Land Rover Freelanders - TD4 for the missus?
Discussion
Hi all,
OK, I've been reading a few bits and pieces here and there on these, but where better than to ask the owners? Basically, we need a more practical car (my practical alternative to the motorbike is an S2000!) so we're thinking of changing the missus' 206 HDi for something a bit bigger - and a Freelander fits the bill.
It needs to be suitable for carrying 4 or 5 people now and then, but not often, taking stuff to the tip, possibly towing a car trailer with a light weight race car in it (I think they can tow around 1,800kg, braked?) and also carrying a dog from time to time.
We don't want anything ruiniously expensive to run (the S2000 takes care to that) so that puts a P38 out the question - plus they're too big for our needs anyway.
I quite fancy an 03-on TD4 Sport, either 3 door hardback or a 5 door, not really fussed - really just after opinions on them, any well known problems I may have missed (it seems most problems apply to the early-model Freelanders, which are all pre-TD4 I believe) etc etc?
Also, is the TD4 the one to have? As I said, we want decent running costs, and to me the 1.8 seems pretty sluggish and the V6 sounds like it'll drink a lot, although to be fair I haven't driven any of them yet!
The other option, although possibly a bit big for her, is a Discover 2, TD5 - but they seem even slower, and I know she loves the "nippyness" of her current 206!
Anyway, comments/thoughts/experiences are all welcome!
Thanks.
OK, I've been reading a few bits and pieces here and there on these, but where better than to ask the owners? Basically, we need a more practical car (my practical alternative to the motorbike is an S2000!) so we're thinking of changing the missus' 206 HDi for something a bit bigger - and a Freelander fits the bill.
It needs to be suitable for carrying 4 or 5 people now and then, but not often, taking stuff to the tip, possibly towing a car trailer with a light weight race car in it (I think they can tow around 1,800kg, braked?) and also carrying a dog from time to time.
We don't want anything ruiniously expensive to run (the S2000 takes care to that) so that puts a P38 out the question - plus they're too big for our needs anyway.
I quite fancy an 03-on TD4 Sport, either 3 door hardback or a 5 door, not really fussed - really just after opinions on them, any well known problems I may have missed (it seems most problems apply to the early-model Freelanders, which are all pre-TD4 I believe) etc etc?
Also, is the TD4 the one to have? As I said, we want decent running costs, and to me the 1.8 seems pretty sluggish and the V6 sounds like it'll drink a lot, although to be fair I haven't driven any of them yet!
The other option, although possibly a bit big for her, is a Discover 2, TD5 - but they seem even slower, and I know she loves the "nippyness" of her current 206!
Anyway, comments/thoughts/experiences are all welcome!
Thanks.
Edited by Mike_C on Wednesday 16th September 22:00
Hi there,
Td4 is the only engine to consider, gives good mpg, can be remapped to decent levels and generally quite reliable.
I have a 04 3 door SE, been a good car over the last 8 months.
Usual freelander issues can crop up, the wiper linkage can go, Mine did but was £77 inc vat for a new one, usually the conectors that wear out.
Mine does roughly 38mpg, has been remapped by twisted performance to 157 bhp and 330 lb ft. It has made a big difference to the car performace. Much better off the line and at motorway speeds.
Inside you should be careful with sport specs!
My SE, has heated front windscreen and half leather heated front seats.
Some sports have these, some have one or the other, and some dont have any. Very strange.
Otherwise it should have 6 disc cd changer, heated electric power fold mirrors, air con, rear parking sensors and the lovely 18 inch alloys. Im about to fit a set onto my SE and sell the 17s it came with.
Dont believe the huge anti reliable crowd. Mine has had a couple of minor niggles, but has never left me stranded. Its capable off road as long as you read the terrain and understand the lack of ground clearance may cause issues.
Buy one from either landrover themselves or a good dealer and get a 12 month warrenty, i have one and will need to use it very shortly as the rear diff mount, Vc and ird unit have broke.
Very practical inside with 2 glove boxes, deep door bins and rear seat bins, centrel cubby box between front seats and 2 drinks holders in the dash.
I would buy the facelifted shape only, these are from 04-06 and have the better bumpers and lights and far better interiors.
My car was £6500 in feburary with 37k. Your budget will get a nice low mileage model if you look about,
Good luck!
Td4 is the only engine to consider, gives good mpg, can be remapped to decent levels and generally quite reliable.
I have a 04 3 door SE, been a good car over the last 8 months.
Usual freelander issues can crop up, the wiper linkage can go, Mine did but was £77 inc vat for a new one, usually the conectors that wear out.
Mine does roughly 38mpg, has been remapped by twisted performance to 157 bhp and 330 lb ft. It has made a big difference to the car performace. Much better off the line and at motorway speeds.
Inside you should be careful with sport specs!
My SE, has heated front windscreen and half leather heated front seats.
Some sports have these, some have one or the other, and some dont have any. Very strange.
Otherwise it should have 6 disc cd changer, heated electric power fold mirrors, air con, rear parking sensors and the lovely 18 inch alloys. Im about to fit a set onto my SE and sell the 17s it came with.
Dont believe the huge anti reliable crowd. Mine has had a couple of minor niggles, but has never left me stranded. Its capable off road as long as you read the terrain and understand the lack of ground clearance may cause issues.
Buy one from either landrover themselves or a good dealer and get a 12 month warrenty, i have one and will need to use it very shortly as the rear diff mount, Vc and ird unit have broke.
