Hi All

My son will shortly be 21 and so is looking to replace the dull Eurobox with a proper Land Rover.

He will be able to afford a FL1 - wants the diesel, manual, 5 door.

But. what are the things I need to look for, i.e. when should the timing belt have been changed, any known age-related problems etc.

All replies gratefully received since we would rather look for the right one rather than the first pretty looking one.

Cheers

Luke

The TD4 has a timing chain.
Check all the prop shafts are in place.
Try reversing and turning, if it locks up or stalls its a sign that the viscus coupling may be on is way out.
Check all electrics especially the windows as the rear door window has to lower to enable the door to open.

Richard FL2 07 TD4 GS Auto
Ex 02 TD4 Auto

It depends what year you buy,early versions have a Rover engine which has a timing belt x2 later models have the BMW engine which has a chain.

The FL1 has a very simple fluid coupling in the middle of the propshaft to give it 4-wheel drive. If the fluid coupling seizes up, which it does eventually, it can cause nasty problems with the transfer box at the front. Many owners remove the propshaft altogether when this happens, so you just have a normal front-wheel drive car. I drove mine like that for a couple of years without further issues.

The test for the fluid coupling is to drive slowly on full left or right lock. If you can feel the rear wheels hopping and skipping then the coupling is seized.

as above.... viscous coupling (sits underneath in the middle of the front/rear prop shafts, about the size of a chunky dinner plate)
a seized or stiff coupling will have had an effect on the rear diff (you will get a clunk from the rear as you pull away as the seals/bearings will be worn) and possibly an effect on the IRD (Intermediate reduction drive) which is the power transfer unit at the front.

All 3 components MAY be affected if the viscous coupling has seized, Bell Engineering (Austen_FL2 on here) web site has a good guide to it all and can replace any transmission parts if needed.

Go for as late a model year as possible, as the drive ratios were changed in the last facelifted models to lessen the strain on the transmission.

Personally I would go for the Auto gearbox (5 speed Jatco box as fitted to Rover 75 and others) but check for slipping particularly in 3rd gear as the teeth wear down meaning new/recon box is needed.

Check all the windows including the rear window go up/down as they should and check for water ingress in the little boot box under the floor as this suggests the rear window seal is leaking. relatively easy fix with a new seal or just readjustment.

Great cars IMO, I had 2 3 door TD4 Auto's. I took the 1st one off road quite a bit and they are very good (just lacking in ground clearance)

I've very little to add to the excellent advice above.

SWIMBO has a manual 2006 TD4 (BMW engine with timing chain) and, touch wood, it has been fantastically reliable and is nudging 80,000 miles.

The most important thing to say though is that there is no seat height adjustment so make sure that you check this out if this will impact. FL2 HSE Auto Galway Green
Evoque SD4 Auto Blue.
FL1 HSE TD4 Manual Black - Gone.
RR Classic V8 EFI - Gone