shilen
Member Since: 29 Feb 2008
Location: In the Middle
Posts: 1774
 
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| My FL2 Story Part 2 (at long last!) | |
Well here's part 2
With 5 months left on my lease I began to look at the options available for a likely replacement. The only other 2 options were either the Q5 or X3 but the Audi wouldn’t arrive until 3 months after when I needed it and the X3 was just about to be heavily revised so again I wouldn’t be able to get one in time. So happy with my current FL2 I thought the midlife facelift would warrant me having another – the only problem was colour, not much selection and got it down to silver or bali blue. I eventually tracked down a dealer who had a bali blue in stock for me to look at before I placed my order and they also had a silver one. I discounted the silver immediately and the bali blue was, well, different.
When I took delivery I was pleased with the exterior changes and the 19” wheels looked much better than the standard HSE 18”. I felt let down by the interior as it was no different to my last FL2 and considering the FL2 had been around for 6 years thought it justified a makeover inside as well as out. Opinion on the bali blue colour was mixed albeit bali blue was dropped about a month after I placed my order so they were and remain a rare sight on the roads which I thought was nice.
Two years of ownership and no problems however the third year has been anything but! In March I had the haldex unit replaced, in June a new rear diff oil pressure pump and repair to an engine bay oil leak, in September an auxiliary tension belt seized and then in October I had to have another new Haldex unit. To cap it off November it was in having work on the rear diff – for a vehicle that is less than 3 years old and 39000 miles this was very disappointing. Back in October I had to make a decision if to stick with LR or go with a Q5 or X3. I ruled the Q5 out quite quickly as it just looked ugly! I then got prices on an X3 and was surprised that even when I specced it to the hilt it was still within budget. The biggest shock was the quote I had to upgrade to a FL2 Dynamic – it was over £100 per month more than what I pay now which was ridiculous. Also although the FL2 has been treated to an internal facelift it still feels dated.
This was backed up by the courtesy that I recently had – it was a top of the range HSE Lux with just 100 miles on it so basically it is brand spanking new and after spending a day with it I have come to the conclusion that it isn’t worth the extra money and it many respects is heavily outdated and trailing the competition. Don’t get me wrong it is a good car but after having a FL2 for the past 6 years it doesn’t feel much different to my first and when I can get a more reliable car with an 8 speed auto, 50mpg economy, 9” satnav screen, internet, power tailgate, a proper sized sunroof with electric blind, adaptive xenons all for less money the writing was on the wall.
I have just had the FL2 serviced by an independent who has advised that there is an oil leak from the turbo – although it won’t be a trip to the stealer this time as we are parting company in just two weeks.. Now - 2017 BMW X3 M Sport Carbon Black
Gone - 2014 BMW X3 M Sport Space Grey, faultless!
Gone - 2011 Freelander 2 SD4 HSE Bali Blue with xenons
Gone - 2008 Freelander 2 TD4 HSE Rimini Red with bodykit
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27th Feb 2014 10:08 pm |
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