Fair point Tigger, but a can of goo wont mend all punctures, if you clip a kerb and damaged the wall, or have a bad cut, or simply a blow out with out a spare your and possibly miles from anywhere, and it is bound to be some ungodly hour, you may not want or be confident to change it, but at least if you have a spare LRA can fit it.

Why change a tyre when LRA can do it for you,

my suits cost lots of money and I'm not risking brake dust and dirt on them when I have cover, if LRA won't come then I'll try my greenflag cover Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

All 4x4 should carry a spare! I could prob change my spare in less than 5 minutes and not get dirty! Always carry a rubber....... Gloves!

ad210358 wrote:

Fair point Tigger, but a can of goo wont mend all punctures, if you clip a kerb and damaged the wall, or have a bad cut, or simply a blow out with out a spare your and possibly miles from anywhere, and it is bound to be some ungodly hour, you may not want or be confident to change it, but at least if you have a spare LRA can fit it.

Most tyre places won't repair a tyre that has used the guuuuu stuff anyway, which is a temp repair! So your gonna have to buy a new tyre anyway!

GeorgeG wrote:

Triple7 wrote:

What budget are we talking of for the used HSE?

The SD is a great step forward, but not a leap. Go for an auto, although this uses more fuel. My avg. trip is showing 34.1MPG over the past 400 miles. I agree about leather, but it isn't that nice in the FL2, the lux leather of the facelift is good though. Go for the heated front screen and seats. Essential.

Jag/Land Rover have always got the ride sorted. My 18's are fab.

I love buying new cars, but depending on how new your budget will get you, the HSE is the way forward. Poverty spec cars are never that nice......I too think the grille on the facelift looks 'orrible.

The only extra's on the HSE are privacy glass, xenons.

Triple7, is your FL2 a pre-facelift. Your mpg looks pretty good- is that mixed driving, lond trips or what?

My budget is probably up to about 30k for the car i.e. my car + cash = 30k - not enough for a new HSE auto.

You say the ride is sorted, do you mean that the suspension setup is good enough to cope with 60 profile tyres or less without ruining the ride quality? In an eaarlier post I mentioned I had run a Volvo V70. The suspension setup was so bad that the ride on 55 profile tyres was terrible, and the tramlining was even worse. Ride quality is something I am somewhat obsessed with. Unfortunately the sort of test drives you get these days are not adequate to come to any useful conclusion as to how good the ride is on poor surfaces, and the road surfaces around here are POOR.

Triple7 wrote:

GeorgeG wrote:

Triple7 wrote:

What budget are we talking of for the used HSE?

The SD is a great step forward, but not a leap. Go for an auto, although this uses more fuel. My avg. trip is showing 34.1MPG over the past 400 miles. I agree about leather, but it isn't that nice in the FL2, the lux leather of the facelift is good though. Go for the heated front screen and seats. Essential.

Jag/Land Rover have always got the ride sorted. My 18's are fab.

I love buying new cars, but depending on how new your budget will get you, the HSE is the way forward. Poverty spec cars are never that nice......I too think the grille on the facelift looks 'orrible.

The only extra's on the HSE are privacy glass, xenons.

Triple7, is your FL2 a pre-facelift. Your mpg looks pretty good- is that mixed driving, lond trips or what?

My budget is probably up to about 30k for the car i.e. my car + cash = 30k - not enough for a new HSE auto.

You say the ride is sorted, do you mean that the suspension setup is good enough to cope with 60 profile tyres or less without ruining the ride quality? In an eaarlier post I mentioned I had run a Volvo V70. The suspension setup was so bad that the ride on 55 profile tyres was terrible, and the tramlining was even worse. Ride quality is something I am somewhat obsessed with. Unfortunately the sort of test drives you get these days are not adequate to come to any useful conclusion as to how good the ride is on poor surfaces, and the road surfaces around here are POOR.

Yes, I have the pre-facelift. Re: the ride, I have had LR's and Jags, most with with 20inch alloys and I wouldn't ever give the ride a second thought, it is always good with Jag/LR! Road noise is my bug bear and it is very quiet. The MPG is over mixed driving, not much town stuff mind you. Expect 36MPG on a m/way, 34 mixed, 30-32 or less stop-start traffic in town. The SD4 should be better.

Can I suggest you go for a new SD4 HSE? £21k deposit will secure you a new HSE. LR Finance will give you the other £15k for free over the next 2 years with their 0% APP. It is a great deal, you can put the leftover cash into the stockmarket and hopefully in 2 years you will have accrued the balance or give it back and get in a nearly new Evoque?

If you want an intro to my dealer, they have never been beaten on price and have very good access to stock within group.......

From the LR website...

Representative 0% APR Land Rover Advance Payment Plan

Pay 56% - 69% now, then after two years, either pay the balance outstanding or return the car to us.

