I have a 54 plate td4 sport HSE. The sunroof leaks. The back passenger window doesn’t work. The diesel heater doesn’t work and the suspension has just started knocking. The engine sounds like a tractor and the subwoofer in the boot has blown. Had to refurbish the drive shaft with a new VCU and bearings and sort out the thermostat it’s also just started to struggle starting (solenoid maybe)….BUT I still absolutely love it. It’s so practical and is the sort of vehicle you can just throw all your work stuff into and ferry round the muddy kids and their boots and kit without really caring about everything getting messy. It gets smashed through puddles and covered in mud and gets generally abused but it just plods on and on without complaint. Theres cup holders and storage galore. I’ve got heated seats and heated windscreen and sports mode! (It just makes it louder 😅). There is just something about older cars that I really like. They have character and personality. I’d have this car over the soulless plastic modern SUVs any day. Anyway, good honest review and it’s nice to see it getting some love for a change.
When Land Rover put these up for the 1998 Camel Trophy, there was a lot of "None of them will make it" grumblings from the 'experts', and Land Rover gave all the teams a Defender 110 support vehicle carrying the canoes and things. The Freelanders did just fine and the competitors really liked them. It was the Defenders that required the most assists.
Wait a minute. Filming in the rain, in the wind, in the mud, in your Debenhams dad outfit, in a car 10 minutes away from a serious mechanical breakdown and with a level of glee usually reserved for young girls on seeing a big fluffy dog.... 10/10.
My 2002 TD4 which I had had from new going fine 18 months ago, I replaced the clutch and fitted a reconditioned front subframe (shot blasted primed and three coats of hammeright) just done the same with the rear subframe plus new suspension links new exhaust and new propshaft bearings! Next on the agenda is recovering the cheap fabric seats with leather! I am not being conned into the environmental devastation of Chile (Lithium Mines etc.) just so a few people and governments on this planet can get rich!
I don't care what the haters say about the Freelander. I love mine, and know what it is capable of. It's fun to drive, and when it looks its best, it really does stand out from the other SUV crowd! Happy to see videos like this! I'm never selling mine, but I hope I continue to see them on the road for as long as I live. 😊👍
Great review, thank you. I am yet to ride in or drive a FL1 but am loving my FL2 XS 6 Speed Manual so far, 12 months in and would not change it. One other thing to mention about these Land Rovers is the community around them. Met some great people via that green oval badge.
Love it! I have been in one briefly. I didn't know what to expect but it feels every bit a proper Land Rover as you say. It has got a real charm to it too that the RAV 4 lacks. Still uses the Rover central locking remote. I love the stuff that takes me back to childhood when you first love cars and have that enthusiasm. I think every enthusiast does! That remote and the Audi flip key. Which I thought was awesome at the time, take me right back. The perks of having a sales rep Dad! 😁🤣
A excellent review as always Matt on Hippo. A few years ago I sort of bought one of these which had been converted to 2 wheel drive....let's just say the lady wife was having none of it and I sadly never got to own a Freelander. Six months later the car I intended to trade for the Freelander was written off by a taxi and my wife was like maybe if you had the freelander it would not have been written off! Maybe one day to own a Freelander.
I have a L Series FL1 2.0 Diesel and love driving it, it does sound like a tractor but that’s half of the fun , it’s only done 60,000 miles so hopefully plenty of life left, nice to see a freelander video 👍🏼
AA , RAC , Green Flag etc employees are thanking them to this day. 80% of them are still in a job today courtesy of Land Rover producing the most unreliable vehicles in the world 🤣
@@trainman665 taking LR as a purely individual manufacturer that may be true, as figures from all other manufacturers will take in their norman cars produced so it's hardly an accurate argument. I'd love to see like for like figures , e.g. Land Cruiser or G-Wagen v Range Rover for survival rates, not Toyota or Mercedes v LR?
@@trainman665mine is 25 yo and still running nicely. Just needed a refurbish of the vcu at 120000km, 900€ expense. Also some minor probs but I'm keeping it until it dies on me or I die myself or I win the lottery.
This is really giving me urges to get my identical Freelander repaired. I've done a lot to mine already but have yet to fit a replacement engine, VCU and clutch. Keep up the great vids Matt!!👍
I hated the Freelander when it came out because I liked 'proper' Land Rovers but it has just aged so well. I really like my 52-plate 3-door GS. Very basic with plastic doors and cloth seats but just nice. I've just ordered a set of seat covers from Craddocks to treat it and so I don't ruin the funky cloth over winter. I still need to replace the piston in the gearbox of mine as I mentioned at the NEC show, hopefully the oil change it gets will smooth out the gear changes too. I still don't expect it to be as smooth as my old V8 Disco 2 was.
We do MOT's a local Land Rover Specialist and our tester says these Freelanders and the newer models are the ones that mostly pass their MOT's fairly reliably against other Land Rovers dropped in from the Specialist.
@furiousdriving it more the fact they don't rot or rust structurally as badly as other models in the range ie Discos and Defenders etc with the Ladder/ Body construction.
Great review, as usual detailed and informative. A much under appreciated car. Yes, the K series petrol did have HG issues as we all know but the diesels were better as I recall. I’m sticking my neck out and saying the seldom seen three door may well be collectible… but so few have already survived.
The 3 doors aren't that rare around my neck of the woods,i see quite a few about as a lot of people simply don't need a five door and that's where L/R shot themselves in the F/L2.
