Getting my first Landrover..freelander 1 td4

Hi all. New to this forum and Landrovers.

So I've placed a deposit on a 53 mk1 freelander Serengeti td4. 116000 miles
Buying from a 4x4 dealer who accepted this freelander as a part exchange. He has agreed to putting on a years mot and was already arranging to fix one of the electric windows. The mechanic who will be putting it through the mot is also going to check it over for me. I have test driven the freelander which seems very tidy, drives well. Under the bonnet it's nice and clean and car starts well and ticks over very nicely.
What I have noticed while driving it is a rattle which sounds like something knocking against the windscreen in front of driver when doing 30+(Now fixed.. it was a piece of black plastic below the wiper that had been partly broken and was flapping around in the wind.)
Also having read about vcu problems with free landers I tried reversing around corners on full lock. This one seemed to get half way around the corner and then act as if the brakes were on lightly. So is this normal or need looking into further. Overall it seems quiet(apart from the rattle over 30) runs smooth and seems great to drive.
It does not have a history so can't tell if the vcu has been changed etc.
Also one tyre to be changed as getting baldy..

Any comments apretiated as to anything further I should be looking at.

John

Ps I'm a gardener and will be regularly towing a 10x5 trailer up to 1 ton.

If they're a 4x4 dealer and they replaced 1 tyre on a Freelander, then they're not a very good dealer. I doubt that they have tested the VCU properly either. Some braking effect may or may not be cause for concern - it may be OK, it may be the VCU needs replacing, it may mean the tyres need looking at.

I recon anyone buying a F1 should budget in replacing the VCU. Definitely do these tests though...

https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/tests-new-freelander-owners-should-do-on-their-car.312863/

You'll be OK lugging 1 ton, so long as its a decent trailer.

You are correct. When I said they were a 4x4 dealer I Meant that they sell 4x4s from about 5k to 15k. They do not repair the vehicles themselves and are not landrover dealers. I have mentioned to them and the mechanic in the local garage that I am concerned about the vcu(having read about vcu problems on sites like landyzone...cheers guys.). I have asked the mechanic who I have used in the past and will be checking it out and putting it through its mot...for the last 17 years. He has worked on free landers but is not a specialist. I have asked him to check it out and advise me whether it's a good vehicle that would last more than a couple of years.

John

P.s. Looking forward to getting to know you guys

For starters, get all 4 tyres replaced. Or at the very least get as many as is needed to give 4 identical tyres. Not just identical in size, but in make and type too. The Freelander's is hyper fussy on tyres, if serious and expensive damage to the 4X4 system is to be avoided. Replacing just one tyre, is a sure fire way to destroy it in short order. It's also wise to budget for a VCU replacement, especially if there's an odd compliment of tyres already fitted.

Thanks Nodge.
I haven't paid for / picked it up yet. Just left a deposit.
Awaiting phone call from the garage re mechanics advice on any faults he finds and a one year mot, tyre and electric window for starters. If and when I get it I will take your advice and get another 3 identical tyres . I don't think that they will fork out for 4 new tyres when only one is illegal.

Freelandananda said:

Thanks Nodge.
I haven't paid for / picked it up yet. Just left a deposit.
Awaiting phone call from the garage re mechanics advice on any faults he finds and a one year mot, tyre and electric window for starters. If and when I get it I will take your advice and get another 3 identical tyres . I don't think that they will fork out for 4 new tyres when only one is illegal.

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In my experience. The tyres on the front wear evenly and at a faster rate than the rear. I can't see how 1 tyre can need replacing, when they wear out in pairs.

It sounds like it could already have an odd mix of tyres. This isn't good for the 4X4 system, which will need checking by someone who knows that they are doing.

Freelandananda said:

Hi all. New to this forum and Landrovers.

