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16,720 Posts
The MLS gasket was never fitted to the production Freelander. I think the PRT came earlier, but did not have much impact on gasket failures.
considering freelander as second car
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Oh was it? I always thought that the Freelander had one fitted, hang on was it Lotus who started fitting MLS gaskets to the K-series?
The Freelander got the remote stat around 2001 (our 2001 1.8 had one) but I wouldn't rely on it as being much of an improvement. From memory, no K series engined Freelander left the factory with an MLS gasket, it was introduced as a retro fit together with the strengthened oil rail.
As said above, I used to have a 1.8 petrol - bought it new in 2001 and it was trouble free for the almost 3 years we owned it as was my father-in-laws 1.8 for 5 years. Last week I bought a 1998 1.8 petrol to use over the winter, time will tell on how it fares up reliability wise but if it breaks I will just have to fix it.
Road tax wise, up to and including X reg models, its £205 for a year, for Y reg and on its £245 per year, deciding on this or the diesel I would say depends on the mileage you will do, the petrol engine is heavy on fuel (27mpg combined) where as a L series diesel does 36mpg combined.
I would say go for it, mine has already proved itself in the short time I have owned it, they are good in snow.
After taking my 1.8 Freelander into some deep snow yesterday I have to agree - its so good in snow - drives through it like it wasn't there yet FWD cars are spinning and sliding about on the same surface, I then tried it on snow that no-one had ventured on, again ideal.
my freelander has been absolutely brilliant in the snow/ice whatever!.....its gone where no other car can seem to and has felt safe and secure.....
one big surprise has been the cheapo fullrun 235/50 zr18 tyres i had fitted recently as they have been fantastic in the bad weather!
one big surprise has been the cheapo fullrun 235/50 zr18 tyres i had fitted recently as they have been fantastic in the bad weather!
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16,720 Posts
According to one of the insurance web sites, the insurance group for Freelander is in the same range as the Rover 45.
Thanks, I will have to get quotes after new year.
Thanks, I would have to check it really, besides I could fix any problems my self.
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646 Posts
Gaylander
My intention was to convert it to LPG from the outset, so that's what I did.
As a precautionary measure, I fitted a new VCU, as the early Freelanders suffered from degradation of the silicon fluid, which left unchecked can lead to expensive IRD failure.
It is absolutely excellent in the snow, in defence of offroading abilities, I have only used it to tow the tin tent off a field a couple of times, but it really is just a hobby 4wd after all.
Reliability wise, I would say 7 out of ten, apart from changing the head gasket to a Payen MLS type, when the "original" started to leak water externally down the front of the block, I've had to overhaul the front calipers, replace the handbrake cables, shoes, discs, pads etc, but it does have a certain presence on the road, and without it my wife's job as a community Midwife, would have ground to a halt over the past few weeks.
Interestingly enough when I bought the remote PRT kit from Land Rover at the time I did the HG, the technician I spoke to regarding the uprated oil rail, advised that it was an expensive waste of time, so I didn't bother when I did the top end overhaul, thus far no ill effects.
Hope this helps
P.S. 22mpg on LPG around the doors, equates to 45mpg petrol and 48mpg DERV, beat that for economy!
Brian.
Bought my wife a 1999 XEi station wagon a couple of years back with 51k on the clock, in the desirable colour of Venetian Mauve, complete with full LRSH, backed with invoices to the tune of 4.5k, for the princely sum of £1700!.okay so i have realised we need a second car in the clan, preferably roomy, and 4x4 is essential due to the muddy festivals i enjoy going to.. so i immediately thought freelanderid love one like this http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2003-LAND-ROV...9800043?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item2a0bfdaa6b
but would consider older to bring the price down.. i just think that one looks the dogs business
cheers
My intention was to convert it to LPG from the outset, so that's what I did.
As a precautionary measure, I fitted a new VCU, as the early Freelanders suffered from degradation of the silicon fluid, which left unchecked can lead to expensive IRD failure.
It is absolutely excellent in the snow, in defence of offroading abilities, I have only used it to tow the tin tent off a field a couple of times, but it really is just a hobby 4wd after all.
Reliability wise, I would say 7 out of ten, apart from changing the head gasket to a Payen MLS type, when the "original" started to leak water externally down the front of the block, I've had to overhaul the front calipers, replace the handbrake cables, shoes, discs, pads etc, but it does have a certain presence on the road, and without it my wife's job as a community Midwife, would have ground to a halt over the past few weeks.
Interestingly enough when I bought the remote PRT kit from Land Rover at the time I did the HG, the technician I spoke to regarding the uprated oil rail, advised that it was an expensive waste of time, so I didn't bother when I did the top end overhaul, thus far no ill effects.
Hope this helps
P.S. 22mpg on LPG around the doors, equates to 45mpg petrol and 48mpg DERV, beat that for economy!
Brian.
Well, I am edging towards trying to find a low mileage 1.8. I'm thinking low mileage is the most important thing because of the cost of drivetrain components, and low mileage diesels are silly money. For a 2005 ish Freebie equivalent diesels seem to be half again as expensive as petrols (so we're talking £3k).
Brian, I'd love to find a bargain car like your (wife)'s! As long as its an estate, with a sunroof. Of course, I am looking at precisely the wrong time of year.
