landy19840 wrote:

tenet wrote:

The problems are mounting for diesel vehicles:

1. Expensive fuel
2. Clutch/DMF problems
3. DPF problems
4. Expensive service charges

So unless you are a very high mileage driver do you really need diesel as a fuel.

Perhaps the FL3 will be more aerodynamic with a petrol engine option similar to VW Tiguan. Their 2 litre TSI has good all round performance and economy figures - shame it is so ugly.

Get an i6, problem solved.

The Doctor wrote:

On that basis it does make you wonder about cars such as the Focus RS that puts 300bhp through the front wheels

Although I have read that it comes with lots of gizmos and heavy duty clutch and limited slip diff etc to help it cope. Also, something called Revo Knuckles

It works on mine!

It is torque limited in 1st gear and there seems to be no shortage of traction off the line, but the steering can get a bit lively when really letting rip! It's a odd feeling; there's definitely plenty of traction, but you have to really concentrate to keep it going in a straight line - it's not simple torque steer, as it wants to wander in either direction. Come to think of it, at maximum acceleration, the steering is a bit like my wife's old Lada 1200 when doing a steady 30 mph! I have taken it to Santapod to drag race it and the steering can remain lively, under very hard acceleration, up to around 100 mph!

The clutch feels just like the one in my old Volvo V70 (unsurprisingly, as it's the same item) and it hasn't aged in the 15,000 miles that I've put on the RS, in the same way that the clutch never aged on the V70's, even beyond 100,000 miles.

However, much as I love the Freelander, the clutch does feel as if it's been quite well used, even after only 19,500 miles & 6 1/2 months. It might go on and on, but I'd take a bet that it will need replacing before the car is 3 years old.