I have driven manual all my life so maybe I am partial but I enjoy doing something while I am driving.
Drive tested an autu GS and found it great, had to recogniise that auto have indeed gone a long way (faster sprint than the auto aso) but then the dealer honnestly recognised that the auto is actually doing abt 3+ liters more in town than in the handbook.
Work is really close the engine mostly does not warm up (unless I stroll around the long way) but I drve every day just for the joy andto be honnest on these very short runs I experienced abt 2 liters more than the hanbook but just going to the supermarket improoves the mpg.
LR says that if the clutch overehates a warning will appear (reduced traction I think) andyou have to wait untill it kools down. Manual or auto. Therefore I think that even the manual is not that fragile - after all the DEfenders are manual - and can be used qite well in off-roading whithout too much fear to burn the cluch and et stucked. After all it's supossed to be better than the FL1 and the FL1 was quite good.
As far as I remmember the cluch has also a three year warranty.
Instead of an auto maybe you might want othe extras. All depends on your budget and what you primerly need the car for.
Any option you will make will be the right one. FREELANDER 2 TD4 SE (XS UK) IZMIR BLUE SIDE STEPS COLD PACK BI-XENON TINTED WINDOWS - AND PROUD OF HER

Thankyou for your feedback, very interesting what you guys say. I think the manual would suit me (and my wallet) the best.

Went to collect my Stornoway grey in commercial version - specification "S" today - at least that was the plan.
I was eager to get it, of course. I had requested leather seats - in Alcantara to be fitted. Wanted to see it before getting it registered in my name. Seats looked great - they also did part of the insert in the doors (front).
Alas they did it all to the wrong spec - it was the base model ("E" here in Ireland). They had also fitted the towbar and the Parrot kit.
But they can keep it because I won't take it. I drive too much and want the extra's....
So deciding what you want to go for is one thing, getting it actually delivered another...!

crazy dealers! at least it arrived even if wrong, my Audi never did arrive even after a 6mth wait! turned out the dealer forgot to even order it , So here I am in an FL2 instead , all for the best  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

Fool on the Hill wrote:

Went to collect my Stornoway grey in commercial version - specification "S" today - at least that was the plan.
I was eager to get it, of course. I had requested leather seats - in Alcantara to be fitted. Wanted to see it before getting it registered in my name. Seats looked great - they also did part of the insert in the doors (front).
Alas they did it all to the wrong spec - it was the base model ("E" here in Ireland). They had also fitted the towbar and the Parrot kit.
But they can keep it because I won't take it. I drive too much and want the extra's....
So deciding what you want to go for is one thing, getting it actually delivered another...!

That's right, the "S" has as extra's:
17" alloys
remote steering controls
cruise control
climate control
trip computer
illuminated vanity mirror (!?)
rain sensor & auto lights on
fog lamps & powerwash
powerfold mirrors
Terrain Response

I went away without signing for anything - let alone paying- and confirmed in writing that I did not accept this one and that I don't want it registered in my name.
Next week the salesguy is back and we'll see how long it will take to get what I wanted... Scottish Mud Grey, commercial -no back seats, so loads of space.
S-version. Leather seats, power adjust.
No blingbling, but mud...

chicken george wrote:

crazy dealers! at least it arrived even if wrong, my Audi never did arrive even after a 6mth wait! turned out the dealer forgot to even order it , So here I am in an FL2 instead , all for the best

Now this cannat e true ? Or is it?
What kind of Audi did you think you ordered?
Drove a brand new A4 the other day and was not impressed at all.
Anyway Audi forum lost  FREELANDER 2 TD4 SE (XS UK) IZMIR BLUE SIDE STEPS COLD PACK BI-XENON TINTED WINDOWS - AND PROUD OF HER

Fool on the Hill wrote:

That's right, the "S" has as extra's:
17" alloys
remote steering controls
cruise control
climate control
trip computer
illuminated vanity mirror (!?)
rain sensor & auto lights on
fog lamps & powerwash
powerfold mirrors
Terrain Response

I went away without signing for anything - let alone paying- and confirmed in writing that I did not accept this one and that I don't want it registered in my name.
Next week the salesguy is back and we'll see how long it will take to get what I wanted...

About what LR is selling here as S as well.
You definately could not do without most of the differene. Maybe without the the 17 alloys only.
Auto climate is also so much better than the normal E air conditioning especially when driving a lot.
Auto lights on is the only thing I do not use as I preffer to drive with the lights on while out of town. It's not like I'll get a bigger electricity bill. Just makes me feel safer.
LR/dealer will eventually deliver  FREELANDER 2 TD4 SE (XS UK) IZMIR BLUE SIDE STEPS COLD PACK BI-XENON TINTED WINDOWS - AND PROUD OF HER

Update on the delivery of my Freelander...:
Dealer rang that they will get an "S" with leather (plus electric driver seat ) converted for me into a commercial version.
It was Landrover Ireland that made a clerical error and send down an "E" model originally. Because the sales guy was a week off, the dealer went for the leather seats conversion without realizing it was the wrong spec vehicle.
Salesguy has been very good, is really on my side.
More good news:
It will come in Scottish Mud grey, and not in Bling Bling Black.
Should have it within the next 2 weeks. I will have a look at it this afternoon, to make sure it's the correct one...
Just before the rain season starts here!

Fool on the Hill wrote:

Update on the delivery of my Freelander...:
Dealer rang that they will get an "S" with leather (plus electric driver seat ) converted for me into a commercial version.
It was Landrover Ireland that made a clerical error and send down an "E" model originally. Because the sales guy was a week off, the dealer went for the leather seats conversion without realizing it was the wrong spec vehicle.
Salesguy has been very good, is really on my side.
More good news:
It will come in Scottish Mud grey, and not in Bling Bling Black.
Should have it within the next 2 weeks. I will have a look at it this afternoon, to make sure it's the correct one...
Just before the rain season starts here!