So I've placed a deposit on a 53 mk1 freelander Serengeti td4. 116000 miles
Buying from a 4x4 dealer who accepted this freelander as a part exchange. He has agreed to putting on a years mot and was already arranging to fix one of the electric windows. The mechanic who will be putting it through the mot is also going to check it over for me. I have test driven the freelander which seems very tidy, drives well. Under the bonnet it's nice and clean and car starts well and ticks over very nicely.
What I have noticed while driving it is a rattle which sounds like something knocking against the windscreen in front of driver when doing 30+
Also having read about vcu problems with free landers I tried reversing around corners on full lock. This one seemed to get half way around the corner and then act as if the brakes were on lightly. So is this normal or need looking into further. Overall it seems quiet(apart from the rattle over 30) runs smooth and seems great to drive.
It does not have a history so can't tell if the vcu has been changed etc.
Also one tyre to be changed as getting baldy..

Any comments apretiated as to anything further I should be looking at.

John

Ps I'm a gardener and will be regularly towing a 10x5 trailer up to 1 ton.

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Going by your last sentence. Has it got a tow bar?
Have you had a look underneath? What state is the fuel tank cradle in? They rot. I don't know what your climate is like up there, but if it's near the coast, check it out.
Rattles probably nothing to worry about. With mine it just needs a hand on the rear view mirror to stop it.
The main problem is the fact that you've identified that 'one tyre is baldy'. Is it on the rear axle? If so, you'd probably be best getting your deposit back.
The lack of history is worrying as well. You haven't said how much you are prepared to buy it for. If you have the time hang fire and let others on this web site advise you before you commit any further.

Colonial said:

Going by your last sentence. Has it got a tow bar?
Have you had a look underneath? What state is the fuel tank cradle in? They rot. I don't know what your climate is like up there, but if it's near the coast, check it out.
Rattles probably nothing to worry about. With mine it just needs a hand on the rear view mirror to stop it.
The main problem is the fact that you've identified that 'one tyre is baldy'. Is it on the rear axle? If so, you'd probably be best getting your deposit back.
The lack of history is worrying as well. You haven't said how much you are prepared to buy it for. If you have the time hang fire and let others on this web site advise you before you commit any further.

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Agreed.
There was a lovely, well maintained FL1 for sale on the forum just last week. This sold for what I'd call peanuts, so there are good FL1s about.
Personally I would choose an auto box, if regulator towing is being done. The clutch of the manual is weak and has a short life, when lots of towing is being done.

Nodge68 said:

In my experience. The tyres on the front wear evenly and at a faster rate than the rear. I can't see how 1 tyre can need replacing, when they wear out in pairs.

It sounds like it could already have an odd mix of tyres. This isn't good for the 4X4 system, which will need checking by someone who knows that they are doing.

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The front 2 tyres appear to be evenly worn and are the same make. The rear two are different one being too worn to pass mot. I do not have a lot of time to search for a replacement vehicle for the one I presently use for work(2wd mazda tribute 2l petrol). The trailer I use follows beautifully and doesn't meander. I have agreed to pay 2 k which may be a bit pricey but the car really does seem to have been looked after and runs well... However agreed that they didn't understand about having the tyres the same. I have paid a £250 deposit. I've not checked fuel tank cradle but hopefully mechanic would pick up on this if dangerous.

John

P.s. I don't live near the coast and the car was originally from Norfolk(actually Southampton.). It can be wet up here but plenty of wind to dry it lol
I am hoping that it will run at least another3years at £500 per year or so.
Now tell me I'm insane to expect this!

Freelandananda said:

The front 2 tyres appear to be evenly worn and are the same make. The rear two are different one being too worn to pass mot. I do not have a lot of time to search for a replacement vehicle for the one I presently use for work(2wd mazda tribute 2l petrol). The trailer I use follows beautifully and doesn't meander. I have agreed to pay 2 k which may be a bit pricey but the car really does seem to have been looked after and runs well... However agreed that they didn't understand about having the tyres the same. I have paid a £250 deposit. I've not checked fuel tank cradle but hopefully mechanic would pick up on this if dangerous.

John

P.s. I don't live near the coast and the car was originally from Norfolk. It can be wet up here but plenty of wind to dry it lol

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2K is way to much for a Freelander that has no history and the cardinal sin of worn, odd tyres on the rear and good tyres of a different make on the front.
It may appear to be well looked after, but the tyre condition and placement being outside of the handbooks specification, says different. I would be really cautious of this particular FL1. A badly looked after FL1 can cost big money to repair, after incorrect tyre maintenance has taken its toll.

