Looking at a V6 - Comments pls

[Angelstorm]

Evening all, prepare for a ramble ....

I'm looking at buying a V6 FL1 GS and would appreciate any comments people might have.

First off, a Disco is out of the question ( won't fit on the drive ) and a Series X/defender won't work as it will need to be a daily runner ( with a child seat )

I *know* that freelanders have a reputation for costing money but pls bear in mind that I'll be selling my hot hatch which costs THE EARTH ( and gets worse mpg than a v6 FL )

Point being, mid 30's, kiddie on the way and whilst I need a family car, I also need something interesting. Wifey likes it as well which is a bonus.

Anyways, having looked around I've found a V6 in black ( X plate, 90 k ) which seems to fit the bill.
I took it out for a drive and yes, the kickdown isn't great but I *do* like the sound of the engine ( and the performance for a 4x4) and in the very mild greenlane I tried it seemed more than capable.

I don't want a normal estate as last year when the snow hit I had to slide the wifes corsa around for three weeks as we didn't care it that got dented I also want to be able to chugg around the odd bit of offroading to get a feel for it. If I love it, I'll buy a V8 d90 as well in a couple of years

So, what do I need to check ?
I've noted the comments in here about checking the VDC and will do that, but what else ?

Oil has no mayo, nor smelling of toast.
No rollback on a 20% hill in drive at idle.
Started first time from cold. No nasty sounds. Revs are steady.
Electrics all work apart from ds wing mirror ( I can live with that )
No rust I can easily spot.
No service history for the last couple of years, but I know my way around a spanner and if I get stuck, I know a VERY good mechanic who owes me money

Any thoughts please ?

Cheers muchly!


ps : Thanks @hippo for the vids

 

[110woman]

) and a Series X/defender won't work as it will need to be a daily runner ( with a child seat )

Any thoughts please ?

Used mine as a daily runner for last 11 years and had 3 kids car seats in it at one point - so why won't it work exactly

 

[Angelstorm]

) and a Series X/defender won't work as it will need to be a daily runner ( with a child seat )

Any thoughts please ?

Used mine as a daily runner for last 11 years and had 3 kids car seats in it at one point - so why won't it work exactly

Mainly because I was looking at D90's not 110's ( cant see kids seats fitting in a 90 ) .. but perhaps more importantly, wifey says she would be happy to drive a freelander ... but not a defender.

If it was 100% my decision and I was the only driver, I would certainly consider a 110.

Thanks for the comment.

 

[Hippo]

V6 is a rover kv6 k series. Expect 18-28mpg, with 22mpg being the usual.
They can suffer hgf, and overheating problems.
Make sure the auto is ok. Thats includes all 5 forward gears, and reverse, and after restart when auto is hot, should still work. Gear change should be smooth. 2500 revs in 5th, at 60mph.
Check everything electrical works.
Check the vcu as per the video below.
Make sure the coolany gets hot on road test, and temp guage is reading ok.
Check for signs of hfg. Popular to sell Freelander petrols with this.
Check tyres for even wear.
Make sure it's got regular service history, and a fist full of receipts fer fings that have gone wrong. Will be handy fer fixing it yerself, as you'll have the part numbers for when the same fault crops up again, and again...
Keep reading threads on ere about Freelanders, to learn the common faults and fixes.
Make sure the cambelt has been done at 70k miles and every 70k miles thereafter, as it's a 5 hour job by a garage. Bit longer if yer do it yerself.

Bearing in mind I have a v6 myself, buy a diesel auto td4. v6 is priced lower as thats the market value selling point. td4 will give better mpg, and be more reliable.

 

[RichM]

I'd second what Hippo said. TD4 = Better option. The TD4 is only about 2 seconds slower 0-60 than the V6. The TD4 also has a BMW engine and is more torquey than any of the others. It will be significantly more fuel efficient than a V6 and also cheaper to insure. Not to mention more reliable.

Sure, it doesn't sound great (it doesn't sound bad either - it's quiet) but surely if you're buying a 4x4, you don't care whether or not it sounds like a hot hatch? Imo it's better to be realistic.

