Land Rover Freelander (don't laugh..)

[Spacemonkey]

I'm looking for a cheap medium size 4x4 that's cheap ish to run, drives a bit like a car (less roll than a Swiss on a mountain) and has aircon amongst other attributes. My initial idea was an LPG 93-6 Jeep Cherry as i love the styling. But today I have noticed that Freeloaders are getting quite cheap (£5k or less).

So are they actually any good off road? I'm not talking doing the Rubicon trail, or crossing the sahara, or bog crossing, I mean mild green laning, loose mountain tracks, that kind of thing, with AT tyres fitted, instead of pure roadies.

Do they have permanent 4wd, or a selectable 4H that can be used on tarmac without torque windup?

Drove a Vitara at the weekend and got sea sick in the bends, so want something that yaws a bit less and steers a bit more, as I'm used to nippy little sports cars and don't want too much of a culture shock, but most driving will be on road in inclement weather or when luggin stuff. MX5 the rest of the time, so I need good road comfort with some off road ability where a normal car couldn't cope with and reliability. I understand that this isn't a buzzword on some Freeloaders, but which ones? Are the K Series 1.8 models ok?

 

[innocent bystander]

When landrover tested them against the competion the freebies were towing the opposition out of the mud.

Check the owners club here , and download the newsletters to see what they get up to.

And some guards to stop the exhaust falling off can be useful on ruts

And yes, i am the happy owner of one...

 

[havingagiraffe]

reliability. I understand that this isn't a buzzword on some Freeloaders, but which ones? Are the K Series 1.8 models ok?

Make sure you get an extended warranty on anything with a green oval badge. Enough said.

 

[innocent bystander]

Like i said - i am the happy owner of one

Never broken down at all, starts perfectly everytime.
And it's a k series 1.8 !!! 1.8ES to be precise... (leather interior, 6 cd, aircon, etc, hdc yada yada yada..)

There were a couple of duff engines that let go of their insides, but the ones that were going to blow, have for the most part already blown. As long as you stick to the regular servicing, you should have few problems.

As has been mentioned in other places, a freebie can go places where a defender would have troubles. Sand, wet grassy slopes etc

 

[JonnyP]

Spacemonkey..........Get a proper offroader not a softroader. The 90's and 110's all have air con, just open the flaps. Just plug any mp3 into the stereo and you have music far better than a cd changer, which usually jumps after a while. I have a mitsubishi shogun with all the leather and air and all that, but its always broken down, while my 86 landy 110 still keeps plodding on with no power steering and a 0-60 time of forget it. Its good fun to drive and all the other defender drivers wave to you and you do not need to worry about speed cameras cos you will never set one off. I have had it for 3 years now and I can honestly say it has never let me down and I have not had to buy any major parts.
Long live the Landy..................Jon
Freelander...........I laugh.........Ha ha ha. Power steering is for woosies

 

[Jjv110]

If it's a Freelander style 4x4 you're after, then I can recommend them in their category. I have driven one at on the Eastnor Castle estate in Hereford, which is the testing ground for Land Rover, and location for the old Camel Trophy selections.

The tyres were road tyres and I was driving on very wet, slippery, muddy tracks. It performed very well, eventhough there was a bit of slide beacuse of the tyres.

There is no hi/lo box, but instead, a very low first gear and then second is normal ratio. Permanent 4 WD is standard.They have Hill Decent Control, which can only be used in first, which works by using the ABS system. It's very effective.

Freelanders were used in the Camel Trophy, so are easily good enough for mild greenlaning and snow etc. Obviously, they're not up to Defender abbilities, but that's not what they were designed for. I think you'd be suprised how capable they are off road. They have all the usual electrics, air con etc.

On the whole, the vehicle is excellent and they are capable towing vehicles too.
I drove the Td4. I don't know much about the 1.8s, but, I do remember there was a problem with some of the earlier modles.

I think it's a good idea to have alook at the Freelander owner's club website.

Julian.

 

[innocent bystander]

Spacemonkey..........Get a proper offroader not a softroader. The 90's and 110's all have air con, just open the flaps. Just plug any mp3 into the stereo and you have music far better than a cd changer, which usually jumps after a while. I have a mitsubishi shogun with all the leather and air and all that, but its always broken down, while my 86 landy 110 still keeps plodding on with no power steering and a 0-60 time of forget it. Its good fun to drive and all the other defender drivers wave to you and you do not need to worry about speed cameras cos you will never set one off. I have had it for 3 years now and I can honestly say it has never let me down and I have not had to buy any major parts.
Long live the Landy..................Jon
Freelander...........I laugh.........Ha ha ha. Power steering is for woosies

My first landrover was a s3 lightweight with steve parker conversion. In the 1 st year of ownership, the rear axle disintegrated, core plug burst, heater melted, petrol tank split, one door fell apart and an exhaust EXPLODED !!.

