Why Not A Freelander?

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lelly

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Whilst looking around to buy a Sorrento for towing I am finding Freelanders are more readily available. I know they haven't got a very good name on here but was wondering why. I have happily towed with discovery's for years. Your advice would be much appreciated.
 
They don't generally have the best tow capacity, so check out specific models carefully.
Also known for being a bit unreliable?
 
You need to be carefull buying a freelander as there are quite a few 2wd ones out there! however they are fine and if they break parts are readily available. There is a very cheap sorento near me because they have waited 3 months for a gearbox lol.
Why not Discovery again? I know people complain on here abut them but a lot of that is because there are a lot out there and youi only ever here the complaints. Sorentos are relatively scarce if you get my drift on the farms we have discoveries of different ages have tried the kias and ssangyongs and their just not up to it
 
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I've towed with quite a few cars over the years, including a Freelander. They're in the smaller 4x4 category so their towing capacity isn't the greatest, but if you've got a lightish trailer and one horse they're fine. In fact, compared to some in their category, I believe the towing capacity is a bit more (I think 2t, but check this) and they certainly perform better 'off road' than even some of the bigger ones. I remember parking in a particularly muddy field with my Freelander once and it towed my trailer (and horse) out fine while there were other 4x4s (an X5 was the one I remember being quite smug about) being dragged out by tractors with empty trailers and horses being loaded up on the road. Early petrol models were known for (expensive) head gasket problems and the diesels for fuel pump problems, but the newer models are supposed to be much better. My OH is a Land rover nut and all this sort of info has rubbed off on me!

ETA - this website might be useful for you: http://www.towinghorsetrailers.co.uk/index.htm
 
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I loved my old Freelander. In fact, it saved my life in a horrible crash just over a year ago, but even prior to that I never had any problems with it and I towed quite happily with it - As already mentioned, just make sure its the 4WD version.
 
A lady at my yard bought a freelander to tow a IW 511 and her massive horse. I shudder at the thought. I'm sure its something to do with the weight of the vehicle compared to the weight of trailer plus horse. Towing capacity and all that. Would like to see if she is legal when checked on a weigh bridge.

People underestimate how heavy their trailer and horse actually is. If its a small trailer and a pony then probably fine.
 
JoJo_ said:
A lady at my yard bought a freelander to tow a IW 511 and her massive horse. I shudder at the thought. I'm sure its something to do with the weight of the vehicle compared to the weight of trailer plus horse. Towing capacity and all that. Would like to see if she is legal when checked on a weigh bridge.

People underestimate how heavy their trailer and horse actually is. If its a small trailer and a pony then probably fine.
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That will be well within its limit!
 
If only one horse, you would be fine with a 4x4 Freelander.

JoJo - if the Freelander can tow 2 ton, you'd be hard pushed to find one horse and trailer would exceed that. Even the biggest horses I've ever come across are 800kg.
 
Two main issues with Freelanders.Firstly, avoid the 1.8 petrol,they blow head gaskets for fun.The 2.5 v6 petrol is ok but very thirsty.Second,any 2wd Freelander you see will have destroyed it's viscous drive coupling hence why it is 2wd only.They are hideously expensive to buy new and unobtainable second hand.They never made a factory 2wd version.The td4 diesel is ok but suffers the same drive coupling problem.Often when it fails it takes out the rear differential or transfer box or both.Which is why older ones fetch pennies.:D
 
Agree with other peoples comments avoid a petrol freelander at all costs their engines are punny & don't have the power to tow well we used to have an R reg one & wouldn't dream of towing a trailer unless empty. They haveprop shafts & drive shaft probs too & as another person said theres more 2 wheel drives than 4 wheel drives with the earlier vehicles for reason they said. The diesel versions are far better. We used to have discoverys but the first ones such as 200 & 300 tdis always require maintanence. The newer ones have probs with bushes & stuff like that. But l'd rather have a disco to a freelander any day.

