I have always liked the look of the first model,OP's car a particularly nice one,how does the difference in the drive of the cars compare ?

There is no comparison. The FL2 is dynamically better in every area. Freelander 2 HSE Lux 2013MY - Barolo Black with Ivory Leather. Alpine DVD - Privacy -Evoque 20" Dynamic Wheels and more to come.........

The Fl1 was a cracker in its day, a trend setter but the Fl2 is a giant leap forward and more pleasing on the eye, though the Fl1 is still a handsome beast. 21MY Defender 90 S 3.0 D200

Freelander 1, worst car I have ever ever driven, complete pile of poo
Freelander 2, the car I owned the longest, awesomeness, although a little dated now

Freelander 1 was the most troublesome car i ever had... But also the one with the most character (3 door). A trendsetter in its day and so much fun.
Freelander 2 has lost some soul (no rear window, or removable top ) more boring.. But more reliable and mainstream.

I had an fl1 3dr petrol commercial, interior quality was way behind the 5 dr fl1's I sometimes got as courtesy cars, mainly because they were higher spec. mine had lots of squeaky plastic trim. nice enough to drive reasonable off road but little low (esp the exhaust). thinish/grippy tyres helped.
It always scrubbed tyres on tight tarmac turns, I always suspected the front rear viscious diff thing to be faulty

The oddest thing was that it really wasnt a high car open the bonnet and the engine was way down in a hole,

it had speakers in the rear but no holes drilled through the trim so the radio sounded like it was in the car next door


I kept it too long, abused it too much and the head gasket failed, bodged it up and got rid. px.

I once drove it with sunroof off and rear section removed, but it reminded me of Ken from barbies car, so I never did it again 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

Swmbo has a very late FL1 (July 2006), with the BMW TD4 engine, which has been absolutely faultless (Unlike my 2010 FL2 and her FL1 has done twice the mileage). However, the FL1 is quite plasticky and dated inside and the lack of seat height adjustment, in particular, ruled it out for me and I'm only 5ft 11. FL2 HSE Auto Galway Green
Evoque SD4 Auto Blue.
FL1 HSE TD4 Manual Black - Gone.
RR Classic V8 EFI - Gone

Only thing that really went wrong on my FL1 was that ruddy bmw engine...if only there was still the L series in. The bmw lump was expensive for new injectors at quite low mileage

I really love the FL1, I've had 3 KV6 (Gasoline) in Mexico and 2 TD4 Sport in Spain. Very distinctive car as you say with character the FL2 drive much better and this is my second one
When I see a FL1 I still smiling Definitely... I love Freelander! Yuri
(ARS) XE1UN, EA1HCZ

13 LR2 (FL2) HSE Lux SI4
Havana/Black
(Mexico)

08 LR2 (FL2) SE
Tambora/Black
(Mexico GONE)

05 DISCOVERY 3 G4 V8
Tangiers Orange/Black
(Spain)

13 RANGE ROVER SPORT HSE SDV6
Orkney Grey / Ebony (Black)
(Spain)

07 RANGE ROVER SPORT HSE TDV8
Java Black/Black
(Spain GONE)

02 DEFENDER 90 BLACK LE TD5
(Spain GONE)

09 VOLVO XC70 OCEAN RACE EDITION D5
Ocean Race Blue
(Spain)

richardk wrote:

Only thing that really went wrong on my FL1 was that ruddy bmw engine...if only there was still the L series in. The bmw lump was expensive for new injectors at quite low mileage

Annual breather filter changes keeps the TD4's turbo in good order! It was only in 2007 that BMW told Land Rover that they now do not recommended that the filter will last life of the engine and made it an annual service item as turbos on the BMW were popping  MY14 Kahn Converted Dynamic - Fuji White Ebony/Pimento Interior
MY15 Xenon Headlight Conversion

MY17 RRS SVR - Estoril Blue Cirrus/Ebony 🪣💺’s

The FL1 was a dreadful car, sorry, but it just was!

The QC was non existant and the 1.8 petrol engine blew head gaskets on a 6 monthly basis...................

Jim Gone - MY11, TD4 XS, Bali Blue

yes I forgot about the seat height thing, driving with your head jammed against the roof, made side visibility even worsethe A pilars seem huge when looking down at them 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

FL1 was a nice car but had no character and I was happy to give it back at the end of the lease. Outside spare wheel not a good idea - someone nicked mine one evening. FR2 a completely different and way improved car - so nice I've just bought another one.

chicken george wrote:

I once drove it with sunroof off and rear section removed, but it reminded me of Ken from barbies car, so I never did it again