Which Freelander

Hi all, just joined so hello to you all, I have never owned a Land Rover of any sort, but thinking about a Freelander, cant afford a 2, but looking at 2.0 TD4's which model is recommended? and what do I look for? any advice appreciated folks.
Martin

td4 auto

as i have said before on here corgi do one.you can play in the snow with it and the doors wont fall off:doh::doh:

I have a Td4 sport manual and I love it.

would highly recommend it !

have never been one for autos but the manual seems fine to me.

go for the sport, more extras, bigger wheels etc...

chipped mine, now goes like a rocket !!! lol

good luck

We had an HSE TD4 before SWMBO managed to get it written off, I loved it but it was a bit wallowy.
Just put a deposit down on a 55plate TD4 Sport at the weekend and I noticed immediately that it was going to be a different drive, bit tighter and I preffered it to the HSE I tested back to back with it.
Definately go for the TD4, good strong engine, just check for a decent history and do the usual checks before buying.
I'm so tempted to get my new Sport "touched" by either the synergy or some other tuning chip.
Enjoy

2.0_hippo said:

I have a Td4 sport manual and I love it.

would highly recommend it !

have never been one for autos but the manual seems fine to me.

go for the sport, more extras, bigger wheels etc...

chipped mine, now goes like a rocket !!! lol

good luck

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Hippo, quick question, what tuning did you choose? Has it made a big difference to the MPG or just a big difference to Miles per smiles?

Another one here with a 5dr Td4 Sport Manual, best car i have ever owned! Had to pull a recovery off the drive this morning, massive grin on my face. Great mpg too, would also be interested in what a difference chipping has made to the MPG?

Make sure you get one with service history etc!

Got a 03 TD4 AUTO here and lovin it the only regret i have is not buyin it long before . Got an auto as its all the mrs is licenced to drive .Its the ES model with leather seats (fronts heated) 17" alloys , cruise control and some more . If i mind correct the TD4 is the best model of freelander to go for reliabilty wise etc .

Autos are very good plus you don't have dual mass flywheels & difficult to reach clutch components/hydraulics to worry about.
A Roverron synergy is the best cost versus power increase formula along with an egr bypass - al doable for within £250.
Your mpg will improve if you keep driving it the same as before chipping but you will use the extra go & will probably find you're a couple of mpg worse.
Oh & chipping it won't make it go like a rocket, it's a 2 litre diesel engine designed for a passenger car so it's never going to be mega fast, planted in a 4 wheel drive car even in tuned form, but it will improve it a good deal.

Thanks for all your advice folks, I dont fancy the auto, never had aoto, but defo looking towards Td4, sounds like 5 door sport is the way to go, hoping to pick up an 06 for around 8k is that about right?
Cheers Mart

The TD4 Auto is excellent

I suggest you get a chance to try both

I've had Rangies and Discos for years, The Disco TD5 Auto is awesome on and off road and simply the best vehicle for towing.
Many long term users also prefer the Auto offroad.

The Freelander is almost equally capable - in a scaled down way. In fact it's the best one on snow and ice - up to about 2 foot deep.

If you manage to pick one up for 8K you'll have done well.
I've had to pay more than that for a 55 plate, but hopefully the full history and lowish miles will make it worth the premium.
Good luck on your search

Yep, my Freelander Sport manual is lovely now that its had egr bypassed, breather filter changed etc. There are a few tweaks and you'll have a great motor that drives like a quality car and is a capable 4x4. Prices a few months back for a 55 plate varied from around 10k to 8500 dependant on mileage. I'd be wary of cheap ones with low mileage for obvious reasons. Take the time to read the stickies about the mods and hiccups to expect before you buy. Manual is way better on mpg and, once you've unleashed it, the turbo oomph of the engine is sweet!
Check the car thoroughly mate, interior and exterior plastics can be made to look brand new with the equivalent of boot polish! Get right in to the nooks and crannies and defo have a look at the engine bay, check for sludge on the fat turbo hoses etc etc - once you read the stickies, you'll know what you're looking at and have some bargaining chips too! The sludge is easy enough to deal with but you can tell the dealer its a sign of something serious so give us a bit off the top dear boy!
Update us with your adventure

Are Sports really worth what seems to be a huge price premium.
I bought my 03 plate 3 door Td4 auto serengeti (lowish spec) with 52k on the clock for £4,700 back in April 2008 & that was from a dealer (it's been a brilliant car). I know it's pre facelift & without the sport suspension & goodies etc. but £8,500-£10,000 for a 55 or 06 plate sounds horrendous.
Oh & it wasn't clocked or stolen etc.

