Hi all,

Brand new to these forums and to the LR brand so Hi!

For years I've admired the FL2 and now I'm thinking about getting one to replace our Suzuki Grand Vitara which we're finding is a bit small for us now we have a baby due.

I'm after some advice on what I should buy. My budget is flexible but I'd probably prefer to buy 2nd hand to keep costs down, and as always spending less is nice!

So on to my questions:

1. Has anyone fitted a baby capsule to the FL2? Is there plent of room still for the front seats? Does the AU model have ISOFIX?
2. How does the boot go with a pram etc in it?
3. What model should I look at? I would like a diesel automatic with bluetooth phone, nav, towbar, roof rails and 17" wheels.
4. Is it worth going to the prettier MY11 version? Are there any differences other than cosmetics?
4. Anything I should watch out for or avoid?

Thanks for all help!

Others will be able to provide significant feedback but as someone who only just installed a baby seat in the car a couple of nights ago in my FL2 HSE MY2010 I can provide some advice.

We installed a Safe n'Sound Platinum AHR convertible seat, a very large convertible seat, and it does seriously compromise the front passenger seat knee room. I'm 6' tall and my knees almost touch the dash now. However, I consider it acceptable given that it will rest in the baby position for just a few months (my wife has plenty of knee room too). The rear center seat is also compromised given the width of our baby/child seat but not to the extent that it's unusable (again, the Platinum AHR seat is very wide). There are ISOFIX mounts fitted should regulations change to allow them in future. The boot is sufficient to fit a large pram (e.g. our Mountain Buggy Urban Jungle) but it does take up a considerable amount of the available space. We're planning on using a roof box when traveling.

Diesel offers far better economy but the petrol motor is strong and such models trade at a significant discount to the diesels on the second-hand market (at least they did six months ago when I was researching). A Hayman Reece Tow bar is around $900 fully fitted but it won't disable the rear park sensors automatically when a trailer is connected (you'll need the more expensive Land Rover bar/electrics for that or alternatively buy the genuine Land Rover electric loom separately).

MY11 diesel model offers significant improvements in fuel economy along with the cosmetic differences (some nice leather seating options!). There's also a high performance diesel option, the 'SD', which goes beautifully.

Over the last six months I've found it to be a great car and should fit the bill for a young family. Hope this info helps.

isofix seat in rear of fl2, plenty of room
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"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

I have the exact same child seat as AMc. My child is sitting in the 'normal' position. ie: Front facing and it's not a problem for us in the front with legroom. The only pain is, is that he tends to kick the passenger chair a lot. He sits in the middle and the space either side is limited and is only good for short journey for an adult... but this IS a wide chair mainly due to the airbags.

I bought a Maclaren Grand Tour LX buggy. BIG mistake as it wouldn't fit in my previous car (an Evo) hence why I bought the Landy. Even still, it takes up most of the boot space and I have to separate the chair from the frame each time. I now have a cheap push around if I need more boot space.

We don't have ISOFIX. It becomes legal as of next year. Instead we have to put up with using the seat beat and a strap with a hook that connects to the back seat.

Go with the best spec'ed model you can find. HSE being the best kitted out. Although my HSE doesn't have the Bluetooth module in place (I'm guessing it's an optional extra) but I believe you can just fit one in the boot area easily enough. The HSE's radio has a phone button on it, so all you would need is the module - not sure if the ECU would need programing to say it has BT module fitted (maybe someone else will know) .

The newer versions have better leather on the seats and, in diesel form, I understand it's a better engine. Apart from the slightly different cosmetic look on the outside, that's just about it.

17" wheels are nice, but if you plan on going off roading properly, then there's a bigger choice of tyre for this on 16"rims.

Others, like me, have put in a Sat Nav themselves. Often I hear that LR's Sat Nav is crap!

Welcome to the forum

Here's my twopenneth:

1: Avoid model years 2006 to 2008 as from what has been posted on here these do have some inherent build problems that unless already sorted you may well be faced with a large repair bill: steering rack, rear diff, Haldex, and others. Search the forum for details.

2: Both the manual and auto diesels are fine. The TD4 and now SD (more torque) are good units returning good mpg (for a 4x4) with the later Stop/Start models being most economical. Petrol models are not so frugal!

3: Trim levels vary a lot so have a good look around both across the model options and during the later model years 2009 to present. In our's the trim panels do have a habit of rattling - very irritating - trying to fix a rattle at the moment. On older models check the driver's seat entry side cushion for cracks. These have a history of splitting.

4: As already mentioned lsofix mounts are there, and a child seat fitted does slightly impact on the centre rear seat's width space. With two child seats fitted in the rear the centre seat squab becomes almost unusable i.e. very restricted. Having said that, we've carried our daughter (8yrs) and two adults in the back seats with no complaint from any of them on a long journey of a few hundred miles.