18 months of freelander and the following has happened :

I have topped up the screen wash,and aired a tyre.

It has used no oil, or coolant. Everything works.

 

[Buckshot]

When they were released FL's came in for a lot of stick cause they 'weren't a proper off roader'. Well that's correct, but it's horses for courses really. Most of the places I go with my 110 you could go in a much less capable off roader, even many road cars!!!
Remember you haven't got as much ground clearance and ,as has been said, the lowest thing on a FL is the exhuast so it's probably worth getting a guard on that and some AT tyres and I bet you'd get places most Landy drivers would fear to tred.
I think sometimes there's too much talk about the vehicle and not enough emphasis put on the skill of the driver. A good driver will get places even in a 'bad' off roader that other drivers could only dream of - or walk to !

Cheers

Mark

 

[BlueTrain]

My first and so far only Land-Rover was a 1965 SWB station wagon. Then I had two Rover sedans, one of which I managed to get 110,000 miles out of. (I also drove a Renault R5 for the same and my present Ford Escort has 180,000 miles). After around 1971 they were no longer imported but they had never been common.

Then they came back, in force. First Range Rovers were sold and are not too uncommon. Much more common than Rolls Royces. They the new Land Rover Discovery appeared. Wonderful looking. Want one. Defenders are still scarce but surprisingly, the Freelander is not that common yet over here. In all honesty, living in Northern Virignia, I think such things like Land Rovers, Burberrys and Barbour is more available than it is in other parts of the country.

When I owned my L-R, it received frequent off-road and backroad usage and always proved to be as capable as anything with four wheels. It died in a traffic accident. These days I don't know of any place to actually use four wheel drive yet SUV's, evidently a distinctly American variety of car (?), are very common. Humvees are actually more common than Range Rovers.

I still want another Land Rover. It is expected of me.

 

[JonnyP]

My first landrover was a s3 lightweight with steve parker conversion. In the 1 st year of ownership, the rear axle disintegrated, core plug burst, heater melted, petrol tank split, one door fell apart and an exhaust EXPLODED !!.

18 months of freelander and the following has happened :

I have topped up the screen wash,and aired a tyre.

It has used no oil, or coolant. Everything works.

My 110 does not use any oil (honestly), though it does leak a lot over my drive, so I have put down a drip tray. The main reason that I love my landy so, is I can throw all my builders gear into it, cover it in pug, not worry about putting a dent into it, tow my 2.7 ton trailer ( which really slows it down) and just thoroughly use and abuse it, and it still loves me and does all I ask (in its own landrover way).........Jon

 

[Spacemonkey]

Spacemonkey..........Get a proper offroader not a softroader.

No, I want it for mainly ROAD use, with occasional light off road ability...

The 90's and 110's all have air con, just open the flaps.

Yes, and my MX5 has no roof, but still gets too F'in hot around town in summer, hence the aircon gives a COOL breeze in summer, and demists in an instant in the winter AND I spend a lot of time driving MY car s in Spain, where it gets rather hot... so I want, no-NEED Aircon.

Just plug any mp3 into the stereo and you have music far better than a cd changer, which usually jumps after a while.

Agreed, and i do!

I have a mitsubishi shogun with all the leather and air and all that, but its always broken down,

I own a Ducati which I have done 38k miles on, so I feel your pain, brother..

while my 86 landy 110 still keeps plodding on with no power steering and a 0-60 time of forget it.

AARGH!! I'm a speed freek, hence sports cars, bikes etc etc...

Its good fun to drive and all the other defender drivers wave to you and you do not need to worry about speed cameras cos you will never set one off. I have had it for 3 years now and I can honestly say it has never let me down and I have not had to buy any major parts.
Long live the Landy..................Jon
Freelander...........I laugh.........Ha ha ha. Power steering is for woosies

Maybe, but I make up for my steering inadequecies by having a tattoo that starts on my chest, goes over my shoulder, all over my back, across my **** (ouch...) and down my leg across my knee. What a wuss...

Na, I don't want a 'proper' Landie at all... Nothing against them, but not what I want at this stage of my humble existance. Me and my Freeloader (if i get one) will take over the world!! Wuhahahahaha!!!!

 

[JonnyP]

Spacemonkey...........What works for me will maybe not work for you, there has been a lot of good things said for the freelander (softroader) so it sounds like that would work best for you, though I have heard the nissan one is the best of that type of vehicle. I wish you the best of luck with your new vehicle what ever it may be...............Jon

 

[Spacemonkey]

Yeah, i heard the X Trail is great too, but to pricey for me at the mo'.

