Freelander Maintenance Cost

[L board]

Dear Friends. I am hunting for a SUV. Nissan X-Trail, Toyota RAV 4, Honda CR-V and Landrover Freelander are my contenders. I did my round of hunting during the last weekend. Out of all the above models, the one that took my heart was the Freelander TD4. I think in terms of the interior and exterior design/styling and build quality of the body, the Freelander stands way ahead of the rest.

However I was thoroughly discouraged by my friends and my usual mechanic that it will be the worst choice. They claim that the maintenance cost of the Freelander will be at least twice as much of the other three (X-Trail, RAV4 and CR-V). They also claim that the reliability of the Freelander is much less compared to the rest and its repairs and replacements are much higher than the others (and very costly too!). I was also told that the Freelander requires specialists (mostly agents) to attend to repairs and the ordinary mechanics can if at all mess up the thing. I was told that a usual service at agents would cost Rs 25,000+ for sure and most of the time they will compel you to replace "this or that" at every service and rip you off. I now feel that although it has outstanding styling, it will just be a status symbol and a drain in my pocket (sadly!).

Can this forum please help to validate these claims? Please give me the right picture (very independent and an honest one).

Thanks

L Board

Edited March 11, 2009 by L board

[VWvortex]

I cannot authoritatively comment on the maintenance cost of any of these vehicles.

However I have seen several Freelander’s that have stalled on the road for whatever the reasons. In fact I saw one today, a petrol version stalled in rajagiriya.

It could very well be that the owners of these vehicles do not know how, when and what needs to be replaced and serviced periodically. IMO this is common among many European vehicle owners.

[L board]

I cannot authoritatively comment on the maintenance cost of any of these vehicles.

However I have seen several Freelander’s that have stalled on the road for whatever the reasons. In fact I saw one today, a petrol version stalled in rajagiriya.

It could very well be that the owners of these vehicles do not know how, when and what needs to be replaced and serviced periodically. IMO this is common among many European vehicle owners.

So probably your observation and what I was told about the Freelander complement each other. May be because the maitnenance is extremely high, people actually do not do the maintenance on time resulting in high breakdowns. Anyway let's see what the hands on users of Freelander can share with us. Let's wait for their comments and see.

[jaga]

So probably your observation and what I was told about the Freelander complement each other. May be because the maitnenance is extremely high, people actually do not do the maintenance on time resulting in high breakdowns. Anyway let's see what the hands on users of Freelander can share with us. Let's wait for their comments and see.

Probably MINIACE could comment on this. I also had the same problem some time back when I was looking for a SUV. I happened to see one freelander 65- one in mint condition for 2.8 million. I was really impressed and about to buy but same advises came to me from car experts and I gave up the idea.

[AMG]

Nissan X-Trail

[fuzzo]

i would go with the xtrail but make sure you check the ac on it. i had an xtrail and the ac in it was not enough for such a big vehicle.

still given the choices and the ac matter is ok, i'd go with the x-trail...

[AMG]

i would go with the xtrail but make sure you check the ac on it. i had an xtrail and the ac in it was not enough for such a big vehicle.

still given the choices and the ac matter is ok, i'd go with the x-trail...

I would go for the Xtrail as well. Better one overall.

[Parak]

Dear Friends. I am hunting for a SUV. Nissan X-Trail, Toyota RAV 4, Honda CR-V and Landrover Freelander are my contenders. I did my round of hunting during the last weekend. Out of all the above models, the one that took my heart was the Freelander TD4. I think in terms of the interior and exterior design/styling and build quality of the body, the Freelander stands way ahead of the rest.

However I was thoroughly discouraged by my friends and my usual mechanic that it will be the worst choice. They claim that the maintenance cost of the Freelander will be at least twice as much of the other three (X-Trail, RAV4 and CR-V). They also claim that the reliability of the Freelander is much less compared to the rest and its repairs and replacements are much higher than the others (and very costly too!). I was also told that the Freelander requires specialists (mostly agents) to attend to repairs and the ordinary mechanics can if at all mess up the thing. I was told that a usual service at agents would cost Rs 25,000+ for sure and most of the time they will compel you to replace "this or that" at every service and rip you off. I now feel that although it has outstanding styling, it will just be a status symbol and a drain in my pocket (sadly!).

Can this forum please help to validate these claims? Please give me the right picture (very independent and an honest one).

