Had the Freelander for 3 years now and was hoping to keep it another year or so but it's been playing up again recently, now the weather is hotting up. Spent the last few weeks debating what to get next. The Freelander was a good vehicle but too many niggles lately and couldn't see me buying another to keep for another 3-4 years, just not enough improvement with the MY12 update.

Eventually decided on a two year old Evoque Pure Tech but very disappointed with test drive, even with the 9 speed it didn't drive that much better than the Freelander. The 2.2 engine is old and rough and the 9 speed still had most of the lag that has irritated me with the 6 speed in the Freelander. Had expected there to be much more improvement. So back to square one.

Liked the look of the new Tiguan but it's only just out and the prices are way too high for what it is. Spec'd to my SD4 HSE level and it's around £40K with only the 150PS engine out atm. Went to see about the new BMW X1, very nice car but you sit down into it and driving position is more car like, seats were also quite narrow.

Well, I sat in the X3 just for comparison and it fitted like a glove. Thought it would be well out of my price range but apparently not. Did a deal for an M sport in Space Grey, only a few months old and with 2K on the clock. Very heavily discounted and full book price for my Freelander, it was a no brainer.

Inital impressions after a week: Fit and finish is in another league. Noise levels noticeably quieter, which I wasn't expecting and the engine and gearbox are a big improvement. The onboard tech is good and the iDrive much better than LR touch screen. You sit in a command driving position but not as high as the Freelander, visibility is good though the rear window is smaller (reversing camera help there). The biggest surprise was the ride quality, especially as it has 19" and sport suspension without the variable damping. Doesn't soak up the larger potholes as well but does a much better job than I was expecting. Mrs Frawdder has not complained so it must be OK

I ran BMW as company cars for 15 or 16 years. One weekend I left my 2 year old 120k mile 3 series diesel coupe at the dealers, and drove a 5 series test car. On Monday when I picked up the coupe, I thought it would feel like a bag of bolts . I was wrong it was still tight, smooth to drive . You will not go far wrong with a BMW. Make sure it is serviced properly and it will serve you well.  2009 GS Auto Zermatt Silver - Sold June 21 after 10 years of ownership

2016 Subaru Outback SE 2.0 diesel SE Premium Lineartronic Sold 2024 after 8 years and 80k miles . Best Car I ever owned !

2023 Toyota Hilux invincible X 2.8 Auto .

frawdder wrote:

Well, I sat in the X3 just for comparison and it fitted like a glove. Thought it would be well out of my price range but apparently not. Did a deal for an M sport in Space Grey, only a few months old and with 2K on the clock. Very heavily discounted and full book price for my Freelander, it was a no brainer.

Inital impressions after a week: Fit and finish is in another league. Noise levels noticeably quieter, which I wasn't expecting and the engine and gearbox are a big improvement. The onboard tech is good and the iDrive much better than LR touch screen. You sit in a command driving position but not as high as the Freelander, visibility is good though the rear window is smaller (reversing camera help there). The biggest surprise was the ride quality, especially as it has 19" and sport suspension without the variable damping. Doesn't soak up the larger potholes as well but does a much better job than I was expecting. Mrs Frawdder has not complained so it must be OK

I concur with everything you have said. Did you get the 20d or 30d?

I have been massively impressed with mine. The whole package just works so well and the driving experience is top drawer plus 10mpg improvement . I have to say that I cannot fault it.

Towed the caravan with mine the other week. Easily as good as the Freelander, tow hitch has more clearance so is easier to hitch up and the extra power of the 3L diesel is very welcome. Totally stable and smooth - very capable indeed. BMW X3 30d M Sport - Current (problem free)
2014 SD4 Auto HSE Lux - Gone (too many problems)
2012 TD4 Manual XS - Gone (too many problems)

@ MartynB - had a diesel coupe before, never put a foot wrong in just over 2 years ownership and cost a grand total of £270 (for service) in that time, unlike the LR. Like the Subaru's, good honest cars but the dealer network is poor up our way. You will enjoy yours.

@ Spatch - 20d. There are very few 30d's about and I was looking for the LCI. Cheapest ones were £5K extra, maybe next time. Can picture you with a permagrin

Spent a small fortune on new BMW cars over a decade buying several and got one so bad it had to be replaced after owning it for just 2 hours. Dealerships I found started treating you like you own a LADA as they became as common as a Ford, lost the plot when they started pre-registering them by the thousand and I would never buy one again.  FL2 MY10 TD4 GS traded in at 2 years
FL2 MY13 TD4 GS Current

A friend and colleague at work has been a serial BMW buyer for the last 20 years and swore by them. His last car was a 520d M Sport that he bought at 18 months old and he ran it to 90,000 and 4 1/2 years right up until about a month ago.

