Hello,

Been a member her for a while but not used the site much. I used to have a Freelander 1 Td4 Auto Adventurer on a 55 plate. Unfortunately it got written off in January during high winds when a large metal roof landed on it! Having been let down by it (again) on a trip to Scotland in the Nov and a £500 repair bill, I decided maybe it was time to go back to a car.

I bought a Ford fiesta Zetec-S. I lasted about 2 months without a Land Rover. This was partly because I help to run a scout campsite and a car really isn't practical. So, I bought a 51 plate Freelander Td4 GS Auto....and kept the fiesta too.

Recently I've been thinking running 2 cars for just one person perhaps isn't the most sensible idea. I've also been spending a bit of time in a friend's FL2 and thinking perhaps that is the answer to my current situation.

Having had a look, decent FL2 GS Td4 Autos have become more affordable, local dealer even had an 09 plate one in for less than £14k.

So, general thoughts please... Have you got a GS? Did the upholstery change for 09 cars onwards? Is there anything you miss on it spec wise? I'll def be getting a rear spolier for it.

I'm a Land Rover fan and very aware they're not the most reliable vehicles but the FL2 doesn't appear to have the numerous endemic problems that the 1 did. Unless anybody is going to tell me different?

Thanks for letting me ramble.

Dave

Hi there. GS spec is the best all rounder, no question. I had mine from new and for the price I paid, I could have bought a used XS or HSE but it was GS all the way for me.

The only thing missing that for me is a godsend to have, is heated windscreen. I opted for the cold climate pack which adds this and heated washer jets. Worth keeping an eye out for any GS's where the previous owner added the heated windscreen.

As for changes I cannot comment for definite as my first and current FL2 is a 2010 model but I believe there were some tweaks to the audio system. Mine is an Alpine system with a subwoofer in the boot and a bluetooth hands free system integrated. It is an excellent system with an AUX port and much better than the standard system I have listened to in courtesy FL2's which have mostly been 'S' models.

Some owners of cars with the LR in built sat nav have complained it isn't a patch on a TomTom for example so I certainly don't miss that. The seats are very comfortable and supportive and being cloth, there is no necessity for heated seats like I had in my old Fiesta ST which was full leather. Now that did need them! Dual zone climate control and cruise control has long been a standard GS feature I believe, as have power folding mirrors.

It has in my opinion, the best looking alloy wheels of the lot. Lovely and chunky and easy to clean, multi spoke one's are a pain as I know from previous cars.

In a nutshell, the GS has all the stuff you are realistically going to need and it gets a big thumbs up from What Car? as bringing the best balance to ownership.

One tip though, the standard headlight bulbs are crap. I upgraded to Halfords ultra brilliance +120% and the difference is amazing for the sake of £30. I also purchased some LED Xenon sidelight bulbs on Ebay because the new headlight bulbs made the sidelights look a horrible dingy yellow colour.

Hope this helps!  LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

Moved to 'general' section

I think your right looking at the auto, more reliable than the manual which has occasional clutch issues

There's threads covering this on here

Apparat from that I would say they are more reliable than the FL1, from what others say,

P.S, here's some recent scenic shots of my GS in Scotland : http://www.freel2.com/forum/topic12368.html LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

Thanks Doc!

I completely agree that the GS alloys are the best. I love heated front screens and was very disappointed my latest Ford hasn't got one when the previous version of the same model did.

I usually upgrade my headlights to Phillips BlueVision Ultra anyway so that's no problem

Thanks for moving the post to.

No problem my friend. Here is a link to those LED sidelights I mentioned. They look great: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-x-8-LED-501-T1...1606237765 LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

If you fancy a GS manual mine is up for sale soon to fund my new Evoque.see sig strip for details.  Freelander2 GS TD4 Manual in Lago Grey .Roof Mount DVD 9.2''Screen~Window Tints~Parrot CK3100 Bluetooth~Retro Fit Sony Satnav~iPhone Dashmount~Side Steps~Woodco Armrest~Mudflaps~Land Rover Sunglass Holder~LED Interior Lights~Private Plate.Evoque Collected 17th Sept 2012.


Also Audi TT Roadster.

Certainly not wanting to offend anybody, but I think GS models look rather run of the mill. I much prefer my HSE

darryloh wrote:

Certainly not wanting to offend anybody, but I think GS models look rather run of the mill. I much prefer my HSE

From the outside you can (if you wish) add bits so that they look no different. In any case, the HSE alloys aren't a patch on GS alloys IMO. Also, I wouldn't swap mine for a HSE at any stage. If I had more money I may look at Disco's or Rangies (wishful thinking) but when it comes to FL2's, it's GS all the way for me, hence I opted for a new GS rather than a used XS or HSE that I could have had for similar money.  LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

The Doctor wrote:

No problem my friend. Here is a link to those LED sidelights I mentioned. They look great: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-x-8-LED-501-T1...1606237765

TurboDan wrote:

The Doctor wrote:

No problem my friend. Here is a link to those LED sidelights I mentioned. They look great: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-x-8-LED-501-T1...1606237765

Doc -- I noticed these appear to be white LEDs. I'm thinking back to all of the times I've been in the UK and trying to remember if it's customary to have white sidelights. Anyway, here we have to have amber LED sidelights. Do you know if they sell any of those that will fit the FL2/LR2?

go for an se!!! When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car

I'm really not keen on SE wheels. Think it'll be a GS with spoiler added

The Doctor wrote:

darryloh wrote:

Certainly not wanting to offend anybody, but I think GS models look rather run of the mill. I much prefer my HSE

From the outside you can (if you wish) add bits so that they look no different. In any case, the HSE alloys aren't a patch on GS alloys IMO. Also, I wouldn't swap mine for a HSE at any stage. If I had more money I may look at Disco's or Rangies (wishful thinking) but when it comes to FL2's, it's GS all the way for me, hence I opted for a new GS rather than a used XS or HSE that I could have had for similar money.

Those GS wheels are really popular, there are always lots of them on EBay

Yes ad177609864536, some people feel too superior with GS wheels so they choose to flog them on ebay and buy something inferior so they don't look so good  LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey