Freelander

[Asanka76]

Guys,

I am new here.. so big hello to all!

I am thinking about bringing down a Freelander with me when I am returning to SL. Just like to know what sort of service I can expect in Sri Lanka for the vehicle. I think Demo is out of question as they charge a fortune even to open and close the bonnet. Do we have any Freelander specialist garage.?

and whats your opinions on the Freelander in SL roads.. is it worth while..?

Cheers

[Gummybr]

Guys,

I am new here.. so big hello to all!

I am thinking about bringing down a Freelander with me when I am returning to SL. Just like to know what sort of service I can expect in Sri Lanka for the vehicle. I think Demo is out of question as they charge a fortune even to open and close the bonnet. Do we have any Freelander specialist garage.?

and whats your opinions on the Freelander in SL roads.. is it worth while..?

Cheers

Hi,

Not specifically specilist garages but apart from agent there are places like C*l*ni*l who still does repairing and also there are few wayside people in battaramulla does repairing.

Tell me which model do you think of bringing down a diesel or a petrol and which generation oldest or face lift? Sometimes you will be able to buy a very well used one here for less than what you have to bear to bring down including duties. So best thing is to check.

[fuzzo]

i think milroy (famous for his work with bmw) also does freelanders.. i've seen quite a few there

[madmax]

i think milroy (famous for his work with bmw) also does freelanders.. i've seen quite a few there

He's giving up on it coz Landrover part are getting way too expensive compared to BMWs

[Devinda_Z]

Guys,

I am new here.. so big hello to all!

I am thinking about bringing down a Freelander with me when I am returning to SL. Just like to know what sort of service I can expect in Sri Lanka for the vehicle. I think Demo is out of question as they charge a fortune even to open and close the bonnet. Do we have any Freelander specialist garage.?

and whats your opinions on the Freelander in SL roads.. is it worth while..?

Cheers

the Freelander is quite popular here BUT known to be plaugued with problems

what exactly is the specification of the vehicle u intend to bring??

keeping in minde the import restrictions u may be better off finding one here as Gummybr pointed out

if u want to get it servied M*tor M*rvels are known to be decent with Freelander fault diagnosis

bringing a Diesel is not really an option cuz the Duty will kill u...also i've heard that the Agents gives customs very high quotes for used imports to deter private imports of used Land Rovers..

the market is roughly

Freelander 1998-2000 : 2.0 L series diesel engine - 5 dr - 2.8 ~ 3.5 Million

1999-2002 : 2.0 L series diesel - 3 dr - 2.5 ~ 3 Million (but only 3 vehicles around )

2002 : 1.8L K series Petrol - 3 dr - 2 mil range (only 1 in Black )

1998-2004 : K series Petrol engine - 5 dr - 2 mill range (gasket faliure eminent-AVOID this spec)

2001-2004 : 2.0L Td4 BMW engine - 5 dr - 3.8 ~4.4 million ( BEST BUY -rare2find Steptronic auto)

2004-2007 : K series engine FACE LIFTED-5dr- 4~5 Million

Brand new top spec HSE equalent version will cost abt 7+ million from agents- NO Diesel offered brandnew since 2003 october duty hike

apart from the agents no others are known to have equipment to handle the TD4's cuz of the Electronic direct injection set up on the commonrails diesels

neither I*dika in Rajagiriya or O*anda handle Petrol or new fangled Land Rovers from that which they've told me

they're decent on lankan roads so well worth having one if u can stomach relaibilty issues & high maintainance costs!

[Gummybr]

the Freelander is quite popular here BUT known to be plaugued with problems

what exactly is the specification of the vehicle u intend to bring??

keeping in minde the import restrictions u may be better off finding one here as Gummybr pointed out

if u want to get it servied M*tor M*rvels are known to be decent with Freelander fault diagnosis

bringing a Diesel is not really an option cuz the Duty will kill u...also i've heard that the Agents gives customs very high quotes for used imports to deter private imports of used Land Rovers..

the market is roughly

Freelander 1998-2000 : 2.0 L series diesel engine - 5 dr - 2.8 ~ 3.5 Million

1999-2002 : 2.0 L series diesel - 3 dr - 2.5 ~ 3 Million (but only 3 vehicles around )

2002 : 1.8L K series Petrol - 3 dr - 2 mil range (only 1 in Black )

1998-2004 : K series Petrol engine - 5 dr - 2 mill range (gasket faliure eminent-AVOID this spec)

2001-2004 : 2.0L Td4 BMW engine - 5 dr - 3.8 ~4.4 million ( BEST BUY -rare2find Steptronic auto)

2004-2007 : K series engine FACE LIFTED-5dr- 4~5 Million

Brand new top spec HSE equalent version will cost abt 7+ million from agents- NO Diesel offered brandnew since 2003 october duty hike

apart from the agents no others are known to have equipment to handle the TD4's cuz of the Electronic direct injection set up on the commonrails diesels

neither I*dika in Rajagiriya or O*anda handle Petrol or new fangled Land Rovers from that which they've told me

they're decent on lankan roads so well worth having one if u can stomach relaibilty issues & high maintainance costs!

Devinda,

Infact the agents bought in some new Td4's for the permits. but those will not be in the market for another 5 years since they are non transfereable.

Your correct the two outside LR specialists do not do the Freelanders, but I*ndika hasa moved on to doing Td5's and new engines. So you may find him doing Freelanders in the future.

BTW M*t*r M*rvels are also the same as the agents, yes the rectification they've done on the Freelanders have been praised by Land Rover as well, but being the agents they will be a bit on the expensive side when it comes to parts and repairs.

Now the agents do want Freelanders and Discovery's coming into the market. The valuations given by agents can never be more than what they have bought down theirs for as the customs have record of the valuations. So Asanka76 wont have a problem with the agent valuation.

[Devinda_Z]

Your correct the two outside LR specialists do not do the Freelanders, but I*ndika hasa moved on to doing Td5's and new engines. So you may find him doing Freelanders in the future.

Now the agents do want Freelanders and Discovery's coming into the market

any idea abt howmany TD5's are around here in privte use?? cuz@the price of those i doubt anyone sane would plomp down so much cash for a totally utilitarian vehicle..

just outta curiosity Gummybr,does I*dika still have that TD5 Silver Defender 90 ?? -how much is he quoting for it?

hmmm well if Asnaka76 doesnt mind paying a bit of duty, i say if its a TD4 Freelander by all means bring it down - if its a facelifted one-EVen better

....but all i wanted for Christmas was one ministerial permit - LR DISCOVERY 3 @ $ 35,000 - life doesnt get any better than that!!!!

@asanka - if u dont mind let us know the specs of ur FReelnader - but dont worry - our local grease monkeys r handy with Land Rovers

[Gummybr]

any idea abt howmany TD5's are around here in privte use?? cuz@the price of those i doubt anyone sane would plomp down so much cash for a totally utilitarian vehicle..

just outta curiosity Gummybr,does I*dika still have that TD5 Silver Defender 90 ?? -how much is he quoting for it?

hmmm well if Asnaka76 doesnt mind paying a bit of duty, i say if its a TD4 Freelander by all means bring it down - if its a facelifted one-EVen better

....but all i wanted for Christmas was one ministerial permit - LR DISCOVERY 3 @ $ 35,000 - life doesnt get any better than that!!!!

@asanka - if u dont mind let us know the specs of ur FReelnader - but dont worry - our local grease monkeys r handy with Land Rovers

There are quite a few Defender Td5's around in SL. Indika himself is using a Td5 for his daily runaround (the black Tdi was converted).

He has already bought down some Td5 engines and has already fitted them on to some vehicles along with the gearboxes.

From what I know Asanka will only be able to bring down a facelift version since the others are more than 3 years old, unless you have a permit to bring down on a permit.

As for the ministerial permit D3 the offer is no more there with the agents. Sad to say that the ministers and others who bought vehicles down on the permit didn't go for the Discovery as they deemed it to be on a lower level than the Prado's. So the SL community wont get that sort of chance again.

[Devinda_Z]

There are quite a few Defender Td5's around in SL. Indika himself is using a Td5 for his daily runaround (the black Tdi was converted).

