Driving through snow and ice today, the old freelander will go where other more expensive 4x4 struggle ( driver skill excluded as i've witnessed some numpties who can't drive 4x4s).

It's been brilliant and flawless, thanks land rover (it's only had a viscous coupling, diff and a new engine ).

 

The Freelander is surprisingly capable. I had a day playing with one on the Land Rover Experience at Eastnor Castle. Ultimately it is not as capable as a Defender it is by no means a toy and a well driven one will see off most other 4x4's.

 

Since it started snowing I've used my wife's astra, it's awesome in the snow, I bought some ditchfinders for it last year which are terrible in anything other than snow.

Problem is I went to tax it before and the MOT ran out in September

Back to the BMW which is as much use in the snow as Ann Franks drum kit

 

The only weak point on the old Freeloader was the engine. Solved by fititng a different thermostat and replacing the head dowels.

Loving the Defender at this time of year, we have 8" of snow now and my (6 month pregnant) wife still drives out into town every day.

 

we have snow here

not that much though

nevertheless, sufficient to close Gatwick and most of the south coast's railway system...

I haven't driven the MINI in snow yet but I suspect it will be fine with its little tyres and fwd - we shall see

I thought Freelanders were one of the most unreliable cars on the planet

I KNOW most dealers won't touch them

 

The M5 is bloody useless in the snow.

Legacy - different matter.

 

04 onwards models had much better build quality. Older ones had some build quality issues but other than that and the well known head gasket problems they generally weren't as bad as their reputation made them out to be.

My wife had an 04 SE model for a couple of years and 25k miles.

The electric tailgate window had a mind of its own and wouldn't stay in the down position and i think it needed a new driveshaft gaiter (replaced under warranty) but other than that it was perfect.

Certainly more reliable than my S2000's have been on the engine front too!

I actually really liked it and enjoyed driving it. Though because of its reputation for poor quality you did feel a little relieved every time you completed a journey without it breaking in some way

 

I can't wait to get osme proper snow and get the landcruiser out in it again - last year and the year before it was cracking fun. Even towed a 911 out of a hedge with it on 2" of compacted snow

 

non PASM model?

 

Original Freeloaders were truly appalling, but that was because they couldn't afford any development testing. I'm sure there are riced S2000's here that have had as much spent on them!

It was a very clever thing to do to a Maestro van!