Facelift mk1 - what did they do?

Hi folks
Just joined the forum as I'm in the process of selling my X5 to fund a Freelander.
I had a mk1 W reg a few years ago which I loved but the ex wife ruined it by the time I got it back off her so I sold it quickly. I had my fair share of woes with it, wing mirrors falling to bits, rear window motor, rear door handle (came off in my hand one day when trying to open the boot!!) but the only mechanical issue I had was a starter motor.
This time with about 5k to spend I reckon I can get a facelift TD4. Obviously the engine will be far better than the old dog of a Rover diesel unit but can you tell me what other changes they made to the facelift? I'd like to think these would be improvements but you never know with British engineering do you!!
Thanks guys and looking forward to a long and fruitful membership of this forum.
Regards
Gareth

I'm not sure why you should call the L series diesel a dog? It's far from a dog. It's without doubt the most durable engine fitted into the Freelander!! It might not be the most technically advanced engine in the world but it's one reliable unit. With correct servicing it will outlast almost anything. If something should go wrong it's cheap to fix unlike the BMW engine where everything that brakes is expensive!
Most other changes on the face lift Freelander are cosmetic.

They changed the colour of the front indicator lenses. After 2001 they are clear lenses with orange bulbs, as opposed to the orange lenses use prior to 2001.

Fair enough. Guess I'll ask elsewhere then.
Thanks

Garethdeb said:

Fair enough. Guess I'll ask elsewhere then.
Thanks

Click to expand...

:jaw::bolt:

Rear lower quarter panels colour coded to rest of body, hill descent switch in different position. TD4 is a good engine if looked after, regular oil changes (fully synthetic) and crankcase breather mod would be advisable.

first of all welcome, (if you are still here that is) judging by the number of posts you did introduce yourself.

well having the two of them what I can say is (between a preface-lift td4 and a face-lift td4)

PFL ride lower than FL, not as in ride height but as in seating height
PFL have the grab handle (like its a gtr or anything of the sort ) fl have the controversial cup holes
dial binnacles are also different even switch positioning

summing it all up its only cosmetic

mechanically to e they are identical apart from an extra sensor on the facelift

Thanks for that. So did they sort the wing mirrors? Mine just kept falling to pieces!
So with a TD4 then I need to be looking for good service history on the oil changes yes? Anything else to look out for other than the usual stuff? Is there a buyer's guide on the forum anywhere?
Cheers all
Gareth

If its the late facelift it probably won't have the fuel burning heater.

VCU etc etc there are some guides if you search what to look for or the similar if i aint mistaken