Frontera - any good?

[bezzabsa]

Looking at 4x4's - again! and being put off by the famous Freelander head gasket saga, have been pointed in the direction of a few nice Fronteras, just wondered if anyone has any information about them, and which DIESEL engine is the best to go for (have seen 2.3 ....2.5...2.8..and 3.0 litres advertised)
would need to be a lwb due to kids, and prefer a newer shape.. so can anyone help??

[Moose]

Has a early 2.0 Frontera sport, - no good for pulling the caravan, the engine produced the power at too high revs.

I spen a revy 2 weeks towing to spain and back.

[Henry Webster]

The 2.8 diesel is the Isuzu engine.  One of Isuzu's best, strong reliable and powerful.  That should be a good car.

[paul_humphreys]

Looking at 4x4's - again! and being put off by the famous Freelander head gasket saga, have been pointed in the direction of a few nice Fronteras, just wondered if anyone has any information about them, and which DIESEL engine is the best to go for (have seen 2.3 ....2.5...2.8..and 3.0 litres advertised)
would need to be a lwb due to kids, and prefer a newer shape.. so can anyone help??

They are just rebadged Isuzus. But get the biggest engine you can get in them. My mate has just got rid of a 2.8td one and is getting another newer one. but his never see mud!!

Paul

[Porny]

What's wrong with a Diesel Freelander??

Main problem is IRD unit faults (which the petrol version also suffers from)

Frontera spares aren't cheap AFAIK (some of the bits make LR look very cheap)

If you get a L series engined Freelander, I know someone who can chip it (properly, not a silly plug in box) for a bit more umph!!


Ian

[bezzabsa]

Looking at 4x4's - again! and being put off by the famous Freelander head gasket saga, have been pointed in the direction of a few nice Fronteras, just wondered if anyone has any information about them, and which DIESEL engine is the best to go for (have seen 2.3 ....2.5...2.8..and 3.0 litres advertised)
would need to be a lwb due to kids, and prefer a newer shape.. so can anyone help??

They are just rebadged Isuzus. But get the biggest engine you can get in them. My mate has just got rid of a 2.8td one and is getting another newer one. but his never see mud!!

Paul

 if i get another 4x4 it'll be greenlaned once or twice a year and the rest of the time on the commute to work and the tip run!
all depends on me egetting rid of the zafira for the right money!

[bezzabsa]

What's wrong with a Diesel Freelander??

Main problem is IRD unit faults (which the petrol version also suffers from)

Frontera spares aren't cheap AFAIK (some of the bits make LR look very cheap)

If you get a L series engined Freelander, I know someone who can chip it (properly, not a silly plug in box) for a bit more umph!!


Ian

problem with a freelander is finding a diesel one! seen plenty of 54 plate td4's but when the older ones come up they are usually out of my projected budget (between 3 and 4k depending on the zafira) plenty of petrol ones around in my budget.. but to many horror stories.
looked at discos (had 2) RR's same again, and even mitsu's, but still not decicded on whats going to be next. even looked at an XJR  ;)

[Henry Webster]

They are just rebadged Isuzus. But get the biggest engine you can get in them. My mate has just got rid of a 2.8td one and is getting another newer one. but his never see mud!!

Paul

Kind of!  But British built re-engineered Isuzus!  Draw your own conclusions!   In my opinion the best ones are the 2.8 Isuzu engined ones.  The original 2.4 diesel was originally out of the 1970's Opel Record!

[Jim-Willy]

the VM aint too bad and the later 2.2 is mean't to be ok.  2.8 is the one to have though as the man says.

[Porny]

problem with a freelander is finding a diesel one! seen plenty of 54 plate td4's but when the older ones come up they are usually out of my projected budget (between 3 and 4k depending on the zafira) plenty of petrol ones around in my budget.. but to many horror stories.
looked at discos (had 2) RR's same again, and even mitsu's, but still not decicded on whats going to be next. even looked at an XJR  ;)

Petrol ones... if fitted with the new type head gasket (a multi layer steel jobbie) and the new ladder frame in the sump (amoung the other mods) then they are not too bad.... nobodies managed to break the one at work yet (I tried very hard!!! )

XJR, now your talking, but for that money you'd be looking at a Supercharged straight 6... the Supercharged V8 is much better!!!!  Or any of the latter V8's (though if decide to look at these, let me know the engine number!!)  I know someone who could service it for you    


Ian

[Bob696]

At towcester we seemed to spend all afternoon pulling fronteras out of the mud run.

