So, talk to me about Freelanders...

So, talk to me about Freelanders...

Author
Discussion

Efbe

9,251 posts

166 months

Monday 8th October 2012
quotequote all
How about a Jeep Cherokee?

ClaphamGT3

11,300 posts

243 months

Monday 8th October 2012
quotequote all
Efbe said:
How about a Jeep Cherokee?
We had a Cherokee before our Freelander. Much better off road but a generation behind the Freelander as an all-round package

Clivey

Original Poster:

5,110 posts

204 months

Monday 8th October 2012
quotequote all
ClaphamGT3 said:
I think you're possibly being too fussy on condition. You need to remember that these get bought to be family cars/dog carriers/towing vehicles. Everyone that I know with one gives it a fairly hard life and, don't forget, the youngest of these will be 5 years old now.
Whilst I realise they're not brand new cars, I suspect that most Freelanders probably haven't seen anything more challenging than a couple of snotty children and a trip to the tip / supermarket etc. It's just that the one I drove was particularly "well worn" inside and despite copious amounts of air freshener, couldn't disguise the stench of cigarette smoke. Someone had also butchered the dashboard to fit a mobile phone holder, which they'd then removed and left a sharp piece of metal sticking out from the centre console. I've seen a few others at similar money that were all in much better condition and that I'd be happy with, so it's just a question of deciding what it is that I want...and selling my current car.

300bhp/ton

41,030 posts

190 months

Monday 8th October 2012
quotequote all
Seems I'm a bit late to party on this one. But here's my take.


1. Off roading means getting dirty and potentially damaging a vehicle - it happens. If you are worried about this, don't buy a shiny vehicle to off road with. Get a cheapy 2nd vehicle for the off roading.

2. While the Freelander is amazingly capable, it isn't a proper 4x4 in the same sense as some other 4x4's. There are several limiting factors, such as limited wheel travel, poor flex, low ground clearance, not brilliant approach angles and no low range. Also the 4wd system requires slip before it engages all wheels.

On the plus side the traction control sytems and HDC are really very very good. An auto diesel will offer the best low speed control off road, but still lacks wheel torque by a massive margin compared to a proper off roader. Also the auto box makes the TD4 feel asthmatic on the road, reduces fun on the road and ruins mpg.

3. Male sure all bits work on the Feelander, all electrics and the 4wd system. The cars aren't hugely unreliable, but they can suffer niggles and some of the drivetrain components can wear and cause damage to others if they aren't fixed.

4. Other plus points of the Freelander are the retractable rear window. The 4wd system will work at any speed, so unlike something like a Suzuki Vitara, you don't have to worry about selecting 4wd and the Freelander will work superbly in snowy slushy conditions when some other 4x4's might find they have too much grip for 4wd (so will wind the transmission up) but not enough for 2wd.


5. If you do plan to off road your Freelander you might want to consider a suspension lift and some mud terrain tyres (on a 2nd set of rims??). An exhaust guard and some other under body protection might not be a bad idea either, oh and some good tow ropes and recovery gear. This is essential for anyone venturing off the beaten track.

Clivey

Original Poster:

5,110 posts

204 months

Monday 8th October 2012
quotequote all
300bhp/ton said:
Seems I'm a bit late to party on this one. But here's my take.

1. Off roading means getting dirty and potentially damaging a vehicle - it happens. If you are worried about this, don't buy a shiny vehicle to off road with. Get a cheapy 2nd vehicle for the off roading.

2. While the Freelander is amazingly capable, it isn't a proper 4x4 in the same sense as some other 4x4's. There are several limiting factors, such as limited wheel travel, poor flex, low ground clearance, not brilliant approach angles and no low range. Also the 4wd system requires slip before it engages all wheels.

On the plus side the traction control sytems and HDC are really very very good. An auto diesel will offer the best low speed control off road, but still lacks wheel torque by a massive margin compared to a proper off roader. Also the auto box makes the TD4 feel asthmatic on the road, reduces fun on the road and ruins mpg.