Thanks

L Board

HI L Board

One of my friend had been using a brand new freelander which was brokedown on a family trip on the way from Sydney to Melboure. He had two choices either stay in a motel for 2 days until the car is fixed or abandon the car or use a courtsy(did I spell this right) car to finish the trip. Another opinion is non of the european or continental car came in the first top ten reliable brands in UK.

[jaga]

My choise is CRV.

[L board]

Thanks all you guys for the feedback. However, I was waiting to hear about the Freelander from the horse's mouth. It seems like there are no horses in this forum

If there are first hand Freelander users on this form, please please respond.

[Devinda_Z]

I cannot authoritatively comment on the maintenance cost of any of these vehicles.

However I have seen several Freelander’s that have stalled on the road for whatever the reasons. In fact I saw one today, a petrol version stalled in rajagiriya.

It could very well be that the owners of these vehicles do not know how, when and what needs to be replaced and serviced periodically. IMO this is common among many European vehicle owners.

i can't say this enough - the Freelanders drive well , especially the K series Petrol's - but stay well away from the Petrol engined ones

i've posted the details as to some of its foibles before - search the forums using the google tool on the main page

most of the tatty looking Freelanders have been buggered by those who've been too cheap and careless to fix right

[Ruslan]

I would go with X-Trail.. RAV4s damn expensive here. X-Trail is a nice SUV for that price. saw couple of Diesel powered ones with NGOs.

[AMG]

My choise is CRV.

Bloody Expensive machan.

[AMG]

Thanks all you guys for the feedback. However, I was waiting to hear about the Freelander from the horse's mouth. It seems like there are no horses in this forum

If there are first hand Freelander users on this form, please please respond.

I owned one with petrol engine (YOM 2000). The petrol ones suck. Don't get one even if someone wants to give you for free. Diesel is better than the petrol but as I see your list I will pick Xtrail anyday.

[Devinda_Z]

Dear Friends. I am hunting for a SUV. Nissan X-Trail, Toyota RAV 4, Honda CR-V and Landrover Freelander are my contenders. I did my round of hunting during the last weekend. Out of all the above models, the one that took my heart was the Freelander TD4. I think in terms of the interior and exterior design/styling and build quality of the body, the Freelander stands way ahead of the rest.

However I was thoroughly discouraged by my friends and my usual mechanic that it will be the worst choice. They claim that the maintenance cost of the Freelander will be at least twice as much of the other three (X-Trail, RAV4 and CR-V). They also claim that the reliability of the Freelander is much less compared to the rest and its repairs and replacements are much higher than the others (and very costly too!). I was also told that the Freelander requires specialists (mostly agents) to attend to repairs and the ordinary mechanics can if at all mess up the thing. I was told that a usual service at agents would cost Rs 25,000+ for sure and most of the time they will compel you to replace "this or that" at every service and rip you off. I now feel that although it has outstanding styling, it will just be a status symbol and a drain in my pocket (sadly!).

Can this forum please help to validate these claims? Please give me the right picture (very independent and an honest one).

Thanks

L Board

The TD4 is a solid motor and certainly an improvement on the L Series diesel.

Realiability is a slight cause for concern but i've been told that the TD4 aren't as bad as the others...

If your going to run a freelander , always go to a specialist - (i.e: Agents - Motor Marvels , Colonial Motors )

there is some truth in the parts replacement issue where they don't really repair but replace & its not really possible to find second hand parts either

i can't comment on the exact cost break down but Gummybr might be able to give you the specifics

if you do decide to go for the Freelander there is one thing you'll want to check...

[L board]

Dear Friends. Thank you very mcuh for your much valued feedback. My heart is still so badly with the Freelander TD4. Please note that I am looking for a registered one and not a brand new one. So how the previous user has done the maintenance will be also important.

[xXx]

The TD4 is a solid motor and certainly an improvement on the L Series diesel.

Realiability is a slight cause for concern but i've been told that the TD4 aren't as bad as the others...

yup TD4's are much better/reliable compared to the L series. but then again that quality and reliability improvement as come at a price. TD4 engine cost almost 3 times compared to a L series engine. so the last thing you want is to do a major engine repair. so if you can find a good specimen, one that has been looked after well and if you got 'bit' of extra money go for it.

i don't think there are too many TD4 in the country right? L board how much was the one you had a look at? i do believe its the most expensive out of the list (with the assumption that the CRV you are after is a 1st gen one)

[Devinda_Z]

yup TD4's are much better/reliable compared to the L series. but then again that quality and reliability improvement as come at a price. TD4 engine cost almost 3 times compared to a L series engine. so the last thing you want is to do a major engine repair. so if you can find a good specimen, one that has been looked after well and if you got 'bit' of extra money go for it.

i don't think there are too many TD4 in the country right? L board how much was the one you had a look at? i do believe its the most expensive out of the list (with the assumption that the CRV you are after is a 1st gen one)

there are fair few out there so one can afford to be a little picky...

