All,
I'm due to pick a new TD4 HSE Auto on the weekend.

I've spent hours reading this forum and what a nice helpful lot you are BUT, I'm getting pretty concerned about all of the Quality/Reliability problems I'm reading about . I can't be back to the dealer every couple of weeks as my life/job won't allow it (freelance, so no work=no pay). So far I've put down a deposit (and got a good deal I think). I've had newish Bavarian Saloon's for a good while now, and loved the FL2 when I drove it, much more than the other 4x4's I tried.

The plan is to keep this car for 3/4 years. Guess I'm just looking for re-assurance , tell me I won't regret this!

Thanks all!

freebo

Freebo,
You won't regret it (and you live not far from me).
Forums are great but they *always* seem to maximise problems with any car brand, just have a look through tyresmoke etc.
What you do get though are people who really like their cars and if theres anything wrong, no mater how small they want it sorted, and rightly so IMHO.
But you'll also find that the solutions to any problems are very quickly found. Most problems are software related and if Bill Gates can't get that right then I can cut LR some slack!

Joe

PS if your using Stratstone in Newcastle haggle hard. I got a good deal IMO but had to push it to the senior sales level. And if you are, PM me so you I can refer you, I get a free case of vino!  MY11 Fuji white Td4 150 GS straight up no mixer.

It is a fantastic vehicle.

Many of 'the problems' are not problems at all - it is us owners not reading all of the handbook!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you don't believe me, just look at some of the replies to the 'problems'.

Not only is it a fantastic vehicle, but it is really super to drive.

Freebo

Completely agree with joe1978's post.

Had the same feelings before my purchase like yourself. Marilyn (she's a platinum blonde ) has turned out to be a great car. The little niggles are really minor and easliy sorted. I got a better deal with Lloyd's at Carlisle which Stratstone at Newcastle couldn't match despite hard haggling. I recommend Lloyd's for their aftersales service as well.

Best of luck with your new purchase!

I collect vehicle reliability data. The Freelander2 / LR2 isn't included yet, because not enough are signed up.

But based on other models it is quite clear that forums can make problems seem much more common than they actually are.

Even your less reliable models average perhaps 1.5 repair trips per year. So far from every few weeks. truedelta.com
Vehicle reliability, fuel economy, and price comparison information

Don't worry about reliability, yes their has been a few! problems but the cars are quite reliant on technology and technology requires the occasional software update.

Most of the problems are small, little niggly things that you wouldn't expect on the car that cost as much as the FL2, but every other car i have ever had, has had one or two problems.

More people shout out about the problems than the ones who have had no problems at all.

I don't even think we shout, we just winge a little, some rightly some because we have this forum

The main thing is, I don't think anyone of us on here has regretted buying the car

Remember if the car even does have to go for something major such as a road side breakdown (never happened to me) landrover assistance WILL provide cars Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

freebo
I've done 9k+ miles in my HSE auto now...brilliant...no hiccups, belches or farts anywhere. Only thing wrong is that I have not yet sorted getting back into the car after 4 weeks away...I.F. fob doesn't work until reinserted (see tech entry Nov).
Agree with NSEddie - read the manual!
Also, it's not how "bad" is reliability, but how "good"!

Forums are a great resource for owners and the makers alike - one thing you can bet is that somewhere in the Land Rover Empire there is a corner where somebody is paid to monitor all the Freelander2 forums to see what problems are coming up - then when you go to your local dealer they will be genned up ( although judging by some dealers' reputations it is more likely that you will be better informed than the dealers techy guys!!!) but if you have a problem that they cannot deal with to your satisfaction owners forums are fantastic because if you use the "search" tool you often find that somebody else before you ahs had the same problem and has posted details of how it was fixed. The sister sites to this, www.RRSport.co.uk and www.Disco3.co.uk have now been running for 3 -4 years and have a fantastic Technical database between them for TDv6 owners - there are now 1609 members of RRSport and 3400 members of Disco3 to share experiences and with something like 250,000 posts on D3 a lot of experiences with the car too! How can carbon have a footprint, it has no feet?
Now driving - RRE Coupe Dynamic Lux Auto with Plus pack, Fuji White, Ebony, SD4 with tow pack
Gone - 2010MY FFRR TDv8 Stornoway and Ivory, Privacy - the pace of a TDv8 RRS, the incomparable grace of a Range Rover
Gone but will be missed- RRS Tdv8 HSE Stornoway Grey with Ebony Leather
Gone (only a little missed) RRS Tdv6 2.7SE Giverny Green/Aspen
Defender 90 County HT in Epsom Green

I agree with you Tim, but have you ever had to use LR Assistance in your neck of the woods?
If so, what was the response like?

Freebo your money is safe my friend.......I have 13K under my belt in a manual, and 6K (all miles) in my Sept 07 auto and never once have they left me at the road side...so reliability , stupid niggles.... but these were on my early manual and they always say expect issues with first batch release cars........my auto was supplied 9 months into the FL2 birth year and my issues to date are.......I keep smiling like a syncronized swimmer, but worse a trim plate unstuck itself and my rear n/side light lense has some condensation...........ohhh the shame!!!!! ohhh the pity!!!!!!!!! BUT OHHHHHHH!!!!! what a fantastic motor.

As other members have eluded to, most issues here are silly petty ones which 'niggle'. And do not forget there is what 500 + people registered out of 12K owners.........most of us who have registered have PASSION for cars, its just coincidence its the FL2.

You will not regret it, despite my first car I still loved it............

So all the way

Freebo,

Don't worry ... really!! Others have given most of the reassurances you were seeking. I see the forum problems as rather like the TV News ... we don't get many "isn't this perfect (no news)" stories. the negative experiences are so much more interesting to read!

My FL2 TD4 SE Auto is by far the best vehicle I have ever owned or driven!!!  Life is not a dress rehearsal!

I too was concerned about the reliability but have now clocked up 9000 trouble free miles (tell a lie, i did have the squeeky folding mirror syndrome for a couple of days but all it was was grit between the two faces and a wash down cured it so not really a problem) ~ i love driving my FL2, it reminds me that life is not too bad after all. Go for it and enjoy it.  GS with the Leather Pack ~ Zermatt Silver

chrisaviss wrote:

I agree with you Tim, but have you ever had to use LR Assistance in your neck of the woods?
If so, what was the response like?

Thanks all ,
I understand that all forums like this are bound to bring up problems, maybe out of proportion. It was the thread where loats of people who had non-starting problems as well as some who'd gone into limp mode (sounds wrong somehow ) that worried me most. Its really good to hear reports of folk who've had many trouble free miles.

I'll PM the two guys local to me (cheers) about which dealer to get servicing done, I'm buying from a dealer a long way off as they gave the best deal.

Thanks again!

freebo

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2008 TD4 HSE Auto Zermatt/Ebony/Pixel (in a few days)