What Freelander?

I'm thinking of purchasing a freelander 1 or if I can afford it a early freelander 2.
Now, not knowing a lot about freelanders, I have spend quite a few hours looking around and look here trying to find out as much info as I can. Basically I've decided to go for a diesel version so a TD4 is a must but I'm not to sure what model to buy. SE, HSE, Sport.. the list goes on.

Can anybody recommend a model to get (and year).. Also, is it better to purchase a cheap early model freelander 2 (2007) or a top of the range freelander 1 model?..
Any help would be greatly appreciated..

Welcome to the forum .

Hmm tricky one, the TD4 HSE and SE are the higher trim levels for the FL1 doozles. If you can afford an FL2, going on the fact that we hardly ever see issues with them here that may indicate that LR ironed out the problems that the FL1 tends to suffer from.

Personally I love the FL2 and if I was to trade up some time it would be a very strong contender.

Will.

there are a few major issues with the fl2

The Mad Hat Man said:

there are a few major issues with the fl2

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I agree - that's why I haven't replaced my late 2004 TD4 auto, which I bought new to replace my early 2002 TD4 manual.

If they still made them I'd buy one tomorrow - but a SE model - not the HSE that I have now. It has several features that came as standard that I never use. I doubt if it makes much difference in price now, but when the TD4 was a current model it cost a good bit more.

I've covered the leather seats with fitted cloth. (Too shiny/slidy on fast corners)

The Sat-Nav in FL1s was absolutely brilliant for 3 months - then they need £180+ updates that are only produced every 3 years. I use a Garmin.

The sun-roof I open regularly - once a year to clean out the slides and check the drain-tubes are clear.

Buy as late a SE model as you can find - the auto-box version is very convenient - I'll never buy another manual.

Don't get me wrong I love my TD4 and I'll keep it till either I or it falls to pieces. There's no comparable alternative - yet?

Singvogel.

there are a few major issues with the fl2

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I'm not saying there aren't, but to elaborate a bit might be helpfull. More than a few on the FL1, although i'm more than happy with mine.

All cars have faults. Some more than others. The Freelander 2 has far less faults than the Freelander 1. They are expensive to fix. But they're still quite new still.

But they're still quite new still.

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Yes but no but.... What?

Davidspect said:

Yes but no but.... What?

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Freelander 2 is still quite new. Normally as cars start to age, parts supply gets better and cheaper. More recon engines and gearboxes available for example. The Freelander 2 doesn't seem to have this in my opinion. Hence prices are still high for parts. Could be down to them being mor reliable.

If my Freelander 1 v6 were to explode tomorrow, I'd be looking for a Freelander 2. I'd like one now, but can't justify getting rid of my v6 while it works "Freelander style".

Davidspect said:

I'm not saying there aren't, but to elaborate a bit might be helpfull. More than a few on the FL1, although i'm more than happy with mine.

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OK - I'll throw a few fault examples into the discussion arena, that I know of.

Many suffer from long-term vibration problems.

Haldex Transmission has just as many problems as as the VCU - as the cars get older more are failing.

There were so many PSA Peugeot-Citroen DW12 Engine warranty claims that replacement engines were on back order at one point. Has this been properly resolved?

The FL2 is currently the only vehicle using this engine, which in itself says something - I wonder why.

Any rebuffals - or more examples?

If my TD4 were to explode tomorrow - I wouldn't know what to replace it with.

:Cry:

Its been around for 5 years now, some with well over 100000 miles, you still dont hear about that many major problems.

I had a Diesel 08 GS for 3 yrs and was very pleased with it. Only major thing that went wrong in 90k miles was the Haldex which they replaced under warrenty. Wrangler tyres that seem to be fitted to most went well over 30k before replacement. Like any LR look for a full book of service stamps.
I now have a FL1 facelift and despite the niggles (and there are quite a few) I prefer it to the FL2.

Having said the above, wifeys 07 FL2 XS has just had the clutch replaced at 70k due to the slave cylinder failing which is a common fault on the ealier models and bloody expensive!
If you go for the FL2 look for the SE model after 08 as I believe that they did start to iron out some of the early problems - And Santorini black is the best colour...........

well i have bought a 1998 diesel one, i think i have joined the head under the bonnet club, in comparison my mx5 of 2 years as never gone wrong,

Love my '05 TD4 HSE.

PDC saves the neck, cruise control saves the knee and remapped ECU saves the diesel....

I would go for the late FL1. Especially, if you have dogs

Thanks guys, I think I will go for a FL1. Does the remapped ECU really save at lot of diesel. As standard, I believe it can do 37.2 mpg (combined). Also, would I get better fuel consumption from an auto than a manual?.. If heard, this is the case..

Also is there anywhere where I can get a list of spec's per model (for the FL1) and can someone confirm if the sav nav on the HSE model is any good. Looking at the screen shots, there's no display as such like modern sat nav's.. Is this the case.

Sorry for all the questions, I just want to make the right purchase the first time..

It is the other way around as the auto is a bit more thirsty than the manual.

When I had my FL1 Auto (no remap) I was getting consistently an combined average of 35mpg (8 L/100Km).

There is a lot of good advice here for buying a used FL.

Good luck

metalhead72 said:

Thanks guys, I think I will go for a FL1. Does the remapped ECU really save at lot of diesel. As standard, I believe it can do 37.2 mpg (combined). Also, would I get better fuel consumption from an auto than a manual?.. If heard, this is the case..

Also is there anywhere where I can get a list of spec's per model (for the FL1) and can someone confirm if the sav nav on the HSE model is any good. Looking at the screen shots, there's no display as such like modern sat nav's.. Is this the case.

Sorry for all the questions, I just want to make the right purchase the first time..

Click to expand...

My TD4 auto with a synergy can give 44 - 45mpg easily - but then most of my long journeys are on motorways..

You're right the HSE Sat-Nav is a voice only job and the latest maps are 2006, officially costing around £200. Lookee-likee copy stuff is available on eBay (still years out of date though) but a Garmin or a Tom-Tom is a million times better.

S.

Looking at the console on a facelift FL1 (which I am looking for myself) it appears you could fit a double din stereo in there which would have built in satnav then. Bit low down if you're the sort who likes to look at it while driving, but for voice at least it is updatable.

Satnav is not worth updating in my own mind, however I keep it as its part of the Multi-CD,radio,Satnav setup with remote control on steering. Also it will give you Lat/Long if you are stuck off road and need to let someone know where you are..... ok remote possibility.

I prefer the Autobox despite slightly less MPG as manual has known slave clutch issues.

Facelift looks nicer

you need a remap or RoverRon module to enhance the normal ECU setup