Vehicle & Technical > Freelander

OK so sell me a freelander!

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discowoman:
Hi guys n gals... never had a freebie - but been looking at them more and more lately (must be an age thing - lol )
Must admit the prices are VERY tempting, BUT its the head gasket / IRD horror stories that are putting me off.. has anyone actually got a breakdown of costs involved in repairing the usual suspects ?
also has anyone got any pictures of the boot space on the 5 door and what will fit in there (we have a rather large Rotty   )
Thanks people

freelanderpx54:
Boot space is ok to get a Rotty in. Not much difference in boot space size between 3 and 5 door. Go for a Td4 if you can as it is a better engine. Don't get a 3 door if you carry passengers. It is a pain getting in the back, especially if you are trying to put children into child seats. That's my view from ownership of a 3 door Td4. Due to the extra grandchildren I ended up getting a D2 which has a bit more room.

Make sure your decision to buy is future proofed, you don't want to buy something which 12-18 months down the road isn't big enough to cope with family and pet demands.


Despite comment to the contrary, the freeby is pretty good off road if you take into account the lack of ground clearance

discowoman:
well theres 2 adults and 3 kids (4,11 and 12) so a 3 door is out because its only a 4 seater.. did look at diesels..but cash is probably a bit tight for one of those :(:(
Is it possible that most early freebies have had the problems sorted by now, or are there still horrors waiting to happen?

V8MoneyPit:
There is a Land Rover fix for the K series engine head gasket problems. But most trouble is caused by poor servicing. If you can get to see the history for the car, check if there's a bill for the upgrade.

The 1.8 petrol engine is actually an excellent unit. It is just a bit on the limit for coolant capacity so gives trouble when it leaks or if the coolant system isn't properly purged of air when serviced.

5 door versions fetch more than the 3 door ones, but sounds like you would need a 5dr.

As previously said, see if you can stretch to a TD4. It is by far the best engine. The V6 is excellent, but thirsty. The old diesel is OK, but a bit agricultural.

carbore:
Hello,

I slightly disagree re the HGF issue being due to poor servicing, I worth a thread about the K series http://www.mud-club.com/forum/index.php/topic,29315.0.html and its down to a weakness in thermostat positioning, although being nasty to your car will exasperate it!

However its right that the upgrade fixes it (as it move the thermostat position), so if the car has not had this then its possible/likley even that it will happen but not inevitable, esp if you look after it etc.  After all the old lady who works at my old glof club had an HFG in her Rover400 and she took it to rover on the service dot etc etc. You can also do your own upgrade and provided its never blown up before and been bodged (warped head and a thick gasket to hope to make it go away) then it should be fine.

Deffo go for a 5 door. Space in the back is "variable", some things work well (I had a huge generator in there) but other things dont (some windows that went fine in our Golf hatch, but wouldnt fit in the freelander) Itrs got a lot of height, but width is ok, but length is quite frankly appalling due to the seats not disapearing when you fold them forwards. Mind you iv got a Brownchurch roof rack on mine that would carry a wilderbeast back to the campfire no problem.

I do a lot of miles in my TD4 and its very comfy and ok for economy.

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