@@Lot76CARS Mine still get's a lot of attention when i'm out and about and also an occasional comment on how nice they are.I'm in a rural area so it's a L/R R/R playground where people understand running costs and maintenance which is why i think a lot did end up in salvage yards as owners find out servicing/parts aren't as cheap as maybe a corsa they owned.
Great video, Matt! If I may add a few observations, or rather, a bit of an essay! I was intrigued that you weren't enamoured with the handling. My silver 5 door facelift TD4 manual is the sport version, and I absolutely love the handling! It has very little body roll, sticks like glue on roundabouts and bends, and the steering is beautifully weighted (unlike the FL2!) and a real pleasure. I can push on surpringly well on twisty roads without ever feeling it's going to get me into trouble. It has the bigger wheels (18"?) with lower profile tyres, so I'm guessing that makes a big difference. I haven't read anything definitive regarding whether the suspension is set up differently to other models, maybe there's something there to consider. The only downside is that it's quite noisy and coarse over bumps, but I guess it's an inevitable tradeoff. It amuses my that LR tried to pass these off as luxury off roaders! They're rugged and functional and ooze appeal, but luxury? Never! The FL2 could indeed be deemed luxury, but the vehicles are so radically different that I feel they should have dropped the Freelander badge for the Mk2. I've owned both and honestly - I enjoyed driving them equally but for very different reasons. The perceived reliability issues of these cars is somewhat overstated, IMO; often by people who've never owned one! I bought mine with nearly 100K on it, and yes, I had to fix a few things on it, but how many old cars, especially 4x4s, get to that mileage without needing some TLC? I've done the window regulators, door lock motors, thermostat (just put an inline one in the coolant hose, it works perfectly and saves you a very difficult job, which costs hundreds at a garage!) the usual brake servicing, drop links, a battery, diesel injector bleed off pipes (or whatever they're called!), I had to fix a broken rear door check strap mount... that's about it! It's all quite cheap to do if you're handy and have some tools. The engine has been absolutely faultless, if rather coarse and noisy. Jobs that need doing now: Sadly, as I mentioned in one of your previous Hippo vids comments, the clutch slave cylinder is failing, which is a nightmare job and I just can't be bothered right now. It started to fail when the diesel injector bleed off pipes failed, which leaked fuel into the bellhousing and contaminated the clutch assembly. I've squeezed another 18 months out of it, lifting the pedal with my toe when it stays down, but its time is up and it's currently parked up and I'll have to repair it if I want to keep using it. There's a bit of transmission noise starting to become noticeable. Not bad, just there in the background sometimes. It could be the IRD, I'm not sure. I'll change all the oils in the power train and cross my fingers! Sorry for the lengthy post, I just wanted to mention that these are a great 4x4 if you are prepared to do the work yourself to keep them on the road, and not the expensive nightmare they're painted as. The TD4 has decent torque and in-gear acceleration is better than the figures might imply. It comfortably keeps up with traffic and can get a move on when required. Economy is roughly what you're getting. It's rather noisy at motorway speed and could have done with a 6 speed box, but I do love my Hippo! My current 4x4 is a (cheap!) top of the range 2008 Volvo XC90. It is 'luxury', but it's nowhere near as sharp or pleasant to drive on country roads. It's as far away from the Hippo as you can get and still be a 4x4, but do I like being in it more? No! It's a bit of a boat! 😁
Ive got the K series years 2000(petrol). DO LOOK OUT FOR LOSS OF WATER . Its a fault we cant sort out and everyone has looked ! Being a 1.8 they are slightly under powered so dont expect motorway travel ...... The GOOD SIDE for me is Im living in Sweden in the forests and plenty of snow, elk deer boar and none of these are a problem cruising upto 60mph using LED lamps as needed, it handles well on terrain Coopers and not standard tyres. // I bought the Sandy with low millege and WITHOUT tow bar due to engine strain which can occur as well as knowing the she was being used in town. NO the body does not rust but keep a look out for a jack compartment in the boot which can collect water ! // She will be with me for ever.
We have the (late) 2002, "ES", TD4, 5 door, manual.. Same radio-cassette, (but) with a CD Auto-changer under the drivers seat. Button on the radio marked "Source" Flick through for Cassette/Radio/CD ....Not on the 'Hippo' ? (...Just finished fitting a 30" light bar today. Excellent vid' presentation by the way!).
I love these Free-loaders. We had a 53 plate 2.5 V6 ES. Great noise from the engine but many, many overheating issues. I think the V6 had about 3000 different radiators so very many chances for airlocks and over heating. Lovely car though and surprisinly awesome off road. The v6 though did have issues. Nice car. Great off road. So glad we baled when we did but nice car.
We had a pool car 03 plate 1.8 Freelander, 3 door (a special edition iirc with the big alloys) that I often used from work, really liked it, but it continuously broke down, and was quite high on company car tax (which is why it was a pool car, nobody wanted it), poor thing ended up catching on fire after its latest trip to the garage.
Correct me if im wrong but when i lift the boot floor storage lid, it has a Harmon Kardon sticker. It also sticks out with wires that come out so the floor could be deeper on one side to allow for the sub?
Shout out to Rufford Ford! When my 4 and 2 year old girls aren't sleeping I put videos of cars going through the Ford on. They love it and must be weirdly soothing as they're asleep within 10 minutes! Also #muddyparp love the content!
