice....... burn it

Nah .....waste of a match !

[mickrangie]

from what i hear all you have to do is let them idle for a long time and they will burn

[Maggot4x4]

Thanks for the advice guys.

any other options you could recommend. any other models taken to consideration.
-$20k as a ballpark figure
-daily driver, 45mins to work
-low kms
-cargo space

2000 TD5 Auto Disco

[cloughy]

Thanks for the advice guys.

any other options you could recommend. any other models taken to consideration.
-$20k as a ballpark figure
-daily driver, 45mins to work
-low kms
-cargo space

2000 TD5 Auto Disco

Ditto!

[Drover_Pete]

http://www.carpoint.com.au/used-car/LAN ... 84991.aspx

Hi Guys,
Friend from Bris inquired about this freelander, which is in Sydney. Don't know anything about Rovers, hopeing you guys can shed some light. Want to check it out this weekend, any particulars to look for?
Cheers
Jason

Hi Jason
We own a Freelander - same model / colour as the one your friend is considering, and also own modified Suzuki for serious 4WD. We are very happy with the Freelander......BUT he needs to be very careful.

Resale - They cost over $40K new - $20K+ is what they are selling for, but another way to look at this is that it is a poor purchase new, but worth considering secondhand. We purchased ours 12 months ago off someone I knew well, and I knew the vehicle history.
Running Costs - oil filters are cheap! but most parts wont be - same as most cars these days. I suggest a Disco or Rangerover will cost more to own over a few years.
Fuel Economy - 14L per 100km in peakhour traffic / closer to 10L per 100km on the open road.
Power - hmmmm! Lets call it leisurely, you adjust to it. Made worse in the hills with the gear ratios. The heavy Throttle spring makes it seem worse when you first drive one. Tows a tinny well.
Gearbox Ratios on the Auto - major gap between 3rd & 4th and 4th to 5th
Ride comfort - very good.
Ground Clearance - poor (like other soft roaders, Subaru, etc). Ours has sidebars (good idea) and I have replaced the plastic part of the bashplate with metal checkerplate. Mufflers cop a hiding (but survive ok), petrol tank is protected. It has non-painted bumbers which is good for avoiding off-road (or carpark) damage.
Problems in 120,000Km - gearbox replaced under warranty. I believe the earlier models had many more issues...the 4 cylinder was a piece of crap from all reports.
Build Quality & Design features - excellent, BMW owned Rover at the time these were produced. It has lots of little features that aren't immediately obvious (eg: height adjustable headlights via a roller switch)....it could have more space for storage, but still securely fits a high lift jack inside with one seat folded (it locks to the storage rings in the floor and the seat bracket).
4WD Ability - remember that it is a soft-roader not a Suzuki Sierra. If you take your time and pick your lines carefully it is good within it's limits - not a Discovery, but much better 4WD technology than a Honda CRV, and better drivability than a Subaru Forester. The traction control works very well on greasy hills - better than a standard Sierra.

Would we buy it again - sure would....but only if I knew how it had been treated.

cheers
Pete

[GQ Bear]

There was an article in 4wdmonthly a couple of years ago about a freelander that land rover was testing on stockton beach.

Anyway they got it bogged in the sand and with no low range gearing it was impossible to get out. It was nearing dusk so they turned on the headlights and set off on foot to get help.

About two hours had passed by the time they returned with a tractor. It was dark, but no 4B. The headlights were left on remember so it should be easy to find at night.

Assuming it had been stolen they left.

A couple of days later land rover got an irate phone call from the shipping authority. Apparently the tide came in, washed the freelander out to sea and it actually floated. Therefore causing a huge menace bobbing up and down in the shipping channel.


I don't know if it's true or not, but a good story all the same. Was in 4wd monthly around 2003-2005, i can't be bothered looking thru back issues to find it.

[RangingRover]

Assuming it had been stolen they left.

They thought someone was that much of a masochist?