Fiat Coupe Forum
- Founded by Kayjey & James Northam
- Funded by the Club for the benefit of all owners
Fiat Coupe Club UK
join the club
Fiat Coupe Forum
 
» Announced
    Posting images


» Related sites
    Main club site
    fiatcoupe.net


» External data
    owners listed
 
Who's Online Now
3 registered members (CVL200, 2 invisible), 266 guests, and 3 spiders.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Forum Statistics
Forums69
Topics113,543
Posts1,340,424
Members1,785
Most Online731
Jan 14th, 2020
Top Posters(All Time)
barnacle 33,520
stan 32,122
Theresa 23,294
PeteP 21,480
bockers 21,070
JimO 17,917
Nigel 17,366
Edinburgh 16,660
RSS Feeds
Club Events
Club Information
Track Events
Rolling Road/RWYB
Social Events
Non-UK Events
Coupé Related Chat
Coupé Spotting
Coupé News/Press
Buying/Selling Advice
Insuring a Coupé
Basic FAQ's
How to Guides
Forum Issues
Technical Problems
General Maintenance
Styling
Tuning
Handling
ICE and Alarm
Coupés for Sale
Coupés Wanted
Parts for Sale
Parts Wanted
Group Buys
Business Forum
Other Vehicles for Sale/Wanted
Other Items for Sale/Wanted
Haggling/Offers
Ebay links
Other Cars
Other Websites
General Chat
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Used Freelander 2 - what to look for? #1620643
20/05/2018 14:35
20/05/2018 14:35
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,603
Corridor of Uncertainty
J
Jim_Clennell Offline OP
Forum veteran
Jim_Clennell  Offline OP
Forum veteran
J

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,603
Corridor of Uncertainty
Not immediately, but hopefully in a few months, we are thinking of getting one of the above as our own transport for travelling around the Cotswolds doing estimates on customers' cars.

We absolutely adore our MkII Panda 4x4, but it is a bit of a strain taking it on longer journeys and our territory can be an hour from end to end. We intend to keep it (and get a twin) as courtesy cars, but we'd like something a bit more comfortable (the Panda plays hell with MrsC's back), whilst keeping the 4x4 capability and (from a business perspective) upgrading the image. We do have the Jaaaaag, but it's not exactly perfect for the job!

We are nowhere near looking at new, or even recent, but would we be mad to go for something like a 10-year-old model?

I would want the highest spec possible (HSE?), but not the petrol version. Not sure about manual/auto.

Anyone have any experience?

Re: Used Freelander 2 - what to look for? [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1620680
21/05/2018 08:33
21/05/2018 08:33
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,366
Staffordshire
Nigel Offline
Forum veteran
Nigel  Offline
Forum veteran

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,366
Staffordshire
Originally Posted By Jim_Clennell
Used Freelander 2 - what to look for?


Something else.... wink

The later ones are very expensive and the earlier ones aren't very good. They benefit hugely from the badge-effect of the "proper" Land Rovers like the Discovery, but IMHO, it simply isn't deserved - they just don't cut it

If you want a decent car, with some half-decent off-road capabilities AND some decent reliability, go Japanese (Rav4, Outlander, CRV, even Vitara)

Something slightly left-field would be the 4x4 variant of the Skoda Yeti - brilliant car

We went through all the same choices when my wife was looking for a mid-size SUV - due to the size of the dog, many of the above were discounted and we eventually bought a Volvo XC60, which we are extremely happy with.


[Linked Image]
Re: Used Freelander 2 - what to look for? [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1620695
21/05/2018 13:12
21/05/2018 13:12

E
elder81
Unregistered
elder81
Unregistered
E



Listen to Nigel that is all.

Re: Used Freelander 2 - what to look for? [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1620699
21/05/2018 14:53
21/05/2018 14:53
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852
Cambridge & Cotswolds
M
MeanRedSpider Offline
Je suis un Coupé
MeanRedSpider  Offline
Je suis un Coupé
M

Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852
Cambridge & Cotswolds
Yup - Discoveries of that era were very poor (Land Rover used my brother as an unofficial tester) so I’ve no reason to think the Freeloader was any better.

Long way of saying Listen to Nigel

Re: Used Freelander 2 - what to look for? [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1620707
21/05/2018 17:59
21/05/2018 17:59
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,603
Corridor of Uncertainty
J
Jim_Clennell Offline OP
Forum veteran
Jim_Clennell  Offline OP
Forum veteran
J

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,603
Corridor of Uncertainty
Right, so not a ringing endorsement then...?!
Shame, because MrsC loves a Landy, but I'd rather eat my own liver than get another Defender! The others are all too big and expensive. I'll try to convince MrsC, but if not, I'll try to find one that's less rubbish!

