Mileage Vs Reliability

Hi all,

Surprise surprise, here's a brand new member with a question...

I've read a lot of stuff (here and elsewhere) about the apparently spontaneously-combustible 1.8 K series but as I'm on a tight budget and have an unhealthy obsession with picking up a freelander, I thought it'd be worth asking the following:

For the money I have (about £3k max...maybe a few hundred over) my options are basically a 1.8 petrol or 2L Di (no td4 for me ).

Diesels at about this price generally seem to have upwards of 80,000mi on the clock, whereas petrol models go as low as mid 40,000s - some of which have the new headgasket fitted etc.

Given the relative mileages vs possible reliability issues - which (in general of course) should present the better option?

While I plan to take it on hiking/camping trips etc (nothing to crazy, obviously) the car will spend the majority of it's time crawling through the streets of London

Any input is greatly appreciated chaps

as Clint Easwood said "do you feel lucky?"
it seems that the majority of petrol gaylanders suffer HGF at some point.
then again, a few don't.
are you a gambler?
do you do the lottery? do you seriously expect to win the jackpot? even if you bought 3000 tickets?

do not buy a petrol gaylander.

do a search in the gaylander section it's not just the engines that are ****e. everything else faals off or seizes as well.

Do a search on here and you will see that the old L-series diesel can keep on trucking well into it's 100Ks and beyond. Even with twice the mileage, the L-series will be the better option!

Cheers

Rog

Go for an oil burner 80000mile on the clock isnt alot for a derv plus you will get better mpg than a petrol.

have a look at Brightwells web site big 4x4 auction house in Leominister Herefordshire some good motors to be had at good prices
Iknow its a long way from the smoke but the fresh air will do you good

L series... not petrol please you will regret it.
And other things can go wrong but dont they always?
Try and have a very comprehensive service history and some sort of GOOD warranty.
Hope this helps
D

Well that's pretty conclusive so far then ;-)

I've read quite a few post on this forum re the HG issue and there seems to have been a bit of disagreement whether the so called 'fixes' actually fix anything... I guess it's safer just to avoid them altogether though.

@ edge - thanks I'll have a look at their site... I don't mind travelling for the right car at teh right price!

The stats from around 2001 showed that only around 0.3% of all k-series suffered hgf.

This was a follow up from a Watchdog prog on TV, there are hundreds of thousands of k-series out there, in all types of cars.

Its no big deal anymore, new MLS gasket seems to be the biz, people are more aware and know what warning signs to look for. Plus its not difficult to fix hgf, assuming it didnt overhead and the head needs skimmed.

2L diesel is better for towing, same aluminium stuff (LM25) in the head as the k-series engine.

Northern Irelander said:

The stats from around 2001 showed that only around 0.3% of all k-series suffered hgf.

This was a follow up from a Watchdog prog on TV, there are hundreds of thousands of k-series out there, in all types of cars.

Its no big deal anymore, new MLS gasket seems to be the biz, people are more aware and know what warning signs to look for. Plus its not difficult to fix hgf, assuming it didnt overhead and the head needs skimmed.

2L diesel is better for towing, same aluminium stuff (LM25) in the head as the k-series engine.

Click to expand...

But that's 6 years ago there's been thousands of HGF's since then and it isn't just the HG is it theres VCU and IRD failures and chassis cracking to name but a few.

redhand said:

But that's 6 years ago there's been thousands of HGF's since then and it isn't just the HG is it theres VCU and IRD failures and chassis cracking to name but a few.

Click to expand...

Im prepared to back up my figures, will dig out the websites, its from MG-Rover.org

You are correct in saying More engines have suffered hgf since then, probably up to a couple of percent, but that is the only official figure to date, yes I admit its dated but there is no other official confirmation of the hgf issue,

Late reply, but 150k plus in an R plate freebie Xedi. You'll pick one of them up for £3k I woulda fort. But tis true bout the drivetrain issues. Be ready for it....