Get the Best Priced Land Rover Freelander Parts

British automaker Land Rover introduced its compact SUV, the Freelander, in 1997. U.S. sales started in 2002 and ended in 2005, though overseas production and sales continued for several years. Interestingly, the Freelander might never have gotten off the drawing board if it weren't for a corporate takeover by BMW. The company had begun investigating the market potential of such a vehicle offering in the 1980s, but the Rover Group didn't have a lot of extra capital for development. It was only after BMW took over in 1994 that the project received full funding. It was the most popular four-wheel drive in Europe for the first five years.

The Land Rover Freelander came in a number of different configurations, including a "semi-convertible" and a commercial version that was similar to a delivery van. Two different gasoline engines were available. The smaller one was a 1.5 liter four cylinder Rover "K" Engine, while the larger was a 2.5-liter K Series V6. There was also a diesel option; until the 2000 model year, that engine was a Rover "L" model; after that, it was replaced by a BMW diesel motor. Most of the early Freelanders had manual transmissions, but Tiptronic automatics (which permit the driver greater control over gear selection) were standard equipment on V6 models.

In 2003, Car and Driver magazine put the Freelander SE3 model through some tests, driving over harsh terrain in the Nevada desert. The conclusion: despite its shortcomings (the Freelander lacked the low-range gearing and locking differentials found in most off-road four-wheel drives), it was a fairly capable vehicle once it left the paved highway. Of course, that is not what most auto consumers were interested in. When it came to practicality, the Freelander tended to fall short. Small to begin with, the SE model had only two doors and little in the way of cargo space. However, it came with many amenities, including detachable sunroof panels and rear canopy that enabled motorists to enjoy open-air driving. There were other bells and whistlers, including a powered rear window and a nine-speaker Harman/Kardon stereo system with a six-disc CD changer.

If you are in the market for a used Land Rover Freelander, there are a few things to keep in mind. One of them is the head gasket. It's one of the Land Rover Freelander parts that tended to fail early on; the OEM version was a single layer which had a penchant for blowing at around 70,000 miles. Aftermarket versions with multiple layers are available wherever you fine Land Rover freelander parts for sale. You'll want to check into the vehicle's history and make certain that the OEM head gasket has been replaced with a multi-layer one. In order to check for a blown head gasket, check the radiator for oil residue and the coolant reservoir for color. Since coolant has color, clear water is an indication that the head gasket has already failed. There has also been an issue with premature brake wear, particularly on 2003 models. When it comes to these repairs, online suppliers like PartsGeek.com can save you serious money on Land Rover auto parts.