freelander v6 anyone got one?

[snorkley]

as above im thinking of buying one its an auto,what is the mpg roughly? i know it aint going to be great but thats not a problem im replaceing a bmw e36 coupe 328 with one i hope,just need more space but still some power,im aware of most of the things to look for on a freebie but any probs with engine i know its been about since rover 800 days so anything to look for,its a 200 x reg 5 door with 85k miles ps i have a defender 300 tdi so not new to land rovers.cheers gus

[Rockin Robin]

I've been using mine for work for about a month now - stop / start, around town and occasional dual carriageway blasts. I have a 2" lift and BIG tyres   It costs me 25p per mile to run (a little over 200 miles out of a tank). In standard form, you should do a bit better, and better still on a run - but still a bit of a shock if you're used to something more economical. I had a TD4 before and with a full tank I could get 100 miles out of it before the needle started to register. On the V6 after a hundred miles, the needle's already at the halfway point! The V6 is pretty quick of the mark, though, certainly much faster than the chipped TD4 I had before - all accompanied by that satisfying V6 growl  

You want to be checking for all the standard FL foibles VCU, rear diff (and mountings), sub-frame, etc - no doubt all covered on here somewhere. With the V6 specifically, check for HGF (yes - they do suffer as well - and there's 2 of them!) ... look for sludge on the dipstick or in the expansion tank. As I have discovered, the engine can overheat with the temp gauge in the cabin reading normal, so get it warmed up and look for boiling water bubbling through the expansion chamber, and bubbling / softening of the top hose at the front of the engine bay above the radiator. Replacing a V6 thermostat is a big job. Make sure the vehicle has a fully documented service history and in particular, check for cam-belt replacement at the 75,000 mile service (since - due to running costs - not many V6's have covered 70k, a good owner would have had this done at the 7 year service). Hope that helps a bit.

[snorkley]

thanks pretty much what i was expecting,suppose luck has a lot to do with it as well,theres not many about so haveing trouble geting one,i supose they will be a fair bit cheaper than a td4 and even the 1.8?

[Rockin Robin]

Well my 2001 TD4 (pictured left) got written off by some fool and with the insurance settlement, I was able to buy my 2000X V6, and an Alfa 156 for 'er indoors. So a V6 can indeed be had cheaper than a TD4. Values are probably on a par with the 1.8's and early diesels, although the 1.8's are notorious for repetitive HGF whereas it's rarer with the V6.

I would have got another TD4, but I wanted an auto (for off-roading), and something registered before 01/03/2001 to avoid the Gov'ts exorbitant road tax hike. Rare as hens teeth, I found, so I went with the V6 (all V6's are auto) - and being pre-March 2001, road tax is £185 - something to perhaps bear in mind during your search.

[snorkley]

ok,sold my 328 coupe quicker than i thought the boy stuffed money at me so i couldnt refuse so i went and bought a 1999 v reg 1.8 2 door 78k miles and full service history,in excellent condition and none of the normal stuff wrong with it,long tax and mot picking it up tomorrow,its a kind of metallic green very smart looking with the three spoke alloys,so heres to happy freebie ownership,i know its not what i was after but hey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[snorkley]

oh i forgot it cost me £1400

[Rockin Robin]

Well done. Enjoy  :D

[carbore]

Hope you like it.

Check that its had the recall to move the thermostat as thats the root cause of K series HGF.

There is one for the Elise available after market http://www.eliseparts.com/products.php?product=207 which explains why its needed

I don't know if the hose arrangement on  the Freelander is the same, worth checking with someone here who knows. Based on my knowledge of the K Series if definitely make sure I had a moved/remote stat on a 1.8 freelander.

[snorkley]

cheers , it has that new type thrmostat fitted,you can see it at the front of engine,it has been well looked after and got full service history,so i think it got what it needed when it needed it and im likeing it but even better the other have likes it!!!!!!!!

[si-freelander]

hi i have a 02 18 petrol just done a motorway trip of 670 mile on 80 quid of fuel and still got just over 1/4 tank left and that was driving at 70 mph.. had the H/G done and had no problems .just keep a eye on the oil and water. a good place for info on the freelander is mad freelanders and the freelander club web site.  they are also very good off road .unlike some say .i know of 3 freelanders doing stanage edge..

[snorkley]

well i have to say if you check out a 1.8 petrol its a better car than most would say,and great value im well chuffed with it so far,i fixed the back window today took 5 minutes,works perfect,i checked vcu doing the test by marking the prop shafts and it seems to be doing its job,no noises anywhere it drives and handles great on our crap island roads here,i would say dont overlook a 1.8 check it out properly and you will get a bargain
gus

[Doobreydog]

.i know of 3 freelanders doing stanage edge..

Have they done it??? If not then wouldnt reccomend unless they have serious protection.......and preferably auto box.....Fl easily capable (ive done Stanage many times in mine) VCU is very vunerable on main step..

[andyhubbard]

Just got rid of my 1.8 and got me a 2.5v6,only problem is wheni'm  behind the wheel i can't stop  :).

[Range Rover Blues]

It costs me 25p per mile to run (a little over 200 miles out of a tank

I thought my V8 was expensive :shock: