Is this worth a swap with a VW golf

Buying Advice

1/6

Hi I’m getting an offer for a swap for this freelander 2. It’s got 206000 miles The mot advisories are Expiry date 19 October 2024 Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories): Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) Nearside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii)) Rear Oil leak, but not excessive Diff (8.4.1 (a) (i))

My car is a VW golf 91709 miles 1.9 L diesel mot Nov 24

It’s a straight swap no money exchanged Just wondering is it a good swap or am I being ripped off with the high mileage

in LandRoverby majestic_theatre

88%

4mo

ow142

4mo

You've got a 1.9 with under 100,000 miles. If it was me I'd keep the Golf.

However only you can answer whether you personally feel you'd be getting value out of the swap. Personally I think the person with the Freelander would be getting the better deal.

egidione

4mo

The Freelander 2 is a great car and could do many miles more than that if it’s got that far and is probably worth £5-5,500, what year is your Golf?

majestic_theatre

4mo

2008

egidione

4mo

Hmm you would probably struggle to get £5000 for it unless it’s particularly good and even then not such a quick sale. The Freelander is probably not quite as economical as the Golf but they aren’t bad, much better in a rural environment but not so good in the city, they do hold their value quite well though and aren’t too expensive to work on as there are lots around.

majestic_theatre

4mo

Was just being put off by the freelander high mileage but it seem it can go on and on?

egidione

4mo

They do but it depends on how many miles you would do I guess, if you’re doing 10k a year then it would do you for a good few years if you look after it. It isn’t a fantastic bargain but sounds like a reasonable deal to me ,It does obviously affect the value and a lot of people would be put off by the high mileage but I would say there are probably a good few miles left in it. Don’t just take my word for it though have a look round on eBay and fb marketplace etc. and see what there is and maybe get a quote from we buy any car or one of those to see what they’d offer you to get an idea (they don’t offer much that’s for sure) fb marketplace is quite good for selling if you watch out for scammers.

Brosie-Odonnel

4mo

We own a Golf and a Land Rover. The Golf has been very reliable and the LR always needs something.

Jay1940

4mo

I have a Freelander, but I don't see the point of you swapping a low-ish mile golf for a high mile FL2. The Freelander is a fine car, but they're not indestructible. You'd be getting a lifestyle change with its capabilities, but if it has had a hard life, you will have to fix and replace parts like any other car. Again, I'm a bit of a LR tragic and I love my Freelander 2, but it's not without its costs and flaws.

With that said, if this is neat as a pin, full service history, haldex is showing zero signs of packing it in, and the engine doesn't leak oil (front / rear crank main seals), then you could get a whole lot of car with this swap.

mattc4191

4mo

Don’t do it dude

Lower_Throat_2652

4mo

I agree. I have been driving Freelander 2’s for the last 12 years. In that time I have had 4. It is the only vehicle I have bought twice not alone 4 times! They are generally pretty reliable but at that mileage, I would expect regular bills. Definitely not worth £5k. I would keep the golf and save some cash up to buy a newer one with less miles. I sold a 2009 HSE with 92,000 miles to a neighbour a couple of years ago for £6k.

This forum is worth a look.

https://www.freel2.com/forum/

a_false_vacuum

Discovery Sport D180

4mo

The 2.2 liter diesel is a reliable unit. The DW12 engine was borrowed from PSA by Ford for use in the Freelander. In various Peugeots and Citroens the DW12 diesel had already shown it could reach high mileages without much problems. The 2.2 diesel uses a timing belt which has to be changed every 7 years or 112,000 miles. With the age of this particular Freelander I would expect it to have had two belts already. If not book it in straight away. If this Freelander 2 has been serviced as it should I'd expect the engine to be solid.

This Freelander is a Euro 5 diesel, meaning it has a DPF. Your Golf is probably a Euro 3 or Euro 4 diesel at best. This might become important in the future.

The MoT advisories aren't that bad, basically it needs a new set of discs and pads all-round. You might want to have a listen if you test drive it if the rear diff is making noises. If it doesn't, it's just a leak somewhere, probably a gasket. Just don't let the diff run dry.

