are they all crap

pinkytoe69

Well-known member
Jan 14, 2012
1,689
182
minnesota
It came crime rover after they bought it from the Chinese, just like the 3.5 came from buick.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rover_KV6_engine

Um, did you even read your link?

The engine was designed and developed by Rover at Longbridge to replace the Honda 2.7l V6 engine which was about to become non-compliant with tightening emissions legislation.

In 1994 the engine was licenced to Kia Motors who invested in a new plant at the Asan Bay complex to build the engine. This engine was used in several Kia vehicles.


This part is interesting...who edits these?


Early hand-finished units were affected by inconsistent production tolerances (1996-1998).[citation needed] This caused the height of the cylinder liners to vary, which risked over-compression or under-compression of the head gaskets. The production facility was re-engineered prior to launching the Rover 75 (1998-2005). Those changes resolved head gasket issues and the KV6 has a positive reputation for reliability.
 

Tugela

Well-known member
May 21, 2007
4,754
562
Seattle
Even if you could get a Freelander 1 with the 2.2 diesel engine that was available in the Euro market, the usable space inside those things was...unusable.

Both the Freelander and Disco have identical wheelbases, yet I fit great into a Disco/RRC and can barely squeeze into a Freelander. I'm no Super Big Gulp-swilling, overweight stereotypical American who needs a big car. I'm pretty damn skinny but also pretty damn tall and need leg/shoulder room. The Freelander was mighty uncomfortable for me. The L322 Range Rover, on the other hand, is a dream come true.
 

1MITCH1

Well-known member
Jan 24, 2007
903
0
Daphne,AL
The one freelander I drove was terrible. The steering was extremely heavy. And the turning radius was worse than the DI.
 

Axel

1
Staff member
Apr 1, 2004
1,857
11
Quebec, Canada
www.discoweb.org
I guess I was pretty lucky with mine, then. Got the wife a new S model with a dealer installed aftermarket sunroof back in 2002, and ran it regularly until a couple of months ago with the only significant issue being the mandatory transmission replacement at 40k. Ran fine after that, and we probably would have kept it if it wasn't for all the bullshit involved in getting it into Canada. That just wasn't worth it for an almost 15 year old car. My old neighbor in NJ has it now. It was a decent road car. I wouldn't do any serious trails in Moab with it - but it did go on several roadtrips all over the US, and got us there and back every time.
 

discostew

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2010
7,706
1,015
Northern Illinois
I think you are so lucky I would pay you to buy me a lottery ticket. I think if we got the 4 cylinder diesel and the stick shift it would have a better reputation. Here in North America we got the shitty Jatco trans and the shitty Rover K engine . But I only see the broken ones. I'm sure someone else has had good luck with a Freelander . If I find him I'll tell him about you,and how you got out of it in time.
 

jymmiejamz

Well-known member
Dec 5, 2004
6,008
361
35
Los Angeles, Ca
Yes, Rover design. Worst part is the timing belt layout. What in the world....?

I don't think the timing belt is the worst part of a Freelander by a long shot. That being said, I think I'd rather have a Freelander than an LR3 at this point because they are at least now rare and somewhat interesting.
 

ERover82

Well-known member
Nov 26, 2011
3,899
450
Darien Gap

ERover82

Well-known member
Nov 26, 2011
3,899
450
Darien Gap
I don't think the timing belt is the worst part of a Freelander by a long shot. That being said, I think I'd rather have a Freelander than an LR3 at this point because they are at least now rare and somewhat interesting.

I found myself eyeing one the other day, not as a practical or useful vehicle, but as a souvenir from an odd chapter in LR's history. Then I realized I wasn't that curious. It's too bad. They could have been fun vehicles to flog on trails, but I like getting back to civilization on my schedule.
 

ukoffroad

Well-known member
Jan 13, 2010
2,125
168
Lynchburg, Va
Holy thread revival. the Volvo 3.2 will go forever but not exciting. the only reason to buy a Freelander is to do a frame engine swap just to see folks faces while you drove it as if it was on fire.
 

discostew

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2010
7,706
1,015
Northern Illinois
It has that 3.2 Volvo engine which I believe is dull, but reliable.

Is the rest of the drivetrain taken from the gen1 XC90?
It has that 3.2 Volvo engine which I believe is dull, but reliable.

Is the rest of the drivetrain taken from the gen1 XC90?
After 2012 they had the 2.0 direct injected turbo 4 cyl. It's a little more exciting than the 3.2 but not as reliable. I have one my wife drives every day. She likes it enough she wants me to keep it going.
I've had to put a variable cam timing actuator on it at about 650 in parts. And then the Turbo took a shit and I bitched until Rover bought her one. It was a parts only good will deal, saved me about $2700. Now that those are done it will hopefully run for ever.
I would say both those failures are normal.
 

jymmiejamz

Well-known member
Dec 5, 2004
6,008
361
35
Los Angeles, Ca
And then the Turbo took a shit and I bitched until Rover bought her one. It was a parts only good will deal, saved me about $2700. Now that those are done it will hopefully run for ever.

My dad just traded his 2013 LR2 in because the turbo failed. With labor it was going to cost around $4k, plus it needed brakes and a service. He never spent money on it other than maintenance.