I am looking to buy my first freelander. I have £12000 to spend and I can't decide if I should buy a low mileage S or GS model with around 40000 miles on the clock or go for the higher spec SE or XS model with around 70000 miles on the clock for the same price. If I do buy one I will only buy with full dealers service history. What would you suggest

As you have seen the luxury models hold their value better! My GS has everything I need except for the better radio (which I would like to have) and Satnav (which I don't need - my cheap TomTom mod looks as good and probably works better). The value differential will not be so great when you sell it, so probably not worth going for the high mileage luxury model unless you really need the leather seats etc. The more gadgets you have, the more there is to go wrong.
Earlier basic models did not have Terrain Response or Cruise Control, both of which I felt worth buying the GS for. Another price variable is the auto/manual transmission question. Several threads about that on here but no definitive answer. I wanted an auto, but the manual was cheaper, and has turned out to be a very pleasant box to use.
Dealer will give you a warranty, but if thinking of buying LR extended warranty after first year, I think (from memory, could be wrong) there's a mileage cap of 100,000.

If it were me I'd go for a GS with as few miles on it as possible. The extra toys are nice to have, but not at the cost of higher mileage imo. Look out also for signs of possible abuse (towing or hard off-road use). For your budget you'll find there are very few autos around, and you'll pay a premium for those that are. Again, the auto is nice, but the premium is probably going to be too high. If you go for a manual, check for clutch slip around 2000 rpm.

Note, btw, that the earlier XSs do not have the satnav.

As ever, ymmv.

I wasn't sure if there was much difference between the S and the GS other than the TR is standard on the GS. The only reason I was looking at the higher spec models was purely for the higher spec radio as I had read that the lower spec radio wasn't that great. I had a quick scout around flea-bay for replacement head unit's and I didn't have much joy. As I will have to keep the car for 4 years I don't want to put up with a rubbish stereo. The rest of the gadgets I can live without. Me and the wife have the same driving position( No need for memory seats ) Sat navs are cheap enough to buy and fit. I find cloth seats more comfortable than leather and you don't burn you backside when summer comes to England for it's two days a year. Thanks for the advice.

parking sensors are handy though At work
At home

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

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

Low mileage GS every time. nothing dates faster than OE electronics in a car, In my humble opinion the only thing that is tacky in the GS is the steering wheel, if it wasn't my wifes car I would get a £300 carbon and leather job from e-bay. Stick a Parrot bluetooth kit in and if you like clothseats you have everything you want. nothing wrong with the radio it's better than the one in my beemer . 2009 GS Auto Zermatt Silver - Sold June 21 after 10 years of ownership

2016 Subaru Outback SE 2.0 diesel SE Premium Lineartronic Sold 2024 after 8 years and 80k miles . Best Car I ever owned !

2023 Toyota Hilux invincible X 2.8 Auto .

You may be lucky enough to find one with the extras you want. My GS has parking sensors. I recall from on here somewhere that the radio is a factory fit and not interchangeable - certainly the better one has extras like an amp in the boot. Some people are quite happy with the standard radio - I just don't like the tone for classical, but it's fine for speech. You can always have a listen on the test drive! It also doesn't have a CD multichange or (as far as I know) an i-pod input. There are threads on here telling you what faults to look for - do a search. I would agree that low mileage wins out over luxury. Clutch slip is mentioned above - only evident in fourth and fifth, so you need to test it on a fast road.

Could have had mine its going in as px on monday. only 22k miles full dealer service history. 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.

I'm not looking to buy until after xmas when my lease car go's back. The company I work for have doubled the price of the car scheme so after 15 years of owning Toyota's I am looking at buying my own car. I was looking at a 5 series BMW estate until I went on holiday to Australia and had a land cruiser for a month. I loved being able to go anywhere on or off road. We spent a few days off roading on Fraser island and I was hooked. Since we have been back I have been looking at what i can afford that will enable me to do the occasional off roading whilst being comfortable to live with for the rest of the time. I would love a land cruiser but not in my budget. I did start looking at rav4 and Mitsubishi outlander to start with but then a friend suggested the freelander. I hadn't even considered the FL as I always thought they were poorly made and unreliable. After reading online reviews and the many posts on this forum I am not even considering anything else. I can't wait for my car to go back and get my hands on a free lander and have some fun

Got mine second hand and now had 14 months,nowt gone wrong and it is the best of 5 LRs that ive had .

Lower mileage GS everytime - If you read through various posts re clutch and DMF issues DO NOT BUY if it is manual and has a tow bar fitted or you could be  MY 09 GS manual in Lago Grey, Wood Co arm rest and side bumper strips - now sold.

MY 15 SD4 SE Auto Orkney Grey with colour coded Bumper Door Mouldings

That said, mine is a manual with a towbar and no clutch slip yet in the 2+ years I've owned it (but it will start now I've said that won't it?). If you haven't driven a Freely yet it's worth buying a half day LR experience (think there might be one going in the for sale section?) to see what the car really can do.

tenet wrote:

Lower mileage GS everytime - If you read through various posts re clutch and DMF issues DO NOT BUY if it is manual and has a tow bar fitted or you could be

BossBob wrote:

tenet wrote:

Lower mileage GS everytime - If you read through various posts re clutch and DMF issues DO NOT BUY if it is manual and has a tow bar fitted or you could be

Not always true. The only wheels that have been attached to my tow bar are on the mountain bikes on the bike carrier that fits on the tow ball.

Ah, but do you want to take a chance. I've only used it as a bike rack is probably akin to "the cheques in the post", "of course I love you" and "I promise not to etc etc etc"  MY 09 GS manual in Lago Grey, Wood Co arm rest and side bumper strips - now sold.

MY 15 SD4 SE Auto Orkney Grey with colour coded Bumper Door Mouldings

sage advice  At work
At home

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

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race