Freelander 1 and 2 buying Advice

Hi -

stepped in to the world of searching for a Freelander...

feel like i just searched 'Headache' on google.. i.e.. diagnosed with a brain tumour after 2 clicks!

So my findings appear to show -

Freelander - avoid the 1.8 and 2.5V6 petrol engine, after 50,000 miles it's likely to die and need a new engine

Freelander 2.0 L series engine and TD4 more reliable - diesel. engine shouldn't die, but perhaps not a great car.

I'm a little confused, because I was recommended to look at Land Rover as it should 'run forever'.

I am English but looking for a Left Hand Drive to take over seas with me, hence need something reliable that won't need an imminent engine swap.

I am looking to spend up to about 5,000 pounds.. what would you recommend I look for? I believe Freelander 2s are much more reliable, but will i find one for 5,000 with a low enough mileage?

any help, or buying advice, much appreciated! What a mine field!!

F.

Welcome to the forum.

Freelander 1 petrol's can be more of a problem than diesels. Often the petrol's fail with head gasket failure due to water loss/leaks. The HGF may be fixed, but if it's not done right or the original fault (water loss etc) isn't fixed then it will happen again. Not many left hand drive in the UK.

Have a look ere: http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f9/what-lock-freelanders-163164.html

thanks Hippo.

and thanks for the link.

So its not the end of the world a 1.8 Petrol... but be aware appears to be the advice.

Have found maybe 20 or 30 Left Hand Drive in the UK so far which fall within budget.. many of them the 1.8 petrol engine though.

Is there a work around for the HGF problems? ie. have a specialist go over the vehicle etc.?

or is this a much safer bet? >

2004 LAND ROVER FREELANDER TD4 AUTO 110/- miles @ 3,995 pounds

If it were me I'd go for the diesel. The petrol's can be repaired but if they've been driven to destruction or the job done wrong, then they will fail again if the job isn't fixed proper. An example of this is not bleeding the coolant system proper when putting the coolant in after the hgf repair.

If it were me I'd go for the diesel. If you have eggsperience of the rover engines and you can fix them, then the 1.8's offer some cheap buys. The v6 is less prone to hgf. Unfortunately the web echo's myths about it. When talking to life long rover car owners they int that scared of the petrol's. Admittedly many had suffered with hgf and fixed it themselves.

My 1.8 has been as reliable as any diesel since Ive had it ...a few mods done and alls been well for three years

After the engine and gearbox change my v6 has been ok anorl.