I don't know why I waste my time giving this advice though because whenever I do, it seems as though people still go out and buy a petrol K series. Then they come back in a few months complaining about HGF.

Even the TD4 has its own set of common problems to contend with. I'd really hate to have to add serious engine problems to the list too.

 

[Angelstorm]

V6 is a rover kv6 k series. Expect 18-28mpg, with 22mpg being the usual.

That's better than my Leon

They can suffer hgf, and overheating problems.

Understood .... temp guage was 50% throughout the trial run. I realise that doesn't mean everything is A-OK

Make sure the auto is ok. Thats includes all 5 forward gears, and reverse, and after restart when auto is hot, should still work. Gear change should be smooth. 2500 revs in 5th, at 60mph.

I will certainly check revs in 5th ( very useful, thanks! ). Auto box had 1/2/4/D but revs did change at 50mph from D to 4th

Check everything electrical works.

All except that wingmirror

Check the vcu as per the video below.

VCU ... not VCD ... that's what I meant in first post

Make sure the coolany gets hot on road test, and temp guage is reading ok.

Already done, just on a gut instinct.

Check for signs of hfg. Popular to sell Freelander petrols with this.

Done as far as mayo and toast checks are concerned. Anything else to watch out for?

Check tyres for even wear.

Seemed fine

Make sure it's got regular service history, and a fist full of receipts fer fings that have gone wrong. Will be handy fer fixing it yerself, as you'll have the part numbers for when the same fault crops up again, and again...

Nothing in last couple of years FSH up till then

Keep reading threads on ere about Freelanders, to learn the common faults and fixes.

Yep! I've owned a calibra turbo before. Fully appreciative of the use of forums, hence me registering here

Make sure the cambelt has been done at 70k miles and every 70k miles thereafter, as it's a 5 hour job by a garage. Bit longer if yer do it yerself.

Yep, done!

Bearing in mind I have a v6 myself, buy a diesel auto td4. v6 is priced lower as thats the market value selling point. td4 will give better mpg, and be more reliable.

The question is, if someone offered you a trade of a TD4 for your V6 would you take it?
thanks for the informative response hippo. Much appreciated!

 

[Angelstorm]

I'd second what Hippo said. TD4 = Better option. The TD4 is only about 2 seconds slower 0-60 than the V6. The TD4 also has a BMW engine and is more torquey than any of the others. It will be significantly more fuel efficient than a V6 and also cheaper to insure. Not to mention more reliable.

Sure, it doesn't sound great (it doesn't sound bad either - it's quiet) but surely if you're buying a 4x4, you don't care whether or not it sounds like a hot hatch? Imo it's better to be realistic.

I don't know why I waste my time giving this advice though because whenever I do, it seems as though people still go out and buy a petrol K series. Then they come back in a few months complaining about HGF.

Even the TD4 has its own set of common problems to contend with. I'd really hate to have to add serious engine problems to the list too.

It's a good point, and thanks.

If the TD4 was in the same ball-park area price wise, I think I would take the hit.
But, I'm a petrolhead ... I need a compromise. Yes, I fully appreciate that I may come under the banner of wasting your time, and I hate myself for it

It doesn't need to sound like a hot hatch at ALL, but sounding interesting is another thing ( a friend has a V8 3.5 conversion series 2 that sounds AMAZING! and with 8mpg )

If I saw a TD4 for a grand more in the same condition as this V6 I've seen, I would seriously consider it.

Pls note, I'm not an impulse buyer ( most of the time ) and nothing is set in stone. I appreciate the advice here

 

[RichM]

But, I'm a petrolhead ... I need a compromise. Yes, I fully appreciate that I may come under the banner of wasting your time, and I hate myself for it

Thing is though, things have moved on and diesels are nothing like they once were. Performance wise, the TD4 seems like any average family saloon (though, it will remind you that it isn't when you chuck it into corners! - but through no fault of the engine itself) There's no turbo lag or anything. It's also so quiet that people are unlikely to know it's a diesel.

There's some diesels out there that will often match or even outperform their petrol counterparts.

