R

rickross

New Member
Hello there, this is my first post on the forum so go easy :)

I'll try to keep it short and to the point. I'm looking to buy a Freelander MK1, I have read a lot of them on autotrader and ebay having had new clutch's head gaskets etc. I read on some other sites that the early models are very problematic and also the rover engines should be avoided because of them going bust.

Can anyone please confirm the best model to go for? I was maybe thinking a 2004 Facelift model with the 2.0l BMW engine. What are your thoughts?

Thanks
 
Have you looked in the how to section at the post 'freelanders all you need to know' Thread?

Personally I bought the latest TD4 auto I could find that appeared to be in good condition.
 
Yeah I'd go with the td4 its a good engine once a few minor mods are done but I've always gone for diesels:)
 
My advice would be prepared to waste a LOT of time looking at dogs described as immaculate (Land Rover speak for a scrapper). IN the end I found mine 6 miles away after spending many hours trawling the net and highways of the South looking at buckets. I did find one that had a new IRD and VCU and it drove and looked lovely, but wasn't over keen on blue.
 
Worst was one that looked really nice. 2 hours drive later I look underneath and it has more rust than the Titanic. And Freelanders aren't exactly known for their rust.. I could only guess that it was used for dunking boats in the sea and never rinsed. Pointed this out to the garage, but it's still for sale at top dollar..

Oh, and another 'immaculate bodywork' one didn't have a propshaft/VCU (actually, more than one didn't...) and the door was a different shade of silver, and one rear corner was all filler and a badly masked off respray. My blind dog could have done better. Still, at least it was only an hour away...

Oh, I really could go on, and on, and on......
 
Go for the TD4, but ANY sign of smoke of any colour from the exhaust, or literally any strange noise be it whining, knocking or clattering, walk away. Look at loads, you'll find a good un eventually.
 
Make sure you can get a good driving position when sat in it - no drivers seat height adjustment has caused visibility thru windscreen probs for some taller peeps ;)
 
Spacemonkey... said:
My advice would be prepared to waste a LOT of time looking at dogs described as immaculate (Land Rover speak for a scrapper). IN the end I found mine 6 miles away after spending many hours trawling the net and highways of the South looking at buckets. I did find one that had a new IRD and VCU and it drove and looked lovely, but wasn't over keen on blue.
Click to expand...

As above. Test drive a few, i tried about seven afore i fon a good un.
 
Spacemonkey... said:
INdeed.. It's like driving a burka...
Click to expand...

I'm 6'2 and have no problem with mine and the current Mrs bushwwacker (5'7 or as tall as my shoulder... She's shorter than me either road...) can comfortably drive it without altering the sest or whe;)el.
 
Last edited:
I'm 6'2" as well and I have to remember to duck before swinging my head through the door and I feel as if I'm looking out from under a sombrero. I wish I could lower the seat just a couple of inches, but at least I don;t have to use the sun visors so often...

Leg room is great and I can comfortably stretch out my left leg which has a dodgy knee. Much better than my Golf in that respect. The seat is also dead comfy, but it would be nice if they had put the steering wheel dead ahead instead of towards the centre....
 
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