Looking at getting back into the fold

Hi guys,

I'm a long term lurker, ought to post more really.

I dabbled a couple of years ago but had a 2.0 MPI disco which was worse economy than the V8 I decided against buying!

I'm on the look out for a cheap stop gap for a few months and have come across a 1998 Freelander XEDI 3dr, it's done 178K, MOT October 15, and it's mine for £525.

The lady selling it has had it three years and says the only faults are as follows:

Drivers window cable snapped (Common problem I've found after a search)
Drivers front indicator bulb blown (Not the end of the world..)
Slight oil leak - This is my main concern, she said it needs topping up once a month, she's never had it looked at so doesn't know where it's leaking from. It doesn't overheat and has been nothing but reliable.


Now, are there any common issues with this engine (I believe it's an L series?)

From what I've gathered, 30ish MPG is to be expected?

My plan really would be to use it, tidy it up and fix the problems, then when my daily is back on the road just flog it on again.

I've attached a few photos of the car in question, I know she's no stunner!

I just thought I'd ask before I commit to buying.

Thanks in advance

Wish I could buy a road worthy Freelander, especially an L Series for $1,000 here

At least it still means that mines worth some money

Ours doesn't lose much oil at all, might need 1 top up between services. The drive where the Freelander parks is very clean - unlike where the Rover & Toyota park!

With regard to the indicator bulb - it may just be the bulb, but it may not. I had problems with the drivers side indicator but the bulbs were not blowing. It turned out to be the metal tab in the light housing where the bulb holder mated up to had burnt out so no current got through. Parts are as expensive as the cars over here, so I filled it with solder and its been OK since (1 year).

I get a smidge under 40MPG on a run in the L Series, drops to about 34 around town.

The consensus is that the L Series are rather agricultural slow plodders - but very reliable and economical. I find performance from a standstill is poor, but on the open road they're fine. In 4 years ownership the L Series has never needed anything other than servicing - it is though currently in the garage for a 2nd opinion because I had the belts changed a couple of years ago and I think the guy didn't change the tensioners and one is on its way out.

That's not to say the rest of the car isn't typically Freelander. My IRD blew itself to bits (which was probably my fault!) and 2 ABS modulator have failed (definitely not my fault).

Good luck, at that price you probably can't go wrong

Buying tips over ere:

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f9/what-lock-freelanders-163164.html

Thanks for the help guys.

After doing some more reading on here I decided to send another email to the seller which has ended this possible purchase unfortunately.

Turns out the car has had the prop removed so it's 2wd. Apparently she didn't think to mention it as it makes no difference to how it drives.

Unfortunately I think it might hinder my chances of making it through the lovely Norfolk green lanes so I have had to say thanks but no thanks.

The hunt continues...


Thanks guys

Always look underneath and make sure propshafts etc are there. Even then it is no guarantee the 4WD system works.


I used to hear stories of Cavalier/Calibra 4x4s having buggered transfer boxes. They were made from the foil Cadbury use for their chocolate. Vauxhall charged £2.5K for new ones

If you took out a fuse, the car would be FWD only. Break the dash lamp and put the bulb back in and you would have no warning...

JJ0063 said:

Thanks for the help guys.

After doing some more reading on here I decided to send another email to the seller which has ended this possible purchase unfortunately.

Turns out the car has had the prop removed so it's 2wd. Apparently she didn't think to mention it as it makes no difference to how it drives.

Unfortunately I think it might hinder my chances of making it through the lovely Norfolk green lanes so I have had to say thanks but no thanks.

The hunt continues...


Thanks guys

Click to expand...

Good move, if the previous owner has converted to 2wd then, you don't know what other cost-saving short cuts are lurking in the background.