Buying advice: 1998 Freelander XEDi

[thommo09]

Hi all,


I'm looking at buying a 1998 Freelander XEDi. Having never owned a Land Rover before I'd really appreciate some help in where to look for issues. I'll list the good and bad points of the car and I'd appreciate any feedback you guys can give.


Good:
Body straight, no rust or dents
Interior immaculate
Full service history from new
Mostly country k's (lived in Port Pirie for many years)
Side steps, nudge bar, spotlights, 18" chromies (fully sic ha ha )
Supposedly just had Viscous coupling, diff bushes, radiator flushed and hoses replaced and some other work done.
Near new tyres
$4500

Not so good:
260000km
Oil isn't as clean as I'd like, but not too bad and between Min and Max
Drivers side central locking actuator only works intermitently
Possibly leaking rear wheel cylinders (is on one of the recent service reports, not sure if its been fixed)


My main concern is regarding the transmission (including VCU and diffs) and whether 260000 mostly country k's are a huge amount for a diesel. I've never owned a diesel before so wouldnt really know where to start. Also, I have the car for the weekend, so if there are any easy tests for common faults I'd love to hear them.


Cheers
Jimmy

[101RRS]

Read through all the posts and threads in this section and all will be revealed.

Black engine oil is normal on a diesel.

Garry

[big guy]

Run-- fast--
The new TD4 Yes but the rest forget it.
My business partner had one and broke down on 1st day.
He had it for 3 months and only driven it for one week out of that.

Everything fell off, failed and never worked.

Don't do it, buy a Disco 1 for that money

[thommo09]

Thanks for the quick replies guys.

I've just spent a couple of hours going through the service history, doesnt seem to have had too many problems over the last 12 years, just regular servicing and the odd part replaced here and there. It had the Viscous Coupling replaced about 2 years ago...the invoice doesn't mention an Odometer reading though

Did the full lock reversing test and it didn't feel tight at all, however there was a tiny little skip, or almost as if there's a tiny little bit of tyre slip every 90 degrees or so.

I haven't come across any other test that I should try, any tests to check injectors or similar?

[101RRS]

Make sure the timing belt and the fuel injection pump belt was done at 240,000km or 80,000km after it was previously done - this is an expensive service item.

If you want the injection system checked take it to a Bosch Diesel Injection service agent. The engine electronic systems/injection are all Bosch and they can do any diagnostics on it that Land Rover can do.

Mine has done just under 270,000km and I have had no major issues for a long while. Change the oil and filter every 5,000km - it is a pain to do because the undertray has to be removed but do it. I modified my undertray by separating the plastic tray from the heavy aluminum frame - now all I do is unbolt the plastic bit and leave the aluminium frame in place.

Other things to look for - rear window works as advertised, the coolant overflow bottle is Ok - not major cracked (there will be little ones around the lid), the clutch bracket on the side of the gearbox can crack making 1st and reverse hard to engage in hot weather (mine does this) - a new or repaired bracket is needed, the HDC switch has a micro switch can play up - the wires get pulled out - pull apart and fix, the rear window leaks in heavy rain (design issue) - park up hill or in a garage when it rains - I have drilled a small hole in the rear boot box to let the water out. Interior wears well, unlike discos nothing bends or falls off in the sun - there are few major issues except check the VCU every 5000km as a precaution and do not drive it if it has failed. Change IRD and rear diff oil about every 30,000 - 40,000 km - contrary to Land Rover advice they are not sealed for life - only to be topped up.

Garry

[camel_landy]

Diesel Freelanders... Brilliant!

TD4 Auto is the best combo but the XEDi is bomb proof. I've just driven mine around Germany, Austria, Italy & France and it never skipped a beat.

I just love that car.

M

[vonkprop]

Bought the exact same model as this in Tasmania a few days before you made this post. Has 220,000 on the clock.
Paid a bit more than yours. $7500. Did look at a few (online) on the mainland that were considerably cheaper,
but once you'd worked out the trip to look and getting it back on the ferry, and transfer costs with the possiblity of work after inspection I decided to get the local one.
If you transfer a vehicle locally in Tas it doesn't need to be inspected, only if it comes from the mainland.
Had the overheating problem in the first few days but we replaced the top hose (big hole) and it's been perfect since.
Took it off-road on Sunday and was very impressed with it's performance.

[101RRS]

Glad to see all has come good.

Garry