3. Male sure all bits work on the Feelander, all electrics and the 4wd system. The cars aren't hugely unreliable, but they can suffer niggles and some of the drivetrain components can wear and cause damage to others if they aren't fixed.

4. Other plus points of the Freelander are the retractable rear window. The 4wd system will work at any speed, so unlike something like a Suzuki Vitara, you don't have to worry about selecting 4wd and the Freelander will work superbly in snowy slushy conditions when some other 4x4's might find they have too much grip for 4wd (so will wind the transmission up) but not enough for 2wd.


5. If you do plan to off road your Freelander you might want to consider a suspension lift and some mud terrain tyres (on a 2nd set of rims??). An exhaust guard and some other under body protection might not be a bad idea either, oh and some good tow ropes and recovery gear. This is essential for anyone venturing off the beaten track.
Thanks for taking the time to help.

After reading-up on their capabilities, I am happy that the Freelander's the right kind of vehicle for us. It appears to offer some genuine off-road ability whilst doing all the "weekday car" stuff pretty well. Though I do plan on going off road, I don't see myself doing anything too outrageous / risky with it. - I know that everyone claims to play the hardest etc. etc. but I'll be the first to say that I won't be pushing it too far. I realise that even light off-roading carries risk, but I'm happy with that.

If I do end-up with one, I will be looking at fitting a sump guard, rock sliders, a small lift and appropriate tyres etc. I've seen a couple of similarly-equipped ones and they seem ideal for us.

I appreciate the advice on checking the electrics / AWD system. This is the kind of stuff I need to know and I'm reassured when you say that the reliability isn't as bad as some would have you believe. I currently own a Citroen so I'm used to people telling me it's going to blow up in a cloud of smoke. Fingers crossed but that hasn't happened in the 5 years I've owned it!

The one thing I haven't done yet is join a Land Rover forum. Which are the best for Freelander owners?

mikeh501

718 posts

181 months

Monday 8th October 2012
quotequote all
Cant help thinking that you've already made your mind up with regard to buying a freelander and your looking for someone to tell you it "isnt that bad" off road. I think that by adding all that stuff to it to make it even possible to go off road your going to compromise it significantly and make it good at neither.

Its a decent enough road car which will see you through winter, snow, ice, flooding etc. It just isnt going to cut the mustard off road unless were talking the most gentle of green lanes... and if thats all you can do with it, your going to get very bored very quick. If you go with other people green laning (advised) through an online general land rover forum (like LRO or landyzone) the majority wont be turning up in freelanders. This means your going to be either hauled up and over things (possibly damaging) or have to go back and meet them the other side (possibly boring)

Have you been off roading yet? I think it would open your eyes as to what to expect, and what you can expect from the freelander. If your in Staffs/Cheshire/Derbyshire area id happily show you.

Remember that just because you dont want to get into the gnarly stuff with your vehicle it can still be damaged. Plenty of trees, branches, water, mud (inside and out), tree stumps etc which can catch you out even when the terrain looks passable. Just the treading mud in and out of the vehicle is a royal PITA if you need to keep it clean for the missus to use the next day.

bakerstreet

4,763 posts

165 months

Monday 8th October 2012
quotequote all
300bhp/ton said:
Seems I'm a bit late to party on this one. But here's my take.


1. Off roading means getting dirty and potentially damaging a vehicle - it happens. If you are worried about this, don't buy a shiny vehicle to off road with. Get a cheapy 2nd vehicle for the off roading.

2. While the Freelander is amazingly capable, it isn't a proper 4x4 in the same sense as some other 4x4's. There are several limiting factors, such as limited wheel travel, poor flex, low ground clearance, not brilliant approach angles and no low range. Also the 4wd system requires slip before it engages all wheels.

