Hi all, new here. As I've just sold my T4 sycnros which I've been driving daily for 14 years as need/prefer a car these days. My top choice for replacement is a scout, I've started my research and taking my time to find the right one. 

 

Early days and I'm not much fussed stylistically over facelift or pre facelift but are there any real differences with the Scout? For example, am I right in saying the haldex is gen 2 and facelift is gen 4? and if so is that an issue? Anything else worth noting? Pros and cons.

 

I did fly around the search function so please forgive if this specific Q had been asked before.

 

TIA 

It’s a great car, I have the fl Scout, and I think that as you say haldex is gen4. Make sure that if you buy one the haldex filter has been replaced otherwise You may need a new haldex pump, a couple of hundred quid. If going for a diesel the fl will be a CR engine which is much quieter than the PD. CR engine is  subject to the emissions scandal so make sure it’s not had the software updated or just get it rolled back.

Good to know and thanks for the reply PaddyPaws. I'm quite happy to have a PD engine, we've racked up 160k+ miles in a MK5 Golf with the BKD engine, which I believe to ultimately the same, I've got to know my way around that reasonably well and it's till going strong. Either are going to be quieter than a T4 Syncro on AT Tyres for sure

 

Along side the Syncro at one point I impulsively bought a TT Quattro and replaced the haldex controller etc. 

 

The more I think about it the more it's going to be the right car for me. I'm leaning towards a pre fl but want to know other than haldex what's fundamentally different between them other than aesthetics?

 

 

FL Scouts also have the PD engine, mine being one. I think the change over was around August 2010, mine was built in June and delivered in July. 

 

Cambelt is every 4 years for cars built up to September 2010, and 5 years for those built from September onwards. It's worth getting the Waterpump changed at the same time

 

I posted a video in General Automotive section that explains Haldex Gen 1 - 5. Pre FL is Gen 2, FL is Gen 4. Cannot comment on pre FL, but Haldex Oil Change is every 3 years or 37,500 miles and is around £75.

 

For some bizarre reason there was a short lived pre FL/FL hybrid; pre FL exterior, FL interior. 

 

Options I really ******* wish I hadn't been talked out of purchasing by the salesman are xenon/bixenon headlights, maxidot and or MFSW with phone (Maxidot came as part of it). 

 

Proteus alloys are prone to delamination (I've had one set replaced, dealer refused to sanction replacements for the replacement set, I got them powder coated) , check rear tailgate at the crease above VRN as this is a known rust spot. I've had it resprayed once and it needs doing again. Front seat swabs can sag even at low mileage. 

 

Check droplinks and coil springs, my Scout eats them for breakfast. 

 

Having said all that, my Scout is the best car I've ever owned for its sheer adaptability and capability. 

Great reply Fin69, I'll be reading through the Haldex post soon. Yeah I've read about the hybrid somewhere but I'm not sure how to spot the later interior to be honest. I thought I saw a white one on ebay that fitted the bill but not sure as it is 2009. The heater controls looked different? Why I'm trying to word this out I don't know, when I could just link in the advert.. Autrotrader white Scout 2009

 

anyway that's about the money I want to spend, I don't have enough of a need for one to go newer or spend more. I'm quite used to looking after our cars of similar age so seems pointless splashing out, I think I still have Haldex spanner in the garage too

 

Actually, I'm off to watch the Haldex video, as sad as that sounds... Might determine if it's worth going FL ur no.

 

 

That does look odd with the bumper painted fully.

 

This is one of the crossovers with a prefacelift body with the facelift interior and electronics etc.

 

The heater controls, radio, instrument cluster and steering wheel were changed on the facelift.

Thanks softscoop, yeah it does look a little odd, not all the white looks the same in the photos Bonnet and rear bumper for instance.

 

Actually the one I meant to post was actually this one White Scout Ebay I hadn't set out looking at white ones but for some reason I'm drawn in. Though this one appears to have been sold.

 

 

Edited 12 February, 20197 yr by DanT4

Just a quick note to remind you that there is the standard 4x4 as well - that is pretty much the same car without the extra plastic bumpers etc. and slightly smaller wheels.  We've had one since 2007 and, as with others here, have found it a great piece of kit.

 

Also just beware that the 2.0 TDI is a BMM engine and not a BKD so it comes with a DPF.

Cheers Skomaz, good advise but I'd picked up on the dpf difference.

 

It's an alternative alright, but I like the extra plastic and am I right in saying metal undertray and protection etc? 

What I'm really keen to know regarding the face-lift. Other than aesthetics and the haldex generation, are there any fundamental differences that make a face-lift worth hunting down? Looks inside and out aren't putting me off the pre face-lift

Metal on the diesel, plastic on the 1.8TSi. The diesel also gets under bonnet soundproofing, whereas the patrol does not. 

 

The majority of the 180mm of ground clearance in the Scout is due to the larger sidewall of the tyres. 

 

I think the Autotrader Scout has had VRs bumpers fitted. 

5 minutes ago, DanT4 said:

Cheers Skomaz, good advise but I'd picked up on the dpf difference.

 

It's an alternative alright, but I like the extra plastic and am I right in saying metal undertray and protection etc? 

 

Depends - our 4x4 has the rough road package so has the metal sump guard etc.  Petrols don't get it for some reason and stick with plastic.

All good info guys, much appreciated. Thanks