Freelander quality (or lack of)
 

Fist off-serve me right for getting a freelander!

The metallic paint is bubbling around and under the rubber around one of the door windows, it's about four and a half years old, not been serviced by an LR dealer for the last 2 years. I've just heard of such a thing as a six-year paint warranty, would that apply in my car's case?

I'd be very pleased if somebody out there could tell me where I stand before I approach the dealer/manufacturer.

Oh, anyone had grief with their Mickey Mouse electric windows, what a load of shit.

Thanks if you can help,
John

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Johnefyn

According to a watchdog programme I caught which was doing a bit on the TD5 Discovery engine fault with a screw on the oil pump, if you can show the problem is a build fault as apposed to something that could develop with age / wear and tear then your statutory rights go for several years. However you may have to go to court to get a result. LR is a big company and can afford to pay the lawyers. The soliciter on the programme was suggesting that Discovery owners with the TD5 problem would need to get together and look to try something like a class action. Also this is just one lawyer's view which may not be correct. Equally this advice probably isn't that useful as its arguing that you don't have a case with a dealer, you may have a case against the manufacturer which may be harder to win.

[This message has been edited by Toby2 (edited 16 June 2004).]

[This message has been edited by Toby2 (edited 17 June 2004).]

If its the K series Rover petrol engine get rid of it pronto - those engines eat head gaskets.

Pity - they are nifty little cars designwise

Toby,
Many thanks for that- especially the bit about a build problem. This particular case of the paint bubbling up under the rubber around the window certainly does appear to be a result of a manufacturing issue, with damage to the paint caused while installing the rubber surround.

Well, to me it's obvious, but like you say the manufacturers will hardly fall over themselves to agree with me. Would my local trading standards office be of any help, I wonder. It is what they are there for, after all. Hang on, I'll give them a bell, and get back to you.
Many thanks
John

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Johnefyn

Runner
Traveller
Posts: 104
From: Cairo
Registered: Feb 2003
posted 17 June 2004 07:07 AM
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If its the K series Rover petrol engine get rid of it pronto - those engines eat head gaskets.
Pity - they are nifty little cars designwise

Runner,
No, that's OK, it's the 2-litre diesel I've got, no problems so far. Quite a few smaller niggly faults, though. One design issue in particular does annoy me, it's the reflection of the instrument binnacle(?) on the windscreen. Most of the time, to be fair, it isn't an issue, but on a sunny day driving along a tree-lined road you get a bright reflection on the windscreen that quite obliterates the view of the road in shadow in the trees. I mean, how long is it since cars have been built- shouldn't this little problem have been addressed by now? How about a dark front side to the binnacle, not too expensive a remedy, surely. And it is a safety issue. Oh, another thing, the boot, it's about the size of the one in my daughter's Peugeot 106.
Having said all that, miserable sod that I am, I still realy like the car, but I can't see myself getting another.
Cheers, and thanks,
John

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Johnefyn

If anybody's still interested, I did give the Trading Standards people a call: to be honest I can't remember their actual reply, other than than the fact that they weren't too optimistic about it, and they did point out that it was a bit late to bring it up. I can't see that at all, the paint is bubbling up in two different places under the window rubber, and it seems perfectly obvious that it's a manufacturing fault.

Anyway, I've taken it back to the local dealer specially to complain, they naturally made discouraging remarks about the fact that the vehicle has not been serviced by a LR dealer for the last coupe of years and they've taken a photo of the damage. That was two weeks ago and I'm still waiting for a reply. I'll keep you posted.
Cheers,
John

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Johnefyn

Er...if anybody's still looking, Mr Land Rover is saying Awfully sorry old man, but since you haven't had your motor inspected for corrosion for the past two(?) years then get stuffed.
Sigh....
J

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Johnefyn

Im still looking. Im interested because my other half has just landed a high-mileage job in N Yorkshire and is thinking of a 2.0 diesel Freelander, used, from the local franchised dealer, about 10k with a year's warranty.

I havent tried to sway her because she and I want different things from cars but an independent specialist that I respect a lot (Matt Savage) rates Freelanders very highly, apart from the K series engine flop and some cars having trouble with their IRD (transfer box). Says they are very reliable and quick.

I wondered if your paint issue was down to a respray? Sometimes when this is done the old paint underneath reacts with the new layer of paint and bubbles up.

Hi, Runner
Ten grand and a full year's warranty sounds good.
As I said in my letter dated 17th June I have to say that despite silly faults I really do like my Freelander, in fact my wife tells me that I say so nearly every time I drive it. We seem to be getting around the low 30's in Miles per Gallon, and on a long, (180 mile) leisurely trip we got 38mpg.
John



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Johnefyn

Hi Runner
I hope things worked out ok for you with your new Freebie, if your girlfriend/wife(?) did get one. I've got an '04 TD4 on loan from my local dealer at the moment, and it really is nice, far better than my 5-year old.
As I said before, L. Rover don't want to know even though I had another go at them. So I'm just having a respray down to the corner an inch or so below the level of the rubber seal, at least the whole door doesn't have to be done.
Moral: Dont be an idiot like me and rely on a spoken refusal from your dealer, get his reply down on the service history, and take it further there and then rather than sit on your a**e like I did.
Cheers
John

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Johnefyn

I've had the V6 petrol-engined model for 3 years/42k miles. Although the auto gearbox failed within 5k miles, the inlet manifold needed replacing a year ago and the instrument warning lights play up and need attention periodically (all done under warranty) the overall impression is of a reasonably solid car which is very practical for day-to-day use and actually quite nice and balanced to drive. The petrol version is, however, extremely thirsty (approx 20mpg) so if there were a next time it would be a diesel.

Hello guys,

Let me tell you a little story. During my last trip to Libya we were with a group of French guys who all drove Landcruisers. All true Briits obviously drove Landrovers, most of them heavily modified to fit the part of desert transport. In the evening we stop to make camp. Day after day, the French open bottles of wine and get down to the business of socialising, while the Brits put on overalls, dive under their Landrovers and stay there until the French are ready to go to bed.

Well, there's no point of this story - you can draw your own conclusions. I did.

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Roman (UK)
www.overlandcruiser.info