Back in the day I was a member of a saab owners club, we wen on a jolly around the Rufford area and took in the ford, it was a fun undercarriage clean,but as it has clear depth gauges I wonder at the iq of people who literally float away.
I used to live about five miles from Rufford ford and have driven through it numerous times without a problem, long before it became famous on UA-cam. I have approached it a couple of times and turned around and taken an alternative route though. You'd have to be an idiot to drive through it when it's really high.
I loved all three of my Freelanders and am currently considering changing my Defender for one to free up some funds. What is the real word MPG you get with the TD4 Automatic? sorry if you have mentioned that in a video and I missed it
Mines on a 56 reg 3 door and having had it nearly five years it hasn't really had much to do to it and even then it's been minor things. Where i live isn't town or city and they're a great motor for doing the daily greenlaning.
If you go 34psi cold tyres wear evenly across-the tread, and improves handling ,no rolling. I have the TD4 facelift, 190000 miles, washed by the rain, goes anywhere.
I instantly subscribed to your channel when I saw there was a Land Rover on here! I love Land Rovers. Especially the Defender! Congratulations on earning yourself a new subscriber!
Nice video but being a proud Land Rover owner for twenty odd years I'll have to correct you cause they've never made and I hope they never do an SUV the freelancers a soft roader it has its place but is definitely not a proper off roader if you attempt feats achievable by a series, defender, discovery or Range Rover you will cause damage in standard form. I think there a wonderful thing and wish Land Rover would of continued with the 3 door sporty/fun type utility vehicle. Enjoy your ride!
Almost cant watch it personally since I imbue vehicles with feelings. To me its like watching a video of dogs getting kicked seeing those poor cars hydrolock one after another.
Nice Land Rover. Here in the US we only got the V6; first the 2.5 litre, then, as the LR4, a 3.2 litre. I'm not a fan of the current CUV craze, but this is a Land Rover.
I’ve not heard Matt mention the Steptronic/Command Shift function of the gearbox - were these optional or fitted to all automatics? It was one of the fun things I really liked about my FL1.
I owned a three door 1800 petrol 03 plate 50.000 miles when i bought it. i had to have the the head casket changed three time in space of 2 years at £1500 a time...
Like the shoe choice very suiting to the hippo hope you had dry feet hope Welly accessories in boot 🤠 I missed out on a freelander some years ago some dents and scuffed above average miles £3500 below bottom book with files of service history sale was going well but his brother in law turned Up with £500 more than I had I walked away very angry but calmed ended up with a terios some weeks later but long gone 👍 think this comment went wrong when originally put it on 🤣
Un TEST DRIVE, diferente, ya que nos muestra un vehiculo que tiene mas de 100 mil km recorridos, y por lo visto aes de los vehiculos que envejecen bien, muy innovador el concepto de mostrar un auto usado. bien atendidos todos los detalles, y conforme con el video. me aclaro las dudas que tenia respecto de este vehiculo.. saludos desde el sur del mundo.
I have a FREELANDER TD4 ES AUTO 51 plate love it too bits has got window problems but'! nothing other then that.. Apparently there's only 852 left on the road of the ES model and 479 of the year i got :)
I do enjoy your reviews of all the cars l do remember when these came out and how smallish the were as usual your very comprehensive review of the interior and the practicality of the interier all the cubbies and two glove boxes and the tea shelfery of course
Nice overview. The extra space under the boot cover is for the base box speaker. I took mine out, it was rubbish, and also not a good place to put it for dog carrying!
Those BMW N47 Diesel engines were renowned for the timing chains going due to the plastic guides, and a pain to change due to being at the rear of the engine. Although I personally suspect when in “stop-start” setting on the 3 & 5 series saloons it was more susceptible to failure.
This car doesnt have the N47 though, its got the M47. Very different. Speaking of the newer N47, as far as I know its not always the plastic guides, often diluted oil having an effect on the lubricity and pressure. It has a free recall where I live where BMW will check the chain so its in spec. If not, they change it for you. In all cases, an updated chain tensioner is fitted. Cheers.
M47 and as long as Oil changes are regular no problem.I always use 10w40, 190000 miles , all round Europe from Kosovo last year 7000km, never skipped a beat.
Iv'e owned four.....the one design floor that really sticks out for me ..is that rear glass dropping....if it's freezing temperatures you can't get in the boot as the glass would be frozen
My first gen X3 had Hill Descent Control and it was very good, really nice in the winter for the horrendous hill outside my house. That is until the entire ABS and 4x4 system died and took the speedo with it, was a good car until that happened...
Much as I would love to add a freelander 1 to my garage and I would love to... I just can't. I already have two Discos... a 2 and a 4... the tax for them both is creeping closer and closer to £400 a year... the Freelander 1 must be about the same to tax... then there is insurance on top of that... It'd be a big expense just in tax and insurance alone, then there is the fuel as well, plus the maintenance of another car to service and mot... And then the inevitable breaking of things... my wife would honestly murder me.
Don't forget to swap over the transposed wiper arms at some point - the longer one on the driver's side should be on the passenger side & the shorter one should be on the driver's side - so the wiper blades don't overlap each other when in the parked position. ;)
Watch out for rust on the older FL2! I've read claims that they rust less than the FL1, but that's not my experience! On the contrary - I sold my FL2 (2007 HSE) due to hidden rust issues in too many places for me to get repaired at a worthwhile cost, and when I went looking for a replacement I found the exact same problems. The rear arches, particularly near where they join the sills, are a real issue. I ended up getting a 2008 Volvo XC90. Nowhere near as nice to drive, but essentially rust free! The FL2 is a very nice car to drive, just look very carefully for rot.
