FL 1s...common as muck ?

Being a newbie to FL 1s, I have now noticed just how many of them there are about, and of all ages.
Which either means they are not that bad or as other landies would say, shows how many of us idiots there are about

the more the merrier.
intill i got mine i had only seen 2 others. now there everywhere

Not that many over here. Which is bad news because parts from breakers are very expensive. New parts can be expensive as well - when I did my last service I went to the biggest parts store here (NZ equivalent of Halfords) and the oil filter was an order in part!

It amuses me when I read of comments made by Defender/Series/Discovery owners slating the Freelander, sure it can have its faults but those who hate them should look closer to home-since when was ANY Land Rover product known for its perfectness, at the end of the day it has the Green Oval badge and that's all it needs, hell even brand new ones break down and I've overheard someone from our village saying they've been back numerous times with their new RR Sport.

clarkkent said:

Being a newbie to FL 1s, I have now noticed just how many of them there are about, and of all ages.
Which either means they are not that bad or as other landies would say, shows how many of us idiots there are about

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Very happy with our 02 Td4. Had a few problems:

VCU bearings
Sticky thermostat
Several window regulators
Sticky handbrake

but the parts are generally cheap and readily available. Most important thing is I know the car and its foibles and therefore don't fear anything going wrong - I am confident I can fix it.

Jap soft-roaders are tempting, but are bland, functional, expensive to repair and don't have 'LAND ROVER' written on the front.

EDIT: I'm a Defender man meself. I used to call FL1s Gaylanders till I bought one for the wife. I don't any more.
As for Discoveries - PAH! Boxy, top-heavy rustbuckets.

Freelander was Europe's most popular 4x4 for some time.

I have had lots of fueling issues with my 56plate TD4 ,recon injectors, recon hp pump, new maff but I do love my fl1 commercial.... is there any other freelander owners going to standford or will I be surrounded by defenders and discos?

Well I guess like many others, I'm loving mine. Reliability wise it's no better or worse than any other over 10 year old car I've owned.
Unjustified and silly nickname for a pretty good motor.
My only gripe, why drivers seat has no height adjustment

On saying that I have done 70,000 miles in the last 3 years so its not that bad.
The heated seats are a god send when I set off at 6.30am lol

Hippo said:

Freelander was Europe's most popular 4x4 for some time.

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wasn't it also the most advanced due to its vcu design ??

don't know why it got the gaylander Nick name ,

has very capable traction control , something a series hasn't got , lol

GrumpyGel said:

Not that many over here. Which is bad news because parts from breakers are very expensive. New parts can be expensive as well - when I did my last service I went to the biggest parts store here (NZ equivalent of Halfords) and the oil filter was an order in part!

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Halfruds never stock the oil filter it is an order in part here in the uk

we love ours both of them,ok I would love a series but with my bad back I do not think I will ever have one. Also I would not have the latest range rover or evoke or discovery the thief's can get into them with a lap top ,simple as that ,they have to have a security upgrade. how stupid is that.

teddywood1 said:

Halfruds never stock the oil filter it is an order in part here in the uk

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L series oil filter is a common stocked item - you just need to get a Hippo with a decent engine

teddywood1 said:

Halfruds never stock the oil filter it is an order in part here in the uk

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Halfrauds used to be a good car shop, but lately it's become a bit of an expensive automotive 'boutique'. Online is the way to go.

teddywood1 said:

Also I would not have the latest range rover or evoke or discovery the thief's can get into them with a lap top ,simple as that ,they have to have a security upgrade. how stupid is that.

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So many cars are now easy to nick without a key if you know how.
I investigate the the thefts on a regular basis.

DastardlyDan said:

L series oil filter is a common stocked item - you just need to get a Hippo with a decent engine

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They are common because they are very good.........
Loving mine.
No issues on 100,000 miles.
Loves the green laning and let's face it the old girl can go 95% of the places those fat defenders can go

Common as in popular and not common as in derogative sense.

Definitely not common in the derogative sense. The French seem to love and respect them and there are plenty around - nearly all L series or TD4 (they were saved from the curses of the petrol K engine because diesel is so much cheaper here so there was no real market). It can be hard to get after market parts though, so spares can be pricey. I tend to use the internet and even with postage it is often cheaper to get things sent from the UK. There is an independent LR specialist garage near Nimes but looking at their website I think they may be as pricey as the main dealers.

i absolutely love mine. its a 3 door ES model with all the extras. its really well equipped for a 52 plate, has heated everything and is so easy to drive. its a td4 so the economy is good and with a ronbox economy, torque and power is excellent. i have some intercooler and intake modifications to do but its perfect as it sits. it has 145,000 miles on the clock and after some expensive repair bills just after i got it, it runs perfectly now and never misses a beat. i do see a few about but then i look at them for ideas i can use for mine, such as bull bars and lights. Id have an old hippo over a new evoque, or whatever that thing is that victoria beckham helped design, any day. I go online for my parts too, it is easier and most of the time much cheaper.

So yeah, its common but you never see two exactly the same (where i am anyway). And its a good, comfortable, relatively quick, safe, fun, capable etc etc car. Its common for a good reason.