Hi everyone - first time poster here! We recently purchased a 2008 Freelander 2 HST TD4 Auto in February (Private Sale). The car has been a dream to drive and has covered 58,000 miles. However in the last fortnight the gearbox has proved erratic - most notably lurching as it changes through the early gears.

I made an appointment with Team Valley Land Rover (Gateshead) to have the issue checked today. However in between booking the appointment and attending the garage the condition has worsened. Most notably the car began loosing power (especially on gradients) then suddenly sprang back to life. When this happened the RPM would go through the roof - I can only describe it as a clutch slipping. In addition various warnings appeared including 'Transmission Fault' and 'Restricted Gears' plus a 'Triangle Hazard' and 'Engine' light.

I have been very happy with the quality provided by Team Valley Land Rover - they have previously carried out an MOT and Service on the vehicle. Unfortunately today they have advised after running various diagnostics and inspections the gearbox requires replacement. The bill for replacement is £3800 - which breaks down to approx £360 for labour, £250 for oil and the remainder in parts. This also includes a £1000 discount for my existing gearbox.

I genuinely trust the advisors at Team Valley Land Rover - but before I take the plunge and give them my approval to carry out the works, I just wondered what my options are? Can anyone recommend a gearbox specialist in the North of England, or advise another course of action? Whilst the car is drivable I fear it is deteriorating daily and will not survive many more journeys.

Thanks in advance for your advice!

Is it manual or Auto?

2008 TD4 HST Auto by the looks of it, as in the OP.

If that's what TVLR have said go with it, there has never been a bad word spoken on TVLR on here, everyone who uses them praises them, only wish they were near to me. p****d off with a Digital Keyboard Warrior

Agree regarding TVLR (my car's in there tomorrow!), but a specialist company might be able to repair the existing gearbox rather than replace the whole thing, and that may be cheaper. Unfortunately I know of no one to recommend.

An alternative might be to try to find a gearbox from a wreck in a scrapyard. You'll probably find that the same gearbox is used in other cars, so it might not even need to be from an FL2.

Sorry to hear about the Auto box problems TVLR are very good and I wouldn't let anybody touch my car,

I would look for a second hand box, but check with TVLR to see if it need coding in etc are plus well they will fit it !!! They cannot warranty any of the work on a second hand box of course £3800.00 is not cheap
All the best

is there any evidence of even a very small oil leak & that the oil level is just low to cause the surging ? doesn't have to drop much.

Landrover do seem to of had a weakness with there box with the early ones failing ! has it had full landrover service ?
may be worth tapping landrover for some goodwill ! if you got 40-50% it would help !

The strange thing is that Land Rover obviously have faith in there box now because the SD4 190 BHP is only available in the auto so obviously confident the box can take it !

When were there recalls/known issues with the auto boxes. 2008?

If it were me I would contact LR customer services and try get some assistance. 58k for a replacement auto box is not what I would call reasonable wear and tear. (Coming) 2016 RR Evoque td4 180 HSE Dynamc
(Going) 2013 TD4 GS Auto - Santorini Black with black leather. Cold Climate, UK Lighting & Armrest Packs. Privacy Glass. LR Rubber Mats. Full size spare.
60 000 miles averaging 35mpg

(Gone) 2010 TD4 Manual GS - Stornoway Grey. Sold at 3yrs old & 64k miles. Final average consumption 39.2mpg.

Bedtime reading

http://www.freel2.com/forum/topic8909.html p****d off with a Digital Keyboard Warrior