Freelander 1 Looking for 3 door TD4

Today I went with the missus to have a look at a 2003 three door TD4. She currently has a battered 806 HDI with 240000 miles on the clock, and she wants something smaller and easier to park, but wants to retain the high driving position.

I think that the one we went to see is knackered but I'm no expert so would welcome feedback.

The clutch pedal seemed a bit low, lower than the brake pedal and it didn't feel too nice. She stalled it a few times.

I reversed it down a slight slope and put my foot on the clutch so that it was just rolling and turned the steering. It did seem to stop quite quickly like the handbrake was on a bit but only on lock, so I guess the viscous clutch is not very, well viscous.

Also I found that decelerating in first gear (accelerate then feet off all pedals) that at a certain speed there was a noise like gears grinding or circular saw teeth. So I guess that's the transfer box knackered then.... ?

The good news is that the missus quite liked it. It's a good bit shorter than the 806 and the mirrors are much better. You can't see too much out of the back window but I guess I can easily fit reversing sensors or even a camera. The 806 is just a forest of seats so even worse. Since I fitted sensors on the back she hasn't hit anything on the back but now she keeps wiping out the sides on concrete pillars n things due to poor visibility and a long wheelbase.

As normal she found the seat a bit low but I guess I can remove the seat and put longer bolts and some blocks under it (as I have on the 806).

Also I found that decelerating in first gear (accelerate then feet off all pedals) that at a certain speed there was a noise like gears grinding or circular saw teeth.

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was 'hill descent control' engaged ???
( button by or on the gearshift )
makes a noise similar ( or 'same as' maybe ) to when the abs system kicks in
when braking on a slippery surface .. e.g. ice / snow ..
hdc works in 1st and .. i think .. reverse gears ..

The clutch pedal seemed a bit low, lower than the brake pedal and it didn't feel too nice. She stalled it a few times.

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it's Possible that master and/or slave cylinder needs replacing ..
if slave cylinder .. it's a gearbox removal job

is there a warning light for hill decent? there were no warning light on. I don't think that either of us pressed any buttons.

is there a warning light for hill decent?

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green continuous 'hdc' light for when it's on
red flashing 'hdc' if there's a fault

a noise like gears grinding or circular saw teeth.

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so if it's not the hdc kicking in .. sounds ominous

Aren't 4 doors the same length/size as 3 doors? Just wondering why you specifically want a 3 door although they do seem a bit cheaper.
She shouldn't stall a TD4. A K series maybe but the TD4's I've driven were very easy and pleasent to drive.

My goodness you are right. From wikipedia

2001–2003 5-door: 175.0 in (4,445 mm)
2004–2006 5-door: 174.1 in (4,422 mm)
3-door: 175.1 in (4,448 mm)

The 3 door looks smaller but it seems that it isn't.

The missus has the driving technique that she seems to slip the clutch without pressing the accelerator until the car is moving, and then presses the accelerator once it is moving. Her 806 has so much torque at idle that she gets away with it and even does hill starts quite effectively. Anyway the clutch in the Freelander we looked at was horrible so I think that doesn't help.

Try another and I don't think you'll have the same problem.
BTW at the age/mileage you are looking at check the car has the drive shaft fitted. If it doesn't then walk away as something else will be damaged. Expect to have to fork out for a new VCU and bearings too so factor in another £275 or so plus fitting.
If you manage to buy one with a good VCU then you're very lucky.

understood

I just need to find one without grinding noises from the transmission and then test/change the VCU

your best bet would be a td4 auto , as freelander clutches are not cheap to replace
heres one
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Land-Rove...700170?hash=item419e98fb4a:g:Fa4AAOSwI-BWJgb2
no connection with vendor

missus has specified that it MUST be manual

LOL, sounds like my missus. She's so scared of an automatic she refuses to drive my car.

pscan.eu said:

missus has specified that it MUST be manual

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Seems like you need to re educate her !

tacr2man said:

Seems like you need to re educate her !

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Have you ever had any experience of women in your life? If you had you wouldn't be making such ludicrous statements!

My car is an auto, which I'm not keen on her driving.

I am pretty sure that two things would happen
1. Gearlever in D
2. An accident

Better that I buy her the manual that she wants

Alibro answer several but its all in how you go about it a bit like horse whispering

From experience when it comes to driving using their professed multi tasking capabilities they invariably
love automatics once they have received the right training , none intended

you can take veracity from my signature fleet !

I've a mate who's a driving instructor. Must ask him about female multi tasking when driving. I've a feeling it only applies to putting on makeup.
I suspect my Mrs would love autos if she tried them but is too set in her ways.