5: The front seats are comfy - 4,000kms back-roads trip to Spain across mountains presented no comfort problems for either front or rear passengers.

6: Load space is not generous, but, neither is the oppositions'. In the FL2 you need to pack the load area with some discipline if you are to get in there all the mother and daughter wish to take on a trip, and have some space for your own clean socks n underpants!

7: Finally reliability. Our MY2010 TD4-e "Newport" (Swiss Mkt only) manual after 45k kms has never dumped us at the side of the road awaiting the roadside assistance. We've had a few niggles, and sadly the quality of LR's Swiss dealership network in our region is not what I'd call "on-top-of-there-game". So I'd say that it is very important to seek out a very well recommended (experienced) LR specialist to service whatever model you choose. And, have the one you think you want to buy thoroughly checked over before you part with your money - and - get a warranty.

I wouldn't get the petrol. A friend in a dealership says that too many people complain they are too thirsty. I do not know anyone who doesn't love the diesel motor.

Again. We don't have ISOFIX in Australia.... yet!

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf...D100184FF3

I like my petrol model for it's shear grunt and I have no complaints here with use of fuel either. It's just when I come to sell it, it becomes an issue

Good luck with your quest orbitor and welcome to the forum.

Hey, Athelstan "on-top-of-there-game" not like you to cock up a spelling

taztastic wrote:

Hey, Athelstan "on-top-of-there-game" not like you to cock up a spelling

True - and I certainly was not focused there was I. Thank you.
I've had a tough morning with pedantic Swiss Customs over a few very small items

athelstan wrote:

True - and I certainly was not focused there was I. Thank you.
I've had a tough morning with pedantic Swiss Customs over a few very small packets of white powder

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At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

Thank you all for the advice.

I will reconsider the petrol model. I have a fuel card so don't pay for fuel anyway But my concern is resale - I wonder if in a few years what with rising fuel costs whether petrol SUVs will be as popular as a turd in a swimming pool.

chicken george: I've got a maxi cosi capsule too so that photo is very useful. I might go to the local dealer and chuck the capsule and pram in the car and see how I go!

I think I might try and stump up for a MY11. That gets the nice upgrades, avoids the earlier models which may have a few issues, and slips in with a little bit of warranty. Does Land Rover offer a manufacturer warranty on their 2nd hand cars? When I bought my other car (Audi S3), I noted Audi dealers offer 2 yrs full warranty on all used Audis regardless of their age.

Good to know what the towbar costs to retrofit, that lets me factor that in if comparing cars with or without it.

Are 17's not the smallest available wheel size? I thought these came with either 17's, 18's or 19's? I like the smaller wheel size for proper all-terrains. I intend to take this car offroad plenty! Nothing extreme but we love driving on fire trails etc in our Suzuki.

PS. Is it ok to admit I really love the Evoque too? Don't think I can stomach the price of one of them though

I think the petrol has 17" as its smallest wheel size due to the disks being larger. The diesel can use 16" but you have to find a compatible set in Aus.

I have an MY11 SD4 and they are a fantastic vehicle. My only complaint is that I don't get to drive it enough!
They are lovely to drive around town and on the highway, but luxurious offroad. They go places I never thought possible. The fuel economy (about 7.5 to 8.0 Klms/100 for me) is pretty good and better than many newer vehicles coming on to te market.

Hi Orbitor, A very quick skim of the Red Book guide shows that my 2009 SEi6 would trade for about $2000 less than the equivalent TD4; this is about the price premium for the diesel when new so it would seem there's not much real difference when trading. I've driven the 2011 SD4 diesel and was quite impressed, not quite as smooth or quiet as the petrol, particularly on start up and low speed running, but not a big draw back. It was more economical without a doubt, around 2 litres per 100 kms I would say, which is not to be sneezed at. However, I think the cleaner refilling and more refined running is worth the premium, but that is a personal view! I'm not sure whether servicing costs are higher for the diesel, but I try to ignore the detail costs of running any car otherwise I'd no doubt get upset. Whichever you choose you will be in for enjoyable motoring, particularly if you use it's off road abilities.
Cheers, Graham

I am fairly new to the LR brand (4 months now) and all i can say is I love it. I bought a MY11 TD4e so this is my first venture in to oil burners as well.

I test drove about everything in 40 -60k range and I can tell you this is the best engine / power train out there for usable power and fuel economy both on and off road. I'm getting 7.2 klms/100 around town with a mix of stop start and freeway driving.

The only complaints I have are the incar stereo is rubbish on the base model and the sat nav is cheap arsed $150 Garmin, it could of been a better model, so I suggest a high spec'd models if you want blue tooth etc and my last complaint is there is hardly any factory or third party accessories out the such as nudge /bull bars, head light and bonnet protectors etc... the usual stuff you need for country driving.

Apart from that a fantasitc car, best drive out there in it's price range.