Member Since: 16 Aug 2005
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 4502
Huge favour needed - Anyone ever near Gloucestershire?
Hi guys
As you've perhaps already read we've recently been looking into a Freelander Td4 to replace the Modus for a bit of fun & gentle off-roading and after much research into engines, trims, tax, fuel costs, servicing charges and - predominantly - insurance, we've quite settled on a specific model we're interested in. It's a 2000 ES and has the Td4 BMW unit (so most reliable and most fuel efficient), is pre-2001 (so cheaper tax), has 5 doors (so more practical), we're looking to haggle in a 3 year warranty (so we'll be safe for a while...) and the auto gearbox (to help off-road, and more reliable than manual)... we've even got the insurance sub £1k.
The car is in Gloucestershire in a dealership (non Land Rover) called Corse Lawn Cars (www.corselawncars.co.uk) and the address is:
As we are stuck up here in the hills and haggis, we wondered if anybody who ever lives/works/travels/drives/walks etc. near the aforementioned Gloucestershire area would be able to spare us 15 minutes of their time and have a quick look over the car for us?
We would do it ourselves but if we do go for the car it will require a trip down later and if we were to get there and find it's a rust heap it would have been a waste of resources and expenses - if anybody was local it would be hugely appreciated.
We'd only be looking for a few things checked over, you needn't be the next TFC to help...
- Condition (any scratches or damage to the outside?)
- Cleanliness (any stains on the upholstry?)
- Working condition (do the buttons and toys still function?)
If time permitted, we'd also appreciate it if they were able to give it a very quick spin around the block just to check that there are no bangs and rattles. There's also a mechanical check to do by turning the steering to full lock and driving forward slowly and ensuring it doesnt resist. I'm sure this could be arranged with the dealer.
If anybody is able to assist us in this we'd be most grateful and would gladly recompensate their troubles with alcoholic tokens which we'll get sent down, I'm sure, via the Courier Network at Tong. A donation would of course also be made to the site on your behalf.
If anyone thinks they could help please give me a shout.
Member Since: 05 Jul 2007
Location: Cotswolds
Posts: 2515
CY, I am out of my office until Thursday. I will happily go along and look at it for you unless someone else can do it before Global Warming.... I'm luvvin it
25th May 2008 11:22 pm
CY
Member Since: 16 Aug 2005
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 4502
Thanks Shrinky, that's ideal
If you can, whenever suits you best. There's not too much hurray as when we collect it will depend on how long negotiations take and how long it takes for one of us to find time to fly down and get it. We want to get the 3 year warranty... it is a Freelander after all
Member Since: 05 Jul 2007
Location: Cotswolds
Posts: 2515
I'll pop along Thursday for you. Does the garage know someone will be looking on your behalf and do you have a contact.
I can also take some piccies if you like Global Warming.... I'm luvvin it
26th May 2008 4:56 pm
CY
Member Since: 16 Aug 2005
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 4502
That's brilliant, looking forward to hearing from you.
I'll e-mail the dealer and tell him that you're coming on behalf of me due to my remoteness. That way you wont get pressured into buying it
Photos would be super, I'll PM you some of my details.
Do you think you'll have time to give her a spin round the block? No worries if you're busy or pressed for time though. Hopefully anything that goes wrong is covered by warranty.
Member Since: 06 Nov 2006
Location: In the Clubhouse
Posts: 21361
Just make sure your warranty isn't only linked to the dealer that is selling it. Otherwise, coiuld be a long trek each time you need some work doing on it.....
Clock/ SNOTM /3Flash / 4x4Info /BT Update /Service Reset/Error Codes / Gearbox Reset See It Here
26th May 2008 7:59 pm
CY
Member Since: 16 Aug 2005
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 4502
Shrinky, PM sent.
The dealer have just replied saying that the car is sold. They have continued to update their website with new models for sale without removing ones sold. It still says it is for sale now.
I've just e-mailed the garage to tell them what I think of them.
Shrinky, sorry again for that nuisance and inconvenience. Thanks for your help this far.
At least we know what we're looking for now
P.S. Anyone know where to find a decent Td4 for £5k? 2007 Porsche Boxster (987) 2.7
2008 Discovery 3 TDV6 HSE G4 Challenge (1 of 68)
2023 Defender 90 D250 X-Dynamic HSE
26th May 2008 9:32 pm
Shrinky
Member Since: 05 Jul 2007
Location: Cotswolds
Posts: 2515
CY....No problem my friend Thanks for letting me know. If there is anything else you find nearby just let me know.
Hope you find what you need Global Warming.... I'm luvvin it
26th May 2008 9:46 pm
CY
Member Since: 16 Aug 2005
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 4502
So fookin' annoying, had it finally nailed down after months of research.
It's fairly limited as our checklist involves:
- Registered before 1st March 2001
- Warranty of some sort
- As excellent condition as possible - preferably as new like the above one.
- As low mileage as possible (preferably no more than 70ish thousand)
- TD4 engine
- No more than £5k
See why that one looked so good
The hunt continues... (still hoping to have it by summer...)2007 Porsche Boxster (987) 2.7
2008 Discovery 3 TDV6 HSE G4 Challenge (1 of 68)
2023 Defender 90 D250 X-Dynamic HSE
If you're going to be that exacting you can't afford to hang around getting people to view them for you I'm afraid. I know it's not considered "kind" to say no these days, but no. Just no, ok? And if it's not ok, still no.
26th May 2008 10:02 pm
CY
Member Since: 16 Aug 2005
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 4502
Yep I appreciate that, we're just slightly anxious about selling a 54 plate car and moving back a few years to an 8 year old car with renound issues - trying to reduce our chance of getting one of the seemingly numerous Friday afternoon cars
Will keep looking - there's one in Norfolk (never convenient ) I'll phone up about tomorrow.2007 Porsche Boxster (987) 2.7
2008 Discovery 3 TDV6 HSE G4 Challenge (1 of 68)
2023 Defender 90 D250 X-Dynamic HSE
26th May 2008 11:06 pm
DN D3 Decade
Member Since: 24 Jun 2006
Location: W.London.
Posts: 2294
Blimey CY, buying a Freelander 1 is risky enough, let alone from a distance. (I had a new 54 reg TD4), and I can honestly say owning it was just about the most worrying time in my life.( many dealer visits and NO fixes, nor even remotely improving anything).I guess I was probably unlucky, and that there must be some good ones out there. Traded it in for the D3, lost a fair bit of dosh doing it, but it was a great relief I can tell you. If you must have one, ask to borrow it for as long as possible, with no obligation to buy.
27th May 2008 5:00 pm
SN
Member Since: 03 Jan 2006
Location: Romiley
Posts: 13710
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
buying a Freelander 1 is risky enough, let alone from a distance. (I had a new 54 reg TD4), and I can honestly say owning it was just about the most worrying time in my life.( many dealer visits and NO fixes, nor even remotely improving anything).I guess I was probably unlucky, and that there must be some good ones out there. Traded it in for the D3, lost a fair bit of dosh doing it, but it was a great relief I can tell you. If you must have one, ask to borrow it for as long as possible, with no obligation to buy. 