Re: Used Freelander 2 - what to look for? [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1620709
21/05/2018 18:18
21/05/2018 18:18
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,298
Pontefract, West Yorkshire
andyps Offline
Club member 1482
andyps  Offline
Club member 1482
My job on the forum

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,298
Pontefract, West Yorkshire
We've got a Freelander 1 with the BMW diesel engine and it is a good car, comfortable for long journey, has been as reliable as I would expect of any car used for 15-20k miles per year and now on somewhere over 150k in total. Haven't looked at what is important on a Freelander 2 but on the 1 the main check is that the centre viscous coupling has been replaced at 70k miles as the oil goes off and that can then cause problems for the rear diff and intermediate reduction drive (the bit that makes it 4wd). Reconditioned VCU is about £200 and takes less than an hour to fit.

I'll counter the harbingers of doom and say that issues the cars may have had when new will all be sorted and they can be very reliable cars, but there are good and bad as with anything. To some extent the worst things on ours are BMW related issues rather than LR.


Andy

[Linked Image]
Re: Used Freelander 2 - what to look for? [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1620710
21/05/2018 18:20
21/05/2018 18:20
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,603
Corridor of Uncertainty
J
Jim_Clennell Offline OP
Forum veteran
Jim_Clennell  Offline OP
Forum veteran
J

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,603
Corridor of Uncertainty
Thanks Andy.

Re: Used Freelander 2 - what to look for? [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1620741
22/05/2018 08:34
22/05/2018 08:34
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,179
Sheffield
X19_pilot Offline
Enjoying the ride
X19_pilot  Offline
Enjoying the ride

Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,179
Sheffield
Freelander 2's suffer from whining on the rear axle/transfer once they hit the 60-90k mark. I think the later ones are better, but when I took an 08 plate to our local Land Rover specialist, he told me that its a common problem on them at that age and mileage.

Re: Used Freelander 2 - what to look for? [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1620751
22/05/2018 10:01
22/05/2018 10:01
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,783
In the coupe.
magooagain Offline
Club Member 259
magooagain  Offline
Club Member 259
Forum is my life

Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,783
In the coupe.
I have owned a couple of discovery,s in the past but were early models and very reliable and excellent tow cars.
I had the misfortune to use a td5 disco for a few weeks and it was nothing but trouble to the owner and couldn't tow anything substantial.

If I were to be in the market for a small 4x4 the freelander would be on my radar but it would need a decent history ,but ultimately I would prefer a Toyota of some sort or Isuzu though I don't know much about newer models.



Re: Used Freelander 2 - what to look for? [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1620753
22/05/2018 11:03
22/05/2018 11:03
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,704
Harpenden
S
sugerbear Offline
Je suis un Coupé
sugerbear  Offline
Je suis un Coupé
S

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,704
Harpenden
I was looking for a freelander and the eD4 version is 2wd and should be more reliable. Ultimately decided against as I needed something 100% reliable. If i was buying now it would be an XC90 because from what I can tell everyone has one and they are reliable.


How to make a startrek widget cable >> http://tinyurl.com/dyje6fy
Re: Used Freelander 2 - what to look for? [Re: sugerbear] #1620764
22/05/2018 14:05
22/05/2018 14:05
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,366
Staffordshire
Nigel Offline
Forum veteran
Nigel  Offline
Forum veteran

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,366
Staffordshire
Originally Posted By sugerbear
If i was buying now it would be an XC90 because from what I can tell everyone has one and they are reliable.


Yup - we very nearly bought an XC90, but TBH, its a big beast of a car and the model we were looking at is now a bit dated

We ended up with the XC60 as its quite a bit more modern inside

The 5-pot diesel engine is pretty good (for a diesel). We sought out the more powerful version - 212bhp and 420 torques. It'll remap quite nicely when we fancy it - 250+ bhp and 500+ torques

We're rather chuffed with it - I'll be driving it to LeMans next month - three-up with loads of camping kit


[Linked Image]
Re: Used Freelander 2 - what to look for? [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1620766
22/05/2018 14:23
22/05/2018 14:23
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852
Cambridge & Cotswolds
M
MeanRedSpider Offline
Je suis un Coupé
MeanRedSpider  Offline
Je suis un Coupé
M

Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852
Cambridge & Cotswolds
Mrs MRS wanted an XC90 until she drove one. It’s impressive that they say that no-one has ever been killed in an XC90.

Everyone that’s been hit by one has died however....;)

Re: Used Freelander 2 - what to look for? [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1620775
22/05/2018 17:57
22/05/2018 17:57
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,603
Corridor of Uncertainty
J
Jim_Clennell Offline OP
Forum veteran
Jim_Clennell  Offline OP
Forum veteran
J

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,603
Corridor of Uncertainty
Interesting discussion, but I suspect largely irrelevant due to our rather puny budget, which will struggle to hit much more than 6 grand.

