Freeloading Cnut
Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2023 12:32 pm
I’ve been looking for a cheap towcar for a while. Found myself looking at Freelander 1s which have a few well documented issues but generally the TD4 with the BMW engine seems pretty reliable.
Just been down to Norfolk yesterday to look at this TD4 which was on eBay. And ended up driving it home. Its drives very nicely indeed. For a 17 year old motor it’s in superb shape and I can’t see any previous bodywork. Previous owners were a retired couple who used it to tow their caravan but had replaced it with a Freelander 2. It’s had the VCU, both propshafts and both sets of bearings replaced (it’s had two lots of replacement bearings four years apart) so unlike most cheap ones which have had the rear prop removed ‘for economy’ this one is correct with fully functional 4wd. All the electric windows work as they’ve had a couple of the regs replaced and basically it wants very little. There’s a slight rattle from the nsf over very bumpy roads. And the seller told me there is a slight leak from the injector pump but it doesn’t smell of diesel, there’s no drips on the ground and to be honest if he hadn’t told me I would never have known.
It’s got a nice beige interior which is in great condition, they’ve really looked after it and kept the seats covered. The rear load space is also immaculate and complete with tonneau cover and tools. So many of these have ruined interiors as they’re used by horsey types or on farms so this one stood out. The only problem is the headlining is sagging in the front, a nice nod to its Rover Group heritage.
Just been down to Norfolk yesterday to look at this TD4 which was on eBay. And ended up driving it home. Its drives very nicely indeed. For a 17 year old motor it’s in superb shape and I can’t see any previous bodywork. Previous owners were a retired couple who used it to tow their caravan but had replaced it with a Freelander 2. It’s had the VCU, both propshafts and both sets of bearings replaced (it’s had two lots of replacement bearings four years apart) so unlike most cheap ones which have had the rear prop removed ‘for economy’ this one is correct with fully functional 4wd. All the electric windows work as they’ve had a couple of the regs replaced and basically it wants very little. There’s a slight rattle from the nsf over very bumpy roads. And the seller told me there is a slight leak from the injector pump but it doesn’t smell of diesel, there’s no drips on the ground and to be honest if he hadn’t told me I would never have known.
It’s got a nice beige interior which is in great condition, they’ve really looked after it and kept the seats covered. The rear load space is also immaculate and complete with tonneau cover and tools. So many of these have ruined interiors as they’re used by horsey types or on farms so this one stood out. The only problem is the headlining is sagging in the front, a nice nod to its Rover Group heritage.