...So that's were I parked it:p

Sorry to hear about your experience. If it were my money and only one day out of the garage I would take it back - quick, smart - one could cynically suggest that if it is going for a song then there may be a heavy pounds-sterling backing track.

We wish you well 'hopalong' and hope that it doesn't turn into a money pit for you as these things can - unfortunately. Let us know how you get on.

It it wasn't safe to leave the tailgate window open on the Station Wagon model; why would Land Rover manufacture the three-door Sportback model - from which you can remove most of the back of the vehicle? Just a thought..

Thanks for the reply old chap - hopefully, with the VCU only being three months old from new it should be okay - as are the refurbished diff and three new diff mounts.. I'll start to save my pocket money and come back to you.

I'm starting to feel like the black knight in Monty Pythons Holy Grail with the amount of limbs I keep losing!! Where might you be in the world...just in case I can find some money down the back of the sofa?

I'm not sure my 'engineering challenge' is typical of the breed; so I wouldn't worry unduly. On the plus side; at least the drivetrain was fine!

I think the same Polish electricians were employed to wire up my house judging by the ham-fisted end result. Still at least your Landy survived to fight another day.

Now you have me worried...I have replaced my VCU, bearings, rear diff and mounts x3 and the UJ on the front prop as it goes into the VCU and I'm still getting a whine/groan from the drivetrain somewhere plus a lumpy vibration between 60 and 70mph. Plus it has recently developed an occasional...

I certainly recall the IRD oil being meant to be whole-life; I can't recall about the gearbox though. That said I had no choice but to replace the gearbox oil in my old 1.8 XEi as the starter motor expolded (twice) throwing pieces of the case into the gearbox.

..Ah 'Point & Squirt'...the new dynamic duo. Move over Batman & Robin I say!:p:D

If my current 2001 Td4 and my previous 2000 1.8k are anything to go by there is certainly a little resistance when trying to reverse on full lock - this is normal. IF, when trying to reverse, it feels like someone has their foot on the brakes and there are other accompanying symptoms (popping...

60,000miles would be the magic figure I went for also; though at five years old it certainly could hurt to have it done at the next major service - more for the fact that the tensioner could be past its best days than anything. That said; it's not my money!

I think you can get 18" sport rims for the Freelander 1 - but that does mean that the tyres are a little thin and not meant for the green stuff. I agree that the Freelander 2 looks an astounding beasty - and in five years I could probably afford one - and the wider Land Rover marque look...

I do recall reading somewhere that the oil in the IRD is whole-life oil and shouldn't be replaced. Might this be a contributing factor...or am I quoting half-truths again?

To be honest, you are probably better keeping the better tyres at the rear anyway due to the unique way in which the front wheels are given more power than the rear ones...particularly if you suspect the VCU might be on the way out.

Welcome to the world of Freelandering...I think a strangely operating sunroof is par for the range; for example the switch in my Td4 ES works the wrong way round and it believes itself to be at the tilt setting when half fully open!!

Bell transmissions seem to have a good reputation for all things Freelander drivetrain related - and they offer an exchange on your existing unit. It would be recommended to change the bearings at the same time...more expense I know, but worth it in the long run.

In a similarly positive note I have just got 'Mitsy' back from my local specialist after a new UJ on the front prop and she now runs like a dream - no undue vibration or groaning any longer. Excellent. I know a UJ replacement is a minor job really, but alas I have not the equipment...or talent..

According to my best attempts at mathmatics I calculate that my 2001 ES with 137k miles is doing 36mpg (rounded up to the nearest whole number)...but then the engine is un-modified and I drive like an old woman...as I have been colourfully informed.