Hi

New to the forum and am looking for a bit of advice I suppose. I am thinking about a used Freelander 2 but am concerned about comments made by some former freelander owners about relability.

The one I'm interested in is a TD4 e GS on a 59 with 40k miles on the clock. It is a nice looking thing and I feel that with a full LR service history it should be sound. I've read a few posts though that suggest that it is a risk without a LR backed warranty.

Any thoughts?

Also, I currently drive an A4 avant turbo (petrol) Quattro, anybody reckon I will find life with the Freelander a bit boring?
Any comments about reliability and otherwise appreciated.

Cheers. E

forget freelander 1 stories, that cars are totally unrelated, fl2 has a pretty good record. 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

Going to a manual FL2 from your Audi, it would seem like a sloth. Never owned a manual one but drove some and 1st gear is crap. Reliability is an issue with regard to the clutch. Try to get a GS with the heated windscreen added because it is a godsend.

You would be well pleased if you could find an SD4 within budget 190bhp 310lb ft

That said, the lower powered auto would be more pleasing performance wise than the manual and (according to owners) even smoother shifts than the SD4 (the higher powered SD4 must affect the shifts).

Coming from a turbo petrol, the economy will be ok in the auto. The lack of 'sportiness' is compensated by commanding driving position and a ride that laughs at bumps etc. When the weather turns foul (snow for example) you will plough through no problem (especially with winter tyres - this winter will be my 1st winter with my newly purchased Avon Rangers but I am told the difference is noticeable).

Hope this helps  60 plate SD4 XS, Stornoway Grey, Arm rest pack

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ly--gT1RJdk

I came from a series of Merc's & BMW's - Love it would not go back to 'traditional' cars , indeed I hate driving wife's BMW cab seems so low and so unsafe !! 2011 XS,Sumatra Black, GONE MARCH 2014- RR Evoque Prestige 5 door ,MY 2014,Loire Blue, Silver Roof, Panoramic roof.
MY 2016 Disco Sport HSE Auto Scotia Grey,REJECTED
Mercedes E220D AMG line with air suspension(Gone)
DS 200 SE Dynamic my 21 (Gone)
DS 200 SE Dynamic my 22 (Gone)
Audi Q5 40TDI S line (gone)
Discovery Sport D200 S 2024 MY

Don't totally rule out a manual, I've owned 2 (one 160 bhp and one 150 bihp). I've had no issues with clutches on either of them and despite some comments 1st gear is not c**p, I've not had a problem with it in either of mine.
Both the TD4 and SD4 engines produce the same level of torque (420N at 1750 rpm).

Difference between engines is down to max top speed, TD4 112 and SD4 118, 0-60 times of TD4 manual 10.9, TD4 auto 10.5 and SD4 auto 8.7. Combined fuel consumption is TD4 manual 45.6, TD4 and SD4 auto 40.4 but you'll be lucky to achieve those figures in normal driving. CO2 emmisions are TD4 manual 165, TD4 and SD4 auto 185.

I drive an SD4 auto at work and a TD4 manual privately and to be honest both are great drives but on the road there is little noticeable difference between the two in terms of ride, handling and performance - other than the obvious one of getting from 0 - 60 that bit faster in the SD4.

In terms of reliability, I had an issue with a whine on the power steering on my 07 160 bhp manual which was a known fault on early models and was fixed under warranty. I sold that one at 36000 miles when I bought my 60 150 bhp manual which at 20000 miles has had no issues. First time I've bought the same car which says something about them.

You will see reports on here of people with issues with clutches and others with issues with auto gearboxes but they seem to be a minority, albeit quite a noisy one at times. If you're buying from a LR Dealer try and get him to give you a LR Experience voucher and go and talk to the instructors at your nearest centre, they will tell you all you want to know about the vehicle and any issues and you'll also get to see how good it is on and off road.

