Freelander Purchase Advice

**Phoenix** · 6th January 2005, 10:16 AM

Yes we are looking at ditching the subaru and Lazer and getting a softroader.

Tribute and escape were sxcluded, we both hate column shifts, outlander looks great, but is only an auto, plenty of forresters around, but they are a little small.

So far it has come down to the Sante Fe, teh X - Trail and of course the freelander. The missus is set on the freelander, but i'm making sure we look at all of the options.

We have driven a late 2000 model which we were impressed with, it's in good condition, low km's BUT ........ it has the 1.8L K series Petrol engine. Now i've heard and read about the problems with this vehicle (leaking inlet manifold gasket I think it was), and have heard of replacements being needed (engines that is), but I have never heard of any problems in aus with this engine. it goes well, and has been well looked after, but is it worth the risk??

I've heard that there was a modified gasket or modification kit fitted to most now, and that if I ring a dealer with the VIN number they can tell me what warranty work has been done, but will this show the fix up??

Also the price is about $3-4K too much because it's in tasmania (it was brought in from vic), but I can work on that :wink:

**VladTepes** · 6th January 2005, 08:17 PM

I was chatting to the guys at British Off Road a while back and they seem to have a lot of them in for serious work (somne of the petrol jobbies, anyway). I suggest a call or even better an email for some advice on what's good / what to avoid. They will have seen it all.

**noddy** · 6th January 2005, 08:26 PM

What about a Td4? Have only heard good things about them.

I would keep clear of the 1.8.

**VladTepes** · 6th January 2005, 08:38 PM

The magazine reviews seem to say the TD4 is woefully mismatched to the manual cogbox but works pretty well with the auto so make sure you drive the exact model you are looking to purchase rather than making any assumptions based on the other box.

**DiscoTDI** · 6th January 2005, 09:22 PM

We just got a 1999 2.0 diesel manual, fantastic vehicle and uses stuff all fuel. I asked around and had the history of the vehicle checked out before I did anything. I would recomend the diesel though.

**Ace** · 7th January 2005, 08:22 AM

I'd go for the TD4, as discotdi said they use stuff all fuel and its now the only engine left in production for the freelander anyway.

The 1.8 Petrol is a pretty sluggish donk, its from an MG sports car im told, good in the MG, but lacks the grunt to move the heavy freebie along.

The Six is a good engine, but alot thirstier than the diesel.

Definitely go the TD4, the magazines reckon the Auto is a good package, but i prefer manual, if disco has one and reckons the manual is good thats good enough for me, i mean he is shifty but when it comes to land rovers i believe him.
Dont buy any other brand phoenix, it would be unlandrovian. Matt

**DiscoTDI** · 8th January 2005, 08:52 AM

Originally posted by Ace
I'd go for the TD4, as discotdi said they use stuff all fuel and its now the only engine left in production for the freelander anyway.

The 1.8 Petrol is a pretty sluggish donk, its from an MG sports car im told, good in the MG, but lacks the grunt to move the heavy freebie along.

The Six is a good engine, but alot thirstier than the diesel.

Definitely go the TD4, the magazines reckon the Auto is a good package, but i prefer manual, if disco has one and reckons the manual is good thats good enough for me, i mean he is shifty but when it comes to land rovers i believe him.
Dont buy any other brand phoenix, it would be unlandrovian. Matt

shifty hey [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif[/img] [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif[/img] [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif[/img]

**Phoenix** · 10th January 2005, 08:40 AM

Originally posted by Ace
Dont buy any other brand phoenix, it would be unlandrovian.

Oh, dear

ops:

**VladTepes** · 10th January 2005, 01:42 PM

<span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%">He's gone and bought a bloody NISSAN as well......</span>

Between him and Medic they can start their own forum..... they can take MartinMonkey with 'em too [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif[/img] [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif[/img] Welcome to AUNO.com

**Phoenix** · 10th January 2005, 02:31 PM

[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif[/img] [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif[/img] I've still got a landy, i'll never give in to the nissan scum [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif[/img] :roll: [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif[/img]

Thread: Freelander Purchase Advice

Thread Tools

Freelander Purchase Advice

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions