Hi mate welcome to S.O.C
From some of the freelander owners we have on here they sound's like you made a good choice. Non bias view :D
for the parts Might get lucky with some breakers yards or good old fleebay.
I always like to have a spare tyre personally after I managed to rip a nice size gash in the sidewall , so for me I'd rather have one than not. And happy to see you have been looking around the forums and finally joined up :)