Yep, we're a noisy lot when your clutch fails

Wished I'd gone for a auto, clutch problems or not. Mines up to 43k miles and has behaved itself for the last 15k.
Previously, I had the steering pump whine, new aircon condensor ( both not under warrany, 700 quid but L/R donated 33%), and clutch/flywheel at 26k replaced under warranty.

You could say I'd be unhappy with such problems, but not so. I love the car.
But yes, iI can be expensive to run when out of warranty should owt go wrong.
It's something i'm prepared to put up with. Another member of the failed FL2 clutch/DMF club, twice.

Last edited by Pegleg on 2nd Oct 2012 12:16 am. Edited 1 time in total

Fantastic car, I'm driving my second Freelander 2 both manual cars. I've driven autos when my cars were in for service. I found them to be heavy on fuel and I found when the auto box went up and down the gears it was a bit ruff and not smooth. Perhaps it was my style of driving? good luck with your search. 2013 hse auto, black, almond leather, exnon lights, factory privacy glass, exhaust finisher, rear boot spoiler, mud flaps. Body door side moulding and steps.

Gone and fondly remembered
2012 XS (2013 up-grade LED lights front & rear)
2007 hse (2011 facelift)

Last edited by chalkey on 1st Oct 2012 10:17 pm. Edited 1 time in total

How do I put this politely?

JFDI

Whats JFDI ? 2013 hse auto, black, almond leather, exnon lights, factory privacy glass, exhaust finisher, rear boot spoiler, mud flaps. Body door side moulding and steps.

Gone and fondly remembered
2012 XS (2013 up-grade LED lights front & rear)
2007 hse (2011 facelift)

An acronym for Just Fuçking Do It...
Or maybe Just Focus and Do It, but I don't believe this was the intention...
Or politely said... Just Freakin' Do It.

Last edited by alex_pescaru on 1st Oct 2012 10:27 pm. Edited 2 times in total

Apologies if that sounds offensive :-/

If you buy a Fl2 you have to except it is not a hot-hatch. Ok you can drive them fast and fly around if you want. But in reality they are a great way of making every journey a relaxing affair, comfortably cruising along, relaxed in the knowledge that you're in a vehicle that will cope with everything that a journey could throw at you.

Good one, Freelander is the best car I,ve ever had so JFDI 2013 hse auto, black, almond leather, exnon lights, factory privacy glass, exhaust finisher, rear boot spoiler, mud flaps. Body door side moulding and steps.

Gone and fondly remembered
2012 XS (2013 up-grade LED lights front & rear)
2007 hse (2011 facelift)

Interesting. The one I've been considering is a manual. I've also seen a very nice looking 08 XS in Stornoway Grey with similar mileage for £13,000. Condition etc being equal, Is it worth paying the extra for the 59 plate? Did anything change in the interim period.

Also, what is mpg like? I've read so many different views. Sorry about all the questions but its the best way to find out these things. Cheers.

I drove up to Leicester today at a steady 65 and got 45 mpg. If I drive at 75 I get 38 and around town about 34... MY12 SD4

Previously had a manual and it was hard work. The SD4 auto box is smooth as silk and fun to drive fast or slow.

JFDI !!!  2012 DISCOVERY 4 GS AUTO ORKNEY GREY
2012 FREELANDER 2 SD4 GS AUTO BALTIC BLUE - GONE
2011 FREELANDER 2 TD4 GS MANUAL BALI BLUE - GONE

I had a RS4 Avant, then swapped to a 3 series touring 3L diesel (that had been DMS remapped to around 300bhp) before going to the FL2 auto. The Audi proved too bling/thirsty, the BMW often had traction problems in poor weather and I sometimes missed the sure footedness and high driving position of a 4x4 (we already had a D3) but the main motivation was to slow me down - the FL2 has definitely achieved that. Fair to say though that the jump was too much to start with and so one of the first things I did was to have it remapped. A couple of years on now and more than happy with the FL2 - my brain has adjusted to the lack of power and body roll, when measured against powerful estates. In fact, I cannot think of anything to swap it for at this time. It may well prove to be a car I hang onto for a good while, which is unusual for me.