Pete
Brian, I'd love to find a bargain car like your (wife)'s! As long as its an estate, with a sunroof. Of course, I am looking at precisely the wrong time of year.
Pete
Yes I can fault the FL on many things but its capabilities in the snow are faultless.
As for my RWD MG, of which you will be familiar, its hopeless in ice and snow, but mainly down to tyres F1 GS-D3
dont do it freelanders are highly strung polished turds
DO NOT buy any petrol version, the 1.8's are under powered and the V6's drink fuel and have the same special needs all KV6's have (my v6 freelander is as bad on juice as my v8 discovery) £70 to fill the tank with a 210-230 mile range my old zs 180 would do 280-310 miles.
a V6 cambelt service :scary: ive heard scare storys of dealers wanting over a grand for one
the jatco automatic transmission is weak and expensive to repair
the drive train on the v6 is unique to the v6 and cant be swapped with diesel or 4 cylinder parts and its not often spares are available and when they do its mega bucks, it took me ages to get a decent engine for mine (dr evo came up trumps with an excellent bottom end)
all freelanders suffer from rear diff/vicous coupling/IRD/transfer box issues
if you even think about a 1.8 version i hope you have deep pockets, i think i can safley say that every one on the road has had the head off at least once in its life and most will have been repaired by idiots who dont understand how to correctly work with a k series and end up getting sold every 6 months as the as the head gasket keeps blowing
if you do really want one buy a post 2001 diesel (BMW engine) the only regular faults ive been out to seem to be failed turbos running the engine dry of oil (just like any other turbo diesel), if you can afford it go for the facelift it looks nicer, forget the auto diesel it uses the same gearbox as the V6
secondhand TD4 engines are cheap providing you get one from a 75 (£250) only a few bits to swap and they fit, if you start asking for a freelander diesel engine they start at £600,
in reply to a previous post freelanders dont get stuck when a few snowflakes appear, i live in a very hilly remote part of essex hence the need for 4x4's and my wife didnt get stuck even when we had 9 inches of the white stuff with 3 bearly legal tyres (drivers get cars stuck not the car)
DO NOT buy any petrol version, the 1.8's are under powered and the V6's drink fuel and have the same special needs all KV6's have (my v6 freelander is as bad on juice as my v8 discovery) £70 to fill the tank with a 210-230 mile range my old zs 180 would do 280-310 miles.
a V6 cambelt service :scary: ive heard scare storys of dealers wanting over a grand for one
the jatco automatic transmission is weak and expensive to repair
the drive train on the v6 is unique to the v6 and cant be swapped with diesel or 4 cylinder parts and its not often spares are available and when they do its mega bucks, it took me ages to get a decent engine for mine (dr evo came up trumps with an excellent bottom end)
all freelanders suffer from rear diff/vicous coupling/IRD/transfer box issues
if you even think about a 1.8 version i hope you have deep pockets, i think i can safley say that every one on the road has had the head off at least once in its life and most will have been repaired by idiots who dont understand how to correctly work with a k series and end up getting sold every 6 months as the as the head gasket keeps blowing
if you do really want one buy a post 2001 diesel (BMW engine) the only regular faults ive been out to seem to be failed turbos running the engine dry of oil (just like any other turbo diesel), if you can afford it go for the facelift it looks nicer, forget the auto diesel it uses the same gearbox as the V6
secondhand TD4 engines are cheap providing you get one from a 75 (£250) only a few bits to swap and they fit, if you start asking for a freelander diesel engine they start at £600,
in reply to a previous post freelanders dont get stuck when a few snowflakes appear, i live in a very hilly remote part of essex hence the need for 4x4's and my wife didnt get stuck even when we had 9 inches of the white stuff with 3 bearly legal tyres (drivers get cars stuck not the car)
Hi what pressure are you putting the 18" tyres, I have the TD4 Sport with the same tyres and the log book says 30 psi. My local garage just fitted a new tyre for me and put 34 Psi in as he says that what his book says??
regards
Nige
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79,081 Posts
As 2bellys says, I couldn't reccomend a Freelander to anyone, purely for the engine and drivetrain issues.
My old man wanted one, he was close to buying a 1.8 petrol one I was like and steered him towards a Quasqui or whatever they call it. Great little car.
My old man wanted one, he was close to buying a 1.8 petrol one I was like
and steered him towards a Quasqui or whatever they call it. Great little car.We loved our freelander petrol. Just under 100k miles and still going, though withthte couple of knocks No 1 daughter has had in it it might just fail the MoT on some silly things which arent worth repairing.
Quashqi is horrid. Cheap and nasty plastics, ride like a blancmange thoght it isnt bad looking.
Quashqi is horrid. Cheap and nasty plastics, ride like a blancmange thoght it isnt bad looking.
We know a number of people who have had similar experiences and none with horror stories.
Still on the same clutch as well despite some off road work, building work and as she got older being used by the whole family as the "pool" car as well as SWMBO's main daily transport.
If LR hadn't botched teh rear end of the FL2 and started charging an arm, leg, 2 kidneys and a testicle for a less interesting variant and only in deisel form, we would have bought a new one in a second.
Looks like we might end up with a Kuga - but as we dont want a deisel we might be disappointed.
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