He has already bought down some Td5 engines and has already fitted them on to some vehicles along with the gearboxes.

From what I know Asanka will only be able to bring down a facelift version since the others are more than 3 years old, unless you have a permit to bring down on a permit.

Sad to say that the ministers and others who bought vehicles down on the permit didn't go for the Discovery

hmmm i rememeber a Td5 conversion on a 90 being blotched comprehensively by O*anda.. even overseas the Td5 conversion is rated quite a bitch given the complexity of the electronics n fly by wire throttle...

if Asanka is working where ever he may able to request a gift permit ya?

on the contrary with regard to the Disco - they've sold over 50 units lu ! & a fair share was to ministers i'm told

i'm conteplating an engine swap me self so must go have a chat with indika n see what can be done...

[The Don]

You know Devinda,

I am a great fan of the Defender too, sob sob, though it seems everyday its moving further away from affordability, about 6 years back, I was offered a Defender, unregistered (used to belong to an Embassy) non Turbo verssion for 1 million, sigh was still in school and had no money ...

I wonder how much one of those will go for thesedays ?

The Don

[fuzzo]

what is the retail price on the LR3... i think it looks quite nice comparied to the older disco's

[Pericles]

what is the retail price on the LR3... i think it looks quite nice comparied to the older disco's

14mill, if I remember my MotorMag correctly.

[Gummybr]

14mill, if I remember my MotorMag correctly.

18mil to be precise for the fully loaded, atleast thats what is being imported.

A non Turbo Defender would go for around 2-2.5mil. there was a Tdi engined one for sale (a 90') sometime back for around 2.8mil.

Well @ 1.0mil I think the best you can get is an old petrol Range Classic or a series3 model or a hacked out Defender in non running condition (but hard to find)

[Devinda_Z]

18mil to be precise for the fully loaded, atleast thats what is being imported.

A non Turbo Defender would go for around 2-2.5mil. there was a Tdi engined one for sale (a 90') sometime back for around 2.8mil.

Well @ 1.0mil I think the best you can get is an old petrol Range Classic or a series3 model or a hacked out Defender in non running condition (but hard to find)

hmmm yeah an HSE spec Disco should be in that range but i think é 4.4 V8 may be a tad more...

as for Petrol Range CLassic - i doubt it'll come in so cheap machang - the 3.5L from the late 70's possibly but those r so rare the price is bound to be higher

series 3's go for under 1 million - plenty of those around

ur spot on abt the 90's - Tdi engined ones are all well above 2.5 - max 3 mil

but 12J + Turbo 90's can be had for 1.8-2.6 --depending on conditon n mod's

but u'll be hard pressed to find a 110 DEFENDER for under 3 million

loads of 1986+ 110's NOT "DEfenders" have beem modified to defender spec - thos go for 2.5 mil +

but genuine DEFENDERS are not that easy to find - late 90's 300Tdi's will cost well into 4 million...

it may seem crazy but even thos old Box model Land Cruiser II's - KZ series -32-~64 go@ 3~4 million

&those arent Cult CLassics like Land Rovers!

[Asanka76]

Hi,

Not specifically specilist garages but apart from agent there are places like C*l*ni*l who still does repairing and also there are few wayside people in battaramulla does repairing.

Tell me which model do you think of bringing down a diesel or a petrol and which generation oldest or face lift? Sometimes you will be able to buy a very well used one here for less than what you have to bear to bring down including duties. So best thing is to check.

Hi Machan

The model I am thinking about is XEi 1.8 as I am not a big fan of diesel cars.

Actualy I was thinking about Freelander II when first I thought about the idea. But when thinking about number of electronic (silicon) components in this new edition I feel thats not the vehicle you want to have on SL roads which are belong to private busses and three wheelers. (not to mention the dust flying around).

I think there is no point bringing down something older than 3 years when you think about amount of trouble you have to go through. Anyway you are right. I am starting to feel this project is something more than an one big white elephant. In a previous thread Fuzzo had confirmed that they are not issueing blue permits anymore.

Thanks Mahinda.. Dream of driving decent vehicle on SL roads is fading away from general public like us.

