Thread: Freelander 1.8i (1999)

Originally Posted by willdyott

Hi everyone!

Advice please:
I'm looking at perhaps buying a used Freelander 1.8i 2dr soft top (1999) and wondering whether it would be a good buy? The one I've found has done 94,000km, mainly in city.

I've been doing a little research on these Freelanders and they look they are quite prone to breakdowns... Am I walking in to a potential nightmare?!

My car knowledge is limited to say the least, so any help would be much appreciated!

Thanks,
Will

Yes, quite possibly going to be the worst introduction to owning a Landrover product, in my opinion. You need deep pockets, and even MORE patience. The 1.8 engine while quite 'fun' to drive isn't very reliable as far as head gasket and cooling system problems are concerned, the IRD and viscous coupling can and do fail costing almost the value of the vehicle to replace, AND at 94,000km bot of these major faults are about to occur. LOTS of these had head gasket failures at around 100K, trans problems and rear differential failures at about that too.

Yes it sounds like a doom and gloom pic but this is the reality of early Freelander ownership, in my experience. Many have had a trouble free run, but IF you don't, then you will curse the day you forked over the $$ to buy it. You can use the $$ far more wisely.

I refuse to work on these anymore.


JC

As the owner of an early Freelander but thankfully a diesel I agree this JC - just don't go there.

Garry

Yep, have to agree, run a mile. If you are looking at an early Freelander look post 2001 and look only at Diesel. That 1.8 litre petrol motor, though it was a good design in theory, did not pan out in the reliability factor and was VERY prone to Thermal Shock caused by the bad design of the thermostat positioning on the motor. This caused subsequent Head Gasket Failure and a lot of these motors were also prone to slipped liners. So don't go there is my advice!!!

I agree with all previous posters. If you haven't already purchased it, then definitely DON'T!!! I purchased one a year and a half ago. Spent a fair bit of cash on repairs, and it finally died of death last week. Heating matrix replaced 5 weeks prior, and now head gasket blown and engine needing replaced. It's done 180 Km's.

I'm just about to create an advert to see if anyone wants to buy the shell and remainder of the car for spare parts. Take that as an omen that it aint a good buy.

On the flip side of that though, I've learnt a shed-load about freelanders in the last two days by going round the garages and picking various mechanics brains. If you are set on a Freelander, then most of them have recommended the F2. Totally different motor and apparently quite good.

Good luck with your car hunting!

Regards,
Jock.