Are they that bad?

Hi all, looking at getting a Freelander 1 as there is a really nice one for sale in a garage that I have bought from before. It's a 1.8 petrol with 109k on the clock and recent new clutch with FSH. Looking on the internet it seems to get a bit of a slating. Are they that bad?

Previously had an Isuzu Trooper which my wife didn't like cos it was too big. As she works in the middle of the Peak District it would be mainly as a second car to use in bad weather/holidays (camping kit won't fit in the Mini!).

Is it worth a go at £1300?

fintious said:

Hi all, looking at getting a Freelander 1 as there is a really nice one for sale in a garage that I have bought from before. It's a 1.8 petrol with 109k on the clock and recent new clutch with FSH. Looking on the internet it seems to get a bit of a slating. Are they that bad?

Previously had an Isuzu Trooper which my wife didn't like cos it was too big. As she works in the middle of the Peak District it would be mainly as a second car to use in bad weather/holidays (camping kit won't fit in the Mini!).

Is it worth a go at £1300?

Click to expand...

It has a LR badge it must be ok

Only consider a petrol freelander if yu have a nice warm garage, don't mind doing major mechanical rebuilds or have very deep pockets.

If yu consider it then check to see if yu get bubbling in the coolant bottle and that you have the propshafts fitted.

Normal advice is to walk though.

Read the faults thread. :search: for vcu and hgf.
Read the "all you need to know" thread in the FAQ section.

Hmmm, sounds like a put off to me then..

each to there own i love mine i do 70 miles a day 5 days aweek so far only lil thing like Alternator belt other wise all good ( touch wood) lol

Hi,l

After owning a number of Rovers and my freelander and rebuilding the 1.8 K series as home projects, I love the engines. There is a reason why these light weight powerful engines are the power plant of choice for racing. However, the engine was released without enough testing so the weak points (oil rail, head gasket) failed too often and this brought a lot of bad publicity that sticks around on those who read to much but do little else. The innovative engine design requires a robust cooling system (another failing in the earlier models without PRT) and they perform wonderfully if they are looked after.

That said...check the service history for an uprated head gasket, though with over 100k on the clock I doubt if it has not been done and if belts and braces is needed, look for an upgraded oil rail being fitted. If they have been done then it is just a likely to fail with 100k on the clock as a diesel or the V6

Cheers

Mark