AberFowl Posted December 17, 2017 Report Share Posted December 17, 2017 What to look out for 2003 lwb frontera 2.2 dti Known problems? Major issues? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
countryman Posted December 17, 2017 Report Share Posted December 17, 2017 Every thing , they were a bag of bones when new so God knows what they are like now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old'un Posted December 17, 2017 Report Share Posted December 17, 2017 (edited) The early models were poor, but 2002-2003 2.0 tdi (Olympus) were good value for money, off road ability very good (with the right tyres) I bought a new Olympus 2.2 tdi 2003, sold it back in April of this year, it was my shooting wagon, used off road a lot and never got stuck, in the 14+ years of ownership the only running cost were service parts, they are not the most refined of vehicles but I loved mine and you can get loads of stuff in them, just make sure its got some service history with it. Also check any advisories on the vehicle….https://vehicleenquiry.service.gov.uk/ P.S. if you need any parts this is your man (James), he is very knowledgeable, give him a call, there’s not a lot he does not know about these vehicles… http://fronterashop.co.uk/ Edited December 17, 2017 by old'un Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AberFowl Posted December 17, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2017 Swb 2.2 petrol same age... Not as good/better/no different? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharpeshooter60 Posted December 17, 2017 Report Share Posted December 17, 2017 ive got a 1998 2.5tds,ive had it 12years now and its never let me down,its the bmw [vm] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted December 17, 2017 Report Share Posted December 17, 2017 (edited) I had one for three years, towing a big box trailer - for my lads' motocross bikes. Better than the Discovery, which preceded it. Better drive, far more economical and quicker. Fine - in four wheel drive - pulling well over a ton across a muddy field. Seal failure around injectors is not common, but does happen. Brake lines are a pig to replace, if they get rusty - convoluted route, through box sections, so I am told. Mine were okay, but MOT tester passed on his pearl of wisdom. One of the lowest cost maintenance vehicles I have owned. The early ones were poor, but 1998 onwards are very underrated. My youngest had a 2.2 petrol - brisk, but thirsty. Edited December 17, 2017 by Gordon R Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancer425 Posted December 17, 2017 Report Share Posted December 17, 2017 (edited) 1 hour ago, sharpeshooter60 said: ive got a 1998 2.5tds,ive had it 12years now and its never let me down,its the bmw [vm] Good engines the VM used in many vehicles powerful and quite economical for what they are. Fronteras got a bad pres the watchdog tv show used them as a staple diet for a long time, and when yo throw enough around some will stck, truth is they were never as bad as claimed and in fact the old 1990s isuzu 2.8 diesel engined lwb fronteras were very reliable. Edited December 17, 2017 by lancer425 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sooty 54 Posted December 23, 2017 Report Share Posted December 23, 2017 We have a 2002 one ,brilliant much better than the TDI Discovery we had before it . Unfortunately now the "Tin worm " is getting a hold .The steel that supports the inside of the rear bumper ,totally dissolved ,it is now supported by some trusty box section . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted December 23, 2017 Report Share Posted December 23, 2017 Quote We have a 2002 one ,brilliant much better than the TDI Discovery we had before it . My experience too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adzyvilla Posted December 23, 2017 Report Share Posted December 23, 2017 Rust rust and more rust. Sills, wheel arches, and anywhere else the salty winter spray can get in. I looked at several last year and gave up in the end because I couldn't find a non rotten one. I think the later engines are good and parts are cheap, off road they hold their own. Ended up getting terrano instead and I think it was a much better choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dead eye alan Posted December 28, 2017 Report Share Posted December 28, 2017 On 12/23/2017 at 17:18, adzyvilla said: Rust rust and more rust. Sills, wheel arches, and anywhere else the salty winter spray can get in. I looked at several last year and gave up in the end because I couldn't find a non rotten one. I think the later engines are good and parts are cheap, off road they hold their own. Ended up getting terrano instead and I think it was a much better choice. Terrano is a much better option!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sportsbob Posted December 29, 2017 Report Share Posted December 29, 2017 The Terano by comparison is slow ,and thirsty. Frontera faults, the Speedo etc not working without the lights on, air leaks in the vacuum system which can cause a multitude of faults with the turbo the four wheel drive system and general engine management. Swirl valves getting clogged, egr getting clogged, Heater matrix leaking or has been bypassed because it leaks, general corrosion to the rear chassis area and the rear wheel arch the sill which often fails an mot test due to its proximity to the seat belt anchor points. The later engine also suffered issues with an electronic throttle position sensor in the inlet manifold which can be reasonably costly to fix. Extra keys are about £180. On the plus side the frontys are fun to drive off road, have a reasonable acceleration and return about 30 - 35 mpg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jam1e Posted December 29, 2017 Report Share Posted December 29, 2017 I've had 3. All were ok. Especially off road, but the long wheel base had the turning circle of a barge! With the right tyres though, i never got stuck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricko Posted January 1, 2018 Report Share Posted January 1, 2018 I picked one up last summer for 700 quid with three months test on it, it's been great. 1.The sills can be rotten around the bottom of the rear wheel arches. 2.The speedo electrics can be a big hit and miss. Other than that mine has been fine, had to rebuild the brakes, but it's returning 35mpg. Better value than a Disco or Freelander in my opinion. More practical than a SIII which is what I was considering (I've had a few of these over the years). Mine has the 2.2 Opel diesel in it which was fitted to the Saab's. There was one with a Isuzu diesel in it which is sought after. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vampire Posted January 1, 2018 Report Share Posted January 1, 2018 Had a mk1 sport,brilliant off road in any field i put it through,comfortable,not economical and gutless,best lamping 4x4 and would have another. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AberFowl Posted January 20, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2018 Bought a 52 plate lwb 2.2 diesel today 74k on clock, serviced every 6-9k, seems tidy and w'll looked after Hopefully it does the job and lasts a good while! Now to decide on some At tyres! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Heron Posted January 20, 2018 Report Share Posted January 20, 2018 Total pile of **** **** your money up the wall you will get more benefit out of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AberFowl Posted January 20, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2018 (edited) 33 minutes ago, The Heron said: Total pile of **** **** your money up the wall you will get more benefit out of it. I guess if they were that bad there would be none left on the road. I once got told a skoda was a heap of **** and not worth touching...myne did well and cost very very little for the 4years I thrashed it around Time will tell Edited January 20, 2018 by AberFowl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vampire Posted January 23, 2018 Report Share Posted January 23, 2018 On 1/20/2018 at 18:40, AberFowl said: Bought a 52 plate lwb 2.2 diesel today 74k on clock, serviced every 6-9k, seems tidy and w'll looked after Hopefully it does the job and lasts a good while! Now to decide on some At tyres! Bfg or same pattern grabbers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AberFowl Posted January 23, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 23, 2018 31 minutes ago, vampire said: Bfg or same pattern grabbers. I ordered Cooper discoverer AT3 Had them on my shogun before and they did OK for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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