Freelander purchase

[LewisH]

Hi guys,

I've been lurking here for a while now, so thought I'd best post.

I'm looking at buying a facelift Freelander 1. The FL2 is just a tad too pricey for me at the moment.

I've been researching the problems with the VCU and have been told of the 'tipp-ex test', which also started a row saying it wasn't actually a valid test.

Anyone have any advice how you can check the VCU without p*ssing off the current owner? Would it perhaps be worthwhile budgeting a replacement VCU regardless? It is a job an competant person could carry out?

Sorry for all the questions! :D

Cheers!

Lewis

[robbie77]

Hi Lewis and welcome to the forum.

There is no definitive test, but there are some good indicators.

The Tipex test is one.

Another is jack up ONE of the back wheels and try and turn it by hand.
It should move very slowly with a fair bit of force. This points to it being healthy.

When it comes to not annoying the current owner, i personally wouldn't be bothered when it can be a weakness and is so expensive to fix.

Regards

Robbie

[saltireblue]

As Robbie says.
If the owner is not prepared to let you push and pull and poke and prod a bit, then you must ask yourself why he / she is getting uppity...a sign of something to hide, perhaps?
Good hunting.

[LewisH]

Well, I made the fatal mistake of going to view one this evening.

Seems OK, it's an '05 with about 70k on the clock. A bit high but I know that doesn't always mean a bad thing. It's had 5 owners though which did raise an eyebrow.

I've never owned or driven a Diesel before and when listening to the engine it seem to make the car 'vibrate' once edging above 2,000rpm. I did the same thing on another FL1 Td4 they had and it did the same thing, is this normal?

I@m probably going to test drive it tomorrow morning.

The VCU looked incredibly clean compared to the prop shaft so not too sure if that's been replaced. I@m considering taking out the additional 24 month warranty and ensuring that the VCU and IRD are specifically mentioned and covered.

I know it's realy late now, but if anyone might offer some advice then it'd be geatly received! :)

Thanks a lot guys, hopefully I'll be a proud Landy owner soon!

[Llanigraham]

That's a lot of owners for such a young car. I would be asking questions and carefully checking the service book. Were they owners or keepers? Subtle difference.

2k revs on a Td4 equates to just about 50 in 5th, but I presume you were revving it at a standstill, so it will shake. Don't forget that diesels produce power low down in the rev range so you don't need to "floor" them so much. Better to feel it on a drive.

Ask the question about the VCU. Does sound "fishy".

If you take out a warranty read it very carefully first and check exactly what is covered. Remember it is just an insurance policy that doesn't want to pay out.

[robbie77]

With the warranty, check what it's limits are. Not just components on the car, but cash limits.

I walked away from a Freelander at Carcraft because i asked what the value per claim was. They didn't want to tell me that it was a £250 limit and there was a £300 excess on it!!!
They were ringing my Mrs for weeks giving her grief because they had gone out and taxed it for me and the paperwork was ready to sign. Obviously didn't have the bottle to call me!

Robbie

[LewisH]

Thanks for the advice guys.

I went for a closer look. The VCU is as dirty as the props. When I first looked at it it was dark so couldnt see very well.

Checked the warranty, it has no excess and a claim value of £1,000. Numer of claims is limitless has no mileage limit. Taken it out for 2 years.

Pick the car up next Saturday.

:D

[saltireblue]

Hope you'll both be very happy:)

[LewisH]

Well, I did it!

Picked up a 55 Td4 Adventurer in Silver.

So far it's been a really nice car to drive. Was really worried that I wouldnt be able to park it as it didnt come with the parkign sensors. But, it's a lot easier than the Fiat Cinquecento or the Citroen C2 I've had. Perhaps it's all the ambulance driving! Big cars are cool! :D

Just have to get used to driving a manual diesel now, a bit different from a petrol engine.

Picked her up on Saturday morning and have already done over 300 miles!

Oh - and the other half has named it/he/she 'Freddie'. :rolleyes:

Proud to be part of the family!! :cool:

[saltireblue]

Congrats! Hope you'll enjoy driving Freddie for a long time:)