Hello to everyone - future Freelander Owner near Reading

wapwray · Jun 30, 2009

Hi everyone

I've just moved back to the UK after 5 years away and am looking to buy a good 2nd hand diesel 5 door Freelander. It will be doing very low milage.

I want to make sure I get a TD4 engine, but am not too worried about the rest of the spec. The car is for my wife and son though, so would have to be reliable.

Alternatively, would anyone recommend a Discovery Mk2 over the Freelander?

Can anyone give me a price guide and also advise on a good indie workshop to get it serviced.

All the best

Richard

gegs88 · Jun 30, 2009

discovery 2 everytime m8

chipv8 · Jun 30, 2009

Get the Discovery II - Independant Garage depends on where you live mate.

Dann · Jun 30, 2009

wapwray said:
Hi everyone

I've just moved back to the UK after 5 years away and am looking to buy a good 2nd hand diesel 5 door Freelander. It will be doing very low milage.

I want to make sure I get a TD4 engine, but am not too worried about the rest of the spec. The car is for my wife and son though, so would have to be reliable.

Alternatively, would anyone recommend a Discovery Mk2 over the Freelander?

Can anyone give me a price guide and also advise on a good indie workshop to get it serviced.
All the best

Richard

Hi and welcome,

Take your time and thoroughly read the forums noting fors and against

Let your wife test drive possibles and if you like one get an engineers report on condition. I take it you're not trading in? if so you can push for the best deal available in the present buyers market.
Good luck. Dann..

howardo · Jun 30, 2009

If you take a look at the disco forum you will see that discos have just as many problems a freelanders. Freelanders are not popular on this forum so don't be swayed by what you read here.

Discos do suffer from rust more than freelanders do. However don't rush into buying a freelander because if you get a bad one it'll cost you dearly.

If you not going to do any serious off-roading then the freelander if in sound working order would be my choice. Its more economical, drives like a car and you won't have to weld it for each MOT.

The Mad Hat Man · Jun 30, 2009

Howardo
That aint true.
Petrol freelanders are not popular here and you will have to admit that the vast majority of petrol engined ones are disasters waiting to happen.
TD4 and L series are the best of the bunch, but they still suffer from VCU probs, expensive parts prices (although maybe not compared to a DiscoII), chassis cracking, rear subframe attachment problems and they lack rear "boot" space.

oh - dont forget the doors falling off if they get wet

:

howardo · Jun 30, 2009

The Mad Hat Man said:
Howardo
That aint true.
Petrol freelanders are not popular here and you will have to admit that the vast majority of petrol engined ones are disasters waiting to happen.
TD4 and L series are the best of the bunch, but they still suffer from VCU probs, expensive parts prices (although maybe not compared to a DiscoII), chassis cracking, rear subframe attachment problems and they lack rear "boot" space.

oh - dont forget the doors falling off if they get wet :

Yes all valid points apart from doors falling off,
but assuming you get a good freelander, you can reckon that you'll get 70,000 miles from a vcu. So if you change it every 60,000, to be sure then its only £370 every 3 years if you do 20,000 miles a year. Thats only £123 per year. Less if you do less than 20,000 miles a year. Its got to be better than the hassle of replacing boot floors, footwells, sills etc.

Snifflebag · Jul 1, 2009

:welcome2:

I would echo many of the points (dunno about doors falling off when wet, must be the deluxe model) here. Do a thorough check of any car before you buy it - with Freelanders check out the VCU/gearbox (tippex test) and all the electrics. Plenty of guidance hereabouts on those things.

Diesels are definitely a better bet, but again, they have their issues (doesn't every car anyway?). Check the service history carefully if it has one.

I found mine capable off-road and fine on greenlanes, dealing with all the kinds of stuff I'm ever likely to attempt - but then I like to drive my FL home after a day out

. Ground clearance is probably the biggest hassle if you are looking to go off piste. I have found my freelander lovely to drive, reasonably economical (for a 4x4) and roomy for passengers.

I've noticed they don't have the road presence (i.e. look v large) of Discos, but they're big enough

snapper · Jul 1, 2009

I sold my Disco 2 for a Freelander and haven't looked back.
It gives better MPG, costs less to insure & run and does everything I need.

I guess it depends what you need - if you need the internal space or offroad abilities then a Disco is better - but the Freelander is a good allrounder...

ejay73 · Jul 1, 2009

i was looking for a 4x4 for weeks and ended up with a freelander td4 had a couple of problems with it but love it
i have also found parts are cheap new and used

i have had shoguns and a nissan but think the freelander is much better

chromiumuk · Jul 1, 2009

snapper said:
I sold my Disco 2 for a Freelander and haven't looked back.
It gives better MPG, costs less to insure & run and does everything I need.

I guess it depends what you need - if you need the internal space or offroad abilities then a Disco is better - but the Freelander is a good allrounder...

Way to go that man...........a true hero, & most welcome to us Freelanderers section.

Hello to everyone - future Freelander Owner near Reading

wapwray

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gegs88

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chipv8

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Dann

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howardo

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The Mad Hat Man

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howardo

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Snifflebag

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snapper

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ejay73

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chromiumuk

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