Maybe I should go the whole hog and get a 101 forward control? Now that's a proper vehicle, that is!!

Just out of genuine curiosity, does the Landie fold rip the pee out of the Freeloader because of it's creature comforts or is it the lack of off road ability, or is it just one of those friendly rivalry things like we Ducati riders rip the Honda brigade ? I know the prime client base is the school run mum, but i thought that it did have some off road ability, especially compared to the Swindon Townie-the Honda CRV... I know that the trad Lanide is ace in the dirt, but I assume the Freeloader isn't too far behind as long as it's not too sticky? Oh, and I'm not having a pop at you at all

Oh, and Mr Innocent Bystander, is yours a 1.8 petrol or the 2.0 diesel or the TD4 diesel? What kind of mpg are you getting? Does it yaw though the bends or is it quite, well, car like? ps, We'll be neighbours soon---I've got a temp flat for a few months on the MAgic Roundabout in Swindon til can find something more permanent...

 

[innocent bystander]

Hey future neighboury dude, mines the 1.8 ES, and it get's just shy of 40 mpg. Handling is excellent - none of the infamous wobbles on the bends, or anything like that.
In all, it's very car like, but secure in the knowledge that if you want to go on trails it can. The electronic gizmos compensate for the missing hi/lo and diff locks. I love it as a car..

There was only a certain number of duff engines, and with the age that they have been around, the ones that were going to blow, have for the most part blown....

Get one. You know you want one....

 

[havingagiraffe]

I know that the trad Lanide is ace in the dirt, but I assume the Freeloader isn't too far behind as long as it's not too sticky?

The Defender ( or any old skool 4x4 like a Suzuki SJ, Lada Niva, Mercedes G-Wagen, Landcruiser et al ) will be in a different league to the Freelander in any off road situation. Theoretically, modern Freelander type cars should have an advantage over the big dinosaurs on smooth slippery surfaces ( the dreaded wet grass ) due to their advanced viscous transmissions, electronic traction control and anti lock systems, but in practice the technology's no match for old fashioned diff locks and chunky tyres.

On the other hand, any of the new generation of soft roaders ( ie Freelander, Rav 4, X-Trail et al ) will be in a different league on the road in terms of handling, economy, refinement and performance.


Perhaps you should just stick a set of enduro tyres on your Ducati. Now that would be an off road vehicle....

 

[Razorstrop]

I have a LR Freelander 1.8s 2002

As far as dodgy engines are concerned I am led to believe that anything after 2002 is fine and the headgasket problem they used to have is all but obsolete.

I am more than happy with my Freelander, the 1.8 engine is fine but not swift and the ride is good. Only words of advice I would give you is go for a 5 door instead of a 3. Oh and get your windows tinted

Landrover Lad
Mr Strop

 

[Gill]

spacemonkey what about a mitsubishi delica spacegear,i got one a couple of months ago and it,s great.these cars are fully loaded aircon ,electric blinds,curtains reclining captains chairs the lot .and they can go 4x4 and really do the job off road ,the insurance is ok as well, the only thing is they are 2800 cc turbo diesel and that might be a bit sore on the fuel for you at about 25 mpg but they are worth every penny for the comfort and drive and to think you can get all this for about £3500 to £5000 with very low mileage coming in from japan check out evilbay mate there are a few on there,you would not be dissapointed

 

[Spacemonkey]

Get one. You know you want one....

You know what, I think I do now!!

Perhaps you should just stick a set of enduro tyres on your Ducati. Now that would be an off road vehicle....

Actually, I have thought of that, but 185 knobblies???

Only words of advice I would give you is go for a 5 door instead of a 3. Oh and get your windows tinted

Landrover Lad
Mr Strop

I would only entertain the 5 door, and I do think they look best in black with tinted windows and light guards...

spacemonkey what about a mitsubishi delica spacegear?

I have thought of these as well, but prefer the styling of a regular 4x4. I imagine the van tyoe 4x4's are very versatile. Can the seats come out the back, and do you think I'd get my motorbike in there ??

 

[monkey_pork]

Actually, I have thought of that, but 185 knobblies???

Right oh, going OT completely for a minute ... I knew of a bloke who rode a GPz550 (or whatever the last of the twin shock Z / GP transition versions were ... anyway) - this 550 always had a MX tyre on the back, not an enduro tyre, but an MX tyre - and always the biggest one he could shove on, with the majority of the side knobblies cut off to make sure it didn't foul the swing arm. It was horrible, and ate tyres as fast as you'd expect.

No idea what size they were tho' ... sorry, have the thread back now.

 

[Gill]

all the seats come out mate and you would get a bike in there no probs.