2000 Land Rover Freelander review from UK and Ireland
"Inferior to similar Japanese competitors"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Within a very short time a substance resembling Bailey's Irish Cream started to materialize in the coolant expansion tank. This alarmed me somewhat, but I pretended to ignore it. Within a couple of weeks though the coolant in the 'sealed' cooling system started a disappearing act. Despite a thorough inspection, there were no leaks in hoses etc. and the problem got worse until I was filling the cooling system with up to a liter a day.
About this this time there appeared signs of coolant in the oil as well. The lubrication properties of the oil were being reduced, and when a slight knocking was heard from one of the camshafts, I decided to stop driving it. It is vital for me to be mobile and I spent a large sum on a Japanese SUV which runs like a dream. In the meantime I have read all about the woes of the K series engine in the Freelander and have obtained an upgrade kit. I intend to do the work myself when the weather improves. I simply refuse to pay Land Rover's repair costs. So, Land Rover, you have lost a customer for ever. I shall buy Japanese from now on.
General comments?
Very nice styling and comfortable. Handles well.
But badly let down by a design flaw leading to the coolant loss/head gasket problem.
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| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | No |
| Model year | 2000 |
| Year of manufacture | 2000 |
| First year of ownership | 2008 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2008 |
| Engine and transmission | 1.8 K series petrol Manual |
| Performance marks | 7 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 1 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 8 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 3 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 3 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 88000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 93000 miles |
| Previous car | Land Rover Freelander |
| Date of Entry | 16th December, 2008 |