Freelander for around £6-8k

[Onedesi]

We are having a car reshuffle to bring a load lugger into the family and I've always liked the freelanders especially the 5 door sport variants.

Could you folk provide me with some buying tips as in particular age to go for and what to look out for. Are they reliable, frugal etc. etc.

I am also looking at a 320d tourer but always had a soft spot for the Freelander or discovery but I think the latter might be too expensive.

[stuwalsh]

I run a 2005 5dr Sport Td4 auto and it.s a great car. 85k on the clock and only two items so far, both within the last 6mths. First a turbo pipe then the fuel pump. Regular consumption is mid 30's. T.he car now lives in Crete and is perfect for the conditions.

Conti tyres last 30k fronts, but a set of Pirellis were shot at 20k.

The lower ride has never compromised off road performance and is a big plus for normal road usage

[Onedesi]

I must have missed your reply, thank you very much

When you say mid 30's do you mean around town I.e. low speeds or motorway cruising?

[A.J.M]

That budget will get you a good SE or HSE spec model.

Manuals are good but make sure the clutch works fine, I've just had to replace my master cylinder. New genuine landrover one as cheap parts arent worth it.
Autos are better for towing and off road but get 3-4mpg less than manuals.

I get about 37 mpg average but motorway driving gets it upto 44mpg.

Buy one with a full service history, check all the electrics work and make sure the propshaft is still there. Removal usually means the vcu's on the way out, about 200 for recon. 400 brand new.

Blank the egr, upgrade the crankcase breather for the BMW mod as the td4 is the m47 engine from the 3 series and change all hoses to silicone as they split with age. Keep the best tyres on the rear on the car and matching sets are best.

Rust isn't an issue with them.

They are great in the snow and in muddy conditions or wet grass.

[Onedesi]

Thanks v much

Ive found a sport model on an 03 with 54k on cloc and guy wants 7k but I'm not sure if that's reasonable?

We started out by looking at the skoda yeti but I'm getting the impression the freelancer could be a better bet.

Is there any particular facelift version worth buying over others?

Does the td4 have a diesel particulate filter to worry about.

[A.J.M]

SE minimum for spec. Check on autotrader for spec differences but SE has heated screen and seats etc. HSE adds 17s and full leather and a better sound system.

Nope, it's a euro 3 engine I think. So only issue is the egr valve but thats a £45 mod to remove it, will improve response and mpg.

Would check other freebys for sale. Don't buy the first you see.

[Onedesi]

Thanks very much - I never realised the freelander had the same engine as the BMW 320, I'm quite positive about this

Kinda makes me glad we didn't jump into getting a yeti

So what I need to do is get a list of things to look out for apart from the usual (history/owners etc).

Is there any reason not to buy the 3 door version although I've never seen with the roof off. I did a search on auto trader and it threw up a bizarre stat under performance for the 3 door, it showed less mpg than the 5 door but then th next 3 door I looked at showed the same as the 5 door ?????

I was looking for something stylish to Ease the pain of selling my 330 convertible and I'm really warming to the idea of a freelander.

Do you know of any threads that I could read to learn about the TD4's foibles?

[A.J.M]

Google search or read through the landrover pages should give you a good idea, landrover mags will have guides or you can order back issues as well.




Mine. 04 TD4 SE manual.
I've added a few changes here and there but it's been a good if expensive car for the last 3 years. Not every 21 year old buys a landy.

[Andychim400]

If its a three door you want, keep an eye out on the Lloyd landrover Kelso site in the next few days as I traded a mint 54 plate 3 door Sport in for a Disco 3 last week. 85k on the clock but it's condition belies that mileage, I am a bit of a perfectionist.....

It's had all the important bits done, egr blanking, silicone hoses, BMW mod crank case breather etc. Four new tyres before the winter...it will make a great car for someone.

[Onedesi]

Wow - that looks gr8 - the wire type frame looks a bit odd. It is get used to it.

Andychim - cheers for the tipoff, I wish I'd known sooner - looks like its time to sell the vert (I'll start reading in earnest).

Apart from the look was there much of a space compromise between 3 and 5 door?

[Andychim400]

Andychim400 said:

If its a three door you want, keep an eye out on the Lloyd landrover Kelso site in the next few days as I traded a mint 54 plate 3 door Sport in for a Disco 3 last week. 85k on the clock but it's condition belies that mileage, I am a bit of a perfectionist.....

It's had all the important bits done, egr blanking, silicone hoses, BMW mod crank case breather etc. Four new tyres before the winter...it will make a great car for someone.

Infact here's my old ad that I put up just before it was traded in: Link

Edited by Andychim400 on Tuesday 20th March 08:42

[Onedesi]

Would you mind if I go and cry now

Timing never was my strong point LOL

[Onedesi]

Hi - out of interest did they give you c.£5k in part ex - I understand if you'd rather not say

[Andychim400]

Onedesi said:

Hi - out of interest did they give you c.£5k in part ex - I understand if you'd rather not say

There or there abouts.

They call it Trade-in or Part Ex I prefer the phrase pants down

[A.J.M]

I like the roof rails. Think they look daft without them.

The wire thing is my dog guard.

I have the 3 door as I don't have kids, I also think it looks better. No real difference in boot space between the models as they are all a bit on the small side. Same for handling.

Budget £260 a year for VED.
About £120-200 for servicing.
Full tank is about £85-90 depending on if you use supermarket or BP ultimate/v power.
Tyres are about £100 a corner but get a good make and you will get 35k easily out of them.
My insurance is £341 a year, I'm 24 with a less than perfect history thanks to people crashing into me.
Budget a few £££ for maintenance or upgrades.

Remember, landrovers love maintenance and hate neglect,

[Onedesi]

Andy - im even more gutted now as I spoke to the dealer and they sold it last night for £6.7k

Thanks AJM - I used to work for rover at the turn of the century (man that makes me feel old) and its probably what made me not think of land rovers before but I guess BMW ironed out many of the earlier issues.

I always liked the 3 door sport model - does the roof have to be left at home once off (I can't see how it would stow away in the car)

[A.J.M]

The roof stays at home. It's a 2 man job to get off as it weighs alot and you need a tx40 screw to remove the bolts to get the rails off.

I've had the roof off about 5 times and they were to properly clean it.