Last weekend saw us take the van away for the first time with this Freelander. I was really looking forward to see how the Auto performed after 6 1/2 years with the manual. I wasn't disappointed, the manual was always good, but the Auto is just in another league when it comes to towing.

More refined, easier and just feels less stressful than the manual.

Matched to the SD4 is the perfect combination. My old car as you all know was a Bluefin equipped TD4 producing around 185bhp, and it transformed the TD4, but it was never as strong as what the SD4 is.

So a big from me!!

I wonder what it'll be like with 220bhp



Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated  Freelander 2 HSE Lux 2013MY - Barolo Black with Ivory Leather. Alpine DVD - Privacy -Evoque 20" Dynamic Wheels and more to come.........

Make sure CG doesn't forensically examine that photo for further clues as to your whereabouts.....he might start stalking ya!  Foraging near Gaydon....
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MY13 HSE Lux SD4, Baltic Blue - current, 30,000> miles without fault
MY12 HSE 2.2 SD4, Sumatra Black - gone after 10 months/43,000 fault-free miles

The thing that is really brilliant with the SD4 is the pick up when you want to overtake a 35-40mph'er on single track roads, you just floor it, it goes, seamless changes  my PC is slightly to the right of Genghis
2012 HSE SD4 In Orkney Grey now gone, best car ever.

Badger1970 wrote:

Make sure CG doesn't forensically examine that photo for further clues as to your whereabouts.....he might start stalking ya!

I have anti CG camera's on the county border. If he comes within 20 miles of my house, I'll know!  Freelander 2 HSE Lux 2013MY - Barolo Black with Ivory Leather. Alpine DVD - Privacy -Evoque 20" Dynamic Wheels and more to come.........

Dartman the one wrote:

The thing that is really brilliant with the SD4 is the pick up when you want to overtake a 35-40mph'er on single track roads, you just floor it, it goes, seamless changes

Have to agree. I changed from a manual to SD4 Auto and just normal driving is much better, but towing is a different league. So relaxed and smooth. Went to North Wales over Easter and it made easy work of the mountain pass just before Dolgellau. So easy to pull away and accelerate when needed. Averaged 27mpg which is about 2mpg short of the manual towing, so happy with that. At the moment could not see me ever going back to a manual box. 2011 XS SD4, Indus Silver (Getting to love it more and more)
2012 HSE Manual, Santorini Black (Loved it and did not want to let it go)
2011 Honda CRV EX IDTEC (Gone and never really loved)
2007 HONDA CRV CDT-I Exec (Gone and really missed)

A clutch in a car is like a starting handle. I used to need one; I know how to use one; but I don't want another! 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

Excellent, just bought a 2012 SD4 and am having a towbar fitted next week as we take our van away to S Wales. Looks like it will be a relaxing journey.

Really pleased you like the auto. It truly transforms the Freelander. I just wish I had chosen the auto from day 1 instead of living with the manual for 3 years. (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.

I know what you mean, the manual is an excellent car, and many don't like autos, but it is just fantastic.

If my old one was an auto, I would 100% still have it. Freelander 2 HSE Lux 2013MY - Barolo Black with Ivory Leather. Alpine DVD - Privacy -Evoque 20" Dynamic Wheels and more to come.........

I've been touring around Spain for the last two weeks with the 'van and it is brilliant. Speed limit with the 'van is 80kph but no one seems to obey it. 85 seems a good compromise and it does wonders for the fuel consumption, over 27mpg.

All the HGVs pass me on the flat but I can go up any hill and maintain 85kph, it just swaps down a gear and I go past the same HGVs  GONE - '07 TD4 GS manual Zermatt Silver
LONG GONE - '55 Norton Dominator 99 SS cafe racer

Well had a great journey too and from S Wales last week. The SD4 performed very well and far better than the old Disco. Gear changes very smooth and quick in normal auto - didn't feel the need to use sport or command shift at all.

Only two minor problems. On the way down we lost the rear number plate somewhere between Hopwood on the M42 and Sarn on the M4! Thanks to the Stratstone guys failing to use proper adhesive??? The police didn't know how to get a replacement without a V5 either - fortunately Halfords took pity on a holidaymaker.

Second prob was that the rear parking sensors didn't cut out in reverse which turned out to be a need for a software update of the ECU. (PCT Detachable with Vehicle Specific Kit by Right Connections)

Overall very pleased. SD4 Auto 2012 GS Stornoway Grey.
Previous: TD5 2.5 Landmark Auto 2004, Range Rover Classic 3.9 Auto 1991

the pics look awesome!! have to say I never really fancied auto transmissions until recently, very tempted for the next one, I'm not looking to tow but they certainly seem more appealing than they used to for me. Will be at least a year or two before I upgrade but will probably end up going with the 190bph SD4 instead of the manual.

also - are the auto clutches / flywheel a weakness with the auto like it sometimes is on the manual? (if they even have an auto clutch, I'm not sure exactly how an auto works, sorry)

And its a thumbs up from me, my MY14 SD4 met its tail end charlie last weekend for the first time, 1400kg, hardly knew it was there, overtaking response far superior to my previous TD4, not at all disappointed.  2014 Loire Blue. SD4 GS, Almond interior & Privacy Glass
Gone 57 plate Rimini red TD4 GS
Gone 55 plate silver FR1 TD4

could a mod close this thread please, it offends a minority of the forum 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