Is the Freelander for us ?

Hello all, my first post on this forum. It's a question I'm afraid, but quite an important one for me and my mrs. I'd appreciate your views on whether a Freelander is right for us. We're thinking of buying a 'soft roader' for 2 reasons:

1. Hobbies and interests - We have diving, hill/fell walking and mountain biking as our main hobbies. I'd like something with a bit more room for 'kit' than our current hatchback, and also something which will cope with the terrain a bit better. The car is starting to look and feel a bit 'knocked about' cos of all the off tarmac action it gets.

2. Safety - My mrs had a big accident a while back (not her fault) and as a result has PTSD and a real fear of driving. She's a brave soul and keeps getting back in the car, and has recently done an IAM course, but some idiot driving into the back of our car when she was stationary the other day has knocked her confidence again. She'd feel better in a big vehicle. She's got a fancy for a Defender (mostly based on looks I think - she hates the idea of an X3 or Cayenne) but I don't think they're that safe on road.

So what do you think? Freelander, X-Trail, or something else for us? Thanks in advance for any advice.

have you looked at a Discovery?

Similar to Defender on its off road capabilities, but more comfortable.

As for the Freelander - just look around this forum and read some of the comments and tales from owners.


Oh - and welcome to Looneyzone.

The Mad Hat Man said:

have you looked at a Discovery?

Similar to Defender on its off road capabilities, but more comfortable.

As for the Freelander - just look around this forum and read some of the comments and tales from owners.


Oh - and welcome to Looneyzone.

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Thanks for the welcome! We hadn't really looked at the Discovery, cos we thought it would cost a lot more to buy and run - big old things. Also, our off road excursions tend to be limited to scree, grass etc rather than proper muddy stuff. But I'm interested in any suggestions

The freelander seems a good option for you. Its not as high as some of its rivals and the rear space isnt great, although I am comparing its load space to my old Volvo 850 Estate!
I would definitely go for a td4 (2000 onwards diesel) dont go for auto unless you really need it as road tax is going up in a big way.

I would say go for a 3 door td4 hard back as you have a removable roof at the back which is great for the summer.

Freelanders do have 'standard' problems, such as:
Central door locks fail (£9 from maplins and a bit of diy)
Clutch release bearings (£500-£600 gearbox out job so change clutch at same time)
VCU (sort of centre differential, £500 but may take out Intermediate Reduction Drive at another £500)

There are other faults but I dont think the diesels are any worse than the competition. The diesel is a BMW diesel and has chain driven cams so no silly rubber belts. We looked at an x-trail but they have a habit of turbos failing and the engine runs on the oil and destroys the engine as well and thats a very expensive repair job.

Dont get a 1.8 petrol as the head gaskets are very weak.

Best advice is to get a few test drives and read the forums.

Good Luck.

Only the early X-Trails had the turbo probs. Seems to have been fixed since 2001. X-Trails have a larger and flat load area than the Freelander. I have had both and prefer the X-Trail, but yu are unlikely to get anyone on a Land Rover forum to agree. Really do look at the Disco and the defender. See if yu can hire anything on the shortlist, so you can try it out for a day or two, before buying.

A freelander will be fine, dont listen to the advice of disco and defender owners, the freelander is a different type of vehicle. The 1.8 Petrol is ok if it has had the revised Landrover Head Gasket fitted, and has a full service history. All freelanders can be hard on rear diff mounts, track rod ends and back box sections. Dont forget that as of the 1st of march 2009 a freelander on a Y reg or after the 1st of March 2001 registered date will cost you £450 a year road tax. A pre 2001 will only be £200 something to consider as lots of 2001 onwards are up for lower sale prices. Also ensure that you get a Xei or early TD4 that has hill decent and Air Con, check everything works ok. On a test drive listen for knocks and whines as these can be a sign the the diffs, Ird box, Vcu, or diff mounts need attention. Hope this helps

hobbo780 said:

A freelander will be fine, dont listen to the advice of disco and defender owners, the freelander is a different type of vehicle. The 1.8 Petrol is ok if it has had the revised Landrover Head Gasket fitted, and has a full service history. All freelanders can be hard on rear diff mounts, track rod ends and back box sections. Dont forget that as of the 1st of march 2009 a freelander on a Y reg or after the 1st of March 2001 registered date will cost you £450 a year road tax. A pre 2001 will only be £200 something to consider as lots of 2001 onwards are up for lower sale prices. Also ensure that you get a Xei or early TD4 that has hill decent and Air Con, check everything works ok. On a test drive listen for knocks and whines as these can be a sign the the diffs, Ird box, Vcu, or diff mounts need attention. Hope this helps

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What a Stupid, biased and pathetic arguement! - "Dont listen to anyone else but me!"

Drive as many diferent 4x4's as you can and you decide whats best for YOUR needs. The Freelander and X_Trail are soft roaders, The Disco and defenders are more rugged motors. The Defender being marginally better on the really rough stuff, but is more "agricultural" than the Discovery, which has more "bells and whistles.

The Mad Hat Man said:

Only the early X-Trails had the turbo probs. Seems to have been fixed since 2001. X-Trails have a larger and flat load area than the Freelander.

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I was looking at pre 2001 x-trail before we bought our freelander so that would explain it. I did think the x-trail was a bigger load area but I didnt like the center speedo and I wasnt impressed with performance either, although I have fitted a roverron box and the freelander is much better.