Thank God for that Matt for one awful moment I thought my eyes were out of focus 😉, really in-depth review and love the history detail too and learnt more about Hippos today than I learnt on safari in Africa but did expect to at least see you sitting on one 🤔 maybe next time 🦛😁.
I bet you miss Quinton I remember when you first got him he refused to start you through every thing at him you spent a small fortune on him i really liked him lol,I've got a funny feeling you might end up with him again one day , the Freelander best car for winter 😀♥️✌🏻🇬🇧
Serious question: Why would you assume airbags deploy during off roading? Cant see why they would at all? A crash has nothing in similar with even the harshest off roading possible I would think?
Viscous coupling frankly does not sound as good as for example Audi's passenger car Torsen at the time. CR-V has been rubbish until this day with overheating AWD. Mechanical Torsen/Crown gear does not do that even if you tried.
What Matt? Auto? In 1998 in Australia when I was looking for a 4x4 family wagon I considered one of these. However, I bought a four speed auto Suzuki Grand Vitara 4x4 five door. Body on frame. It was the right choice. Not a single problem until it was written off in a flood in 2007.
@@furiousdriving It's true! My adult son in Australia has a Suzuki Alto 1 litre auto which is his daily driver. He has owned it from brand new in 2012 and up to this point it has never looked like dying.
They're nowhere near as bad as people make out! If the VCU seizes up it can essentially write the car off due to the damage it can do, but you usually get plenty of warning when it's starting to go. People who don't know what's happening let it deteriorate until the IRD explodes all over the road and the car gets scrapped. Most other things are pretty trivial and easily fixed by a home mechanic. A really important thing to watch out for - if the car has mismatched tyres, walk away! It puts a huge strain on the transmission and will cause extensive damage over not many miles.
Ah Land Rover......Worst car I ever owned by a country mile was a 7-seater run out model Auto Disco 2. It was fully loaded but sadly spent most of its time being repaired. Never had and never will have another Land Rover!!
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
I have a 54 plate td4 sport HSE. The sunroof leaks. The back passenger window doesn’t work. The diesel heater doesn’t work and the suspension has just started knocking. The engine sounds like a tractor and the subwoofer in the boot has blown. Had to refurbish the drive shaft with a new VCU and bearings and sort out the thermostat it’s also just started to struggle starting (solenoid maybe)….BUT I still absolutely love it.
It’s so practical and is the sort of vehicle you can just throw all your work stuff into and ferry round the muddy kids and their boots and kit without really caring about everything getting messy. It gets smashed through puddles and covered in mud and gets generally abused but it just plods on and on without complaint. Theres cup holders and storage galore. I’ve got heated seats and heated windscreen and sports mode! (It just makes it louder 😅).
There is just something about older cars that I really like. They have character and personality. I’d have this car over the soulless plastic modern SUVs any day.
Anyway, good honest review and it’s nice to see it getting some love for a change.
When Land Rover put these up for the 1998 Camel Trophy, there was a lot of "None of them will make it" grumblings from the 'experts', and Land Rover gave all the teams a Defender 110 support vehicle carrying the canoes and things.
The Freelanders did just fine and the competitors really liked them. It was the Defenders that required the most assists.
Like a Lotus off roader - add lightness and dont get bogged! They were very underrated at first but really are capable
Wait a minute. Filming in the rain, in the wind, in the mud, in your Debenhams dad outfit, in a car 10 minutes away from a serious mechanical breakdown and with a level of glee usually reserved for young girls on seeing a big fluffy dog.... 10/10.
Debenhams dad 😂😂😂
My 2002 TD4 which I had had from new going fine 18 months ago, I replaced the clutch and fitted a reconditioned front subframe (shot blasted primed and three coats of hammeright) just done the same with the rear subframe plus new suspension links new exhaust and new propshaft bearings! Next on the agenda is recovering the cheap fabric seats with leather! I am not being conned into the environmental devastation of Chile (Lithium Mines etc.) just so a few people and governments on this planet can get rich!
I don't care what the haters say about the Freelander. I love mine, and know what it is capable of.
It's fun to drive, and when it looks its best, it really does stand out from the other SUV crowd!
Happy to see videos like this! I'm never selling mine, but I hope I continue to see them on the road for as long as I live. 😊👍
Love mine too, great cars and so much more capable than people expect
Great review, thank you. I am yet to ride in or drive a FL1 but am loving my FL2 XS 6 Speed Manual so far, 12 months in and would not change it.
One other thing to mention about these Land Rovers is the community around them. Met some great people via that green oval badge.
Love it! I have been in one briefly. I didn't know what to expect but it feels every bit a proper Land Rover as you say. It has got a real charm to it too that the RAV 4 lacks. Still uses the Rover central locking remote. I love the stuff that takes me back to childhood when you first love cars and have that enthusiasm. I think every enthusiast does! That remote and the Audi flip key. Which I thought was awesome at the time, take me right back. The perks of having a sales rep Dad! 😁🤣
A excellent review as always Matt on Hippo. A few years ago I sort of bought one of these which had been converted to 2 wheel drive....let's just say the lady wife was having none of it and I sadly never got to own a Freelander. Six months later the car I intended to trade for the Freelander was written off by a taxi and my wife was like maybe if you had the freelander it would not have been written off!
