Land Rover Freelander TD4 - bad idea

Land Rover Freelander TD4 - bad idea

Author
Discussion

johnnyBv8

Original Poster:

2,417 posts

190 months

Saturday 6th October 2012
quotequote all
I'm getting the urge to change my cheap daily runaround (Golf GTI 1.8T Mk4) for something else. Although I've owned a lot of cars, I've never owned a 4x4. I've always quite liked the look of the Freelander Stationwagon, and I've seen a 2001 car with circa 80k miles for £1800.

I'll be honest: like most people, I really don't need a 4x4! I'd just like to try one for 6 months.....do you think I'd regret it? I don't do a lot of miles, and quite a few of those that I do are in town.

Bad idea?! Would it be unbearably slow and wallowy?! Was thinking the TD4 as I've read that the petrol ones feel underpowered. My 'weekend' car is an AM Vantage, so I'd like something reasonably economical (>30 mpg).

Thanks

Edited by johnnyBv8 on Saturday 6th October 20:18

EvoSlayer

1,952 posts

184 months

Saturday 6th October 2012
quotequote all
I've had a 2003 Td4 for 5 years now and it's just turned over 70k miles and tbh it's been very reliable. Barring a couple of failed switches (heated seat and headlight leveller, which were replaced with items from eBay) the only problem has been a failed injector.
It's mainly used for lugging stuff around in which I can't fit in anything else, supermarket runs and in $hitty Winter weather. It's never going to be fast but it's not mindbendingly slow either and wobbles round the corners abit but it is what it is, serves a purpose and returns around 35/mpg. No point spending a pile of cash on anything else just to use as a workhorse imo.
I went for the ES which has a few more creature comforts, full leather, heated seats, aircon etc etc.

johnnyBv8

Original Poster:

2,417 posts

190 months

Sunday 7th October 2012
quotequote all
It was an ES I'd seen too. Sounds like yours has been pretty good.

tubbystu

3,846 posts

259 months

Sunday 7th October 2012
quotequote all
I ran an 03 ES TD4 for four years. Average fuel economy was circa 30 mpg. Mine had the BMW engine which I believe is the better one.

Common expensive failures are the sunroof mechanism and the rear window controller (the rear window has to drop an inch to open the rear door). Both £500+ parts alone. Other less expensive known issues involve the fuel pump. Also some switches (and particularly the downhill descent sensor) as previously stated.

When sold it had just about 100,000 miles on the clock and the auto box was becoming a tadd clunky in selection.

Be aware the load space is not very big as the seats do not lie flat and when the seats are raised it is not suitable for much either.

Would I buy another ? Yes, probably. Comfortable on long journeys and with the right tyres, road noise is greatly reduced.

P I Staker

3,308 posts

155 months

Sunday 7th October 2012
quotequote all
Freelanders are fantastic and the TD4s are good engines. I don't think you will regret it unless you're unlucky.