I have a 1998 'R' reg Freelander and on the whole I am happy with the vehicle it has had a few problems but then again its 10 years old and this is only to be expected

So far nobody has addressed the safety aspect in the freelander you do feel safer but according to the nice people who carry out the Ncap safety test its not that great check it out at

Euro NCAP - For safer cars | Land Rover Freelander

Hope this helps you.

er. . . . hi earthlings the gaylander is not a soft roader ,it is very capable orft road ,un yes the doozles are the best , a good mpg return, very nice on tarmac aswell. . .defenders un disco's are also good , but a bit more for orft roading. . . . . .best thing is to get the wife to try each one and then decide. . . . . .but niffer iffer buy er slitty [spit] oops shorry bout thet i gits all emulsional un fings

Hia , i would get a disco or defender..... i have not been to bad with mine, 1800 petrol , had the head done , ird done , diff done , window regulators all 3 now done.......there not a bad motor if you have a huge wallet and understanding misses, i am looking to swap soon . disco is on the books for me....

from the UK Department of Transport show that the Land Rover are the safest cars on British roads (measured in terms of chance of death in two car injury accidents) - between three times safer than the safest Volvo models, twice as safe (half the death-rate per two vehicles)

Cheers Dutch RR

Dutch RR said:

from the UK Department of Transport show that the Land Rover are the safest cars on British roads (measured in terms of chance of death in two car injury accidents) - between three times safer than the safest Volvo models, twice as safe (half the death-rate per two vehicles)

Cheers Dutch RR

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Of course they are!

How many accidents have you had with your motor stuck 5 foot up in the air on a garages ramps??

hobbo780 said:

Dont forget that as of the 1st of march 2009 a freelander on a Y reg or after the 1st of March 2001 registered date will cost you £450 a year road tax. A pre 2001 will only be £200 something to consider as lots of 2001 onwards are up for lower sale prices.

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This is not exactly accurate as a TD4 registered after march 2001 is currently £210 road tax and will be rising only to £300 for 2009/2010. The £400 is if you have a petrol version registered after this date!

Dutch RR said:

from the UK Department of Transport show that the Land Rover are the safest cars on British roads (measured in terms of chance of death in two car injury accidents) - between three times safer than the safest Volvo models, twice as safe (half the death-rate per two vehicles)

Cheers Dutch RR

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I dont think they are talking about the gaylander in that report!!

The Mad Hat Man said:

What a Stupid, biased and pathetic arguement! - "Dont listen to anyone else but me!"

Drive as many diferent 4x4's as you can and you decide whats best for YOUR needs. The Freelander and X_Trail are soft roaders, The Disco and defenders are more rugged motors. The Defender being marginally better on the really rough stuff, but is more "agricultural" than the Discovery, which has more "bells and whistles.

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Pot-kettle-black??? I honestly thought that was talking bout yerself MHM

Must admit FL aint the motor you need if your after a large boot (can get plenty more in some small hatchbacks), but with seats down they should be able to fit what you need in.

As for stupid biased pathetic arguments MHM seems to take the biscuit.. personally think you should take note of top of page MHM Says somthing bout FL fans which you obviously aint.

PS...MHM Think you may have overlooked something...

doobreydog said:

Pot-kettle-black??? I honestly thought that was talking bout yerself MHM

Must admit FL aint the motor you need if your after a large boot (can get plenty more in some small hatchbacks), but with seats down they should be able to fit what you need in.

As for stupid biased pathetic arguments MHM seems to take the biscuit.. personally think you should take note of top of page MHM Says somthing bout FL fans which you obviously aint.

PS...MHM Think you may have overlooked something...

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If you'd spent as much money on your freelander as Daft has. Perhaps your view of gaylanders wuldn't be quite so rose tinted.

Sigh!

Have you read my comments?

I have said on more than one occasion, try as many as you can. I have not said (unlike others) "go for this one", as the purchase of a vehicle is a personal experience. I am sure that Jon is old enough to make up his own mind, without being brow-beaten into choosing the same as you. Comments such as "A freelander will be fine, dont listen to the advice of disco and defender owners" doesnt really smack of an unbiased comment, does it?

and I repeat - when you get a short list, try and hire them for a weekend, to see if you still feel the same way.

Freelanders are much maligned but they are pretty capable. I managed to get mine up a green lane that a Disco couldn't manage. Ian (Dooberydog) was there to testify to this. Go with the positive advice above but go for a 5 door rather than a 3 door. The one I had was a 3 door and it was a pain getting the kids strapped into the child seats in the back.

I eventually got a Disco because I needed a bigger vehicle due to larger family - more grandkids which meant the freeby didn't have enough of a seating capacity.

Make sure you test drive a few and look at your future and possible future requirements. No point in buying a vehicle which will be too small in a years time

I suspect you may be suprised by the boot space of the Freelander - I'm sure my old Ford Fiesta had a bigger boot! It can also be a bit tight for six-footers, but has more elbow room than its LR stable mates.

The Defender and Discovery are both imposing vehicles and supremely off roaders. The Discovery is more civilised, but lacks the on road ease and manner of the smaller Freelander.

The Freelander is a capable off roader, particularly on loose surfaces and wet grass.

The pick of the crop is the 2001 model year onwards (2000+) TD4. This avoids the problems that the Freelander has become associated with - transmission (VCU/IRD) problems on the early models and HGF on the petrol versions.

If you are buying second hand, Discovery is cheap as chips - you get a lot of car for your money. Best engine choice is the Tdi (Discovery 1) or TD5 (Discovery 2).

Cheers

Blippie