I'm gonna buy a 1.8 Xei Freelander......Anything I should know about this car?

As an owner of a 1999 Freelander 1.8 5 Door, and someone who really wants to sell the Freelander as soon as possible, I personally would not recommend the vehicle.

Mine has around 85,000km now so it's also got fairly low mileage.

Firstly, have a look at the following webpages and who'll see that it's not just me that got a bad car.

History of problems I've had with the car (prices are in South African RANDS, but the exchange rate is around 11.5 to the GBP or 7.98 to the Euro at the moment so you can work out the conversion)

- The clock/radio display doesn't show all the digits correctly. New clock cost: R2,800.

- The ABS/TC/HD lights are permanently lit on the dashboard. Land Rover keep resetting the lights but they come on again anywhere between a day later and months later. The dealer says it the ABS modulator - that part costs around R26,000. There is however a known fault with the ABS Electronic Control Unit (ECU) and that part costs around R14,000.

- The clutch doesn't seem to engage properly making gear change difficult at times. Parts and repair: around R1,600

The above three problems are known problems. Have a look at the following webpage which lists these three problems plus others.

may need to follow the links to "Rave On" - "Known Problems".] Also look at this webpage and you'll see that the ABS problem is very common (if you buy the car - not a good idea - ensure you check the ABS brakes). In addition, I have had the slave cylinder replaced twice as well as some of the HT leads. I have also now investigated the cars history (I purchased it second hand a year ago) and found that it has had loads of things replaced under warranty, such as the catalyctic converter and the exhaust.

I am fighting with Land Rover to try and get them to at least resolve the ABS problem under warranty, but am still waiting to hear from them.

Besides these problems, it's a good looking car, you feel safe in it and it's got some great features. However, in my opinion, there are way to many problems with them - highly unreliable cars - and the Land Rover service is known to be very bad.

I read recently that in the UK in a survey of car reliability Land Rover was worst. I'm sure you'll find the survey is you search the net for it.

I had a collegue who had a Discovery and he also sold it after spending a fortune trying to maintain the vehicle and the CEO of our company has two Range Rovers (one in the UK and one in the States) and he is selling both because of how unreliable they are.

So buy at your own risk!

Regards,

Gareth

I second all of the above. The build quality (although recently improved) is still poor! Having owned several variants of LR (Disco's, Defenders, Range Rovers). I have given LR plenty of time/opportunity to improve build quality.

The only LR I still own is a Defender. I part exchanged my RR for a Land Cruiser Amazon and haven't looked back.

If your after a 'soft roader' then I would look elsewhere.

And before the flame throwers come out, I would love to spend my hard earned money on LR's, but not until they build one that doesn't break.

Clive

They are OK once you have gone through all the little rattles etc. The petrol is a bit thirsty I have the old Landrover diesel engine and at

44000 miles its wonderfull & 40MPG ish. It cruses at 80 all day. The3 door is fun you can take the top off in France. Air con is a must but like all Landrover heaters etc not 100% -------but acceptable. Not shure about off road but its good in Penine snow & ice. All in all I wont be parted from mine!

Look here.....only costs 16.500 ? brand new!!!!