Very practical inside with 2 glove boxes, deep door bins and rear seat bins, centrel cubby box between front seats and 2 drinks holders in the dash.
I would buy the facelifted shape only, these are from 04-06 and have the better bumpers and lights and far better interiors.
My car was £6500 in feburary with 37k. Your budget will get a nice low mileage model if you look about,
Good luck!
Well, FWIW, I bought the Doris a V6 HSE last year. 05 reg in black, and I am very happy with it. (Well, she is).
No issues at all yet, drives well, autobox is a treat to tow with (I tow my race E36 3 series)and the full leather interior is nice too. Goes well and handles well too.
Only thing I dont like is that the seat is too high and wont lower...does anyone have any ideas?
No issues at all yet, drives well, autobox is a treat to tow with (I tow my race E36 3 series)and the full leather interior is nice too. Goes well and handles well too.
Only thing I dont like is that the seat is too high and wont lower...does anyone have any ideas?
Thanks for comments guys, good to know. £6,500 for a 37k mile TD4 SE sounds like a bit of a bargain, most I'm looking at seem to hoover around the £8k mark, which is a bit steep IMO!!
So what is the difference between the Spot and SE models then? Personally, I really fancy a black 3dr Hardback Sport with tinted windows cos I think they look ace, but the missus is probably less bothered and would prefer heated seats and the like!!
So what is the difference between the Spot and SE models then? Personally, I really fancy a black 3dr Hardback Sport with tinted windows cos I think they look ace, but the missus is probably less bothered and would prefer heated seats and the like!!
Mike_C said:
Thanks for comments guys, good to know. £6,500 for a 37k mile TD4 SE sounds like a bit of a bargain, most I'm looking at seem to hoover around the £8k mark, which is a bit steep IMO!!
So what is the difference between the Spot and SE models then? Personally, I really fancy a black 3dr Hardback Sport with tinted windows cos I think they look ace, but the missus is probably less bothered and would prefer heated seats and the like!!
Mine was supposed to be £7000 but i got a discount as i was buying from the same dealer as an identical freelander i bought off him back on october was written off, so they also stand up to 7.5 ton lorries well, but dont expect it to be fixable afterwords... So what is the difference between the Spot and SE models then? Personally, I really fancy a black 3dr Hardback Sport with tinted windows cos I think they look ace, but the missus is probably less bothered and would prefer heated seats and the like!!
SE's come as standard with 16 inch alloys, twin targa roofs, heated front windscreen, heated electric powerfold mirrors, air con, 6 disc in dash changer, heated half leather half suade seats, parking sensors. The sport adds front fog lights, 18s and slightly stiffer suspension and thats it really..
They do look nice but im not sure they are worth the extra over an se which has almost the same spec.
Im tied between selling mine to buy a disco3 hse or wait it out and see how the prices stand next year.
Good luck with finding one, find a good one in a decent colour and it will be a good car for you.
A.J.M said:
Mine was supposed to be £7000 but i got a discount as i was buying from the same dealer as an identical freelander i bought off him back on october was written off, so they also stand up to 7.5 ton lorries well, but dont expect it to be fixable afterwords...
SE's come as standard with 16 inch alloys, twin targa roofs, heated front windscreen, heated electric powerfold mirrors, air con, 6 disc in dash changer, heated half leather half suade seats, parking sensors. The sport adds front fog lights, 18s and slightly stiffer suspension and thats it really..
They do look nice but im not sure they are worth the extra over an se which has almost the same spec.
Im tied between selling mine to buy a disco3 hse or wait it out and see how the prices stand next year.
Good luck with finding one, find a good one in a decent colour and it will be a good car for you.
Cheers AJM! With regards to the Disco, prices on used cars are stabilising and even on the up in some sectors, but I'm certainwill be taking a dip in the early part of next year so my advice would be to hold off until Feb/March time!SE's come as standard with 16 inch alloys, twin targa roofs, heated front windscreen, heated electric powerfold mirrors, air con, 6 disc in dash changer, heated half leather half suade seats, parking sensors. The sport adds front fog lights, 18s and slightly stiffer suspension and thats it really..
They do look nice but im not sure they are worth the extra over an se which has almost the same spec.
Im tied between selling mine to buy a disco3 hse or wait it out and see how the prices stand next year.
Good luck with finding one, find a good one in a decent colour and it will be a good car for you.
Im thinking the prices are a bit up from earlier in the year.
Similar mileage disco 3s with 60k on the clock were £14-15 back in feburary, now they are all over £16 and up for the same.
As for the freelander, i would get the engine hoses replaced with silicone ones to stop the splitting that eventually happens, also get an egr blanking kit. Makes the car much better as its no longer running on a mixture of decent air and exhaust crap.
About to order the front fog and spotlight kits from a local landrover dealer, i can get them for £300 inc vat then get a specialist to fit them. Tinted windows can get done at any local shop that does them, there will be a good fitter near you im sure.
Similar mileage disco 3s with 60k on the clock were £14-15 back in feburary, now they are all over £16 and up for the same.
As for the freelander, i would get the engine hoses replaced with silicone ones to stop the splitting that eventually happens, also get an egr blanking kit. Makes the car much better as its no longer running on a mixture of decent air and exhaust crap.
About to order the front fog and spotlight kits from a local landrover dealer, i can get them for £300 inc vat then get a specialist to fit them. Tinted windows can get done at any local shop that does them, there will be a good fitter near you im sure.
Gassing Station | Land Rover | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff