Robin
Premium Member
Registered: 7th Jan 04
Location: Northants Drives: Clio 182 Cup
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My brother is looking for a second car (for his wife to use mainly) but as he often goes oop north for the mountains, he's decided he wants a 4x4.
He's been looking at TD4 defenders (earlier ones, mk1 shape)
I've been trying to persuade him to get a TD5 Disco 2 but he's worried it'll be a bit big (she can't drive at the moment so this would be her first car)
Now, are the diesel freelanders actually that bad? The engines are good, they're cheap now and if one can do the camel trophy.....
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JamesMG
Member
Registered: 14th Nov 06
Location: Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire
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Didn't they use V6 autos in the Camel and G4?
Good cars imo, quite underrated, they suffer from problems with a seized viscous coupling on the prop shaft which prematurely wears the rear diff that's the biggest problem. Tight turns on gravel tests for that.
Next its just irritating little problem, look up three amigos on google for the TC ABS HDC probs they suffer and also the rear boot handle is a common prob an quite expensive.
Apart from that theyre quite capable, IFS and 35mpg makes for quite a good car/small 4x4 compromise!
Oh and need to make sure the PCV is changed when serviced as its often neglected and makes them burn oil. Common place in the BMW market but not Land Rover for some reason
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AK
Member
Registered: 5th Jul 00
Location: Aberdeen City
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We have a RR Sport we're trying to get rid of.... 14.5k
If we cant sell within the week its getting punted as a trade in.
Maybe a bit big.... but nice car 
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MarkM
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Registered: 11th Apr 01
Location: Liverpool
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Great price AK.
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Ben J
Member
Registered: 31st Jan 05
Location: Cheshire
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what are you replacing it with AK?
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AK
Member
Registered: 5th Jul 00
Location: Aberdeen City
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X5 35d M Sport is ticking all the boxes just now
09 or 59 plate hopefully
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Kyle T
Premium Member
Registered: 11th Sep 04
Location: Selby, North Yorkshire
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quote:
Originally posted by Robin
Now, are the diesel freelanders actually that bad? The engines are good, they're cheap now and if one can do the camel trophy.....
My old man got a diesel freelander brand new in 2011 (so not sure what model that makes it).
He got a 4x4 experience day as part of the purchase, in which a pro took us out in a (different) brand new freelander on loads of types of terrain to explain the different features and capabilities and I was amazed at how capable the car was. The guy doing the day was a landrover nut, and had all sorts at his house - but said the freelanders didn't deserve their school run reputation and were more than capable 4x4 cars.
Lotus Elise 111R
Impreza WRX STi
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scottyp1989
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Registered: 29th Jul 07
Location: Warley, West Midlands
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Discos are a big car tbh especially as a first car, the bonnets seem to go on forever and there is quite a bit of overhang at the rear. I certinatley wouldnt be thinking of a defender if any travveling is involved really, they are very basic inside and really not that comfy. Freelander would be about the best choice TBH, also xtrails are a very capable car and possibly slightly bigger than the freelander, newer shape vitara is also one i would consider. They are all more softroaders but aslong as he dosent want to go mud pluggin and its just general laning etc all of them will be perfectly capeable
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K 5ive
Member
Registered: 30th Jan 07
Location: Spain
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I have ownerd my facelift Freelander for nearly 2 years now. Great everyday car as a crossover vehicle. When my wife drives it she gets 500 miles to a tank. I get less.  But still around 435 to the tank. That is with a Rover Ron power box on it with the dial turned up to number 10, POWER! for a Freebie anyway. I also got rid of the EGR for a Alisport EGR blank off pipe. I ahve also fitted Silicone Tubo hoses. The first thing I did was change the PCV filter. Then after reading up I changed if for the fit and forget BMW mod which gets rid of the pathetic foam filter system. Forget to change a PCV and kiss bye bye to your Turbo etc.
My car is no road burner but will show up a good few cars. Would I reccomend one. Well this is my second one after a 1.8 version.
Off road skills are pretty good as well and have taken mine up plenty of river beds and done a bit of mountain rock crawling. Just watch those undersides though. Exhaust rear box is the most prone to damage. This can also be remedied with a smaller back box.
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Graeme
Premium Member
Registered: 26th Jul 04
Location: Northampton
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A defender for driving distance in? Will not be nice.
Disco would be alot better, more comfort and fine for anything offroad.
Freelanders are ok but personally don't like them. Don't like how they drive.
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Lee_fr200
Member
Registered: 8th May 11
Location: West Yorkshire
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Freelander is a lovely car, we had a 57 plate hse fully loaded in a nice dark red and the body kit on it, lovely car! Personally though the disco is a much better off roader I had a newish disco rescue me (4yr old) and it was more than capable
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RichR
Premium Member
Registered: 17th Oct 01
Location: Waterhouses, Staffordshire
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Freelander boot is far too small for a car of that size. I was all up for another Disco3/4 but given the issues that our's had, and now both my Uncle and my missus' Mum are having (all completely different, difficult to diagnose and expensive to fix), none of us will be havin another. After owning 9 discos of all shapes, my uncle has just moved to a Land Cruiser and missus' mum is lookig at Touregs. I wanted an Evoque but can't trust the build, mechanical or electrical systems in newer LR or RRs.
Swb defender would be about the only LR I'd ever buy now
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K 5ive
Member
Registered: 30th Jan 07
Location: Spain
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quote:
Originally posted by Graeme
Freelanders are ok but personally don't like them. Don't like how they drive.
A car that drives like a FWD car most of the time and can give a good few cars a run for their money on the twisties. Whats not to like?
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Graeme
Premium Member
Registered: 26th Jul 04
Location: Northampton
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Definatly doesn't feel like a nice car to drive but personal opinion and all that.
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John
Member
Registered: 30th Jun 03
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Is this a mark 1 freelander (or a 2 for that matter) we're talking about?
I Jonny 5 alive really trying to say it surprises a lot of cars, including in the twisties 
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Alex_Rally
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Registered: 6th Sep 09
Location: Tyne and Wear, gateshead
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quote:
Originally posted by K 5ive
quote:
Originally posted by Graeme
Freelanders are ok but personally don't like them. Don't like how they drive.
A car that drives like a FWD car most of the time and can give a good few cars a run for their money on the twisties. Whats not to like?
had on , your telling everyone that they are fast and handle well around corners ???
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Ben J
Member
Registered: 31st Jan 05
Location: Cheshire
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On twisties up a mountain maybe.
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Steve
Premium Member
Registered: 30th Mar 02
Location: Worcestershire Drives: Defender
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quote:
Originally posted by John
Is this a mark 1 freelander (or a 2 for that matter) we're talking about?
I Jonny 5 alive really trying to say it surprises a lot of cars, including in the twisties
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K 5ive
Member
Registered: 30th Jan 07
Location: Spain
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by Alex_Rally
quote:
Originally posted by K 5ive
quote:
Originally posted by Graeme
Freelanders are ok but personally don't like them. Don't like how they drive.
A car that drives like a FWD car most of the time and can give a good few cars a run for their money on the twisties. Whats not to like?
had on , your telling everyone that they are fast and handle well around corners ???
Never said they were fast. However as an owner and having many different cars over my lifetime. I like to think I can drive pretty well!  So yes I have held off cars in the twisties. I am not saying all! Journalists at the time of launch also were saying the same thing.
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Steve
Premium Member
Registered: 30th Mar 02
Location: Worcestershire Drives: Defender
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You held off cars that either couldn't get past because it was too dangerous or were just out for a leisurely drive.
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Gary
Premium Member
Registered: 22nd Nov 06
Location: West Yorkshire
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by Graeme
A defender for driving distance in? Will not be nice.
Disco would be alot better, more comfort and fine for anything offroad.
Freelanders are ok but personally don't like them. Don't like how they drive.
This.
Also my mrs is shit at driving but manages my disco fine. Wouldn't want to see her trying to park it though
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AK
Member
Registered: 5th Jul 00
Location: Aberdeen City
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...it'd see you off in your Puma 
They are a high sided medium sized 4x4. Its never going to handele that well, but it may handle well compared to a Nissan Terrano, Ford Maverick or some other pish.
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K 5ive
Member
Registered: 30th Jan 07
Location: Spain
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by AK
...it'd see you off in your Puma
They are a high sided medium sized 4x4. Its never going to handele that well, but it may handle well compared to a Nissan Terrano, Ford Maverick or some other pish.
Now your taking the piss!  Everything is relative and again in my original post I never stated eveything! You have to take into consideration the spec of car. In both cases mine have had 17's on 225, 55 tyres which do make them handle very well. If you took out a 195 tyre version, I would say the same thing and probably would not like it as a first drive of one. I stated something from my own personal experience on a very twisty Norfolk road that I knew very well with a boy racer trying to stay with me.
Remember the old saying of it's not what you drive, it's how you drive.
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AK
Member
Registered: 5th Jul 00
Location: Aberdeen City
User status: Offline
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WTF?
Why am I taking the piss
Simply putting 17's and low profile road tyres on a medium sized high sided 4x4 wont make it handle well..... regardless how how you drive it :S
[Edited on 20-01-2013 by AK]
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Steve
Premium Member
Registered: 30th Mar 02
Location: Worcestershire Drives: Defender
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by K 5ive
quote:
Originally posted by AK
...it'd see you off in your Puma
They are a high sided medium sized 4x4. Its never going to handele that well, but it may handle well compared to a Nissan Terrano, Ford Maverick or some other pish.
Now your taking the piss! Everything is relative and again in my original post I never stated eveything! You have to take into consideration the spec of car. In both cases mine have had 17's on 225, 55 tyres which do make them handle very well. If you took out a 195 tyre version, I would say the same thing and probably would not like it as a first drive of one. I stated something from my own personal experience on a very twisty Norfolk road that I knew very well with a boy racer trying to stay with me.
Remember the old saying of it's not what you drive, it's how you drive.
So now you're putting it down to the driver not the 4x4, make your mind up!
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