Help Which One!!!!!

hello there

am looking to purchase a freelander , have the choice of 2 a 1.8 xei w reg , or a xdi 2.0 v reg . i have heard all sorts of stories about the z engine 1.8 from rover , head gaskets blowing from left right and centre!, the 1.8 looks fantastic and is my dream car , the deisel on the other hand is less attractive and more sluggish , im scared that if i buy the petrol that the head gasket will blow , so am more convinced on the deisel at the mo , it might be sluggish but i really dont care how fast it goes , just that me and my dogs get a few good years out of her !!
both landy's have about 93000 on the clock

can anyone help please ????????????

Marky mark

Oil burner every time mate, if you have enough ££££ go for a TD4 with the BMW lump. No sports car but not bad at all. DONT GO NEAR A 1.8 or a v6 unless you have very deep pockets.

93000 if it a Z Rover engine then it time for the heads to go, seen more of them in the dry dock with a sump full of sludge, so better option is the diesel...

For the love of god. Diesal Diesal Diesal

Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel Diesel

Think its a case that either can be affected. Agreed L series diesel is bullet proof and I would choose, but have to say my £550 K series petrol 1.8 has been fine since I rebuilt using the modified and uprated head gasket.

I bought as a project to replace an aging Rover 220 with 170,000 on the clock!!

8,000 miles on and its running really well. Had to replace diff mounting bushes and a door solenoid, but these could happen on either engined vehicle.

Go for the diesel as the economy is better and the engines are stronger, but budget for some repair work as the VCU, IRD and rear diffs can fail on all freelanders.

Happy Motoring

Steve

Re- reading your post - if you want something fast dont choose a freelander. Sure they do get going eventually, but I tend to drive mine softly as its a compromise - acceleration vs economy and also on road acceleration vs off road ability.

aw comon G13 - they are quick!

quick to break down, quick to need the AA, quick to need new tyres, vcu, viz valves, etc etc

Diesel!!!!!! Just sold 2.0xdi after 4 years, never missed a beat.Great motor, never let me down even on the big hills. Only sold it 'cos bought a defender and the wife widnae take it on( likes her wee car too much!!)

The Mad Hat Man said:

aw comon G13 - they are quick!

quick to break down, quick to need the AA, quick to need new tyres, vcu, viz valves, etc etc

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hehe!!

To be fair my freebie is faster off the mark than my other halfs 1.25 duratec fiesta.

Gonna tempt fate now!!, but my car has been quite reliable since it returned to the road in Sept. Obviously I dont expect it to run forever without a glitch, but 106K and doing OK

Regards,

Steve

My FL is a 1998 2 litre L series Diesel. Its got 130000 on the clock and apart from a new prop its hardly had any jobs done to it. I had to have brake pipes replaced from corrosion, but that would happen on any car. I do change my oil every 3000 miles and treat her with TLC, but touch wood so far, mines been quite reliable.
The L series is bullet proof, but from what iv heard and read, the TD4 is more refined (what ever that means). Oh yea, the TD4 has a timing chain rather than a cambelt, so doesnt need changing which will save you effort/dosh.

Funny thing is I see alot more problems with TD4 engines than the 2ltr L series never had to take one apart.The Td4 seem OK but turbo's,AFM's hoses,injectors, breathers and fuel pumps all seem too common.The L series has none of these troubles.

I was thinking that at some point id like a newer FL, one with A TD4 engine. But now iv read your post I guess i will just stay with my trusty beast. I do love it.

Rogue Trooper said:

I was thinking that at some point id like a newer FL, one with A TD4 engine. But now iv read your post I guess i will just stay with my trusty beast. I do love it.

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hy trooper, the doozles are both good, un yep the td4 had issues, but on this forum i fink we have coverd most of them, the older one is almost bomb proof, should keep ya appy fer years. . . .oh un welcome to the maddest forum ont web earthling. . .

Thanks for the welcome Ming. Its nice to see a bit of humour. Other similar sites have been too.... whats the word.....Geeky for me!

DIESEL< DIESEL and DIESEL again. The 1.8 petrol was originally designed as a sports engine as the 1.8VVC to replace the old rover 220 coupe and to power the lotus elise. had the rover coupe with the 1.8VVC no probs at all but when they de-tuned em and slapped in the freeloader they went t**s up.

Diesel.

There are, of course, many Freelander 1.8 owners who have never had a problem with HGF.

But a diesel is a safer bet.

We have an L-series on 104,000 and a TD4 on 50,000.

Cheers

Blippie

Hello
I read all the advice on the forum about the 1.8 petrol, and bought one anyway. Would have loved a diesel but the petrol ones for the same sort of money seemed to be newer or have better specification. If money is not an option for you, then buy a diesel.
I decided to chance a petrol, and straight away I stripped it down and fitted the new modified head gasket from land rover. Before stripping it, I flushed the cooling system with "Forte bio degreaser" because it looked contaminated. While it was apart, I also changed all the belts, changed the oil etc.
If you are prepared to the work yourself this can be a low cost exorcise, the gasket from land rover is only £23.00, Timing belt kit from a motor factors £50.00, aux belts £5 to £8 etc.
My advice would be to buy a diesel, but if you must buy a petrol 1.8 , then make sure it has a decent engine, a new head gasket is not going to be any good on one that has been previously overheated, and also any waranty with it may affect your course of action, you pay your money and make your choice, good luck?