[Range Rover Blues]

Barry Scott tried really hard to kill his Funtera at WWW2 but to no avail.  Quite impressive how tough it was even when it was getting stuck all the time.

[gords]

Petrol ones... if fitted with the new type head gasket (a multi layer steel jobbie) and the new ladder frame in the sump (amoung the other mods) then they are not too bad....

That's the first time I've heard anyone say there was any sort of fix for the petrol engine :?

Is there any way to tell, externally, if these mods have been done?

[Xtremeteam]

the VM aint too bad and the later 2.2 is mean't to be ok.  2.8 is the one to have though as the man says.

you said that word vm





go stand in the corner ...................

[Jim-Willy]

the VM aint too bad and the later 2.2 is mean't to be ok.  2.8 is the one to have though as the man says.

you said that word vm





go stand in the corner ...................

Thought tha might pick up on that.  It aint the same as the rangey engine is it?  Its pulls like a train, afaik its the one they put in the xj cherokee's, Mi Pa has worked on Vauxhalls forever :oops:

[bezzabsa]

Yeah thought the VM lump in the cherokee was pretty unstoppable? never heard anything bad about em - apart from the usual jeep niggles?
Was considering the 2.8 lump, seen a few W reg or newer  ones for less than 3k, and as for getting stuck - we only go freenlaning so where we go aint too much of the sticky stuff - if i wanted to go door deep in mud i'd have kept my 3 door V8 disco.

[j99mud]

Barry Scott tried really hard to kill his Funtera at WWW2 but to no avail.  Quite impressive how tough it was even when it was getting stuck all the time.

and when he was boncing off the rev limiter doing doughnuts on the field, that little car just wouldnt die! (it is however dead now)

[Manicminer]

The Isuzu 3.1TD is a good engine also

[j99mud]

The Isuzu 3.1TD is a good engine also

all this talk of isuzu engines beeing good is pleasing me no end! i pick up my new narrow boat next weekend with a shiney isuzu 35 in it and with only 6 hours on the clock  :D

[Evilgoat]

So why not a Paj?

Dad's 2.8TD did excellently on the Plains a monh or so back. Ik granted it wasnt that demaniding but this is a car thats never been offroad with someone thats never been offroad in a few mucky spots. Didnt miss a beat. Also happens to be very comfy too :)

[dreadnought110]

:) I belive the VM is prone to head gaskets isn't it i know quite a few people who have had trouble with this engine.. the early 2.3d fronetra engine is pants used to know someone who had the 2.8 he says he had a lot of pump trouble mind u he did drive like a man possesed!!

[dazzawhipple]

Petrol ones... if fitted with the new type head gasket (a multi layer steel jobbie) and the new ladder frame in the sump (amoung the other mods) then they are not too bad....

That's the first time I've heard anyone say there was any sort of fix for the petrol engine :?

Is there any way to tell, externally, if these mods have been done?

Externally there is no way you can tell but the K sereis engine isnt that bad ...just you have to look after it ie if you notice any fluid lost check it

I do now of a 3 door freelander for sale with a brand new engine for sale

Darren

[DaveS]

We are on our third Frontera (wife has them as company car) the first was the 2.0 petrol, good fun but worked hard to haul our caravan ,followed by 2.2 dti SWB now have 2.2dti LWB Olympus which has leather aircon etc!

All heve been reliable apart from minor faults. Our current one pulls really well does 28-30 mpg towing an 18 ft Bailey caravan.
 Solo easy to get 30-35mpg.

We are probably going to buy the current one at the end of the lease as we are fed up with the company car tax!

We have tried gentle off roading in all of them and they were okay.Obviuosly we did'nt want to damage them.

They do have a hefty chassis and low box, the 2.2 diesel is good if a little noisy when cold. I have tried a Freelander but there was not enough leg room and the seat was too high(no adjustment).