the missus and I are looking for either a SWB RAV-4 Diesel(Hens teeth up here so I'm told) or a 3 dr facelifted Freelander(pre-Freelander 2 shape),now a mechanic mate reckons the RAV-4 to be the better bet reliability wise,and we've also been told that the 5dr Freelander is the same length as the 3dr version???.........this is important as where my wife parks at work it can get a bit tight at times,so any advice appreaciated as to what does and goes wrong with the TD4 model and what sort of economy would we likely see
Pros and Cons of the TD4 Freelander
- Thread starter RoddersC4
- Start date
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Hi RoddersC4, avoid petrols like the plague. TD4 best engine, Sport- fairly harsh ride (have got one). Mostly ok otherwise.....Average 35 mpg on motorway. If you know someone who has one and understands it, take them with you! If you get a good one (and despite what you read, there are plenty of them) then you'll probably love it!
Northern Irelander
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- N. Ireland
Great towing machine, engine is described as frugal and has loads of torque.
On the downside - has loads of electronic sensors, usually fine but if one plays up then its usually a diagnostic check at your dealers. Unless the Td4 troops on here know the symptoms and point you in the right direction.
Cant see the point in the Freelander sport, they are anything but sporty. By all means suspension should be firmed up a little but why lower a 4x4 soft roader. Plus the extra bit of performance from the Td4 engine can be achieved with RoverRon aftermarket power looms.
Avoid the RAV4, boot space is tiny, if its reliablilty you want then go for an X-trail or the Vitara range.
In the X-trail you get switchable 2wd and 4wd, in the Vitara you get a low range gearbox...........great pieces of kit for the money.
On the downside - has loads of electronic sensors, usually fine but if one plays up then its usually a diagnostic check at your dealers. Unless the Td4 troops on here know the symptoms and point you in the right direction.
Cant see the point in the Freelander sport, they are anything but sporty. By all means suspension should be firmed up a little but why lower a 4x4 soft roader. Plus the extra bit of performance from the Td4 engine can be achieved with RoverRon aftermarket power looms.
Avoid the RAV4, boot space is tiny, if its reliablilty you want then go for an X-trail or the Vitara range.
In the X-trail you get switchable 2wd and 4wd, in the Vitara you get a low range gearbox...........great pieces of kit for the money.
Blippie
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The TD4 is a fine engine, built by BMW and also used in the BMW Series 3.
It generates 110bhp and is refined and fun to drive. Ours has never missed a beat. Permanent 4wd gives assured handling. I never saw the point in selectable 4wd in modern cars - how do you know you are going to benefit from 4wd before you hit the slippery patch that's around the corner? The infitessimal increse in running costs (we get 35-40mpg depending on the run) of permanent 4x4 is far outweighed by the peace of mind and comfort of assured handling. On road handling is even better on the stiffened, lowered "Sport" models.
The engine has a reputation for reliability and the only notable recurring problem seems to be the MAF sensor which IF it became a problem is easily diagnosed and simply fixed.
The XTrail that I have driven equated very well with the earlier L-series diesel Freelander. However the trim was falling apart and the upholstery was cheap and nasty. Haven't driven a recent one, though.
The Freelander doesn't have the low box of the Vitara. This makes the auto Freelander the pick of the crop if you do a lot of maneurving with a trailer. However we tow regularly with our manual Freelander and once you are used to it your driving style adapts to suit the low first gear.
Off road, the Freelander makes up for the lack of low box by having a splendid traction control/ABS/HDC combination. The auto is the best off roader as it is more controlable, but we've done hundreds of off road miles in ours and never had any problems.
Cheers
Blippie
It generates 110bhp and is refined and fun to drive. Ours has never missed a beat. Permanent 4wd gives assured handling. I never saw the point in selectable 4wd in modern cars - how do you know you are going to benefit from 4wd before you hit the slippery patch that's around the corner? The infitessimal increse in running costs (we get 35-40mpg depending on the run) of permanent 4x4 is far outweighed by the peace of mind and comfort of assured handling. On road handling is even better on the stiffened, lowered "Sport" models.
The engine has a reputation for reliability and the only notable recurring problem seems to be the MAF sensor which IF it became a problem is easily diagnosed and simply fixed.
The XTrail that I have driven equated very well with the earlier L-series diesel Freelander. However the trim was falling apart and the upholstery was cheap and nasty. Haven't driven a recent one, though.
The Freelander doesn't have the low box of the Vitara. This makes the auto Freelander the pick of the crop if you do a lot of maneurving with a trailer. However we tow regularly with our manual Freelander and once you are used to it your driving style adapts to suit the low first gear.
Off road, the Freelander makes up for the lack of low box by having a splendid traction control/ABS/HDC combination. The auto is the best off roader as it is more controlable, but we've done hundreds of off road miles in ours and never had any problems.
Cheers
Blippie
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