Freelandre 1 TD4 buying - service history
Discussion
Just been to look at a 2006 Freelander TD4 which my wife fancied but there were a couple of things I'm not sure about, trouble is as the first one we've looked at it is difficult to know. The concerns were:
- the gearshift seemed really vague, the box sounded fine but the lever was like stirring porridge without being sure if there was anything there.
- main concern, however, was that the service history was patchy, the book being blank for the first service and then the second filled in at 27k miles by the supplying dealer, as was the next but not for another 20k+ miles. I will contact the dealer as they sold it to the current owner (3rd keeper) and see what they say but just wondering how critical the first service would be on the car>
- the switches for the heater controls are really scruffy with the coating badly worn - not a mjor point but they do look really messy and seems odd on a car of the age and mileage (95k)
Any comments welcomed - I'm tempted to leave it and look further but my wife does like it!
- the gearshift seemed really vague, the box sounded fine but the lever was like stirring porridge without being sure if there was anything there.
- main concern, however, was that the service history was patchy, the book being blank for the first service and then the second filled in at 27k miles by the supplying dealer, as was the next but not for another 20k+ miles. I will contact the dealer as they sold it to the current owner (3rd keeper) and see what they say but just wondering how critical the first service would be on the car>
- the switches for the heater controls are really scruffy with the coating badly worn - not a mjor point but they do look really messy and seems odd on a car of the age and mileage (95k)
Any comments welcomed - I'm tempted to leave it and look further but my wife does like it!
Check another one.
The manuals can be troublesome with the master and slave cylinders failing.
Fit genuine replacements. I had a Britpart and some other one on mine and both failed, fitted another genuine and it was fine again.
Services need to be done, the crankcase filter needs changed yearly or the part swapped for the bmw paperless filter one.
Imho, get a SE or HSE td4 auto.
The manuals can be troublesome with the master and slave cylinders failing.
Fit genuine replacements. I had a Britpart and some other one on mine and both failed, fitted another genuine and it was fine again.
Services need to be done, the crankcase filter needs changed yearly or the part swapped for the bmw paperless filter one.
Imho, get a SE or HSE td4 auto.
Thanks Guys, we've called the dealer and they have no knowledge of any other services (I had wondered if maybe they forgot to take the book with them) so looks like it might not have had a first service until 27k miles which is not good in my view.
At least we have a benchmark now! I would definitely prefer a higher spec one as that was neatr the bottom of the range, but an automatic is unlikely as my wife doesn't really want that and is after as much fuel economy as possible.
At least we have a benchmark now! I would definitely prefer a higher spec one as that was neatr the bottom of the range, but an automatic is unlikely as my wife doesn't really want that and is after as much fuel economy as possible.
I had 2 manuals, both returned high 30s in normal driving. Best I got was 588 miles at 44.5mpg on a steady motorway run.
The change is good when in good condition, a poorly changing box has something amiss.
If you do get one, fit genuine master and slave parts. The bitter and poorer voice of experience says that!
If it's not rude, what's your max budget, are you needing a 3 or 5 door?
The change is good when in good condition, a poorly changing box has something amiss.
If you do get one, fit genuine master and slave parts. The bitter and poorer voice of experience says that!
If it's not rude, what's your max budget, are you needing a 3 or 5 door?
Not rude - we are maybe looking at £4k as a budget but for the right car could go higher, I would go for a 5 door but my wife fancies a 3 door I think. The alternative is to borrow a bit extra and go for a Freelander 2 which we are considering, but it looks like an extra £3k for the same miles but newer so not quite sure it is worth it, bit more homework to do I think as I am new to really understanding Freelanders.
Thanks, lets me know what to work with... lol. 
I sold my own 04 SE 3 door almost 2 years ago for £4500 with 74k on the clock.
Get a td4, don't go for a petrol.
You'll get a better 3 door for your budget than a 5 door.
Check autotrader for the various specs. I had an SE as it had the heated seats, mirrors, front windscreen, 6 disc cd changer, parking sensors, half leather seats and 16 inch alloys.
It was a decent spec and the seats are nice and comfy. The boot is small but it's the same with the 5 door.
Drop links can go with age, the vcu can fail over time, replacement is £400 or so.
Propshaft bearings wear out, GKN ones are £50 off ebay via foundry 4x4.
Mine never leaked but the rear door seal can leak, replace with new one to solve.
Best tyres go on the back to help the vcu.
Blank the egr valve, replace the boost hoses with silicone ones and change the crankcase breather for the bmw one.
I'm sure there is plenty more i know if you need it.
I sold my own 04 SE 3 door almost 2 years ago for £4500 with 74k on the clock.
Get a td4, don't go for a petrol.
You'll get a better 3 door for your budget than a 5 door.
Check autotrader for the various specs. I had an SE as it had the heated seats, mirrors, front windscreen, 6 disc cd changer, parking sensors, half leather seats and 16 inch alloys.
It was a decent spec and the seats are nice and comfy. The boot is small but it's the same with the 5 door.
Drop links can go with age, the vcu can fail over time, replacement is £400 or so.
Propshaft bearings wear out, GKN ones are £50 off ebay via foundry 4x4.
Mine never leaked but the rear door seal can leak, replace with new one to solve.
Best tyres go on the back to help the vcu.
Blank the egr valve, replace the boost hoses with silicone ones and change the crankcase breather for the bmw one.
I'm sure there is plenty more i know if you need it.
A.J.M said:
Thanks, lets me know what to work with... lol.
I sold my own 04 SE 3 door almost 2 years ago for £4500 with 74k on the clock.
Get a td4, don't go for a petrol.
You'll get a better 3 door for your budget than a 5 door.
Check autotrader for the various specs. I had an SE as it had the heated seats, mirrors, front windscreen, 6 disc cd changer, parking sensors, half leather seats and 16 inch alloys.
It was a decent spec and the seats are nice and comfy. The boot is small but it's the same with the 5 door.
Drop links can go with age, the vcu can fail over time, replacement is £400 or so.
Propshaft bearings wear out, GKN ones are £50 off ebay via foundry 4x4.
Mine never leaked but the rear door seal can leak, replace with new one to solve.
Best tyres go on the back to help the vcu.
Blank the egr valve, replace the boost hoses with silicone ones and change the crankcase breather for the bmw one.
I'm sure there is plenty more i know if you need it.
Brilliant, thanks for the advice. It will definitely be a TD4 if we go Freelander 1.I sold my own 04 SE 3 door almost 2 years ago for £4500 with 74k on the clock.
Get a td4, don't go for a petrol.
You'll get a better 3 door for your budget than a 5 door.
Check autotrader for the various specs. I had an SE as it had the heated seats, mirrors, front windscreen, 6 disc cd changer, parking sensors, half leather seats and 16 inch alloys.
It was a decent spec and the seats are nice and comfy. The boot is small but it's the same with the 5 door.
Drop links can go with age, the vcu can fail over time, replacement is £400 or so.
Propshaft bearings wear out, GKN ones are £50 off ebay via foundry 4x4.
Mine never leaked but the rear door seal can leak, replace with new one to solve.
Best tyres go on the back to help the vcu.
Blank the egr valve, replace the boost hoses with silicone ones and change the crankcase breather for the bmw one.
I'm sure there is plenty more i know if you need it.
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