Essex Ed Posted January 5, 2014 Report Share Posted January 5, 2014 Been wrestling with this issue for a while so I thought I'd put it to public opinion. My heart say's Defender 90 but my head say's Freelander 1. Thing is 90 doesn't tick enough boxes; I need something I can get my elderly mother into and take her out in reasonable comfort. Something I can take a young lady out to dinner in, something I can put springer into for shooting and general shooting vehicle. Last but by no means least I can do a long journey in ( Scotland/Cornwall etc) A Freelander would seem to fit the bill nicely, but will it be nosebleed expensive to maintain? What should I look out for? Before you answer I don't want another Jap vehicle, I've had a Fourtrak and it was brilliant in all departments but "been there done that etc" They're too agricultural to drive. I'm looking at a 05/06 HSE spec at the mo for about 5k (80k miles). Many thanks in advance for any replies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRYAN3 Posted January 5, 2014 Report Share Posted January 5, 2014 Are you a mechanic? If not,save a bit more and get freelander 2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martindd Posted January 5, 2014 Report Share Posted January 5, 2014 Are you a mechanic? If not,save a bit more and get freelander 2. I've got one and it's the best car I've ever had,love it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike-b Posted January 5, 2014 Report Share Posted January 5, 2014 why not meet in the middle and get a discovery?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elgreco Posted January 5, 2014 Report Share Posted January 5, 2014 Are you a mechanic? If not,save a bit more and get freelander 2. agreed. As an ex freelander owner I'd agree. Watch out for window cables snapping oil leaks on transfer box. Turbo blowing the oils seals due to blocked filter on egr valve. Clutch replacement will mean new dual mass flywheel more than likely. Oh! And rot around the bottom of the doors, worst car I have had Cheers Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
four-wheel-drive Posted January 5, 2014 Report Share Posted January 5, 2014 I think that I would look out for a good disco. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GRamsay Posted January 5, 2014 Report Share Posted January 5, 2014 I got a 2000 model 2ltr diesel freelander which i bought 10 months ago, mot,d it again in middle of december it only needed wear and tear items, Front breaks and disks, back box and middle part of exhaust, and i reckon i wrecked the exhaust driving through a cut rape field otherwise it would,ve just needed the breaks and disks. and i,ve had no other bother with it, I Suppose its just your luck what you buy. i seem to have been quite lucky so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxus77 Posted January 5, 2014 Report Share Posted January 5, 2014 (edited) Transmission, VCU, IRD, Diff problems are common and expensive http://www.bellengineering.co.uk/5.html have a nice read here over at landyzone http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f9/freelander-faults-poll-54179.html Edited January 5, 2014 by maxus77 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgguinness Posted January 6, 2014 Report Share Posted January 6, 2014 For 5 grand you would get a reasonable Freelander, nice spec etc, but it would get you a considerably older Defender that would feel bare bones in comparison. Yes Freelanders can give problems, but so can any motor. My brother in law has an 04 plate TD4 that has been no bother at all. As others have said, a Disco would be a good bet too. I've an old 300tdi P plate and it's been great. They will, with decent tyres, go most places a Defender will, but with the comfort of a luxury vehicle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zulu Posted January 6, 2014 Report Share Posted January 6, 2014 I have had 4 TD4's since 2001 and not had any probs ( currently have a FL2 ) , advice seems to be avoid the 1.8 petrol unless the cylinder head job has been done , genly got about 28mpg town work and 38 on a cornwall run . Always felt the FL1 needed a 6th gear on the motorway . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferguson_tom Posted January 6, 2014 Report Share Posted January 6, 2014 For what you are looking for and the money you have to spend my choice would be Discovery TD5. The freelanders are lovely when working but do have a range of known issues the main one being at the mileage you are looking at the expensive VCU and IRD. They are actually small inside especially the boot. I found I struggled to get a gun in the boot, and trying to get a dog in there as well with shooting equipment isnt gonna happen easily. The discovery is big enough to have a dog box in the boot and still have space to put all your gear around it safely. Also i think a well spec'd Disco looks pretty good and has not age badly so the girl you take out for dinner wont be upset you have turned up in a tractor (defender) and your mum will like the heated leather seats after walking round the shops with you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottoj18 Posted January 6, 2014 Report Share Posted January 6, 2014 I think it down to luck with freelanders. I've had mine about a year and not had any problems yet, it's a 2000 td4 es iv put around 10,000 miles on it. Yes the boot is small but put the seats down and there's plenty of room. Picked mine up for £2500. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottoj18 Posted January 6, 2014 Report Share Posted January 6, 2014 Got a mates bike in the back when he broke down one day. Loads of room Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deershooter Posted January 6, 2014 Report Share Posted January 6, 2014 image.jpgimage.jpg Got a mates bike in the back when he broke down one day. Loads of room Did you take it to bits with a stick of dynamite You could probably fit a ford escort in with enough time and tools lol Deershooter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottoj18 Posted January 6, 2014 Report Share Posted January 6, 2014 Lol no just front wheel, fenders, gas tank and seat. You can do anything with a socket set and a screwdriver Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stubby Posted January 6, 2014 Report Share Posted January 6, 2014 I bought my freelander from a PW member, its had a few niggles, but love it to bits, I'll drive it till it goes bang, and then get a defender so get the defender if the girl your taking to dinner dont like it, then she aint the girl for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TW1990 Posted January 6, 2014 Report Share Posted January 6, 2014 I'v had one not too costly to repair. Check where it is serviced as the softwear needs updating and most general garages do not carry the correct equipment for job. Had to take mine to landrover specialist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil3728 Posted January 7, 2014 Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 I had a Freelander 1 a few years ago, It had 7 different electrical problem, in 6 months so I got rid. . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hayden Posted January 7, 2014 Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 I've got an x reg TD4 and it's brilliant. It's just ticked over to 149,000 miles, with no problems. Hayden Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linny Posted January 7, 2014 Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 Lol no just front wheel, fenders, gas tank and seat. You can do anything with a socket set and a screwdriver and fix your freelander you forgot the tow rope Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greenhorn Posted January 21, 2014 Report Share Posted January 21, 2014 ABS sensors can be nightmare expensive too £223 for one, from dealer, I got mine from ebay £19 and work fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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