Nodge68 said:

2K is way to much for a Freelander that has no history and the cardinal sin of worn, odd tyres on the rear and good tyres of a different make on the front.
It may appear to be well looked after, but the tyre condition and placement being outside of the handbooks specification, says different. I would be really cautious of this particular FL1. A badly looked after FL1 can cost big money to repair, after incorrect tyre maintenance has taken its toll.

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Thanks Nodge. I hear what you're saying and will be cautious .
Do you think it likely that there will be a high percentage of freelanders 14 years old and over 100k miles that have had 4 tyres the same during their lives?
If I did buy it and it did have vcu problems how would it be running as 2wd for a while? Or are you thinking of ird problems? And it is indeed a manual. Sounds and runs quiet and well at the moment.

Thank you for your time....John

Freelandananda said:

The front 2 tyres appear to be evenly worn and are the same make. The rear two are different one being too worn to pass mot. I do not have a lot of time to search for a replacement vehicle for the one I presently use for work(2wd mazda tribute 2l petrol). The trailer I use follows beautifully and doesn't meander. I have agreed to pay 2 k which may be a bit pricey but the car really does seem to have been looked after and runs well... However agreed that they didn't understand about having the tyres the same. I have paid a £250 deposit. I've not checked fuel tank cradle but hopefully mechanic would pick up on this if dangerous.

John

P.s. I don't live near the coast and the car was originally from Norfolk. It can be wet up here but plenty of wind to dry it lol
I am hoping that it will run at least another3years at £500 per year or so.
Now tell me I'm insane to expect this!

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Norfolk has the sort of coast line where you'd want to drive along the beach, Check the cradle. Sea salt will rot it. Mine came from Conwy, North Wales, same issue!
If you go for it, and why not? Swap the two evenly worn front tyres to the rear and vice versa.
£2,000 is not a massive amount, but as you have no history for the motor get the oil and filter changed every 5,000 miles or less.

Freelandananda said:

Thanks Nodge. I hear what you're saying and will be cautious .
Do you think it likely that there will be a high percentage of freelanders 14 years old and over 100k miles that have had 4 tyres the same during their lives?
If I did buy it and it did have vcu problems how would it be running as 2wd for a while? Or are you thinking of ird problems? And it is indeed a manual. Sounds and runs quiet and well at the moment.

Thank you for your time....John

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If the Freelander is maintained as per the LR instructions, then it should still have 4 identical tyres. My own 05 SE has 4 identical tyres and has all it's life. This means my VCU is still perfectly serviceable at 119K miles.
Not every Freelander is badly maintained, nor should it be. There are plenty of good FL1s about, so you can pick and choose. Gambling 2K on a potential problem, is not wise financially, or something I'd be doing and I can fix any fault that might arise.

Colonial said:

Norfolk has the sort of coast line where you'd want to drive along the beach, Check the cradle. Sea salt will rot it. Mine came from Conwy, North Wales, same issue!
If you go for it, and why not? Swap the two evenly worn front tyres to the rear and vice versa.
£2,000 is not a massive amount, but as you have no history for the motor get the oil and filter changed every 5,000 miles or less.

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£2K can get a nice mid spec facelift FL1 with perfect tyres and full history with around 80K on the clock. A pre-facelife with no history, odd tyres and 100K on the clock is worth less than £1K.

Nodge68 said:

£2K can get a nice mid spec facelift FL1 with perfect tyres and full history with around 80K on the clock. A pre-facelife with no history, odd tyres and 100K on the clock is worth less than £1K.

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Not mine though!
However, there is a local garage that specialise in Free Landers at affordable prices.

Thanks colonial.
At the end of the day I'm in the position of a month and a half mot left on my mazda tribute which probably needs4-500 quid spent on it for one more years mot. The tribute has it's own niggles which niggle me and I reckon it would be just about the end of its life if not now then in a year.

So I need a replacement for work and general motoring. I do about 100 miles a week towing my reasonably light 2 wheel trailer .
I'm not much of a believer in spending say 7 k on a vehicle that then depreciates as well as needing repairs.
Finding something suitable for1-2k seems ideal but of course motors at those prices could be dogs.... So it's all a risk.
I have fancied a landy before but the road test on that one was awful. I do have money that could be spent on improvements like new vcu etc...
How long do good freelanders last?

I suspect you all have considered these things.

John

I have a friend with a nice defender with a winch that's been very helpful...maybe a member on here.

Nodge68 said:

If the Freelander is maintained as per the LR instructions, then it should still have 4 identical tyres. My own 05 SE has 4 identical tyres and has all it's life. This means my VCU is still perfectly serviceable at 119K miles.
Not every Freelander is badly maintained, nor should it be. There are plenty of good FL1s about, so you can pick and choose. Gambling 2K on a potential problem, is not wise financially, or something I'd be doing and I can fix any fault that might arise.

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As you are obviously wise and knowledgable and can fix anything then you would know what you are looking at when looking for a replacement vehicle.
I however have to go by advise like yours and my own experience when driving a vehicle for a test drive. This one drove really well albeit with the wrong tyres. The last fl I drove was awful and I knew that one was wrong. I don't know anyone around me that's knowledgeable with 4x4s or similar sized vehicles for towing so there will always be a certain amount of a gamble when I buy any car.

So tell me Nodge and anyone else... If I do buy this fl which seems good to drive to me... And it has been driven for a while on wrong tyres so the vcu is bad etc...what is likely to be the damage and could I drive it in 2 weel drive for a few years if the repairs to make it 4 weel drive were really expensive?

John

Freelandananda said:

As you are obviously wise and knowledgable and can fix anything then you would know what you are looking at when looking for a replacement vehicle.
I however have to go by advise like yours and my own experience when driving a vehicle for a test drive. This one drove really well albeit with the wrong tyres. The last fl I drove was awful and I knew that one was wrong. I don't know anyone around me that's knowledgeable with 4x4s or similar sized vehicles for towing so there will always be a certain amount of a gamble when I buy any car.

So tell me Nodge and anyone else... If I do buy this fl which seems good to drive to me... And it has been driven for a while on wrong tyres so the vcu is bad etc...what is likely to be the damage and could I drive it in 2 weel drive for a few years if the repairs to make it 4 weel drive were really expensive?

John

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As a minimum change both rear tyres. Put the old ones from the rear, if a matched pair, on the front.
if the VCU & IRD are suspect - Is the VCU still on the car? - then you could be talking of circa £2K to get it fixed.. that means it is now a £4K car high mileage car with no history. Does that sound like a good buy?

It sounds like you are panicking to buy something quick. Not a recipe for a smart decision in my book.

Also, if you remove the VCU, you may invalidate your insurance. Chreck before you buy, with your insurers!

The Mad Hat Man said:

As a minimum change both rear tyres.
if the VCU & IRD are suspect - Is the VCU still on the car? - then you could be talking of circa £2K to get it fixed.. that means it is now a £4K car high mileage car with no history. Does that sound like a good buy?

It sounds like you are panicking to buy something quick. Not a recipe for a smart decision in my book.

Also, if you remove the VCU, you may invalidate your insurance. Chreck before you buy, with your insurers!

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I am not really the type of guy to panick and it honestly drives very well and quietly. If I seem eager then it could be that I'm new to the forum and keen to talk. I will be needing something within 6 weeks though. I'm no mechanic and spending lots of time looking at cars vs spending lots of time working to help pay for fixing a car.....if it goes wrong...... Hope you understand my point although probably not a good one.
If it drives well now then after being sorted with mot and new tyres all around it should drive even better?
I believe they mentioned a warranty on engine gearbox drivetrain etc.
However I don't trust anyone who sells me a car.... That's why I'm on here!

John

I assume it is from a garage. In which case you have 6 months warranty by law.

I assume that's the same in Scottishland?