On the plus side the traction control sytems and HDC are really very very good. An auto diesel will offer the best low speed control off road, but still lacks wheel torque by a massive margin compared to a proper off roader. Also the auto box makes the TD4 feel asthmatic on the road, reduces fun on the road and ruins mpg.

3. Male sure all bits work on the Feelander, all electrics and the 4wd system. The cars aren't hugely unreliable, but they can suffer niggles and some of the drivetrain components can wear and cause damage to others if they aren't fixed.

4. Other plus points of the Freelander are the retractable rear window. The 4wd system will work at any speed, so unlike something like a Suzuki Vitara, you don't have to worry about selecting 4wd and the Freelander will work superbly in snowy slushy conditions when some other 4x4's might find they have too much grip for 4wd (so will wind the transmission up) but not enough for 2wd.


5. If you do plan to off road your Freelander you might want to consider a suspension lift and some mud terrain tyres (on a 2nd set of rims??). An exhaust guard and some other under body protection might not be a bad idea either, oh and some good tow ropes and recovery gear. This is essential for anyone venturing off the beaten track.
The LR Experience guys fit a steering guard to their FL2s. Its the only LR they fit under body protection too if memory serves.

I did an LR experience recently and I drove the FL2 for a while. I was quite impressed with what it could do but ground clearance is one of biggest issues for off road stuff. If you are going to drive it every day, I wouldn't add a lift kit. Maybe some second han alloys and some decent mud tyres. Insa Turbo Dakars are good smile

300bhp/ton

41,030 posts

190 months

Monday 8th October 2012
quotequote all
mikeh501 said:
Cant help thinking that you've already made your mind up with regard to buying a freelander and your looking for someone to tell you it "isnt that bad" off road. I think that by adding all that stuff to it to make it even possible to go off road your going to compromise it significantly and make it good at neither.

Its a decent enough road car which will see you through winter, snow, ice, flooding etc. It just isnt going to cut the mustard off road unless were talking the most gentle of green lanes... and if thats all you can do with it, your going to get very bored very quick. If you go with other people green laning (advised) through an online general land rover forum (like LRO or landyzone) the majority wont be turning up in freelanders. This means your going to be either hauled up and over things (possibly damaging) or have to go back and meet them the other side (possibly boring)

Have you been off roading yet? I think it would open your eyes as to what to expect, and what you can expect from the freelander. If your in Staffs/Cheshire/Derbyshire area id happily show you.

Remember that just because you dont want to get into the gnarly stuff with your vehicle it can still be damaged. Plenty of trees, branches, water, mud (inside and out), tree stumps etc which can catch you out even when the terrain looks passable. Just the treading mud in and out of the vehicle is a royal PITA if you need to keep it clean for the missus to use the next day.
Feelander's aren't that bad tbh. The traction control means that they won't get cross axled like a Defender, Disco or RRC. So on some terrain can actually prove more capable with more ease.

The biggest limiting factor is ground clearance, but some taller tyres (for off road use) and maybe a 1 or 2" lift will easily place them with similar clearance to a Disco. Where they lack ability is in low speed control and very tight conditions. However if you aren't competing in trails or pay and play sites this might not be such an issue.

Agree about branches and mud though. Keeping a 4x4 clean and using it off road in the UK is not an easy ask.

Efbe

9,251 posts

166 months

Monday 8th October 2012
quotequote all
300bhp/ton said:
Feelander's aren't that bad tbh. The traction control means that they won't get cross axled like a Defender, Disco or RRC. So on some terrain can actually prove more capable with more ease.

The biggest limiting factor is ground clearance, but some taller tyres (for off road use) and maybe a 1 or 2" lift will easily place them with similar clearance to a Disco. Where they lack ability is in low speed control and very tight conditions. However if you aren't competing in trails or pay and play sites this might not be such an issue.

