Freelander info needed...might buy???

[6cuda6]

Might buy a Freelander as the wife likes the size better than the Disco but i have a few questions/concerns....it´s a 02 v6S with 96kilometers (about 65m)

1- timing belt issues??? service life is 72m...can this be done buy a licenced mechanic (myself) or is this a dealer only type tooling repair???

2- can/will it pull a small tent trailer or utility trailer (a couple times a year) ? any ideas about trailer hitches if so???

3- how well does the body/interior seem to hold up...some of the Disco´s i´ve looked at seem to be in great shape even though they have been well used, does the Freelander seem the same??

Thanks, Dean

[Muddy Oval]

1- timing belt can be done by any competent mechanic- there is a tool from Land Rover that makes it an easier job (don't recall the part number) but it's basically to pin the cams in place while doing the job. Parts are expensive, as most of the ones done so far have had bad tensioners and idler pullies as well. Water pump in 'in there' and although would likely last through till the next belt change, it's your call on that one. Time consuming job, for sure- but not hard.

2. I've towed small campers with mine without a problem. About 2500lbs. In the USA, they claim the limit for towing at Class II/2500lbs but overseas they rate them higher. I think it's more to do with liability than capability. It tows well.

3. From what I've seen, the hold up exceptionall well.

[Rovin4life]

They are junk. the time to do the timing belts is twelve hours. it takes the best guy in the shop over ten.

The heater cores leak, the brakes go quick. intake leaks. Engines swallow coolant. Windows drop, sunroofs break. Headgaskets leak internally, coolant bottles crack. Thermostats are a pain. Intakes rattle like hell and cost a grand.

Save your money and buy a disco.

Seriously dont believe anyone that traded theres in. Get a real opinion from a technician if you want to work on it yourself.

[Muddy Oval]

Bullshit-

Think for a second about that. The guy works in a repair shop... what do guys in a repair shop see? Broken stuff. How many people take their non-broken vehicles to the stealership for $117/hr to fix nothing?

The vast and overwhelming majority of Freelanders are fine and only have minor problems at best... as most Rovers do. If buying used, researching the repair history is important. It's either a good one or a bad one- not a lot in between. The quality of the work if repairs were done is paramount- many dealers just butchered the things and they'll never be right.

Anyway- like I said, timing belt is time consuming- but not something you need to take to the dealer.
The brakes go quick- but it can outstop a Mustang Bullit or an Audi TT Quattro. BMW designed the brake rotors and pads to wear together to provide the best in class stopping. Brakes are also cheap- and pads can be changed in your driveway in 45 minutes.
Heater cores- there's been some, but not "most" as asserted.
If someone wanted to argue from the particular to the general in typical flawed fashion, one could say Discos blow engines, oil pumps fail, ABS fails, brakes don't work, sunroofs break, window regulators break, rockers fail... but that would be unfair.

[6cuda6]

Thanks for the info guy´s....i´m a factory certified VW tech so i´m not really affraid of much. I did a bit of research and the Freelander doesn´t seem to have anymore problems than any other vehicle. The timing belt deal is not really an issue when it comes to replacing it but the price of the parts alone negate the deal i would be able to get on the truck....so were going to pick up a Disco (i like them better but the wife......lol) later, Dean

[Muddy Oval]

Enjoy your Disco!

[Badger]

My folks are looking into getting a new car. My dad wants to get a Honda Element and my mother wants a Freelander, she is pretty much convinced.

The Freelander they are looking at is a 2003 G4 with 40k in mint condition. The guy is asking around $16k.

Is a freelander like a disco, something breaks every week?

This is the truck.

[DevynsDad]

I had my Hippo for about a year and a half before I moved up to a Disco. As long as you are sure you don't need extra space, there isn't a thing wrong with a Freelander.

In the time I had it, I had one radiator hose clamp pop loose, which allowed the hose to drop against the fan, which in turn cut the hose nearly in two (at least that's what the stealership told me...it was towed and repaired under warranty, so whatever.) I also had a squeaky power amp for the HK adjusted under warranty, and one of the stereo steering wheel controls replaced.

That little truck made it through two 1,000 mile roundtrips, 4 camping trips, 2 winters and one pregnancy with no major issues.

[HMBFreelander]

I saw that G4 on Cragislist too. It looks sweet and I think the price is about right. The special vehicles badges and toys make it unique. That said, a Freelander can have lots of problems. Be sure to get the service history on it. A 2003 with 40K miles is still under factory warranty. As a second owner, I don't believe you can purchase the extended warranty but that would be something to check on. The '03s are better than the '02s but there are still some things that are common: heater core, CV joints, sun roofs for sure, some engine replacements at around 55K due to head gasket or cylinder liner problems (coolant loss symptom). The satisfaction you have with them is largely due to the competence of the maintenence they get. If this one has been serviced at LR Rocklin then it's probably good to go. They're great.

Freelanders tend to go through brake pads about every 20K-25K miles and rotors half that often. They are easy to do yourself and expensive at the dealer. The 48K service isn't too bad. The 60K service is bigger ($600) and the 72K service is a biggie ($2000) since they replace the timing belts. If you can find an indie shop, it's cheaper.

Driving wise, it's a sweet car. Great on the highway and around town and sufficiently capable off-road that not too many will leave you behind. Compared to an Element, it's night and day. My neighbor had an Element which I drove a couple times. At 60 mph on the freeway it felt very unstable and was going to fly off the road. Maybe hers was a dog but I'd rather walk than own one.

[mini7]

thinking of getting a freelander really need a desiel which one is best and what is the differences in the td4 and the XEDI had a tdi disco last, great slogger off road and long runs what would any one suggest?

[smileyq]

Originally Posted by HMBFreelander

As a second owner, I don't believe you can purchase the extended warranty but that would be something to check on.

When I bought my 03 Disco from the dealership I had the option to purchase the extended warranty. But if you leave the dealership without purchasing it the price nearly doubles when you walk out the door. Mine however was a certified used so if that one is not (which I'm sure it is if you get buying from LR) than it may be different.