Potential Freelander Owner checking in

Hi all, I've been browsing the site for a bit as I'm thinking of getting a TD4. I was interested to read several different posts regarding fuel consumption, and wondered why some people get as much as 40mpg and others only get 30mpg or less.

Does tyre choice really make such a huge difference? If mine only does 30mpg I'll be struggling to run it, but as I live in rural Aberdeenshire, and have been snowed in, and now slushed, in for over 3 weeks, I really need something with good ground clearence and 4x4 traction.

Your advice would be much appreciated as I don't want to get myself into something I can't afford! :doh: Thanks.

Hi, 30 mpg from a Td4 would indicate a problem somewhere, even auto models should return mid 30s, a manual gearbox helps eek out an extra mile or two. Following the recommended service/maintenance schedules should ensure as much as can be predicted that it is as reliable and economical as possible. The other variable is the owners driving style.
Tyre choice will make a difference given your reason for wanting a 4x4 so something with an off road bias would be an advantage. The guys on here that venture onto the green lanes etc. should be able to give more specific tyre advice if you decide to buy one.

Thanks Chaser, I was just wondering, is there a list of model specs somewhere? I've gome across various members of the TD4 family, with things like GS or E etc, where could I find out what they mean?

There's nothing like that on this site that I'm aware of. Best i can suggest is to look at the used cars for sale on the autotrader website where you will be able to click on the various Td4s and view their specs and equipment levels using the blue buttons.

you could try parkers

Land Rover Freelander Station Wagon (98-03) 4x4 Car Review - Facts & Figures - Parker's

If you need good ground clearance and 4x4 then you should think carefully about choosing a hippo. Ground clearance is an issue, but it is a more car-like 4x4.

As for tyres, I've put Grabber AT2s on mine - haven't tried them laning yet - but am doing Sunday! General reports seem to be good and in the recent snow and slush they have been the DBs.

Thanks Pardec, useful info there. Snifflebag, is there another 4x4 you'd recommend with a little more ground clearance?

discovery

Thought they had a bit of a bad reputation for being unreliable and expensive to keep on the road?

its a land rover - they are all unreliable - no more than a Hippoo.cheap for bits tho - depending what age one yu get.

Looks like I'm going to have to go in the Disco forum and see what's what in there!

What about a Vitara? Can I ask that on here..... lol

TD4girl said:

Looks like I'm going to have to go in the Disco forum and see what's what in there!

What about a Vitara? Can I ask that on here..... lol

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:doh: no... dont do it ffs. :welcome: btw

Hang on a minute, how much ground clearance do you really need? What exactly do you intend doing? Freelanders aren't that bad they don't have as much as the bigger 4x4s for serious off roading but if it's just to use for farm tracks or access to rural property there's no problem at all.

I thought you were looking for something with reasonable fuel consumption, if that's high on your list don't go near a Discovery.

Would echo the sentiments here - my comment was simply that Freebys don't have the same ground clearance as their bigger siblings, but unless you are into challenging greenlaning or off roading, you should be fine.

I use my greenlaning and just try and avoid the more extreme bits

Thanks again. I live up an untarred farm track and over the last ten years have been able to get up and down in whatever car or van I've had, provided it was fitted with good snow tyres. Prior to that, we used to have really bad winters, much like this one really, and always got stuck in or out. Nowadays, all the neighbours have 4x4s (ones got a Disco and one a Freelander) and the ruts they leave even in the nice fluffy fresh snow means my little van is struggling. From the comments already given, I think the Freelander should do ok. Shame we didn't get on with it and buy one in the summer!

A freelander should do you just fine - perhaps with a snowshovel in case.

You can easily fit a lift kit for a bit of extra clearance, and AT tyres - though I've been perfectly fine on Michelin Synchrones

Above all else, get a TD4 Auto
preferably the 5 door, and as late a model as you can afford
Aircon is a big benefit, and the later specs have a heated front screen

I get approx 30mpg from the Auto on an Urban Cycle and have had as much as 45mpg on long runs.

Auto?!!!! Ooooh dunno about that! Is there any significant diff in the MPG with Auto Vs Manual? Defo got to be a 5door as I need to put stuff in and out of the back seats quite a lot.

TD4girl said:

Auto?!!!! Ooooh dunno about that! Is there any significant diff in the MPG with Auto Vs Manual? Defo got to be a 5door as I need to put stuff in and out of the back seats quite a lot.

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Mine is the Auto giving the figures above

The slight loss of MPG is vastly outweighed by the benefits of the Auto.

It is better at towing, and eaier to drive on snow and offroad because the Torque converter just about makes up for the lack of a low range selection box.

I'll have to brush up on all these 'gadgets' it seems to have. Torque converter....is that anything to do with the hill descent thingy?

TD4girl said:

I'll have to brush up on all these 'gadgets' it seems to have. Torque converter....is that anything to do with the hill descent thingy?

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No, it's part of the auto gearbox - kind of in place of a clutch on a manual vehicle.

The later models have fitted as standard ABS braking, as part of this system Landrover utilised it to give you Traction Control and Hill descent control.
These all use the brakes to control freespinning of the wheels.

Last week I used the Hill Descent for the first time, a long fairly steep ice covered road near me was looking impassable, so I thought what the hell, give it a go.
Damn thing took me safely under control at about 5mph all the way down - even around the cars that had slithered into the sides out of control.

All round, and with all faults taken into consideration, one of the most impressive cars I've ever driven.