When it works it's good but from day one so many faults

It's an all terrain vehicle, but there is no grab handle for the front seat passenger. The drivers seat cannot be raised or lowered. There is no thermometer. Top of the range and no cd player. No drinks holders (remember the off road capability but not with drinks). Mind you it is a ten year old model but even in 2000 the things listed above should have been standard.
I guess what is not standard is the now third gearbox, the first was replaced on warranty. Oh yes and the third engine, I suspect my dealer was responsible for the first one dying, yes i mean that. But they did not listen to me when i explained the problem and although they said they had changed the engine they only changed the top half. The problem unfortunately for them was in the bottom half and so two months later on warranty they changed the whole engine. Any one else out there with a freelander, does this sound familiar? But last winter in the snow and ice I got home when many others did not and so as I said it's good when it is working. Fingers crossed, it's the only thing i can think to do. Happy days.

Peter the laird said:

It's an all terrain vehicle, but there is no grab handle for the front seat passenger. The drivers seat cannot be raised or lowered. There is no thermometer. Top of the range and no cd player. No drinks holders (remember the off road capability but not with drinks). Mind you it is a ten year old model but even in 2000 the things listed above should have been standard.
I guess what is not standard is the now third gearbox, the first was replaced on warranty. Oh yes and the third engine, I suspect my dealer was responsible for the first one dying, yes i mean that. But they did not listen to me when i explained the problem and although they said they had changed the engine they only changed the top half. The problem unfortunately for them was in the bottom half and so two months later on warranty they changed the whole engine. Any one else out there with a freelander, does this sound familiar? But last winter in the snow and ice I got home when many others did not and so as I said it's good when it is working. Fingers crossed, it's the only thing i can think to do. Happy days.

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By the sounds of it, you bought a 1.8 petrol model. They are a bit **** and that's putting it nicely... Anyway, they are very very prone to head gasket failure and this is something a Freelander 1.8 owner should come to terms with. Either that, or get rid. If you don't have a petrol model, then you're just unlucky!

Also, you should have two can/bottle holders located on the side of the front door pockets. There's a black strap which will hold it in place. Very good idea, too bad many people don't even know what they're for...

IIRC the gearbox in the Freelander was updated in around 2001, but I'm sure someone will correct me if I am wrong.

When the car was launched, CDs were still new to the technology world. At that point, nobody could be sure about the future, just like mini discs. Imagine if cars were fitted with mini disc players only for it to become obsolete within a few years? So what do you expect? Sure, your car is a 2000 model, but you shouldn't expect major updates in 3 years since the launch date. That said, my old 2000 BMW 3 series SE did have a 6 CD changer, but then you'd expect that in a car designed for the "premium" market. The Freelander 1 is not a Range Rover. Top spec or not.

Your front passenger shouldn't need a grab handle, because you're unlikely to be doing anything extreme enough to warrant one. If you ever do find yourself needing it, you probably should have bought a Discovery.

You are correct in saying that the seats can't be raised or lowered. Why this isn't a feature, is beyond me. Perhaps the designers forgot about it. Still, you can always buy a booster seat. As for the thermometer, do you really need this? I had one in my old BMW and it often liked to tell me porkies. I swear, it just made it up. One day last Christmas, it was apparently 32°C outside. Yeah, right.

Welcome to the madhouse.

**** ME that's impressive, thought LZ had gone soft

Let's assume that your car didn't have grab handles & seat height adjusters etc. when you bought it, so that's entirely your fault if you feel they're so important to whine about. Next time maybe you'll decide what you want BEFORE buying & can check to see if your potential car is so equipped.

Right, got that off my chest now comes the sympathy bit. I am sorry to hear about all your mechanical problems & you have been unlucky. as you know petrols aren't brilliant but if yours is diesel then you've got the worst luck going. As for your dealer, maybe time for a change methinks.

My Td4 was delivered on january 9th 2001, which means it was put together around october 2000 (meaning mine as well is 10 years old), I have the SE edition and I have a 6cd-player, also the passenger has a grabhandle just above the door, think that place is better than sometimes, in other less sofisticated cars, such an handle on the A-pillar. Leaves the problem with the engine but that part is covered already by RichM. The only difference re the bottleholders is that mine are grey, not black.

My v plate 2000 DI has a 6 cd changer/radio as standard, my 55 TD4 has a single cd player/radio - progress ?

My 2000 xdi has CD Radio Bluetooth Ipod connection etc..... THE RADIO ISN'T GLUED IN YOU KNOW!!!!!!!

when I bought my X reg Freelander the passenger air bag was a no cost option, I opted for the grab handle on the dash board. Never needed the air bag, grab handle got lots of use.
Probably should have gone for the Disco but SWMBO wouldn't agree, now hooked on Freelanders.