Maybe one day to own a Freelander.
I have a L Series FL1 2.0 Diesel and love driving it, it does sound like a tractor but that’s half of the fun , it’s only done 60,000 miles so hopefully plenty of life left, nice to see a freelander video 👍🏼
60k?..Where'd you find that?,in a barn...The engine hasn't even had time to bed in yet....Mines not far off 200k.
@@letmeoffthisplanet6208 was from a Land Rover Specialist selling on behalf of one of thier older customers he only done 5k miles a year max
FL 1 2.0 Diesel, alternator gave up. How much it will cost to replace. Thanks
Along with Disco 1, this was an absolute game changer for LR. Without them, I don’t think LR would exist today. Well done to all those responsible👏
AA , RAC , Green Flag etc employees are thanking them to this day.
80% of them are still in a job today courtesy of Land Rover producing the most unreliable vehicles in the world 🤣
@@neilwalsh4058 Yet Land Rover has a higher proportion of it's vehicles ever produced still going on the road than any other manufacturer.
@@trainman665 taking LR as a purely individual manufacturer that may be true, as figures from all other manufacturers will take in their norman cars produced so it's hardly an accurate argument.
I'd love to see like for like figures , e.g. Land Cruiser or G-Wagen v Range Rover for survival rates, not Toyota or Mercedes v LR?
@@neilwalsh4058 Doesn’t matter the type of vehicle it is.
@@trainman665mine is 25 yo and still running nicely. Just needed a refurbish of the vcu at 120000km, 900€ expense. Also some minor probs but I'm keeping it until it dies on me or I die myself or I win the lottery.
This is really giving me urges to get my identical Freelander repaired. I've done a lot to mine already but have yet to fit a replacement engine, VCU and clutch. Keep up the great vids Matt!!👍
I hated the Freelander when it came out because I liked 'proper' Land Rovers but it has just aged so well. I really like my 52-plate 3-door GS. Very basic with plastic doors and cloth seats but just nice. I've just ordered a set of seat covers from Craddocks to treat it and so I don't ruin the funky cloth over winter. I still need to replace the piston in the gearbox of mine as I mentioned at the NEC show, hopefully the oil change it gets will smooth out the gear changes too. I still don't expect it to be as smooth as my old V8 Disco 2 was.
We do MOT's a local Land Rover Specialist and our tester says these Freelanders and the newer models are the ones that mostly pass their MOT's fairly reliably against other Land Rovers dropped in from the Specialist.
Thats good to hear. Theres a lot of 90s Rover parts and electronics which were very good cars, which probably helps
@furiousdriving it more the fact they don't rot or rust structurally as badly as other models in the range ie Discos and Defenders etc with the Ladder/ Body construction.
Great review, as usual detailed and informative. A much under appreciated car. Yes, the K series petrol did have HG issues as we all know but the diesels were better as I recall. I’m sticking my neck out and saying the seldom seen three door may well be collectible… but so few have already survived.
The 3 doors aren't that rare around my neck of the woods,i see quite a few about as a lot of people simply don't need a five door and that's where L/R shot themselves in the F/L2.
@@letmeoffthisplanet6208 interesting, haven’t seen one for years around here. Good looking cars!
@@Lot76CARS Mine still get's a lot of attention when i'm out and about and also an occasional comment on how nice they are.I'm in a rural area so it's a L/R R/R playground where people understand running costs and maintenance which is why i think a lot did end up in salvage yards as owners find out servicing/parts aren't as cheap as maybe a corsa they owned.
Great video, Matt! If I may add a few observations, or rather, a bit of an essay!
I was intrigued that you weren't enamoured with the handling. My silver 5 door facelift TD4 manual is the sport version, and I absolutely love the handling! It has very little body roll, sticks like glue on roundabouts and bends, and the steering is beautifully weighted (unlike the FL2!) and a real pleasure. I can push on surpringly well on twisty roads without ever feeling it's going to get me into trouble.
It has the bigger wheels (18"?) with lower profile tyres, so I'm guessing that makes a big difference. I haven't read anything definitive regarding whether the suspension is set up differently to other models, maybe there's something there to consider.
The only downside is that it's quite noisy and coarse over bumps, but I guess it's an inevitable tradeoff.
It amuses my that LR tried to pass these off as luxury off roaders! They're rugged and functional and ooze appeal, but luxury? Never! The FL2 could indeed be deemed luxury, but the vehicles are so radically different that I feel they should have dropped the Freelander badge for the Mk2. I've owned both and honestly - I enjoyed driving them equally but for very different reasons.
The perceived reliability issues of these cars is somewhat overstated, IMO; often by people who've never owned one! I bought mine with nearly 100K on it, and yes, I had to fix a few things on it, but how many old cars, especially 4x4s, get to that mileage without needing some TLC? I've done the window regulators, door lock motors, thermostat (just put an inline one in the coolant hose, it works perfectly and saves you a very difficult job, which costs hundreds at a garage!) the usual brake servicing, drop links, a battery, diesel injector bleed off pipes (or whatever they're called!), I had to fix a broken rear door check strap mount... that's about it! It's all quite cheap to do if you're handy and have some tools. The engine has been absolutely faultless, if rather coarse and noisy.
