Discussion
With me living at the top of a fairly steep hill and a semi rural commute I don't want to be stranded by the snow as my only car is my 3 series which if anything to go by from my last one will be as much use as a cock shaped lolly pop.
I could do with a second car anyway and have been looking at x trails and freelanders circa 2003 / 2004, are these any good? Are there better options up to around £3k, I'm looking at buying an Elise in the spring and could do with a leave at the pub shed thing so don't want to spend anymore.
Cheers.
I could do with a second car anyway and have been looking at x trails and freelanders circa 2003 / 2004, are these any good? Are there better options up to around £3k, I'm looking at buying an Elise in the spring and could do with a leave at the pub shed thing so don't want to spend anymore.
Cheers.
Freelanders have a terrible rep'. Petrols - head gasket. Viscous control unit On all models needs replacing around 70k hence a lot are 'secretly' converted to 4x2.. Diesels a real detained bmw lump that's not great.
Avoid, I know two lads who've bought them as shooting trucks and got fed up of getting stranded.
Fo that money grand vitara or Rav4.
Avoid, I know two lads who've bought them as shooting trucks and got fed up of getting stranded.
Fo that money grand vitara or Rav4.
dfen5 said:
Freelanders have a terrible rep'. Petrols - head gasket. Viscous control unit On all models needs replacing around 70k hence a lot are 'secretly' converted to 4x2.. Diesels a real detained bmw lump that's not great.
Avoid, I know two lads who've bought them as shooting trucks and got fed up of getting stranded.
Fo that money grand vitara or Rav4.
Avoid, I know two lads who've bought them as shooting trucks and got fed up of getting stranded.
Fo that money grand vitara or Rav4.
To balance the freelander bashing....
I bought a 2004 plate freelander td4 in 2008 with 12k on it...
Sold it on 118k.... Issues?
Slave cylinder went, but clutch and dmf were almost worn so had the lot done....£1k.
Rear back box of exhaust £70
2 lots of dampers for the viscous coupling....£150
And erm...... That's it, other than regular specialist servicing.
It was used fully laden going up steep hills, tracks, fields, never had an issue.... Ground clearance is its biggest downfall.
Obviously at your budget you will be buying a high mileage... Just get someone to check it over.
The viscous coupling ratio was changed in around 2003 so less fail after that date. The engine is BMW sourced and has a good a reputation as any other 4 pot diesel. It's the petrol that had more issues....
Xtrail mk2 were known to have blown turbos due to over boost....was a recall.....I had one and never had issues with it, again, quite good off road and in the snow
I bought a 2004 plate freelander td4 in 2008 with 12k on it...
Sold it on 118k.... Issues?
Slave cylinder went, but clutch and dmf were almost worn so had the lot done....£1k.
Rear back box of exhaust £70
2 lots of dampers for the viscous coupling....£150
And erm...... That's it, other than regular specialist servicing.
It was used fully laden going up steep hills, tracks, fields, never had an issue.... Ground clearance is its biggest downfall.
Obviously at your budget you will be buying a high mileage... Just get someone to check it over.
The viscous coupling ratio was changed in around 2003 so less fail after that date. The engine is BMW sourced and has a good a reputation as any other 4 pot diesel. It's the petrol that had more issues....
Xtrail mk2 were known to have blown turbos due to over boost....was a recall.....I had one and never had issues with it, again, quite good off road and in the snow
Tomo1971 said:
To balance the freelander bashing....
I bought a 2004 plate freelander td4 in 2008 with 12k on it...
Sold it on 118k.... Issues?
Slave cylinder went, but clutch and dmf were almost worn so had the lot done....£1k.
Rear back box of exhaust £70
2 lots of dampers for the viscous coupling....£150
And erm...... That's it, other than regular specialist servicing.
It was used fully laden going up steep hills, tracks, fields, never had an issue.... Ground clearance is its biggest downfall.
Obviously at your budget you will be buying a high mileage... Just get someone to check it over.
The viscous coupling ratio was changed in around 2003 so less fail after that date. The engine is BMW sourced and has a good a reputation as any other 4 pot diesel. It's the petrol that had more issues....
Xtrail mk2 were known to have blown turbos due to over boost....was a recall.....I had one and never had issues with it, again, quite good off road and in the snow
Cheers for the info and with regards to the high mileage there are a few in the 50k mile mark for low 2k prices.I bought a 2004 plate freelander td4 in 2008 with 12k on it...
Sold it on 118k.... Issues?
Slave cylinder went, but clutch and dmf were almost worn so had the lot done....£1k.
Rear back box of exhaust £70
2 lots of dampers for the viscous coupling....£150
And erm...... That's it, other than regular specialist servicing.
It was used fully laden going up steep hills, tracks, fields, never had an issue.... Ground clearance is its biggest downfall.
Obviously at your budget you will be buying a high mileage... Just get someone to check it over.
The viscous coupling ratio was changed in around 2003 so less fail after that date. The engine is BMW sourced and has a good a reputation as any other 4 pot diesel. It's the petrol that had more issues....
Xtrail mk2 were known to have blown turbos due to over boost....was a recall.....I had one and never had issues with it, again, quite good off road and in the snow
daveenty said:
Subaru Forester or Outback?
Only saying this as I've just got a cheap H6 Outback to use over the winter to save my own from wear and tear.
Yep they will leave a BMW for dead in the slightest bit of snowOnly saying this as I've just got a cheap H6 Outback to use over the winter to save my own from wear and tear.
http://youtu.be/STaximkaQxo
It depends on the snow.
In fresh snow most tyres will work.
But once it's been driven on or has stood for a while the wet British snow becomes heavy packed slush.
that's when winter tyres or more extreme snow tyres really work.
As a rough guide.
You 3 series on snow tyres will be as good as a 4x4 on all seasons (or non snow specific winters).
In you position I would be looking for an old Hilux surf, shogun, fourtrack etc. Whatever is cheap and local.
Especially if it comes with some decent M+S tyres.
Make sure it's got a centre diffcfor full time 4wd, as part time isn't good for patchy snow.
A larger 4x4 is more than just snow transport - it doubles as a load lugger.
Otherwise, just get some good snow tyres for the BMW, it's be cheaper.
In fresh snow most tyres will work.
But once it's been driven on or has stood for a while the wet British snow becomes heavy packed slush.
that's when winter tyres or more extreme snow tyres really work.
As a rough guide.
You 3 series on snow tyres will be as good as a 4x4 on all seasons (or non snow specific winters).
In you position I would be looking for an old Hilux surf, shogun, fourtrack etc. Whatever is cheap and local.
Especially if it comes with some decent M+S tyres.
Make sure it's got a centre diffcfor full time 4wd, as part time isn't good for patchy snow.
A larger 4x4 is more than just snow transport - it doubles as a load lugger.
Otherwise, just get some good snow tyres for the BMW, it's be cheaper.
RedAndy said:
OP said CHEAP!!
Suzuki Ignis 4grip and a replacement bucjket seat, 10mm spacers all round. amazing little thing, drifts like a god. Yours for buttons, cheap to insure/tax etc.
^This.Suzuki Ignis 4grip and a replacement bucjket seat, 10mm spacers all round. amazing little thing, drifts like a god. Yours for buttons, cheap to insure/tax etc.
My missus has one, and it gets used offroad practically every day. It's not full time 4wd, just a viscous coupling but that's what you actually want.
It has an oddly urgent little powerplant (1.5l i4 VVT thing with a definate "hot cam" thing like an old vtec engine). We've been trying to kill hers for a while (135K at the moment) but it just won't die.
C
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