borrowing a freelander 1.8 for 2000mile trip

[zero2hero]

hi if any one can give me some advice on the f/lander 1.8 1999 model i would really be gratefull. My sister has kindly offered too let me use her freelander for a trip too st tropez this coming thursday 18th. i am now a little worried that i may have made a bad decision as it seems that the lander's suffer from head gasket problems overheating etc! & likely temperature in south of france will be 90'f+ . We were originally going in our vw golf & i have fully prepared my golf for this trip. decision is purely down too space and comfort "5 of us going." the lander does have breakdown cover etc! & is @ 72,000 miles and well maintained. please tell me im worrying for nothing i just feel that my golf would be more reliable thanks in advance!!

[zero2hero]

i have decided to answer my own question as no freelander owners seem to want too help. anyways i am going in my trusty "vw golf GTI" i doubt wether the freelander would make it out of town. have found so many complaints about the design fault on engine causing h/gasket failure. is no wonder the rover engine plant in the UK as shut down with such bad engineering.

[garrycol]

Sorry - just spotted your post - I think you have made the right decision. I don't know about the 1.8s (I have a 98 diesel) but have read heaps about their heating and engine failure problems - the other issue is that 98/99 models also have catastrophic drive train failures as well - the vicscous couplings fail and then cause the IRD to fail - if it is going to happen it will occur when travelling at high speed on high grip surfaces - eg long distances on freeways. Seems to happen when the cars are 100,000 - 150,000km old ie about 72,000miles. This happened to me recently - 120kph on a high grip concrete expressway - about 100km along - bang - car no work - tow away!!

Just think if both happened - the repair bill would exceed the value of the car.

Good choice - go in the VW and save your relationship

Garry