My first FL2 was a manual from new..., clutch burnt out twice in the first year, and juddered every time I pulled away.

Ended up swapping it and upgrading to an SD4 Auto. Never looked back.

I would be very cautious of buying manual. Especially with a tow bar. Price seems way too hight IMO.

A Dealer would sell you a car that had all the up to date servicing, and certainly this car would have its discs and pads changed before you took ownership. 2012 DISCOVERY 4 GS AUTO ORKNEY GREY
2012 FREELANDER 2 SD4 GS AUTO BALTIC BLUE - GONE
2011 FREELANDER 2 TD4 GS MANUAL BALI BLUE - GONE

If LR had not offered a manual gear change on the FL2 then I would not have bought a Freelander for my dear lady. Why, because I knew that sometimes I would have to drive it and I dislike autos. As has already been stated on this thread - some folks prefer to drive manuals.

Having said that I think that many premature clutch failures are down to very poor driving skills. Yes I know that's a controversial view to hold but so be it.

Her Ladyship's clutch and slave cylinder were replaced under warranty at 74k kms. It was the failure of the DMF that demanded their replacement and that unit was also included in the warranty repair. I am of the opinion that it was collateral damage caused by the failure of the DMF that necessitated the replacement of all the clutch components, and not a manufacturing faulty or a worn out clutch on its own. Her FL2 has never towed.

We live in the Swiss alps at 2,100ft a.s.l.. Lots of steep hairpin ascents and descents, plus regular rough dirt n gravel off road journeys she has to make to visit alpine farming families (some living permanently at 5,600ft a.s.l.) on emergency medical call-out duty come rain or shine, ice n snow. Lots of stop/starts. Using daily an auto box in that environment would have probably returned average mpg's between 15 to 18mpg, and an awful lot of gear box hunting. No thanks. In this neighbourhood and on this work duty we'll stick with a manual.

(As for brakes: rear discs,pads n shoes replaced at 74k kms - fronts were inspected only last week and both discs n pads reported as looking almost new)

I understand that some prefer manuals and there are varying reasons for this. Auto doesn't suit everyone, however I've been driving the same way for 27 years - some years over 40,000 miles so consider myself quite experienced and a good sympathetic driving style, and owned more that 20 cars in that time. Only 2 have been autos.

Out of the manuals, there was only one that burnt it's clutch out driving up a pavement. It was the one that markets itself as an off-road vehicle.... Go figure

It's pretty much fact if you read the stories on here that opinion is;
FL2 gearboxes are strong, but clutches are weak! 2012 DISCOVERY 4 GS AUTO ORKNEY GREY
2012 FREELANDER 2 SD4 GS AUTO BALTIC BLUE - GONE
2011 FREELANDER 2 TD4 GS MANUAL BALI BLUE - GONE

Does anyone have any answers to the OP's original question, it seems to have derailed and become it's own topic.
Would be helpful for him, in making his decision.

Don't buy it.
Too expensive.
Quickly scanning the web there could be better buys out there.
But which "figure" - blonde or brunette - manual or auto

Sorry Taz, that's why you are paid the big bucks!

parallax33 wrote:

Price seems way too high IMO.

A Dealer would sell you a car that had all the up to date servicing, and certainly this car would have its discs and pads changed before you took ownership.

 2012 DISCOVERY 4 GS AUTO ORKNEY GREY
2012 FREELANDER 2 SD4 GS AUTO BALTIC BLUE - GONE
2011 FREELANDER 2 TD4 GS MANUAL BALI BLUE - GONE

There can be quite a bit of flexibility when buying from a non-LR dealer - I paid almost 2K less than the sticker price for mine, from a Renault/Nissan dealer who didn't want such an expensive vehicle hanging around for a long time on the forecourt!

So, if you want that car set a price which is the maximum you want to pay and go and negotiate. Be prepared to be a bit flexible (in the end I paid a couple of hundred over my set maximum because the car was exactly what I was looking for and very low mileage). If you have a trade-in set a price for upgrade, rather than specifically for the new car, as that gives the dealer a bit more room for juggling his figures in some cases.

The sticker price does look a bit high, but if you like that particular car go and negotiate. Perhaps go armed with some alternatives to make it clear you've done your homework and are prepared to walk away. And, ultimately, do be prepared to walk away.

£12k Max. Foraging near Gaydon....
——————————————
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

Thanks everyone for all the feedback. I don't think there will ever be a right or wrong on the auto vs manual debate-both have their virtues! I listened to the advice and put in a realistic offer which they considered "cheeky" so I walked away. I am looking at two more tomorrow so fingers crossed. Having sold two FL2's previously, I can't help but think the gap between what we pay and what we receive in px has widened considerably on the older FL2's. Unfortunately I don't want a DPF so I am locked into pre 2009. The profit margins for the dealers must be huge! I viewed a private '08' XS today-auto with 47k on the clock. He paid £18000 for it 18 months ago. Had it up at £14k and then dropped it to £12k. Nice car but he wouldn't budge on price. Yet another car I walked away from!

Keep walking away, there is only one right car, you'll find it

pab wrote:

There can be quite a bit of flexibility when buying from a non-LR dealer

I wonder if there's any point in researching which versions sell best where. When I bought my black HSE MY13 SD4 here in East Anglia as an ex-demo they gave me a pretty good price. Looking at dates, the car was built in Feb, presumably sat in the showroom unbought until June, when they registered it, then sold to me in October with 5000 on the clock. By which time they must have been desperate to get rid! My (not very scientific) conclusion is that this model and colour don't sell well around here and the dealer made a mistake in ordering it. I suppose there may be similar unfashionable bargains around elsewhere. (It's a beautiful car btw - nicest I've ever owned). Ex AA Series III LWB Safari - Gone
300TDi Disco (bought new - terrible car) sent back after 18 months
Freelander 1 Estate - leased, given back at end of lease
200TDi Disco (bought from a mate with 100,000 on the clock) - Gone
Disco 2 TD5 - sold and exported to France
FR2 TD4 GS - Gone
FR2 SD4 HSE - Now changed for a DS
New model ex-demo Evoque S 180 in white
Unable to order a new DS, so gave up. Now have a Volvo S90 Recharge.

Past Master that has got to be one of the best Land Rover ownership histories on this forum-or any land rover forum-I think you should of got a discount on brand loyalty alone! I think you may be right about colour/spec vs area argument. The nicer, more exclusive areas tend to have more HSE Autos! I'm not suggesting Norfolk isn't nice (I spent four very happy years living in Norwich) but there is a much smaller population than say the north midlands where I live. I have used Hunters in Derby a fair bit (I bought my first FL2 from them) and find them a little more expensive than most dealers. The quality of their cars is good though! I am in the middle of wrestling with the colour choice at the moment. I viewed this yesterday;

http://usedcars.farmercarlisle.toyota.co.u...=se_gr_re_

Original owner was an Air-Vice Marshall! Great condition and good history. I am just not sure about green.

Have you used the 'negotiate' button on that link. Go for it! Past: FL2 TD4 HSE Auto
Evoque SD4 Dynamic Lux Auto
Present: Audi A3 S Line.

Labradorslave wrote:

Past Master that has got to be one of the best Land Rover ownership histories on this forum-or any land rover forum.