BMW E90 330d (Diesel)

0-60 mph 6.5 s
Power Output 227 bhp
Torque 500 Nm 369 lb-ft
Top Speed 155 mph
MPG 46

BMW E90 (Petrol)

0-60 mph 5.9 s
Power Output 268 bhp
Torque 320 Nm 236 lb-ft
Top Speed 155 mph
MPG 38

When you take into account the amount of torque the diesel has in comparison, along with the rest of the figures, I think people would be stupid to knock it. I was gonna say that they'd even be stupid to buy the petrol version, but perhaps that's a bit harsh!

Obviously you're not looking for a BMW but point I'm making is that diesels have come along way since the introduction of common rail technologies. If it's the sound you're after, then why not just put an after market exhaust on it?

 

[2.0_hippo]

You tried your best rich :doh:

 

[Trewey]

V6 is a rover kv6 k series. Expect 18-28mpg, with 19mpg being the usual.
They will suffer hgf, and overheating problems.

Edited for accuracy.

 

[The Mad Hat Man]

TD4 everytime.
Do not touch a petrol unless yu have deep pockets and like public transport.

 

[Angelstorm]

Ok, cheers all!

I'll have a hunt around for a TD4 in the right spec and take it for a spin.

Head says TD4 is the better choice after your comments. Heart still wants the petrol but heart can keep quiet for once

@Rich, yes .. the BMW diesels are pretty awesome. Chap at work has one of the new 330d's ... very nice!

EDIT :

A quick search shows me that the TD4 is going to cost about an extra 2.5K
Will it *really* save me 2.5K in it's life given that I do about 3-4K miles a year?

Guess I might have to start looking at Japanese

 

[The Mad Hat Man]

put it this way - my KV6 cost me £6.5K in repairs in one year

 

[Angelstorm]

put it this way - my KV6 cost me £6.5K in repairs in one year

Holy moley!

Well, I think you've all managed to get through to me!
Having also spoken with friendly garage chap who I know well, and seeing his face when I mentioned "freelander" .. I think I'll give the whole lot a miss

Shame. LR missed a beat here didn't they. A FL ticks *all* the boxes regarding what I want, except for that reliabilty thing.

Anyways, thanks kindly all. I'll be back on here when I finally get the D90 I always wanted

Best rgds

Angelstorm

 

[The Mad Hat Man]

I chopped my KV6 in for a petrol (dont get a doozil) X-Trail. Not so good looking, but more reliable (and a bigger boot) if that helps.
best thing is to hire one for a weekend and see if you like it.

 

[Hippo]

The question is, if someone offered you a trade of a TD4 for your V6 would you take it?
thanks for the informative response hippo. Much appreciated!

I would certainly think about it. Mine was inherited. I didn’t choose it. If I had of, then diesel would have been the one for me after doing research. I do about 4k miles per year, so it’s not too bad. Petrol at 18mpg average is 33p per mile. I look after it myself for service and repair, if I can. My choice as I enjoy tinkering, but would put it in a garage if needed. He’s just done 27k miles. If he were to throw another major wobble, then I’d compare the cost, and future savings against a replacement. This would be a Freelander 1 td4 auto, or possibly a Freelander 2. They’re £15k at the moment unless you go for a very high mileage, for the year. Would I exchange him? Not sure. Probably not. There’s no emotional tie, but he is part of the family sort of. Hence I’ll probably keep him until properly broken. Hence his higher running costs will stay for now. This I can put up with. He gets used off road like you’d expect from a land rover. He’s comfortable for long journeys, something I have to do for work in hired vehicles. Hence the comparison is a real test. Don’t really use the extra power he has, as it doesn’t bother me. If asked by others which model to buy, I always go for the diesel. Regardless of it being on the web, or peeps who I know who ask me. Makes more sense on cost of ownership, over time, with respect to reliability. That said a Freelander is a good vehicle. It does have its faults, just like any other vehicle. The good thing is the tratter boys with their rusty ole biscuit tins often remind us of Freelander faults. Hence the faults are well documented on the web, with home diy advice on resolutions to keep your Freelander going, at sensible prices.

0-60mph figures from the 2001 catalogue:
v6 10.1 sec
td4 manual 13.2 sec
td4 auto 14.3 sec
1.8 petrol 11.8 sec
td4’s can easily be chipped by rover ron.