Agree about branches and mud though. Keeping a 4x4 clean and using it off road in the UK is not an easy ask.
300 the most important point you made earlier on I fear has been ignored.

so in my own words:
If you want to offroad, then get a very cheap offroader with great capability.

Offroading something you can't afford to trash will not work. you either won't push it enough to be fun, or worry too much when you slide down the side of a track and gauge the side out.

then get a nice car as well

300bhp/ton

41,030 posts

190 months

Monday 8th October 2012
quotequote all
Efbe said:
300bhp/ton said:
Feelander's aren't that bad tbh. The traction control means that they won't get cross axled like a Defender, Disco or RRC. So on some terrain can actually prove more capable with more ease.

The biggest limiting factor is ground clearance, but some taller tyres (for off road use) and maybe a 1 or 2" lift will easily place them with similar clearance to a Disco. Where they lack ability is in low speed control and very tight conditions. However if you aren't competing in trails or pay and play sites this might not be such an issue.

Agree about branches and mud though. Keeping a 4x4 clean and using it off road in the UK is not an easy ask.
300 the most important point you made earlier on I fear has been ignored.

so in my own words:
If you want to offroad, then get a very cheap offroader with great capability.

Offroading something you can't afford to trash will not work. you either won't push it enough to be fun, or worry too much when you slide down the side of a track and gauge the side out.

then get a nice car as well
Yep, I fully agree. Accidents do and will happen off road, no matter how good a driver you think you are.

This was never intentional but happened.

(big dent and missing wheel arch!)



mikeh501

718 posts

181 months

Monday 8th October 2012
quotequote all
i actually think theres more chance of causing damage to a freelander than something with a low box just on the basis that your going to need more momentum to get up/around stuff off road.

not sure about anyone else but i wouldnt want my wife and kids in a freelander with mud or extreme tyres on it for driving on the road. those tyres are marketed 80% off road / 20% on road for a reason! thats unless your going to swap wheels every time you want to play....ball ache.

Efbe

9,251 posts

166 months

Monday 8th October 2012
quotequote all
this does sound slightly like a typical PH what car thread though.

OP: Should I buy this car?
1: no
2: no
3: no
4: no
5: no
6: no
7: no
8: no
9: no
10: no
11: no
12: no
13: no
14: no
15: no
16: no
17: no
18: no
19: no
20: no
21: no
22: no
23: no
24: no
25: no
26: no
27: no
28: no
29: no
30: no
31: no
32: no
33: maybe
OP: In that case it's the perfect car, I'll go and get it now.

300bhp/ton

41,030 posts

190 months

Monday 8th October 2012
quotequote all
Clivey said:
The one thing I haven't done yet is join a Land Rover forum. Which are the best for Freelander owners?
Freelander specific, but rather quiet: http://madfl.forumotion.com/

More Defender and extreme off road biased: http://forums.lr4x4.com/

Some good info here, but you'll want thick skin: http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/

Some other good sites:

http://www.landroversonly.com/
http://forum.difflock.com/

Efbe

9,251 posts

166 months

Monday 8th October 2012
quotequote all
300bhp/ton said:
difflock is a good one, just remembered they have quite a good offroad vehicle guide too:

http://www.difflock.com/buyersguide/pastmasters/in...

clunkbox

237 posts

140 months

Monday 8th October 2012
quotequote all
mikeh501 said:
i actually think theres more chance of causing damage to a freelander than something with a low box just on the basis that your going to need more momentum to get up/around stuff off road.

not sure about anyone else but i wouldnt want my wife and kids in a freelander with mud or extreme tyres on it for driving on the road. those tyres are marketed 80% off road / 20% on road for a reason! thats unless your going to swap wheels every time you want to play....ball ache.
Yeah I'd agree on the speed thing, that's what I found. Ours had a skid plate which I assume was stock, although ours was plated as being done by landrover special vehicles. Not sure if that was just because it was a commercial, although the tyre fitter did think we were running larger tyres than usual too. Is 215/75/15 normal for a Freelander?

