TD4 seems OK, stay away from the earlier diesel (DI?) and get the most
modern - truly BAD when they came out and got better

I'm not sure that is fair. The TD4 is an excellent engine, also used in the
BMW 3 series and Rover 75. I agree that it is the pick of the engines. The
earlier diesel was the Rover L-series. It is less exciting but has a
reputation for being absolutely bomproof.

They changed at Y-reg. If it doesn't say TD4 on the rear door, then it is
the earlier L-series.

Cheers

Blippie
--
Ten minutes of this rain will do more good in half an hour
than a fortnight of ordinary rain in a month.

Freelander owners were incurring huge bills long beofre the cars were 8
years old.

We've got two and they never miss a beat.

Depending what the OP wants to use it for, a Honda CR-V or petrol Nissan
X-Trail (Avoid the diesel X-trail) might be a better alternative.

I've only driven a '03 plate X-Trail. certainly a lot cheaper to buy. I
didn't like the flimsy controls and buttons and the engine wasn't a patch on
the TD4. It doesn't handle as well as the permanent 4x4 Freelander and
doesn't have such a commanding seating position.

I think the boot is bigger.

Cheers

Blippie
--
Ten minutes of this rain will do more good in half an hour
than a fortnight of ordinary rain in a month.

I have been thinking of buying a 4 to 5 year old TD4 Auto. Research has not
left me with a good feeling about a Freelander.
I was at my local independent garage who have serviced my cars for over 10
years. The owner has a Freelander so I asked him if they where as much
trouble as reported. Yes was his reply. He then went on to say the petrol
is the worst. Transfer boxes are a problem but replacing them has come down
to about £900 ! Fuel pumps on the diesel work out at about £1800.

You can pick out any part for any car that is expensive to replace.

Keep it in perspective.

There are two main problems associated with the Freelander 1. Both are well
known.

- 1.8 head gasket failu also a feature of other vehicles with the
K-series engine.
- Early transmission problems: The IRD (transfer box) had a habit of
failing in early models. This was usually a result of the VCU (viscous
coupling unit) failing and not being detected and replaced. The final drive
(rear diff) ratios were also putting too much stress on the unit and the
ratios were changed early on.

Neither issue should put off the potential purchaser of a TD4. The engine
is completely different and the transmission problems are not so widley
reported by the time the TD4 was introduced. There are plenty of websites
that will describe how to check for transmission problems - they are easy to
detect.

Try www.landyzone.co.uk

Cheers

Blippie
--
Ten minutes of this rain will do more good in half an hour
than a fortnight of ordinary rain in a month.

Brassed Off ) gurgled happily, sounding
much like they were saying :

Fuel pumps on the diesel work out at about £1800.

Find me a single common-rail diesel where that doesn't apply.

Blippie wrote:
I have been thinking of buying a 4 to 5 year old TD4 Auto. Research
has not left me with a good feeling about a Freelander.
I was at my local independent garage who have serviced my cars for
over 10 years. The owner has a Freelander so I asked him if they
where as much trouble as reported. Yes was his reply. He then went
on to say the petrol is the worst. Transfer boxes are a problem but
replacing them has come down to about £900 ! Fuel pumps on the
diesel work out at about £1800.

You can pick out any part for any car that is expensive to replace.

Keep it in perspective.

There are two main problems associated with the Freelander 1. Both
are well known.

- 1.8 head gasket failu also a feature of other vehicles with the
K-series engine.
- Early transmission problems: The IRD (transfer box) had a habit of
failing in early models. This was usually a result of the VCU
(viscous coupling unit) failing and not being detected and replaced. The
final drive (rear diff) ratios were also putting too much stress
on the unit and the ratios were changed early on.

Neither issue should put off the potential purchaser of a TD4. The
engine is completely different and the transmission problems are not
so widley reported by the time the TD4 was introduced. There are
plenty of websites that will describe how to check for transmission
problems - they are easy to detect.

Try www.landyzone.co.uk

Cheers

Blippie

Yes despite the bad press I still fancy a Freelander.



--
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