Freelander SD4 HSE 11MY including Metallic Paint
On the Road Price inc Metallic Paint £36,810.00
Initial Payment £21,749.00
GMFV (Optional Final Payment) / Amount of Credit £15,061.00
Duration of Contract 24 Months
Total Amount Payable £36,810.00
Rate of Interest 0% Fixed 0% APR





Finance promotion applies to new vehicles first registered in the customer’s name between 1st April 2011 and 30th June 2011. Freelander eD4 HSE, TD4 HSE and SD4 HSE only. With Advance Payment Plan you have the option to return the vehicle and not pay the final payment, subject to the vehicle not having exceeded an agreed annual mileage (a charge of 12p per mile for exceeding 12,000 miles per annum in this example) and being in good condition. Total initial payment varies dependent on model and mileage, and is typically between 56% and 69%. Finance subject to status. Guarantees may be required. Participating dealers only. Terms and Conditions apply. Details correct at time of going to press and are subject to change without notice. Land Rover Finance, PO BOX 108, Leeds LS27 0WU.

Yeah, I know what you are saying regarding the balance in 2 years, but free money is free money & I have used the 0% APP twice now and it really is a no brainer. You get the balance as a GMFV which is also is great. It means you get a brand new HSE in your exact spec. You can put the remaining £9-10k you don't have to spend now, towards the balance in 2 years.

No my dealer isn't Salisbury, I go all the way to Stratstone in Slough, but I have a long relationship there. Ottons in Salisbury, now Westover are ok. They have quoted me twice and are quite competitive if you bargain hard, but it comes down to stock. Stratstone have access to a lot if cars..... 2010MY Freelander 2 HSE Auto
Santorini Black with Ebony Napoli Leather

I also took advantage of the 2yr APP offer when moving from a TD4 SE (Manual) to an SD4 HSE and was very happy with how things turned out. It doesn't stop you negotiating for a keen price and I'm very comfortable with the GFMV as after 2 years its less than I traded in my 3 1/2 year old 50,000 mile SE for.

I cant comment on the current TD4 model but comparing my TD4 manual (pre stop-start) with the current SD4 auto, my view is that the newer car is noticeable quicker (positively lively at times) and that the engine is quieter and generally more refined. Fuel consumption also seems slightly better.

The Manual vs Auto debate has been do to death but I've had both and think they work well so very much down to personal choice and circumstances. if you go for a TD4 you have a choice and if you go for an SD4 you don't. 2011 SD4 HSE Ipanema Sand
Gone but not forgotten - 2007 TD4 SE Izmir Blue

I had this decision to make 12 months ago.

I ended up getting a 3 year HSE for 50% of it's new price & I'm so happy with all the bells & whistles.

Heated seats/front window/washers are a must (especially with these winters we're having).

If I had your cash, I'd get a year old HSE.

Thanks everyone for all your replies - most helpful. I should have mentioned in my original post that I am only interested in an auto as I was converted over 20 years ago. I reverted to manual for a year and regretted it!

Still can't decide. One thought I've had is: can anyone say whether they think used prices have softened since the facelift model was introduced. Or maybe constant high demand will keep them high.

I like value for money, but sometimes it is better to bite the bullet and pay more for a vehicle that will hold its value. I know someone who bought Protons. When he replaced them he ended up keeping the old ones or giving them to family members because they were worthless, even at 2 years old.

Freelanders lose money, you won't ever get away from that. I don't think the facelift has affected used prices that much. The Evoque will have the bigger impact. I looked into trading my 1 year old HSE for the facelift, I was offered £27k for mine, plus £7k for the new SD4 HSE, but the facelift just didn't offer me anything over what I have aside a more punchy, quieter engine. So mine has lost £500/month so far...... with all the VAT & showroom tax to offset at the start.

If you want to lose less and spend more, you won't do better than a Range Rover Sport,they are still in huge demand. 2010MY Freelander 2 HSE Auto
Santorini Black with Ebony Napoli Leather

chrisuk wrote:

I had this decision to make 12 months ago.

I ended up getting a 3 year HSE for 50% of it's new price & I'm so happy with all the bells & whistles.

Heated seats/front window/washers are a must (especially with these winters we're having).

If I had your cash, I'd get a year old HSE.

I couldn't have put it better myself (although we don't have heated windscreens and seats in Oz)
So... HSE all way - end of!

Seriously, I'm so impressed with my 2nd hand 2.5 year old HSE Landy.
I saved so much instead of buying a new one, I took out 3 years extra warranty for piece of mind more than anything.

Whatever model you decide though Enjoy it mate

The tax man pays depreciation if you are self employed and use the car! Defenders are best for holding the value, I lost £10000 in two years(but the tax man absorb some of that meaning I only lost about £4000), sold it for £18500 with 96k on the clock!

Last edited by landy19840 on 11th May 2011 12:46 pm. Edited 1 time in total

landy19840 wrote:

The tax man pays depreciation if you are self employed and use the car! Defenders are best for holding the value, I lost £10000 in two years(but the tax man absorb some of that meaning I only lost about £4000), sold it for £185000 with 96k on the clock!

£185,000? You must be one helluva salesman!  Freelander 1 TD4 HSE - gone, 2 weeks after the Cat.Converter!
Freelander 2 TD4 SE Auto MY08 - Santorini black