Jobs that need doing now: Sadly, as I mentioned in one of your previous Hippo vids comments, the clutch slave cylinder is failing, which is a nightmare job and I just can't be bothered right now. It started to fail when the diesel injector bleed off pipes failed, which leaked fuel into the bellhousing and contaminated the clutch assembly. I've squeezed another 18 months out of it, lifting the pedal with my toe when it stays down, but its time is up and it's currently parked up and I'll have to repair it if I want to keep using it.
There's a bit of transmission noise starting to become noticeable. Not bad, just there in the background sometimes. It could be the IRD, I'm not sure. I'll change all the oils in the power train and cross my fingers!
Sorry for the lengthy post, I just wanted to mention that these are a great 4x4 if you are prepared to do the work yourself to keep them on the road, and not the expensive nightmare they're painted as. The TD4 has decent torque and in-gear acceleration is better than the figures might imply. It comfortably keeps up with traffic and can get a move on when required. Economy is roughly what you're getting. It's rather noisy at motorway speed and could have done with a 6 speed box, but I do love my Hippo!
My current 4x4 is a (cheap!) top of the range 2008 Volvo XC90. It is 'luxury', but it's nowhere near as sharp or pleasant to drive on country roads. It's as far away from the Hippo as you can get and still be a 4x4, but do I like being in it more? No! It's a bit of a boat! 😁
Such a modern classic. Great content
Ive got the K series years 2000(petrol). DO LOOK OUT FOR LOSS OF WATER . Its a fault we cant sort out and everyone has looked ! Being a 1.8 they are slightly under powered so dont expect motorway travel ...... The GOOD SIDE for me is Im living in Sweden in the forests and plenty of snow, elk deer boar and none of these are a problem cruising upto 60mph using LED lamps as needed, it handles well on terrain Coopers and not standard tyres. // I bought the Sandy with low millege and WITHOUT tow bar due to engine strain which can occur as well as knowing the she was being used in town. NO the body does not rust but keep a look out for a jack compartment in the boot which can collect water ! // She will be with me for ever.
We have the (late) 2002, "ES", TD4, 5 door, manual.. Same radio-cassette, (but) with a CD Auto-changer under the drivers seat. Button on the radio marked "Source" Flick through for Cassette/Radio/CD ....Not on the 'Hippo' ? (...Just finished fitting a 30" light bar today. Excellent vid' presentation by the way!).
I love these Free-loaders. We had a 53 plate 2.5 V6 ES. Great noise from the engine but many, many overheating issues. I think the V6 had about 3000 different radiators so very many chances for airlocks and over heating. Lovely car though and surprisinly awesome off road. The v6 though did have issues. Nice car. Great off road. So glad we baled when we did but nice car.
Nice to see the reviews of your own fleet , and your reward for all the hours of spannering & tinkering you do for our entertainment.
The advert with the hippo in the water. I’d forgotten about that
Nickname makes sense now
We had a pool car 03 plate 1.8 Freelander, 3 door (a special edition iirc with the big alloys) that I often used from work, really liked it, but it continuously broke down, and was quite high on company car tax (which is why it was a pool car, nobody wanted it), poor thing ended up catching on fire after its latest trip to the garage.
Quality work matt I live your shows,looking forward to seeing the rover estate painted
Correct me if im wrong but when i lift the boot floor storage lid, it has a Harmon Kardon sticker. It also sticks out with wires that come out so the floor could be deeper on one side to allow for the sub?
This one doesnt but that may well have been an option - there was an optional CD changer that went under the drivers seat
Excellent video Matt 👍
Shout out to Rufford Ford! When my 4 and 2 year old girls aren't sleeping I put videos of cars going through the Ford on. They love it and must be weirdly soothing as they're asleep within 10 minutes! Also #muddyparp love the content!
Back in the day I was a member of a saab owners club, we wen on a jolly around the Rufford area and took in the ford, it was a fun undercarriage clean,but as it has clear depth gauges I wonder at the iq of people who literally float away.
I used to live about five miles from Rufford ford and have driven through it numerous times without a problem, long before it became famous on UA-cam. I have approached it a couple of times and turned around and taken an alternative route though. You'd have to be an idiot to drive through it when it's really high.
Having owned a 56 plate freelander I can agree this is a good off roader for what it is, but this mk1 has something about it. It's a great example.
I appreciate the Rufford ford comment
I loved all three of my Freelanders and am currently considering changing my Defender for one to free up some funds. What is the real word MPG you get with the TD4 Automatic? sorry if you have mentioned that in a video and I missed it
Mines on a 56 reg 3 door and having had it nearly five years it hasn't really had much to do to it and even then it's been minor things.
Where i live isn't town or city and they're a great motor for doing the daily greenlaning.
If you go 34psi cold tyres wear evenly across-the tread, and improves handling ,no rolling. I have the TD4 facelift, 190000 miles, washed by the rain, goes anywhere.
I instantly subscribed to your channel when I saw there was a Land Rover on here! I love Land Rovers. Especially the Defender! Congratulations on earning yourself a new subscriber!
Nice video but being a proud Land Rover owner for twenty odd years I'll have to correct you cause they've never made and I hope they never do an SUV the freelancers a soft roader it has its place but is definitely not a proper off roader if you attempt feats achievable by a series, defender, discovery or Range Rover you will cause damage in standard form. I think there a wonderful thing and wish Land Rover would of continued with the 3 door sporty/fun type utility vehicle.
Enjoy your ride!
8:46 honk!
Great review, Matt! I thought I was the only one who watches the Rufford Ford 😂😂
no, weirdly addictive!
@@furiousdriving you should visit it once and make a video 😉
I watch a few channels that feature Rufford Ford.
Almost cant watch it personally since I imbue vehicles with feelings. To me its like watching a video of dogs getting kicked seeing those poor cars hydrolock one after another.
Got the manual version kalahari 03 plate tdi,so far so good, 3 years
I've always loved the Freelander!
Nice Land Rover.
Here in the US we only got the V6; first the 2.5 litre, then, as the LR4, a 3.2 litre.
I'm not a fan of the current CUV craze, but this is a Land Rover.
I like the Freelander very capable little 4x4. I have had a few of them they have had there problems but I still like them.👍Great upload
The first TV ad for these was awesome. 2 playing in the Serengeti.
I’ve not heard Matt mention the Steptronic/Command Shift function of the gearbox - were these optional or fitted to all automatics? It was one of the fun things I really liked about my FL1.
Only used it a couple of times and wasnt really sure about it, to be honest forgot it had it!
“Window winder” loooooong time since I’ve heard that 😂
I owned a three door 1800 petrol 03 plate 50.000 miles when i bought it. i had to have the the head casket changed three time in space of 2 years at £1500 a time...
Had one and always carried tons of spare parts and tools to get home
Like the shoe choice very suiting to the hippo hope you had dry feet hope Welly accessories in boot 🤠 I missed out on a freelander some years ago some dents and scuffed above average miles £3500 below bottom book with files of service history sale was going well but his brother in law turned Up with £500 more than I had I walked away very angry but calmed ended up with a terios some weeks later but long gone 👍 think this comment went wrong when originally put it on 🤣
Un TEST DRIVE, diferente, ya que nos muestra un vehiculo que tiene mas de 100 mil km recorridos, y por lo visto aes de los vehiculos que envejecen bien, muy innovador el concepto de mostrar un auto usado. bien atendidos todos los detalles, y conforme con el video. me aclaro las dudas que tenia respecto de este vehiculo.. saludos desde el sur del mundo.
funnily enough these freelanders share some MG/Rover parts, door handles, seatbelts, seat frames and some electronics and lights
I have a FREELANDER TD4 ES AUTO 51 plate love it too bits has got window problems but'! nothing other then that.. Apparently there's only 852 left on the road of the ES model and 479 of the year i got :)
I didn't quite like the Freelander before this video but now I do!
I love my freelander 1 2002 5 door. Es model so I have heated seats 😊 it’s so fun to drive I never want to get rid of it lol
There really is a lot to like about the Freelander
I do enjoy your reviews of all the cars l do remember when these came out and how smallish the were as usual your very comprehensive review of the interior and the practicality of the interier all the cubbies and two glove boxes and the tea shelfery of course
Nice overview. The extra space under the boot cover is for the base box speaker. I took mine out, it was rubbish, and also not a good place to put it for dog carrying!
Are the facelift versions any better or worse than the preface-lift?
About the same as late pre-face lift
Those BMW N47 Diesel engines were renowned for the timing chains going due to the plastic guides, and a pain to change due to being at the rear of the engine. Although I personally suspect when in “stop-start” setting on the 3 & 5 series saloons it was more susceptible to failure.
This car doesnt have the N47 though, its got the M47. Very different.
Speaking of the newer N47, as far as I know its not always the plastic guides, often diluted oil having an effect on the lubricity and pressure. It has a free recall where I live where BMW will check the chain so its in spec. If not, they change it for you. In all cases, an updated chain tensioner is fitted. Cheers.
M47 and as long as Oil changes are regular no problem.I always use 10w40, 190000 miles , all round Europe from Kosovo last year 7000km, never skipped a beat.
Hi Matt, if you still want to drive a 2001 1.8 Freelander 3-door, let me know! I love this car and bought it for all the reasons you mention 😁
Didn't MG Rover also use the M47 diesel engine in their Rover 75 and MG ZT cars?
Yes.
they did, which helps keeping 75s on the road
Iv'e owned four.....the one design floor that really sticks out for me ..is that rear glass dropping....if it's freezing temperatures you can't get in the boot as the glass would be frozen
Id forgotten about that, but silicon spray or silicone based rubber cleaner will stop it sticking
Love this Matt. I’ve never driven or owned one but looks a fun drive
My first gen X3 had Hill Descent Control and it was very good, really nice in the winter for the horrendous hill outside my house.
That is until the entire ABS and 4x4 system died and took the speedo with it, was a good car until that happened...
As always a great watch Matt, did you take it home after your drive and clean it, I definitely would have done 😳
not immediate , I needed to find a jet wash as we have a hose ban at the moment
Much as I would love to add a freelander 1 to my garage and I would love to... I just can't. I already have two Discos... a 2 and a 4... the tax for them both is creeping closer and closer to £400 a year... the Freelander 1 must be about the same to tax... then there is insurance on top of that... It'd be a big expense just in tax and insurance alone, then there is the fuel as well, plus the maintenance of another car to service and mot... And then the inevitable breaking of things... my wife would honestly murder me.
Where can I find the engine for Land Rover freelander 1.8 here in southern Africa?