If this is a good swap for your VW Golf is up to you. The Freelander is younger and more up market compared to your Golf. Volkswagen products usually are quite bare bones in my experience. I'm sure that if they could VW would make wipers an optional extra on their cars. This is the trade-off it appears: luxury versus mileage This Freelander looks like it has a lot of options. I'm seeing the Alpine audio system, which was the high-end offering at the time. It also has the cold climate pack (heated seats and heated windshield). The tech pack is probably fitted too, since it has the satnav and the carkit plus front parking sensors. It looks pretty clean in general, so the previous owner(s) might have taken good care of it. On the other hand you know your Golf inside and out in terms of maintenance. A trade always comes with a bit of a risk.

DeltaRocket

4mo

Keep the golf, unless you:

a. want a dog

b. want to become best friends with your local JLR specialist

c. want to tow stuff

Northerne30

4mo

I agree with the rest, but towing anything other than a utility trailer with an LR2 might be a bit of a pipe dream, I think some could do 3500lbs, but most are rated for 2000lbs?

DeltaRocket

4mo

This is UK market 2.2 TD4 (diesel). Its rated for 2000kg (4400lbs) according to Google, and I've seen one towing a miata on a trailer, and a huge (by British standards) caravan, both without issue.

largespiced1

4mo

They tow perfectly. Not sure what that comment is about. We regularly tow our caravan and have used various 4x4s throughout the years. It's up there with the best

TrippyVikkyArt

4mo

My local rover guys fuckin hate me so much lol

majestic_theatre

4mo

Thanks people! I took the risk and swapped. I’ll keep you all updated. So far so good.

Jay1940

4mo

Congratulations! I'm sure it will give you many enjoyable miles. Now as an LR owner you'll have a weird urge to turn off the road into the wilderness. This is normal. You'll also most likely want to randomly drink mead in front of a roaring open fire, chop wood, and "set up camp" all while you have a perfectly fine suburban dwelling. Also normal.

majestic_theatre

3mo

Update: so after a week my Freelander ended up on the back of a tow truck. Currently in garage. Might be fuel pump electrical fault. Lost power as driving and died.

Jay1940

2mo

Intrigued to know of any other updates after 2 months. Is it ok now that it has been serviced? Wishing you many trouble free miles! :)

Practical_Wrap6606

4mo

My LR2 had 92k and I paid 9k for it. 1 year later, and I have spent 12k in repairs. I would keep the golf!

EuphoricFly1044

4mo

The FL2 is probably one of the more reliable landrovers. I would do the deal ( but then as a FL2 owner I'm biased!!!)

worldlead3r

4mo

I've owned my 2014 LR2 petrol for almost two years and it has been perfect. Bought at 124k kms. Now at 150k kms. Having said that, the Golf and the LR2 are two completely different vehicles. If your just using it to get from point A to point B, or just simple shopping runs, the golf makes a better vehicle for that.

Mason_Caorunn

4mo

Keep the golf eBay is full of cheap high mileage Freelander 2s

If the Haldex hasn’t been changed around 80,000 ( with proof ) give it a miss or ask for more money off to cover the cost.

Ludo030

4mo

Keep the golf

Recent_Kaleidoscope9

4mo

microwaveexeeig

4mo

Keep the golf, freelander is not a good car

Livid-Style-7136

4mo

Had both cars and we’ve still got the Freelander. Great size and we take it green laning too.

TrippyVikkyArt

4mo

Depends what the work history looks like on the rover. Was the head gasket recently replaced? Have they kept up on oil changes? Hows the temp levels on it? Rock solid in the center? How does it sound? Look at and smell the oil on the dipstick. How does it feel over 60mph? Honestly id probably keep the vw. Both can be pricey but you got a lot more time on the vw. I wouldn't do A swap unless they also gave you 5k cash.

[deleted]

4mo

Careful what you wish for, you might just get it. The reliability factor on the Rover is not so good.

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