Advice for buying TD4

Hi guys, just jumped across from the RR forum, my Dad fancies a TD4 auto but looking at all the posts looks quite horrific but then if you look at the posts for the P38 no one would buy one, I did and love it. So when looking at a TD4 what are the common things to look out for other than the obvious things that any sensible buyer looks at. What are the main weaknesses.
Cheers Davie

Davie F said:

Hi guys, just jumped across from the RR forum, my Dad fancies a TD4 auto but looking at all the posts looks quite horrific but then if you look at the posts for the P38 no one would buy one, I did and love it. So when looking at a TD4 what are the common things to look out for other than the obvious things that any sensible buyer looks at. What are the main weaknesses.
Cheers Davie

Click to expand...

well not so bad as the p38.

iv just moved from a TD4 to a Range L322 myself

The search bar will tell you all there is to know

Hi freelander 1 td4 has the sound BMW engine plenty of do s and donts on here i would buy another

Take it for a long test drive before buying

VCU check on all models.

Personally I would keep to the 'facelift' models as most VCU and IRD issues were addressed by then.

I'm very happy with my auto

got a 2001 TD4 auto and love it. As said earlier give it a good test drive and pay special attention to the vcu. There are plenty of threads about it and how to test it on here.

make sure it actually has a VCU and prop

I've had my Td4 auto for over three years & it's been a great car. Plenty of threads on what to look for it's been covered many times try searching for "buying freelander" or "buying Td4" or "what to look for freelander" or something similar. Good luck - your dad will enjoy it.

I have had my TD4 auto for 8 years now and do not have many problems (touching wood) starter motor but soon fixed and of side drive shaft but again soon fixed you must do regular servicing as with any deisle motor hope this helps

Cheers guys, good to get some positive feedback, they are a good looking motor so don't blame my Dad for wanting one.
Cheers Davie

Skynet said:

VCU check on all models.

Personally I would keep to the 'facelift' models as most VCU and IRD issues were addressed by then.

I'm very happy with my auto

Click to expand...

All advice still points towards a VCU change at about 70k miles no matter what the year is. My 2005 TD4 has done over 100k miles so I dropped the rear drive train off until I get round to changing the VCU.

nickcc said:

All advice still points towards a VCU change at about 70k miles no matter what the year is. My 2005 TD4 has done over 100k miles so I dropped the rear drive train off until I get round to changing the VCU.

Click to expand...

Mine's done 77k & is exactly the same as it was when I got the car at 52k. Some will fail well before 70k & others will do double the mileage. The key is to keep checking it & luckily (mine being an auto) I reverse on full lock at tickover every day & will notice if it starts to get tight.

chromiumuk said:

Mine's done 77k & is exactly the same as it was when I got the car at 52k. Some will fail well before 70k & others will do double the mileage. The key is to keep checking it & luckily (mine being an auto) I reverse on full lock at tickover every day & will notice if it starts to get tight.

Click to expand...

If you have a read of the suppliers web sites some state that these checks prove nothing. I know that most of us have carried out the wheel weight and tippex test but according to the recommended suppliers these tests are worthless, personally I don't have a clue but I'm pretty sure other members have their own thoughts.

I've got a 56 plate TD4 which has done 90k miles, I get approx 40mpg and apart from the usual servicing costs, tyres etc it cost me £28 to replace a leaky fuel filter. It drives pretty much as i remember when new, does every thing i need and i would get another.

nickcc said:

If you have a read of the suppliers web sites some state that these checks prove nothing. I know that most of us have carried out the wheel weight and tippex test but according to the recommended suppliers these tests are worthless, personally I don't have a clue but I'm pretty sure other members have their own thoughts.

Click to expand...

That wouldn't be the same suppliers who want to charge £250~ for one of their recon units would it?
You won't get an exact precise report of your VCU of course but you will know if it's beginning to bind by the reversing on full lock, regularly checking your tyre wear & carefully monitoring the general feel of your car.

chromiumuk said:

That wouldn't be the same suppliers who want to charge £250~ for one of their recon units would it?
You won't get an exact precise report of your VCU of course but you will know if it's beginning to bind by the reversing on full lock, regularly checking your tyre wear & carefully monitoring the general feel of your car.

Click to expand...

Would prefer not to name the suppliers but as far as I can see all the popular ones, including one who charges £200, seem to poo pa DIY checks, and advise changing the VCU at 70,000 miles even if checks still show it to be ok. Mine had covered over 100,000 miles with no obvious defect but due to all the (probably justified) scare stories I decided to remove the VCU and props until I buy a replacement. Some advice stated that the later facelift model extended the life of the VCU due to different front to back ratios but again the suppliers say that this is untrue. When I spoke to Land Rover all they said was they knew of no premature failures of the VCU, perhaps they also believe in fairies.

nickcc said:

Would prefer not to name the suppliers but as far as I can see all the popular ones, including one who charges £200, seem to poo pa DIY checks, and advise changing the VCU at 70,000 miles even if checks still show it to be ok. Mine had covered over 100,000 miles with no obvious defect but due to all the (probably justified) scare stories I decided to remove the VCU and props until I buy a replacement. Some advice stated that the later facelift model extended the life of the VCU due to different front to back ratios but again the suppliers say that this is untrue. When I spoke to Land Rover all they said was they knew of no premature failures of the VCU, perhaps they also believe in fairies.

Click to expand...

The ratio of the ird was revised & all Td4's have the uprated box which is much kinder to the vcu. It was the early L-series diesels & early 1.8 K-series petrols which ran with the more aggressive ratio which overworked the vcu. Not sure exactly when the 1.8 petrol received the upgrade but it was after the Td4 (which was released in 2000). Bit surprised your supplier didn't explain this to you, & I wasn't wanting you to name him - I was just trying to point out that suppliers are running a business & it's in their interest to sell their products not persuade us to keep running with our old ones. Freelander VCU's are a weak point, there's no doubt about that but the Td4 does have less trouble with them than the old L-series & I still believe if it aint broke, don't fix it.

chromiumuk said:

The ratio of the ird was revised & all Td4's have the uprated box which is much kinder to the vcu. It was the early L-series diesels & early 1.8 K-series petrols which ran with the more aggressive ratio which overworked the vcu. Not sure exactly when the 1.8 petrol received the upgrade but it was after the Td4 (which was released in 2000). Bit surprised your supplier didn't explain this to you, & I wasn't wanting you to name him - I was just trying to point out that suppliers are running a business & it's in their interest to sell their products not persuade us to keep running with our old ones. Freelander VCU's are a weak point, there's no doubt about that but the Td4 does have less trouble with them than the old L-series & I still believe if it aint broke, don't fix it.

Click to expand...

The only reason I've not named the suppliers who state on their web sites that VCU checks are a waste of time is that other members have bought from, and advise other members to buy from, these suppliers. I have personally never bought from these suppliers so would hate to criticise other members opinions regards these companies. Thanks for the above info very interesting.

I have, in the past. As above - they are in the business of selling replacement VCUs so would rather we replaced them regularly, good or bad. A VCU check can never do any harm, even if it doesn't show all forms of failure.
Don't forget that VCUs can fail in two modes, siezed and not locking.

Purchased a 2006 (Facelift) TD4 last year for the misses and done all the usual upgrades and so far its not missed a beat and drives well.

She's happy and thats the main thing.