Hi Matt, these cars known to always have oil leaks they come free with no warranty, cheers.
Heritage vehicles now and going up in value.😊
Where did you take your hippo? I think you were driving down through coxheath - I'd love to take my hippo2 off road around Maidstone
I was in a few places running errands, off road was somewhere else
Don't forget to swap over the transposed wiper arms at some point - the longer one on the driver's side should be on the passenger side & the shorter one should be on the driver's side - so the wiper blades don't overlap each other when in the parked position. ;)
Theres always something more urgent to do! One day...
What is the cost of an alternator of this car. Thanks
for making the autobox smoother change the transmission fluid!
I was done a month ago with a solenoid, and had been done a year ago by the last owner as a service
I’m starting to like these cars I would rather go for the freelander 2 personally but they seem to be holding their value!
Watch out for rust on the older FL2! I've read claims that they rust less than the FL1, but that's not my experience! On the contrary - I sold my FL2 (2007 HSE) due to hidden rust issues in too many places for me to get repaired at a worthwhile cost, and when I went looking for a replacement I found the exact same problems. The rear arches, particularly near where they join the sills, are a real issue. I ended up getting a 2008 Volvo XC90. Nowhere near as nice to drive, but essentially rust free! The FL2 is a very nice car to drive, just look very carefully for rot.
Thank God for that Matt for one awful moment I thought my eyes were out of focus 😉, really in-depth review and love the history detail too and learnt more about Hippos today than I learnt on safari in Africa but did expect to at least see you sitting on one 🤔 maybe next time 🦛😁.
Love this car, had 2 of them, yes I'm daft! Great review.
I bet you miss Quinton I remember when you first got him he refused to start you through every thing at him you spent a small fortune on him i really liked him lol,I've got a funny feeling you might end up with him again one day , the Freelander best car for winter 😀♥️✌🏻🇬🇧
I enjoy this more to be honest
your freelander needs seat repair and a good clean inside Matt.
Patina! 😁
Enjoying the videos on your channel well done 👍👍
Thanks 👍
When you're doing serious off roading in your freelander what's stopping the airbags deploying?
speed sensors, same as in a Discovery, Defender, Range Rover, Toyota, Mercedes, BMW 4x4s
Serious question: Why would you assume airbags deploy during off roading? Cant see why they would at all? A crash has nothing in similar with even the harshest off roading possible I would think?
@@GoldenCroc Indeed, the dynamics are entirely different.
It's really an amazing car
Viscous coupling frankly does not sound as good as for example Audi's passenger car Torsen at the time. CR-V has been rubbish until this day with overheating AWD. Mechanical Torsen/Crown gear does not do that even if you tried.
Doesn't sound as good because it just simply isn't even close to as good.
Hi furiousdriving you like Left steering wheel?
Left hand drive? I dont mind it, have driven alot in Europe and America and own an American car
So when will you be reviewing / buying a Rover Streetwise ? 😊
Ive considered it more than once!
What Matt? Auto? In 1998 in Australia when I was looking for a 4x4 family wagon I considered one of these. However, I bought a four speed auto Suzuki Grand Vitara 4x4 five door. Body on frame. It was the right choice. Not a single problem until it was written off in a flood in 2007.
Suzukis never break - brilliant cars
@@furiousdriving It's true! My adult son in Australia has a Suzuki Alto 1 litre auto which is his daily driver. He has owned it from brand new in 2012 and up to this point it has never looked like dying.
Should I presume you were joking when you said the A/C is fantastic? 😅
В Росси у нас по таким смежным лужам на переднем приводе передвигаются:) на Жигулях
Hope you've a shed load of money to keep it running! 🤔😂
Just noticed the change of number plate 😂
that was worth more than the car...
Was the Freelander the last great British designed car?
There have been a good few designed here since - Mini R50, Civic Type R, various Astons, Rolls and Bentleys, Disco 3. We do this stuff quite well
I'm looking for a lightweight now
Matt if only I was brave enough to buy one😀
They're nowhere near as bad as people make out! If the VCU seizes up it can essentially write the car off due to the damage it can do, but you usually get plenty of warning when it's starting to go. People who don't know what's happening let it deteriorate until the IRD explodes all over the road and the car gets scrapped. Most other things are pretty trivial and easily fixed by a home mechanic. A really important thing to watch out for - if the car has mismatched tyres, walk away! It puts a huge strain on the transmission and will cause extensive damage over not many miles.
I'm looking to buy a 2003 landrover Freelander with a BMW engine in it there's 94k miles on it .. would it be a good buy asking price 2500 thanks 😊
Yes that’s fine for these engines, as long as the rest of the car is in good condition
The hippos plate very nearly says S U V.
A muddy parp can ruin your day!.... And your pants!
Дякую, друже. Мрію про це авто, після війни куплю собі такий . 🇺🇦
Another good video 🚘🚙🚗⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️👍👍👍👍👍👍
Muddy parp 😂
Ah Land Rover......Worst car I ever owned by a country mile was a 7-seater run out model Auto Disco 2. It was fully loaded but sadly spent most of its time being repaired. Never had and never will have another Land Rover!!
Just brought a freelander 1.......
How do you know?😂
It's a Rover 🤓 😢🤔
No it’s a Land Rover
Friend of mine has one. According to his experience that was most terrible car ever owned.
Yipee I'm 1st.
At last!
@@furiousdriving well it is 1/2 time.