Advice Needed

If you REALLY want a Freelander there are 3 rules to bear in mind...

TD4 = good V6 = very expensive on fuel All other engines = very very bad

Do not, under any circumstances, consider a 1.8 unless you have a VERY understanding bank manager as you should expect to have to buy a new engine at least once during the time you own it.

Other than that, avoid anything that's been off road and if you get a 3 door, buy the hardback version rather than the softback. Make sure that whatever model you get has the electronics fitted for ETC and HDC ( yellow collar on the gear lever).

Second hand, the bodywork seems to last well with corrosion being a bit of a rarity.

HTH

cheers

Dave W.

Hi Dave about 3 years ago I inherited a Freelander on lease when I started a new job. It was 2 years old with a year to run on the lease. Unfortunately it was the 1.8 petrol. It did suffer from some very bad flaws:

1. Frosty morning = dead car, not even a battery light. As soon as the sun had been on it for an hour or so it came alive!
2. Accelerating by itself. Apparently common on Freelanders.
3. Exhaust rusted very quickly.
4. Drank petrol like it was going out of fashion.
5. Broke down frequently, various problems.
6. Back window electrics had a mind of its own. And many more I can't remember! But I do remember being in and out of the dealer like a yoyo.

I have to admit though there was something about it that was good and made you love it. Probably the usual Land Rover reasons (I now have a Series 3 SWB as a second car).

At the end of the day, I didn't have to pay for any of the problems due to it being a company car. I'm sure it would have cost a lot of money in the year I had it!

Hope that helps

Luis

On or around Wed, 18 Aug 2004 20:44:21 +0100, Dave Piggin enlightened us thusly:

the freelander-to-avoid is the 1.8 petrol, the freelander-of-choice is th later diesel one, badged TD4. The earlier diesel ain't too bad, and is cheaper SH.

if you have deep pockets, the KV6 2.5 is supposed to be quit quick, but thirsty.

On or around Thu, 19 Aug 2004 10:46:37 +0000 (UTC), Dave White enlightened us thusly:

It's my understanding that the L-series diesel, while not as good as the BMW in the TD4, is nonetheless OK. TD4 ones are still quite new and therefore not cheap, if that's an issue.