Think you are missing the point, it wouldn't be too expensive for my wallet if it didn't keep going wrong, simples really. Don't see why I should fork out of my back pocket for someone else's design / reliability issues. Also don't see why FL2 owners should feel the need to part with large amounts of money for extended warranties as they don't trust their premium brand cars to get through a year without going wrong. Now I know that you will point me in the direction of a load of other forum posts somewhere saying they are rubbish, but my Audi cost the same as the FL2 and has given me 7 years completely trouble free motoring, now that's what I paid good money for. There's no rust on it either. If someone asked me to recommend the FL2, I'd have to say no. If someone asked me to recommend the A4, I'd say a resounding yes. Here's to another 7 years.

]Think you are missing the point. No
it wouldn't be too expensive for my wallet if it didn't keep going wrong, simples really. Get rid then
Don't see why I should fork out of my back pocket for someone else's design / reliability issues. You shouldn't, your right but with 250,000 sold and a few bad ones on here, I don't think the design is wrong.
Also don't see why FL2 owners should feel the need to part with large amounts of money for extended warranties as they don't trust their premium brand cars to get through a year without going wrong. All manufacturers have expensive extended warranties, isn't LR warranty 3 years?
Now I know that you will point me in the direction of a load of other forum posts somewhere saying they are rubbish, but my Audi cost the same as the FL2 and has given me 7 years completely trouble free motoring, I have had cars do that too, boring boxes that couldn't climb steps etc but ho hum, each to their own.
There's no rust on it either. , you just haven't found it
If someone asked me to recommend the FL2, I'd have to say no. If someone asked me to recommend the A4, I'd say a resounding yes. Here's to another 7 years. http://www.audiforums.com/forum/

Im unsure of the premium brand,ive had my Freelander for about 4 months now and ive had more problems with it than the 11 year old Toyota its replaced,out of the 2 the Toyota is the better car,just my oppinion but i say it as ive seen it.

Mines 15 months old and it'll pass through 50,000 miles within the next 2 days

I've driven around 35-40,000 miles a year, for very nearly 30 years and it's been one of the most reliable vehicles I've ever owned

You don't get reliablity by paying more.
In fact quite the opposite.
Statisically, the more complex a vehicle, the more to go wrong. 'Simples' as you might say.

If you want reliablity, get rid of your FL2 and get a solid flywheel petrol Ford Ka.
Might be a bit boring though.
But would save you a packet.
If you had the choice of a Casio 30 quid watch that kept time to a nanosecond every hundred years or a £100K Vacheron that lost 30 secs every day, which would you rather be in the position to own?

Exactly. Another member of the failed FL2 clutch/DMF club, twice.

Neither, I'd have a Doxa.

The other issue is all cars are prone to failure - some more than others.

I know if a bloke who had to have his Honda VTEC replaced under warranty, yet JC claims Honda have not had to replace a single engine. Another friend traded her Honda Civic in because the 2.2 diesel drank fuel and everything was twice as expensive to replace when worn (brakes, etc) compared with a Ford. My mates Audi spent ages in the dealer trying to rectify suspension problems - dealer accepted there was a problem but could not diagnose the cause. My mates LandCeuise had to have the transfer-box replaced.

Forums are a breeding ground for shouting about how bad a car is. But in most instances these are a small number of problems compared to the numbers working trouble free.

The clutch issue is misleading, nearly every modern diesel with a DMF has had problems. Same with the EGR valves.

When you drive the car with problems and spent every weekend at the dealer it is not funny and you lose patients with the brand/dealer. But in reality if you bought the identical car again you'd more than likely be ok. My last Freelander was sold at 14years old, still running. You still see quite a few Fl1s about and they STILL look good. I'm hoping my wife's Fl2 will be running in 10years and still look good. You can't say that of the cheap far-Eastern companies, you don't see many over 4years old about and they look dated, cheap and nasty. I guess that's what your premium pays for.

Only my ramblings - feel free to ignore
Harvey

My Audi was a nightmare - turbo failed on pont de Normandy, new clutch, new flywheel, new front suspension, auxiliary belt tensioner failed leaving me without power steering and the cd play broke - vowed id never have another Audi.

On the other hand I have a mk4 golf gt tdi - best car ever - fact! Never had a single problem in 80k miles and it went on to do twice that.

Landrover, despite some early teathing problems all sorted under warranty has been brilliant. Servicing is cheap (of you haggle) and I replaced the rear pads and disks for less than 70pounds

Horses for courses! Freelander 2 TD4 Auto, SE, Narvik Black, Alpaca full leather, Rear Headrest Entertainment System, 6 CD, 18 HSE Wheels, Privicy tints

My last car was German and cost £60,000 new. The drivers door would open in freezing conditions but then not close again. It was a common known problem. The solution? Turn on the heating drive for 5 minutes close door.

And thats what i did for 8 years....

And yes it needed repairs...and yes things were fixed on warranty....and yes sometimes the dealers needed persuading that things were covered on warranty...and yes at 8 years old a couple of stone chips were rusty!

Its called car ownership!  2011 Freelander 2 SD4 XS Santorini Black with privacy glass.

mojo wrote:

Neither, I'd have a Doxa.

Don't think you read my question properly.
I give up  Another member of the failed FL2 clutch/DMF club, twice.

Didn't read your question wrong. I wouldn't spend £100k on a watch that was out by 30 seconds a day as that kinda defeats the object. I also wouldn't buy a Casio coz they are rubbish. This is now becoming a pointless thread as there will always be differences of opinion over matters of reliability and quality. I have found my FL2 to be unreliable and to have been put together on a Friday afternoon. That is a fact regardless of anyone elses opinion. There are also many FL2s which have and will continue to give reliable service to there owners so good luck to you if you have one of these. I will be keeping mine as despite it's issues I still like it and I will continue to be a regular reader of LRO as I enjoy all things Land Rover. However, I won't be contributing to this forum anymore, so see you all and thanks to those who have provided me with useful advice and the occasional laugh. mojo.

Gave my second hand FL2 a wash and wax yesterday - it's first since I bought it 4 months ago. On going around the car I noticed small specks of rust on the roof panel. Most of them came off with waxing and the more persistent ones were rubbed down lightly with 400 grade wet'n'dry ( used dry) and waxed again.
What is more worrying is a line of rust showing under the rear window behind the rear passenger window, This will probably require removal of the glass to have a good look. Any one else has this issue?

Regarding rust spots under the bonnet I would have rubbed down to the metal, sprayed or painted over with galva-coat or similar zinc rich paint and then repainted with body colour. Series 2a 88 - 1962
Series 2a 88 - 1962 Military under restoration
Series 3 109 - 1984
Freelander 2 105 - 2008

mojo wrote:

I wouldn't spend £100k on a watch that was out by 30 seconds a day as that kinda defeats the object. I also wouldn't buy a Casio coz they are rubbish.

Ragtopmalti i would be worried about the rust under the window Freelanders dont seem prone to that kind of thing.

I will have a good look in the weekend - is the window very difficult to remove? Series 2a 88 - 1962
Series 2a 88 - 1962 Military under restoration
Series 3 109 - 1984
Freelander 2 105 - 2008