Good things about Freelanders

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rock

New Member
Posts
63
Location
Ayrshire
Just spent an hour going through the latest posts and found lots of guys out there with lots of various problems. Just thought I'd ask the question: Are there people out there with good things to say about their Freelander? As I've said before on another thread, I like my 1.8 petrol job and since the Freelander is the most popular 4x4 in its class it must have something going for it, so whats good about yours??
 
  • Looks/image
  • Availability of parts and advice
  • Size (not too big or small)
  • Economy (TD4)
  • Reasonable off-road ability for class
  • Good on-road manners
  • My missus can get it into the drive!
I've had mine under a week, and despite a few niggles, I love it!
 
Love mine to bits. Had it since November 2005, and had a few problems to sort out but even so its great. Take it off roading quite a bit too. Fitted a 2 inch lift from Bearmach a couple of weeks ago and subsequently went playing in the Devils Punch Bowl at Hindhead. Fantastic afternoon with me mate who runs a Diahatsu Sport Track he managed to bend on a fallen tree haha. See latest posts for pics in Freelander Gallery.
 
rock said:
Just spent an hour going through the latest posts and found lots of guys out there with lots of various problems.

In that case, I really advise you don't go to the Defender or Discovery forum because if you think Freelanders have problems ...

What's good about Freelander?

- Car like comfort
- Easyweasy to drive
- Elbow room in cabin
- Reliable
- Suprisingly cabable off road
- 35-40 mpg
- Less emissions than a Mini Cooper

Cheers

Blippie
 
Morning folks, just thought it would be nice to see some positive advertising for the Freelander and so far the response has been good. Just to say Blippie I've had a look on the Disco threads too, but since I've never driven one never mind owned one I didn't think I should be making any comments about them. Anyway just glad to see some of the good points being posted..
 
Blippie said:
In that case, I really advise you don't go to the Defender or Discovery forum because if you think Freelanders have problems ...

What's good about Freelander?


- 35-40 mpg


Cheers

Blippie

not from my V6! - 18-24 if i am lucky - thats not a whinge - just wot i get (and expected) - still better than my ford (10-15MPG)
 
Good things about Freelanders:
1. Owning one. Fantastic to drive and good handling on road and off road.
2. V6 goes like stink.
3. Best looking 4x4 by far.
 
Well I have only had my TD4 for just over a week but there are quite a few things i like about it when compared to my 2 previous cars that were mid engined 2 seater sports types.

  • Great driving position, very comfortable seats, you dont feel every ripple in the road, visibility of trhe road is so much better.
  • Fuel consumption slightly worse than the MG but miles better than the MR2, tank range very good.
  • A lot quieter to drive, the MG being a soft top was quite noisy and in both cars having the engine right behind your caused a fair bit of cabin noise. With the Hippo after the initial start I hardly notice the engine and the only real noise at speed is from the tyres.
  • Can't comment on spares and reliability, but if its as reliable as the Toyota and the spares come in at about the same price as the MG it should be quite good.
  • No longer have trouble from "White Van Man" who seem to think that because you are sitting so close to the ground they can almost drive over you or force you to give way. A lot better road presence.
  • Got lots of nice gadgets and the finish seem very good about the same quality as the MR2 and a lot better than the MG.
  • Road holding at speed on fast bends and fast A roads has caused a few palpatations, but thats my own fault and I need to remember how to drive vehicles that dont seem to drive on rails.
  • More room than I will ever need, I can now carry passengers and luggage, go for a drive with more than one friend (note to self, find more friends), put things on a back seat, even having a back seat is a novelty.
Steve :)
 
digitalman said:
.
  • No longer have trouble from "White Van Man" who seem to think that because you are sitting so close to the ground they can almost drive over you or force you to give way. A lot better road presence.

Digitalman you have just given me back my faith in human nature..
A truly stirring post that makes you want to get in the drivers seat and go challenging "white van men" everywhere.. Agree with every word:) :) :)
 
Well Rock what can i say ive bin on about the motor for a long time ,ive always liked all lrs [yes includin the tractors] but the gaylander is without a doubt the dogs,love um ta bits , the 1.8s were a let down [under powered] but as for the rest sooo good. . . .:) :) :)
 
ming said:
Well Rock what can i say ive bin on about the motor for a long time ,ive always liked all lrs [yes includin the tractors] but the gaylander is without a doubt the dogs,love um ta bits , the 1.8s were a let down [under powered] but as for the rest sooo good. . . .:) :) :)

Oh hail - Intergalactic Lord
I can only think that because of the Intergalactic time warp - you must be talking about the 2086 model. Us mere mortals have to put up with ...
Chassis cracking (on a LANDROVER!)
Heater matrix leaking and car rebuild to fix (good design huh?)
complete prop shaft change if centre bearing goes!
a system that requires diagnostic electronics to check gearbox oil (auto).
viz valves, oiling up throttle body, auto box burnouts (and thats just the V6)
need i go on?
I mistakenly thought LR's (OK Freebies) were indestructable and could be fixed with a hammer and a chisel in a desert... I am beginning to think the Freebie was designed by an apprentice on Monday after a good w/e!?
 
i'd have a Td5 disco over a freelander any day.

Out of all the land rover range, the disco II has the least troubles and the freelander the most.

Common faults on disco II:-
spigot bush noise*
water leaks through sunroof and top of windscreen*
oil leaks*
A/C drain tubes blocking and flooding the carpet*
oil contamination to wiring causing missfire
Dash rattle
various wiring faults
ABS TC HDC lights on
fuel leak (recalled but was never right)*

Common faults on freelander:-
head gasket (1.8 & V6)*
heater matrix*
auto box faults (Td4 & V6)
water leak into lock box/boot area*
TC ABS HDC lights on*
engine breather blocking, killing turbo (Td4)*
driveshaft noise
rear suspension arm bushes ripping out
uneven tyre wear*
clutch hydraulic failure*
clutch judder
injector failure (Td4) causing missfire*
airflow meter (Td4) causing lack of power*
high pressure fuel rail sensor wiring faults (Td4)*
rear seat rattle
rear wiper fault (wont park & tail window wont work)*
sunroof runners siezed*
various wiring faults
A/C pipe split & leaking refrigerant*

Thats all i can think of off hand, items marked with * are pretty much what we see every day.

Its not a list of all faults but stuff we see most often.

If the new freelander is anything like the disco and rr sport then god help us,
For what is supposed to be an off roader, the wiring is far from waterproof!!
 
clutchdust said:
i'd have a Td5 disco over a freelander any day.


Common faults on freelander:-
head gasket (1.8 & V6)*
heater matrix*
auto box faults (Td4 & V6)
water leak into lock box/boot area*
TC ABS HDC lights on*
engine breather blocking, killing turbo (Td4)*
driveshaft noise
rear suspension arm bushes ripping out
uneven tyre wear*
clutch hydraulic failure*
clutch judder
injector failure (Td4) causing missfire*
airflow meter (Td4) causing lack of power*
high pressure fuel rail sensor wiring faults (Td4)*
rear seat rattle
rear wiper fault (wont park & tail window wont work)*
sunroof runners siezed*
various wiring faults
A/C pipe split & leaking refrigerant*


Phiew...got off lightly so far then although my battery did go flat last year and I need to replace a coolant pipe at the weekend due to too much salt water play over the last 8 years. Hope I haven't bought a lemon :D
 
thing is, when you work at a dealership, you only see the bad side of a product and never the good.

I worked for suzuki for 5 years and yet still bought a vitara (since been sold). in all the time i owned it (6 years) all i did was replace the brake pads and radiator yet when working for suzuki all we saw was head gaskets, engine failures, gearbox noise etc.

I could buy a freelander and have years of trouble free motoring, just the downside of working for a franchised dealer, you end up slagging a product off when in all fairness its about as bad or good as any other vehicle thats on the road these days
 
A sneaky one i found the other day on my Freebie...

Hold down the unlock button on the key fob for about 5-10 secs ( i did it by keeping the keys in my pocket) - it not only unlocks the doors, but opens the rear window (to close the rear window you need to switch on the ignition). I did it un-knowingly on a night of torrential rain from INSIDE the house - went out next morning - back of Freebie soaked:eek: - happened 3 nights in a row. Took the auto electrician ages to figure out wot the problem was.

any of yu guys seen that one b4?

"these things are sent to try us" and "anything that doesnt kill you makes you a stronger person" ----- b******s
 
clutchdust said:
i'd have a Td5 disco over a freelander any day

If the new freelander is anything like the disco and rr sport then god help us,
For what is supposed to be an off roader, the wiring is far from waterproof!!

Ohh!Ferk:eek:

thanks for that CD
mucho grassyarse! as they say somewhere???
I hope yer wrong about this new hippo, cos I'm very tempted.
Or should i leave it and see what shows up problem wise

Thanks for yer efforts with the posts on here by the way,Much appreciated, If that LRGUY dont watch out you might be my new hero :D
wont that be nice for yer:rolleyes:
 
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