As I briefly mentioned on another post, I am very impressed with the electronic handbrake on my new 13MY. It is just so convenient. You can really just forget about it, as it comes off automatically when you start to move, and comes on when you stop/switch off. Even if you do need to apply it on a hill, then what could be simpler than pressing a button.

I saw a reference on another thread suggesting the EPB was a bad move, but I can't see why. What am I missing?

Like you, it's the way to go rather than this angled stick with a press button on the end that gets in the way. It's a more efficient way of doing the same thing with less clutter in the cabin.

I agree they work well. My previous car, a Passat B6 had an EPB which worked really well. The -ve is the added complexity/maintenance issues. I don't know the LR detail, but the VW was challenging to work on DIY, really needing special kit, just to change the pads Not a lot can go wrong with a lever and cable! 10MY (Sept 09) TD4 HSE Auto in Stornoway Grey (Now Gone)

08 FL2 TD4 SE Manual in Rimini Red (Now Gone)

Is it fail safe? if it doesnt come on fully because somethings seized up like?
I can see a few cars going off down the road after the driver gets out and walks away.
I never trusted the handbrake completely and always left it in gear as well.

It's not exactly 'fail safe' as are HGV brakes for example, but neither was the mechanical system.

One of the ways in which it's an improvement is in exactly the circumstances you describe. If you got out of the car with the engine running, the EPB would activate if it wasn't already, preventing the car rolling away.

If you forgot to apply the old mechanical system it was tough luck.

My mates Range Rover had a seized handbrake a couple of weeks ago. Stuck on while on the motorway. That was an EPB. Don't know what the dealer said about it but the Land Rover Assist guy said he had seen a few that had stuck on. Black MY2013 SD4 GS Auto, Wood Company Armrest, Freel2 sticker.
Gone MY2010 Freelander 2 Manual TD4.e S, Alaska White.

Before I purchased my FL2 I was seriously considering a Discovery 3. Looking on the D3 site, one of the (many) common complaints with the D3 is the EPB. Bills of close to or over £1K were being talked about to repair these when they went seriously wrong. In fact, one of the D3's that I looked at with a view to buying had the EPB light on and it wasn't working. My Mum has a Scenic Megane with EPB. That's been nothing but trouble too and while it is currently working, the on-screen display keeps flashing up 'handbrake fault'! Past: FL2 TD4 HSE Auto
Evoque SD4 Dynamic Lux Auto
Present: Audi A3 S Line.

I read somewhere that the actuators can be upwards of £650 each per side as opposed to about £50 for the current mechanical system. Also, they require specilist kit and skills whereas the current mechanical system is an easy DIY. As such, all great when your car is under warranty or when it is all working but a potential costly nightmare when they get older. FL2 HSE Auto Galway Green
Evoque SD4 Auto Blue.
FL1 HSE TD4 Manual Black - Gone.
RR Classic V8 EFI - Gone

Good point and I suppose in years to come the cars will be scrapped because it needs a new handbrake module which is greater than the cars value?
I wonder how many would revert back to cable in that case, or if indeed you could? Would it fail an MOT if you replaced an electronic handbrake with cable one when its not supposed to have one?? or is a brake a brake?

Have a look at the EPB thread on the Disco 4 site - the link is at the bottom of the HOME page. A very shoddy piece of design that appears to be but hopefully LR have learnt something from that sh ttt storm. Lots of other car makers had problems with the EPB but seems that progress has been made. The EPB on the Evoque and the newest Freelanders seems to be fairing better.
If it works well then that is fine and it might even be better than the manual handbrake on the older Freelanders which as has been mentioned gets in the way a bit - however... what is the repair/replacement cost in comparison to a manual handbrake? I like to keep my cars a long time hence I would not fancy the repair bill when the EPB eventually goes wrong. So if I had the choice of EPB or manual, I would stick with the lower cost, simpler manual.
Robin

EPB on D3/D4 is a different design to the EPB in Freelander 2/Evoque. Not noticed any problems with EPB in Evoque and now Freelander even when vehicles used extensively off road. Also the EPB in latest D4 seems to be much more reliable than it used to be.

My new company car has EPB, and it took me a couple of days to get used to it , it also has hold assist which will put the hand brake on and off in traffic, very nice, but the thing i want to know is can I whack it on in a snow covered car park with the front wheels at full lock like i used to do in the beemer

By the way does anybody know what happens to these systems if one morning you have a flat battery, can you release the handbrake ? 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 .

Love the EPB on my audi, my wife finds it good for hill starts as it will automatically disengage when you hit the bite point on the clutch.

Our FL has the good old manual PB and she has tried to drive off with it still on as she's used to the EPB.

MartynB - there is a way to manually release the EPB if for any reason it doesn't release automatically, just can't remember exactly how in the Freelander, in the D4 etc there is a release cable under the cup holders.

IMHO it is just another electronic solenoid/actuator unit to go wrong at great expense to the unfortunate owner. I seems this is the way that most manufactures are going these days
I remain to be convinced of the advantages over the disadvantages.

Regards
Ben (GONE) FL2 2008 SE (manual) Santorini Black, the expensive one
(LEFT WITH) 300tdi Defender 90 the cold, reliable & sensible one