Range Rovers & defenders are the best landies to have for towing but if you haven't got deep pockets don't got for a V8 petrol as they so thirsty. I've a P38 that l've had for years & l could never part with it even though its thirsty it's been a loyal vehicle to me & does better than alot of 4x4s half its age. Personally theres lots of 4x4s out there that tow lovely such as nissans, the last isuzu they did (trooper) ours is fantastic for towing & doesn't cost as much as others. Personally l'd avoid a BMW as we've had to tow afew out on show days. Hope you find a suitable vehicle soon.
 
DTV said:
Two main issues with Freelanders.Firstly, avoid the 1.8 petrol,they blow head gaskets for fun.The 2.5 v6 petrol is ok but very thirsty.Second,any 2wd Freelander you see will have destroyed it's viscous drive coupling hence why it is 2wd only.They are hideously expensive to buy new and unobtainable second hand.They never made a factory 2wd version.The td4 diesel is ok but suffers the same drive coupling problem.Often when it fails it takes out the rear differential or transfer box or both.Which is why older ones fetch pennies.:D
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How wrong you are they have been making a 2wd version for ages what do you think the freelander2 eD4 is they sold in big numbers and are a front wheel drive only stop start engined version so initially looks very attractive to an economy orientated buyer. but theres a surprise for the unaware buyer when things get sticky.
Google 2wd freelander if you are still not aware.
 
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Me and OH both have discos, his is a V8, mine a 300tdi. Have spent a lot keeping mine on the road, had her 7 years, but OH does all the maintenance himself, so saved a lot too. The biggest problem with our disco's is rust, but neighbour has one as well, and owns a welder.

Friend had a freelander, and blew 2 head gaskets in it. Apparently it's a common problem.
 
The Freelanders grews and grew in body size over the years and had many different engines. You can't really say "A Freelander" you need to know which model, how old and which engine, and then do some research.
 
dizzyneddy said:
Range Rovers & defenders are the best landies to have for towing but if you haven't got deep pockets don't got for a V8 petrol as they so thirsty. I've a P38 that l've had for years & l could never part with it even though its thirsty it's been a loyal vehicle to me & does better than alot of 4x4s half its age. Personally theres lots of 4x4s out there that tow lovely such as nissans, the last isuzu they did (trooper) ours is fantastic for towing & doesn't cost as much as others. Personally l'd avoid a BMW as we've had to tow afew out on show days. Hope you find a suitable vehicle soon.
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Our old car was an old Range Rover - a real reliable tank when it came to towing! She was a great old car.
 
lelly said:
Whilst looking around to buy a Sorrento for towing I am finding Freelanders are more readily available. I know they haven't got a very good name on here but was wondering why. I have happily towed with discovery's for years. Your advice would be much appreciated.
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Because my old Pa always said they couldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding!
He also told me never to buy a Vauxhall - and it has always stuck with me. Although I have got a Disco 3 and he always said they looked like Ice-cream vans ;-)
 
popsdosh said:
How wrong you are they have been making a 2wd version for ages what do you think the freelander2 eD4 is they sold in big numbers and are a front wheel drive only stop start engined version so initially looks very attractive to an economy orientated buyer. but theres a surprise for the unaware buyer when things get sticky.
Google 2wd freelander if you are still not aware.
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Sorry,should have made it clear i was referring to the mark 1.
 
We went through 3 clutches in 18 months (plus 2 fly wheels). Told by garage fairly normal for manual freelanders and I've never needed to replace clutch on any other car so don't think it was all driver error! Now have an automatic Mitsubishi
 
I did a lot of research when I was looking for a towing vehicle. I was advised that the older models of freelander don't have adequate towing capacity but the newer ones do. I've got a 2006 freelander and it tows my hb505 very well. I probably wouldn't want to tow with two horses though as this would be cutting it a bit fine so I guess it depends what you need. I love my freelander because it has one of the best fuel consumptions for 4x4s for daily driving.
 
I had one - it cost be £1000s!! Never again!! However friends have them and have no probs at all! I found it ok to tow. I would though definitely try and get a younger model and definitely one that has a BMW engine
 
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