Re: Used Freelander 2 - what to look for? [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1620780
22/05/2018 18:47
22/05/2018 18:47
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852
Cambridge & Cotswolds
M
MeanRedSpider Offline
Je suis un Coupé
MeanRedSpider  Offline
Je suis un Coupé
M

Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852
Cambridge & Cotswolds
Very left field - Merc R Class. AWD and cavernous. Should be within your budget (they were when I bought that E Class you helped me with).

Re: Used Freelander 2 - what to look for? [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1620782
22/05/2018 20:28
22/05/2018 20:28
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,603
Corridor of Uncertainty
J
Jim_Clennell Offline OP
Forum veteran
Jim_Clennell  Offline OP
Forum veteran
J

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,603
Corridor of Uncertainty
Hmmm, I always liked the R Class! It always seemed so... Pointless!
Auto Trader here I come...!

Re: Used Freelander 2 - what to look for? [Re: MeanRedSpider] #1620797
23/05/2018 06:58
23/05/2018 06:58
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,366
Staffordshire
Nigel Offline
Forum veteran
Nigel  Offline
Forum veteran

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,366
Staffordshire
Originally Posted By MeanRedSpider
Very left field - Merc R Class.


You're not kidding.... Surely one of Merc's biggest "misses" - how many did they sell? HowManyLeft says there were never more than 4,000 of all variants

Jim - your budget would get a pretty decent XC90 - just be ready for the slightly "boaty" handling....


[Linked Image]
Re: Used Freelander 2 - what to look for? [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1620799
23/05/2018 07:42
23/05/2018 07:42
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 869
Germany
neil_r Offline
Enjoying the ride
neil_r  Offline
Enjoying the ride

Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 869
Germany


1997 20V
2000 V6 manual S-Type and 2011 5.0 XKR
2016 Tucson 1.6T AWD
2018 Mazda2 GT
Re: Used Freelander 2 - what to look for? [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1620813
23/05/2018 11:49
23/05/2018 11:49
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,366
Staffordshire
Nigel Offline
Forum veteran
Nigel  Offline
Forum veteran

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,366
Staffordshire
Mmmm - Forester - another good car

Jim - does it have to be SUV-style? If not, consider a 4x4 estate - BMW X-Drive, Audi AllRoad, Volvo XC70 or even (if you can find one), Alfa 159Q4


[Linked Image]
Re: Used Freelander 2 - what to look for? [Re: Nigel] #1620814
23/05/2018 12:02
23/05/2018 12:02

S
suba
Unregistered
suba
Unregistered
S



would not recommend 159 for any 4 x 4 duties - suspension components wear quickly, and underside rusts away like anything...

Re: Used Freelander 2 - what to look for? [Re: Nigel] #1620821
23/05/2018 14:37
23/05/2018 14:37
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852
Cambridge & Cotswolds
M
MeanRedSpider Offline
Je suis un Coupé
MeanRedSpider  Offline
Je suis un Coupé
M

Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852
Cambridge & Cotswolds
Originally Posted By Nigel
Originally Posted By MeanRedSpider
Very left field - Merc R Class.


You're not kidding.... Surely one of Merc's biggest "misses" - how many did they sell? HowManyLeft says there were never more than 4,000 of all variants

Jim - your budget would get a pretty decent XC90 - just be ready for the slightly "boaty" handling....


Go to Greater China and they are everywhere. I think they were for the US market and they are certainly fugly - but obviously have a niche because they are E Class estate money. I decided on the E Clsss myself

Re: Used Freelander 2 - what to look for? [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1620840
23/05/2018 20:48
23/05/2018 20:48
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,179
Sheffield
X19_pilot Offline
Enjoying the ride
X19_pilot  Offline
Enjoying the ride

Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,179
Sheffield
Word of warning on Subaru Forrester's in diesel flavour, avoid like the plague pre 2010 models, they have a well known oil pick up issue which unless meticulously serviced with the correct oil, clog up and kill the engine, effectively writing off the car. Subaru are aware of it, but refuse to rectify. Its a shame as I found it to be a well equipped and comfy car with bags of room and quite quick.

Not to sound full of doom and gloom, but Rav4 diesel pumps are a fortune (£1200 plus fitting) and not unknown to fail...

Cheverolet Captiva/Vauxhall Antara commonly suffer with transfer box failure around 60k, (£900 repair) so steer clear of those...

You can see the car dealer in me coming out in these posts cant you? Or maybe not, since I am telling you not to buy! biglaugh

On a brighter note, I would look at the Honda Cr-V... Step this way sir! biglaugh

Re: Used Freelander 2 - what to look for? [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1620888
25/05/2018 05:46
25/05/2018 05:46
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,603
Corridor of Uncertainty
J
Jim_Clennell Offline OP
Forum veteran
Jim_Clennell  Offline OP
Forum veteran
J

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,603
Corridor of Uncertainty

Re: Used Freelander 2 - what to look for? [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1620890
25/05/2018 05:52
25/05/2018 05:52
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,603
Corridor of Uncertainty
J
Jim_Clennell Offline OP
Forum veteran
Jim_Clennell  Offline OP
Forum veteran
J

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,603
Corridor of Uncertainty
Thanks again everyone - some very interesting ideas. I think the XC90 and similar (R-Class, etc.) are just too big. Although we want something better for long distances than the Panda, we don't want to get too far away from the ability to pull over in the face of oncoming Range Rovers.

MrsC and I hate Hondas (blame the Jazz), so the CR-V is a non-starter.

One thing I've been struck by is that for £5k you can get an X3 with roughly half the mileage and the same age as a Freelander 2. Doesn't that make the BMW a no-brainer between the 2? Or are X3's as dodgy as the Land Rover?

Re: Used Freelander 2 - what to look for? [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1620891
25/05/2018 06:43
25/05/2018 06:43
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 869
Germany
neil_r Offline
Enjoying the ride
neil_r  Offline
Enjoying the ride

Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 869
Germany
Land Rovers and Range Rovers are trendy these days and hold their value well regardless of reliability. Even here in Germany, the later ones are at the top of the residuals tables.

For the X3, there is some info here: https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/bmw/x3-e83-2004/?section=good


1997 20V
2000 V6 manual S-Type and 2011 5.0 XKR
2016 Tucson 1.6T AWD
2018 Mazda2 GT
Re: Used Freelander 2 - what to look for? [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1621028
28/05/2018 15:30
28/05/2018 15:30
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,603
Corridor of Uncertainty
J
Jim_Clennell Offline OP
Forum veteran
Jim_Clennell  Offline OP
Forum veteran
J

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,603
Corridor of Uncertainty
A bit more research seems to indicate that the 3.0sd X3 is a pretty beefy creature, especially in 286bhp M-Sport guise. Is the twin turbo diesel engine prone to any nasty surprises at high mileages?

Re: Used Freelander 2 - what to look for? [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1621798
13/06/2018 12:14
13/06/2018 12:14
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,704
Harpenden
S
sugerbear Offline
Je suis un Coupé
sugerbear  Offline
Je suis un Coupé
S

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,704
Harpenden
Check the timing chain and date / mileage due when it should be replaced.

I dont know if it applies to all BMW's but my brothers 5 series timing chain was a £1,500 job should should have been done at 100k ish miles. His car went to 200k miles no problem without bothering to change it.


How to make a startrek widget cable >> http://tinyurl.com/dyje6fy
Re: Used Freelander 2 - what to look for? [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1621799
13/06/2018 13:47
13/06/2018 13:47
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 11,159
,
S
samsite999 Offline
I AM a Coop
samsite999  Offline
I AM a Coop
S

Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 11,159
,
The 335d (twin turbo) block is good, a very good engine. The only issues I know of are big turbo eating bits of the little turbo. Injectors and high pressure pumps.. but that's a possibility on any car

Re: Used Freelander 2 - what to look for? [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1621815
14/06/2018 07:16
14/06/2018 07:16
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,603
Corridor of Uncertainty
J
Jim_Clennell Offline OP
Forum veteran
Jim_Clennell  Offline OP
Forum veteran
J

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,603
Corridor of Uncertainty
Thanks guys. In the meantime, I'm hoping to buy a second Panda courtesy car. Sadly not a 4x4 this time...

Re: Used Freelander 2 - what to look for? [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1621817
14/06/2018 09:18
14/06/2018 09:18
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 11,159
,
S
samsite999 Offline
I AM a Coop
samsite999  Offline
I AM a Coop
S

Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 11,159
,
For most applications the 2wd is a better car, its quicker.. better on fuel, cheeper to tax...

god I miss my panda

Re: Used Freelander 2 - what to look for? [Re: Nigel] #1621822
14/06/2018 11:55
14/06/2018 11:55
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 73
Perth, Western Australia
Andrewseamaster Offline
Reaping the fruits
Andrewseamaster  Offline
Reaping the fruits

Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 73
Perth, Western Australia
Volvo XC60 = FL2


Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.1
(Release build 20190129)
PHP: 7.3.33 Page Time: 0.016s Queries: 14 (0.005s) Memory: 0.8953 MB (Peak: 1.1152 MB) Data Comp: Off Server Time: 2024-03-28 16:36:27 UTC