[Asanka76]

Thank you all for replying!

By the way special thank to Devinda_Z and GummyBr .. guys. your knowledge on the subject is amazing.

I am not sure about the blue permit. But if still they are issueing them I think I can get one as I am currently working abroad. Are there anyone with latest about the blue permit saga. Fuzzo the blue permit expert..?

Otherwise I think I ll settle for one from the SL market.

cheers

[Supra_Natural]

it may seem crazy but even thos old Box model Land Cruiser II's - KZ series -32-~64 go@ 3~4 million

&those arent Cult CLassics like Land Rovers!

Ha Ha Bloody Ha!!! @ least they don't visit the garage 3 times a month now do they???

[fuzzo]

i spoke to the dept of imports regarding hte permits...as of now they are stil issueing the gift and earned income permits.

they said that if i planned on bringing a vehicle to do it soon as they may stop the permits soon....

[milindu]

it may seem crazy but even thos old Box model Land Cruiser II's - KZ series -32-~64 go@ 3~4 million

&those arent Cult CLassics like Land Rovers!

Thats cos there is more demand for reliable work-horse vehicles like the LCruiser II in the 'real world'.

According to Top Gear, the Land Rovers had a over a 90% marketshare in the 1970's in the Australian Outback. After the Land Cruisers came in, the LR share is down to 2% today. Its the same all over Africa, Asia (And even in tough terrain like Afganistan or Iraq).

[madmax]

Thats cos there is more demand for reliable work-horse vehicles like the LCruiser II in the 'real world'.

According to Top Gear, the Land Rovers had a over a 90% marketshare in the 1970's in the Australian Outback. After the Land Cruisers came in, the LR share is down to 2% today. Its the same all over Africa, Asia (And even in tough terrain like Afganistan or Iraq).

I also think the cruisers are more reliable than the landys. In fact at the Rain forest challenge the landys were grouped into what they called the "breaking down landrover challenge"...

[Supra_Natural]

@ Devinda_z, u were sayin bro?

seriously though machan, Landy's are incredible vehicles with a Ton of "Character" (not always the desirable sort, but character nonetheless....)

but let's face it..... character or not, the 'cruisers have got ANY of 'em beaten hands down for dependability... proven the world over..... can't argue that nuh?

If I (and i'm sure a lot of ppl here) ever feel like taking a drive around the world, seeking adventure and excitement and all that sort of rot ...... I'm Going by Landcruiser

[Pericles]

U need to watch the Top Gear clip on the land rover dude

[Supra_Natural]

U need to watch the Top Gear clip on the land rover dude

Which one Peri?? can you tell me the season and the episode please?....

btw, i think LR's are awesome vehicles, and as we found out on the G2G day very capable too.... almost "magical" as devinda would say...... (I still can't believe 65BHP and 2.5 tons can be THAT quick)....

it's just that, if i had to trust my life to the reliability of a vehicle (as one well might on a round the world trip), i'd rather take a 'Cruiser....

Edited January 26, 2007 by Supra_Natural

[The Don]

I think you guys also need to watch the Top Gear clip where they try to destroy an old Toyota Hilux, by

1. Taking it arround steps and narrow roads in bristol down stairsways etc, and then scraping it on walls etc, and finally banging it on to a tree

2. Taking it to somewhere in Devon (I think) and letting the tide overun and completely submerge the Hilux

3. Setting fire to the Hilux

4. Placing the Hilux on top of a old flat complex which is then demolished with the Hilux crashing down 13 floors (I think)

and in the end the Hilux's chassies have taken quite a beating and literally being held together by its body (meant to be the other way arround he he) but every time the hilux is restarted by a dude, who is not allowed to use and new parts and only a basic tool kit, The toyota just refused to die

The Don

[milindu]

U need to watch the Top Gear clip on the land rover dude

Top Gear will take a Brand New top of the range LR run a few km of rough terrain and call it brilliant (We all know how impartial Top Gear can be). But bring it to the tropics run for a couple of years. ....Devinda enlighten us will ya?

Anyway Peri...are you ref. to the Range Rover Vs. Escalade Vs. Hummer H2 Clip?