scootz
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| posted on 25/8/09 at 10:29 PM |
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Anyone Owned a Freelander?
Following on from earlier threads about my spine-damage...
Sold the Cat D SLK as I just couldn't drive it without torturing myself. Real shame as it was a cracking car, and was outstanding VFM.
Trying now to think a bit more sensibly, so went out and tried some Golfs, A3's, BMW 1, etc. but found that even those were proving difficult to
get in / out of (and today was a decent day pain wise!).
Then started thinking about 'taller' cars... tried them all and most were very good for access / egress and comfy to sit in.
As it's a bit of a 'transition' period and I know sweet FA about 4 x 4's, I don't think it's wise to go off and
spend the cash I got for the SLK on a nearly new X3, Tiguan, etc.
Sooooo... thought about the Freelander. Saw some sensible mileage 07's (last of the old-style) for around the £9-10k mark. Very comfy and
alright to drive. Seemed like good VFM.
Am I right in thinking that the 2.0 diesel is a BMW unit? Other than that, anyone have any comments about the Freelander in general... reliability,
etc
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Chippy
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| posted on 25/8/09 at 11:14 PM |
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Never owned one, but the guy across the road from me purchased a new one, about six/seven years ago and was very glad to get rid, nothing but trouble,
one thing after another. May just have been a Friday car, can't say. Others who have owned one can give a better informed view. HTH Ray
To make a car go faster, just add lightness. Colin Chapman - OR - fit a bigger engine. Chippy
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Jasongray5
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| posted on 25/8/09 at 11:18 PM |
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We used to have one in work, and it was quite uncomfortable to sit in for me, Dont know the ins and outs of your back trouble, but it used to hurt my
lower back, but then, im 6foot 2, the shorter guys used to think it was a lovely thing... probably not much help, but i think your just going to have
to keep trying, untill something feel right!
Thought of a people carrier, they are quite high, but with the comfort of a car...?
How hard can it be?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/33261515@N03/sets/72157611049241239/
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locoboy
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| posted on 26/8/09 at 06:27 AM |
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Again this is only my experience as i work at a 4x4 breakers and get asked for freelander bits a lot.
The viscous coupling that comes into play when the front wheels slip to then provide drive to the rears sieze up with regular monotony. If the car it
not subgect to loosing traction quite regularly then it stand a chance it will be siezed solid.
Have a search on the net for a testing method for it so you can test before you buy, we sell second hand ones for £approx 350
When these viscous couplings sieze up it putd untold stress on the front IRD (initial reduction drive) unit - effectively your front diff.
These then pack up - £400
Then the least common but still the 3rd best seller is the rear diff unit £300
In addition to this make sure everything works electrically and the electric window mechanisms are metal wire driven affairs and the wired snap
regularly, also check the central locking opens and locks all doors as the actuators fail quite regularly.
Check the rear boot carpet for signs of water stainign or dampness as the rear doors tend to leak.
Td4 engine seems quite reliable, only things we get asked for regularly are turbos £250 and injectors £200 on the early ones so you should be ok with
an 07 one.
Happy hunting.
ATB
Locoboy
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scootz
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| posted on 26/8/09 at 06:32 AM |
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Thanks folks... some really useful stuff there!
PS - woke up this morning to find I'd posted twice! Not surprised - had a 'back-episode' and was on the wipe-out pills! LOL!
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tegwin
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| posted on 26/8/09 at 09:41 AM |
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If you can stretch for it... get a used Touraeg 3 litre TDI V6 Altitude....
Really REALLY comfortable car to drive in and pretty rapid too 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Would the last person who leaves the country please switch off the lights and close the door!
www.verticalhorizonsmedia.tv
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Charlie_Zetec
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| posted on 26/8/09 at 10:19 AM |
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Two of my friends have had Freelanders, both got rid within a year of ownership. One had electrical troubles galore, and he ended up rewiring most of
it; in his own words "I'd rather own an old Alfa with no history to accompany it, and take my chances". Think that says it all.
And the other one had diff/drivetrain troubles.
In the end, one bought a newish Discovery and the other went for an older Defender 90, and both are more than happy with their purchases.
Obviously it doesn't sound like either of these are really what you're looking for, but thought I'd let you know the potential
trouble you could be letting yourself in for....
Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity!
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