Most of the L series 65- vehicles were the result of an import frenzy caused by the issuing of permits to Dr's & the like..

i doubt that was entirely the case with the TD4's

in todays market , i recon a bit of haggling might see you being able to pick up a good TD4 for around 3.0~3.5 Million , sure asking prices might be higher , but its not written anywhere that you get what you ask in these dark times..

[xXx]

there are fair few out there so one can afford to be a little picky...

Most of the L series 65- vehicles were the result of an import frenzy caused by the issuing of permits to Dr's & the like..

i doubt that was entirely the case with the TD4's

in todays market , i recon a bit of haggling might see you being able to pick up a good TD4 for around 3.0~3.5 Million , sure asking prices might be higher , but its not written anywhere that you get what you ask in these dark times..

oh yes the good old days. i wonder weather the diesel peugeot 407 brought under the current permit scheme will suffer the same fate???

IMO 3mill will be pushing it as a L series too cost about 2.6 - 2.8, 3.5 is more realistic but 'asking price' is way over that though

[L board]

Dear Friends. Thank everyone for the valuable contributions you made. I did more research and also went through former chains on the Freelander topic. I think given the current economic circumstances I better stay away from the Freelander TD4 although it seems to be a reasonably good machine.

Having to depend on few experts for repairs and limited suppliers for parts is something that completely puts me off. I will be at their mercy! Additionally spending at least twice as much for maintenance compared to a Jap SUV will not be ideal given the poor econnomic situation because the worst is yet to come. I also feel that reselling it the day I want to will be pretty difficult since there are for sure much more X-Trail lovers which is more affordable.

Having considered all the above facts, very sadly I decided not to go for a Freelander despite the fact that my heart is badly with the Freelander

Thanks again for all the information you shared with me.

Cheers!

[AsankaAuto]

I think Hyundai Tucson (latest model) gives value for money.

[jami]

I would go for the Xtrail as well. Better one overall.

yep X-Trail is better on overall with comparing CRv, TD4 and RAV4

[MadMMX]

yep X-Trail is better on overall with comparing CRv, TD4 and RAV4

A lot of the xtrail 2.0 and 2.5's have a serious engine issue which involves grinding the engine head and gasket replacement and sometimes sourcing a new engine altogether and the problem recur res. Had a friend go through problems with one and apparently its a pretty common problem with x-trails. Better to do a little research on the xtrail gasket issue.

Cheers,

[TharakaWi]

Dear Friends. I am hunting for a SUV. Nissan X-Trail, Toyota RAV 4, Honda CR-V and Landrover Freelander are my contenders. I did my round of hunting during the last weekend. Out of all the above models, the one that took my heart was the Freelander TD4. I think in terms of the interior and exterior design/styling and build quality of the body, the Freelander stands way ahead of the rest.

However I was thoroughly discouraged by my friends and my usual mechanic that it will be the worst choice. They claim that the maintenance cost of the Freelander will be at least twice as much of the other three (X-Trail, RAV4 and CR-V). They also claim that the reliability of the Freelander is much less compared to the rest and its repairs and replacements are much higher than the others (and very costly too!). I was also told that the Freelander requires specialists (mostly agents) to attend to repairs and the ordinary mechanics can if at all mess up the thing. I was told that a usual service at agents would cost Rs 25,000+ for sure and most of the time they will compel you to replace "this or that" at every service and rip you off. I now feel that although it has outstanding styling, it will just be a status symbol and a drain in my pocket (sadly!).

Can this forum please help to validate these claims? Please give me the right picture (very independent and an honest one).

Thanks

L Board

My uncle had a freelander around 1.5-2 years back. A petrol one. It was giving him a whole loads of trouble. He even had to import few parts from UK, and keep the SUV in garage for weeks until the parts arrive.

[jami]

A lot of the xtrail 2.0 and 2.5's have a serious engine issue which involves grinding the engine head and gasket replacement and sometimes sourcing a new engine altogether and the problem recur res. Had a friend go through problems with one and apparently its a pretty common problem with x-trails. Better to do a little research on the xtrail gasket issue.

Cheers,

and i heard 2.0 and 2.5 engine got serious cut-off problem, and heard this AC problem, is this common problem to X-Trail? are there any solutions for overcome this?