Depends what you want and what condition of course. A late plate FL1 HSE with all goodies and low miles can go for as much as 13K, a high mileage 1.8 petrol for £500! And, no thank you to the last option!
I personally think the Sport version is the best FL1 as it doesn't wallow, pulls and accelerates beautifully (once tweaked) and just looks much better too. It is a little more of a city car but still capable if it gets muddy. The HSE would be my second choice. Pre-facelift versions aren't my thing but each to their own innit

Just spotted a 54 plate sport for 4950 but it has 146,000 on the clock... so, as ever with cars, it varies massively!

dazjam said:

Depends what you want and what condition of course. A late plate FL1 HSE with all goodies and low miles can go for as much as 13K, a high mileage 1.8 petrol for £500! And, no thank you to the last option!
I personally think the Sport version is the best FL1 as it doesn't wallow, pulls and accelerates beautifully (once tweaked) and just looks much better too. It is a little more of a city car but still capable if it gets muddy. The HSE would be my second choice. Pre-facelift versions aren't my thing but each to their own innit

Just spotted a 54 plate sport for 4950 but it has 146,000 on the clock... so, as ever with cars, it varies massively!

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I agree with you re the facelift, it does look so much better but my budget at the time wouldn't stretch & I'm not interested in doing the diy upgrade.
It's just that I think for that much extra premium I'd want something with much better engine power & I mean a lot better than a Synergy provides. For me the standard car is totally gutless & the synergy & egr bypass make it an acceptable everyday car.
For it to be a Sport though I'd just expect so much more.
Can't comment re the suspension as I've only ever owned a standard model & mine isn't too wallowy at all but I can believe the sport would be much firmer.

chromiumuk said:

I agree with you re the facelift, it does look so much better but my budget at the time wouldn't stretch & I'm not interested in doing the diy upgrade.
It's just that I think for that much extra premium I'd want something with much better engine power & I mean a lot better than a Synergy provides. For me the standard car is totally gutless & the synergy & egr bypass make it an acceptable everyday car.
For it to be a Sport though I'd just expect so much more.
Can't comment re the suspension as I've only ever owned a standard model & mine isn't too wallowy at all but I can believe the sport would be much firmer.

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The facelift model doesn't beat this imo:





If I had a standard Freelander pre-face lift, I'd go for the G4 look. (1st pic) Probs much cheaper than trying to do a retrofit facelift.

I own a HSE Auto with synergy 1, EGR bypass and BMW breather fitted. She gives me 30- 35mpg and I have a boot full of kit for various voluntary roles. Auto is much handier off road when clutch play is heavier.

Doesn't feel particularly wallowy either

chromiumuk said:

I agree with you re the facelift, it does look so much better but my budget at the time wouldn't stretch & I'm not interested in doing the diy upgrade.
It's just that I think for that much extra premium I'd want something with much better engine power & I mean a lot better than a Synergy provides. For me the standard car is totally gutless & the synergy & egr bypass make it an acceptable everyday car.
For it to be a Sport though I'd just expect so much more.
Can't comment re the suspension as I've only ever owned a standard model & mine isn't too wallowy at all but I can believe the sport would be much firmer.

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I've only got mine to go on but take off speed leaves most of my fellow road users behind and has plenty enough guts for me - the heavy right foot is partially at fault! Which is I why I won't get a proper sports car. I don't wanna end up in a tree It accelerates very nicely and cornering is solid. Best car I've owned yet.


to S6THM

that is a bloody steal at that price!! I did plenty research and got nowhere near this size of bargain. I travelled to Manchester to get mine from a ford dealer who was offering a decent part ex on my old car. Local (london, home counties) was more expense and less part ex. Pays to travel. So, did your bargain need any work doing? If not, congrats on a great deal! "hungry Hippo"... so you got an auto then! Manual mpg is kinder.