Advice please, for the last 15 years we have had Defender 90s but Defender theft is a fact of life up here and after the last one was nicked ( and 2 weeks later they tried to part out the neighbours 90 with an electric torque gun !) we have decide to stop lining the pikey's pockets and bought a 2009 Freelander. Now I know this is a different beast to the 90 but in snow bound Shibden where they don't even grit the roads an annual duty of the Landy was to tow my company 3 Series any distance from up the 30 degree drive to 400 yards up the hill, which despite being a nuisance was no big deal. we even brought the Beemer down the hill using the Landy as a rear 4WD anchor

Our Freelander is not fitted with a tow bar , so a question, is there any point front or back where it is safe to attach an eye bolt and tow strop to perform the same duty? and if it is possible is the Freelander up to the task ?

I know that the 90 in low box and dif-lock would pull the house down if necessary, but what can i expect from an automatic freelander with the Terrain Control on I don't want to go to the expense of fitting a tow bar if avoidable

Freelander 2 has recovery points at both the front and rear. At the launch event for Freelander 2 one was hung from a crane by the front recovery point - so shouldn't be a problem holding a BMW.

Freelander 2 auto in command shift 1st gear will give you pretty good low speed contol, Hill Descent Control will hold the speed at 3.7mph if you select the slowest speed using the - button on cruise control. Terrain response may or may not be a help but Gras,Gravel, Snow will remap the ECU to minimise the chance of wheel spin.

A lot will depend on what tyres you have and how much tread there is on them. There are plenty of threads relating to tyres on here should you wish to probe further.

At the rear is a recovery loop, this forged loop is fully welded to a substantial dedicated bracket bolted to the chassis by two 12mm bolts. More than capable of recovering the best part of two tons sunk to the belly pan in clinging mud

The LR detachable tow bar is held in by this bracket and a similar one on the other side, OK it's rated at 2000Kg as is the vehicle, but for low speed towing out of a ditch, then a fully laden VW transporter is no problem.

Like to see anyone nick an auto FL2 without the keys or a transporter and winch..... as long as it's not mine.

Can't remember what the front recovery loop is like, I currently have an intimate knowledge of the rear of my FL2 after some berk rammed it at speed  Tangiers Orange - gone, missing her
Replaced by Ewok what a mistake - now a happy Disco Sport owner

Cheers guys , I had not thought of using the command shift , to be honest i've only driven the car twice as it's my wifes baby. We are booked into the LandRover experience at Coniston Cold near Skipton next month so both of us can find out what the car can do and how to do it.

I'll miss the 90's absolute performance, but i'm dead impressed with the Freelander's civility and ease of driving.

Just got to get down to Machine Mart for some more tow strops now: they were in the Defender when it was was nicked