Hi all,

New here so thought I would say hi and ask some questions/advice if that's ok?

Looking to buy a Freelander 2 and would like some advice on what to look for. I don't do huge mileage, up to 6000 per year. I have about £13000 to spend and would appreciate your help with model to go for? Anything to avoid?

Many thanks.

PS Never had a 4x4 before, usually BMW saloons.

Go for a top-spec HSE diesel with automatic transmission. Oh look, there's one here........................ Ours - 2008 Stornoway Grey HSE Auto
Tricia's - 2006 Royal Blue Beetle Cabriolet Auto
Mine - 2014 Vespa GTS 300 Super Sport Matt Black
Ours - 2007 White Bailey Pageant Champagne

Where?!

At your price point I'd say mileage, age and condition are more important than specification level. Look for the newest car with the lowest mileage and the best condition which meets your requirements and don't worry if it's not an HSE. The XS has an excellent spec, and the GS is pretty good too. Early S models don't have the terrain response system (although they're still very capable on and off road) so that's something to look out for if that concerns you.

To get a feel for what's around and what prices are like try to visit a LR dealer and browse their stock - even if you plan to buy privately it'll give you an idea of the differences between spec levels, etc.

There are a few threads on here asking similar questions so have a browse and you'll find lots of useful information concerning what to look for, what to look out for on the test drive, etc.

Everyone will have a different point of view I guess and on the day it might just be a matter of what comes up at the right price.

I bought my Freelander earlier this year (my first auto, 4x4, diesel car having also owned BMW in the past) and I narrowed my preferences to XS as the lowest spec (it had GPS and other nice touches like darkened rear windows, though I now think the LR GPS is a tad flaky!).

I wanted a caravan tug so auto box was the clear favourite.

I wanted a car after 2008 as I personally wasn't confident about earlier models having read much about the FL1 and earliest FL2's having pretty expensive and regular problems (there are plenty of folk who own these cars who will say they have never had a problem which is excellent but the "problem pages" tell a story I couldn't ignore).

I also wanted a car that had been serviced regularly, had a tow bar fitted if possible and with as low a mileage as I could find / afford.

Eventually I found the car that fitted and bought it (though I had to find another £500 than I had originally planned).

One thing I would say to anyone buying a LR is DON'T believe the MPG figures they put out, they are as accurate and as real as Father Xmas and the Easter Bunny. Some people here get amazing MPG but there are many like me who have to concentrate to get 32mpg and if you do a lot of short runs it will be in the 20's.

Good luck in your search and hope you find a good 'un.

Me wrote:

Where?!

I think he means his own

I always went for the GS model, it had all the basics as standard, powerfold mirrors, auto lights/wipers, front fogs, cruise control, terrain response, Bluetooth phone integration (09MY onwards I think)etc.

I find the LR approved used website is pretty good at showing what's out there.

The Fl2 has been around long enough now for you to get a good spec for your budget  21MY Defender 90 S 3.0 D200

Thanks for all the replies

I guess I need to work out what extras I require and ones I could do without.

Cruise control
Electric folding mirrors
Phone prep

All these are important.

Leather and sat nav I could do without really.

What about auto vs manual - any advice either way? Also as I would be doing low mileage what about dpf problems?

Again thanks for all your advice

I've recently bought a freelander and really wanted an xs or higher spec.
After looking for one in my price range and finding only high mileage ones I noticed I could get a good low mileage GS for the right money.
I have since retro fitted a sat nav, bought some mirror covers and booked her in for a full leather retrim.
With all this added to the price I paid for the car it still came in around £1000 less than an XS.
I'm just saying do it right find a good well looked after car and you can always upgrade the spec afterwards and save a few pennies.
Good luck with your search.

DPF standard on 11MY cars onwards, others it was an option.
I do short journeys/low mileage and never had a problem, I do take it for a long drive every now and then just to help keeps its tubes clean

Manual vs Auto - I like both, I've had both. If you backed me into a corner about it I would say auto, but it's really personal preference. 21MY Defender 90 S 3.0 D200

Me wrote:

Cruise control
Electric folding mirrors
Phone prep

Quote:

What about auto vs manual - any advice either way?

Phone on GS from 2009 onwards, my 2008 didn't have it. 21MY Defender 90 S 3.0 D200

SE spec also available up to 2009MY. These are almost the same spec as HSE, may be worth seeking one of them too?

Comes with all the features required plus panoramic roof and nav

I have a 2008 GS retro fitted with a Parrot phone system. Works perfectly. The car has not given me any real issues since I bought it in 2010 at 38k miles. Now done 65k. Good luck.

Having never owned a 4x4 previously, we just bought a manual 2010 model within your budget, high mileage admittedly, 72k - was a fleet car, mainly m'way miles, hence lower price - but we're not too bothered by that because we do low mileage so it'll average out over time.

It's a GS and it has cruise control, elec fold mirrors and phone prep. Also has rain sensing wipers, headlamp washers, steering wheel controls and terrain response system (including hill descent control).

Because it's a later model it has the _e engine: stop-start technology plus a couple of other eco bits like gear change advisory light. Economy is roughly 37mpg according to trip computer but we've not had it long enough for an accurate figure over time.

It's great, we love it. Cruises nicely on m'ways, handles rougher stuff brilliantly - Perthshire countryside can be muddy/leafy at this time of year - smooth over potholes, "like driving our sofa" says Mrs 5string!

We always prefer manuals, though I'm sure autos would also suit an engine this size.

Hope you find what you're looking for!

 Freelander 2 Td4_e GS, silver, 2010
(+ Fiesta 1.4 Zetec Climate 3dr, blue, 2007)

You might wish you'd opted for the electric folding mirrors after you've clattered em in in tight spot.. Dammed expensive to replace.  lucan400