As far as tyres go ours was on BFG's of some kind , and other name brand chunky tyres before that and while it didn't make handle great on the road it certainly wasn't a deathtrap. It felt more confident than a FWD estate on cheap all seasons in fact. Only quirk it had was that it would occasionally kick out the back end a tiny bit braking into tight corners, or on roundabouts. But at the time it had worn tyres on the back and new ones on the front, which probably caused it. And probably knackered the centre diff rolleyes I wouldn't hesitate to send anybody out on the road on them, although they were a bit noisy and probably dented economy.

I was thinking about this over the weekend and I think if I was in your position a Freelander would be a good choice. They are very capable for a soft-offroader and get better fuel economy than a full fat 4x4. I wouldn't rush into modifying it, aside from maybe fitting some road biased M+S tyres.

Edit: Thinking about ground clearance, from what I remember from looking at the underside of ours you'd have to try pretty hard do do any damage other than cosmetics / exhaust unless you were really hoofing it. I don't think there is anything exposed that I worried too much about hitting. It's pretty flat, 22cm of clearance to the body and 20cm to the exhaust (I found some measurements I made when I was trying to figure out id I'd get a trasnit up one of the tracks we took the freeby up) - ours may have had tall tyres though.

Edited by clunkbox on Monday 8th October 15:10

camel_landy

4,899 posts

183 months

Monday 8th October 2012
quotequote all
bakerstreet said:
The LR Experience guys fit a steering guard to their FL2s. Its the only LR they fit under body protection too if memory serves.
All the LR Experience cars have protection of some sort. All of them have steering/sump guards but the FL2 has an additional guard to protect the fuel tank. It's also worth noting that most of the LRE cars run standard road tyres too...

M

300bhp/ton

41,030 posts

190 months

Monday 8th October 2012
quotequote all
camel_landy said:
bakerstreet said:
The LR Experience guys fit a steering guard to their FL2s. Its the only LR they fit under body protection too if memory serves.
All the LR Experience cars have protection of some sort. All of them have steering/sump guards but the FL2 has an additional guard to protect the fuel tank. It's also worth noting that most of the LRE cars run standard road tyres too...

M
They don't really run much extra protection (other LR's). It's so worth noting most LR Experience trails look more extreme than they actually are and are often of relatively high grip surfaces. Very "wow" if you've not done much off roading, but nowhere near as extreme as you could encounter at a pay n' play or competitive trial.

Efbe

9,251 posts

166 months

Monday 8th October 2012
quotequote all
300bhp/ton said:
Yep, I fully agree. Accidents do and will happen off road, no matter how good a driver you think you are.

This was never intentional but happened.

(big dent and missing wheel arch!)
unfortunately no pics of the damage, but it dropped down on the right hand side of the jeep, denting the side a bit. excellent fun though, and would have been so boring in anything more expensive; i probably wouldn't have even attempted this climb then.



A.J.M

7,908 posts

186 months

Monday 8th October 2012
quotequote all
For spec, you want a SE/HSE. SE comes with heated windscreen, elec powerfold mirror's, 6 disc autochanger, heated seats, reverse parking sensor's.
HSE, add 17s over the 16, full leather over half, better sound system and a few other things.

They will do greenlanes etc fine, a set of AT tyres will fit on 16s and can be used in all weather so dont worry about it.

If you really want a 4x4, that is economical, can deal with both long journey's and town trips.
A freeby is a good choice, there is a HUGE aftermarket for parts. So they can be maintained properly without getting ripped off.

Oh, just don't buy britpart. Just don't.

HarryW

15,150 posts

269 months

Monday 8th October 2012
quotequote all
I know these are favourites with caravaners and have a lot of fans but what are they like off road http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

Just had a quick look. Didn't realise they come with a ladder chassis and high/low ratios too...

Edited by HarryW on Monday 8th October 22:37