Unfortunately, at 90,000 its "lifetime" cam chain snapped and wrote the engine off. BMW UK couldn't have been any less helpful, even though the Internet is awash with reports of cam chains failing on 2.0d N47 Engined BMW's; apparently X3's are the most likely to break. There are even companies specialising in supplying refurbished "post cam chain failure" engines and a detailed report from BBC's Watchdog on the matter. Fortunately, the N47 engine was only inflicted on 2.0d BMW's between 2007 and 2012 ish, so I hope that yours won't be similarly affected.

Eventually, he sold the 520d for surprisingly little money to a company specialising in buying "problem cars". It was taken away on a flat bed lorry. Based on my experience of a series of FL2's and the D4 he's bought himself a 2.2d Jaguar XF and he's happy again.

I only raise this as I start to twitch, just a little,when I see phrases such as "Fit and finish is in another league"!

He has an LCI model so looks like he has the B47 engine. BMW X3 30d M Sport - Current (problem free)
2014 SD4 Auto HSE Lux - Gone (too many problems)
2012 TD4 Manual XS - Gone (too many problems)

It's the newer B47 engine, though it still has a chain with the same layout, they ran the N47 till the facelift for the 2015 model. I have done my homework and I'm comfortable with the engine. Ran the older N47 in my previous BMW. First I've heard/read that the X3 is more susceptible, a link would be appreciated.

I wouldn't say that the "Internet is awash" with reports though I don't think that engine is bullet proof. An awful lot of high miler's without issues and it's certainly not the 1st thing folk mention on the forums (especially X3 forums) when asked what the common problems are and what to look out for.

My niece had a BMW with the same engine at the same time as my last. I was worried when her timing chain snapped after 60K+ and under 5 years until I got a lift home with her boyfriend shortly after they had the new engine fitted and he scr*w'd the nut's off it from cold. That had a full service history also Does your friend know who owned his for the 1st 18 months and how they drove?

Good fit and finish doesn't mean it won't have other issues, especially mechanical ones. Check out the Evoque forums and you will understand what I mean by "Fit and finish is in another league", rattles/squeak's, poor fitting and poor quality materials, poor outdated technology, all on a premium vehicle. The Discovery Sport is just as bad if not worse and that's meant to be a vast improvement over the Freelander. One of the reasons I didn't plump for an Evoque.

My experience with LR has not been as good as yours. Don't get me wrong it's a good vehicle and I enjoyed owning it but it still had more issues than any vehicle I have owned for the last 20 years (in fact it's had more faults than them all put together) and it's sold on with only 38K and full service history.

Was wondering about a Subaru Outback as a possible replacement.....does anyone have any experience or views? What about the auto box, how is it? 2011 SD4 HSE Auto
(Previously 2007 TD4 XS Manual)

Just look at earlier posts, page 10 I think. MartyB has one and is well pleased. Certainly drove well for me on a test drive. MY 09 GS manual in Lago Grey, Wood Co arm rest and side bumper strips - now sold.

MY 15 SD4 SE Auto Orkney Grey with colour coded Bumper Door Mouldings

My brother has an Outback, 2.5 petrol, top spec (can't remember the designation). He loves it, and is perfectly happy with the CVT box. It's a nice car, although perhaps predictably I prefer the Freelander!

I've brought a brand new Freelander 2 a year ago after Disco Sport disappointment.
We have 2016 and I still can't see any reasonable alternative.
I'm going to visit Mercedes dealer to look at Mercedes GLC.
And I am waiting for Range Rover L560. MY2011 TD4 S Manual
MY2014 Si4 HSE Auto

D-Man wrote:

Was wondering about a Subaru Outback as a possible replacement.....does anyone have any experience or views? What about the auto box, how is it?

The auto box is just fine. The latest , 2015 on , models have the option of using the CVT " as is ", shifting down in auto mode using flappy paddles( for example if you wanted engine braking the CVT will select one of 7 pre-programmed points ) , or using full paddle control. If you venture off road it has an X - switch mode , which introduces HDC , although this is not a sophisticated as The Freelander, there is no speed control from the cruise, however you can use the paddle shift.

You get full time 60/40 all wheel drive, making it a great road car. Cornering with that layout , the low centre of gravity of the boxer diesel lump, and the Vector Braking system make it handle in a manner that the FL2 never could ( before I get flamed, that's my assumption after driving the same Dales roads in both )

With the CVT box you get Subaru's Eyesight system. Optical stereo cameras control adaptive cruise, lane departure warning, pre- collision warning, and pre collision brake assist. The adaptive cruise is great . There is also an electric handbrake and hill start assist, so as a package it's a very nice transmission. ( Google Ben Collins -" The Stig" tests Subaru Outback to see the system tested )

Around town it's seamless, just a constant push without the" change up "feel. If you drive it with a bit more spirit at first shove of the pedal the engine speed rises faster than you think it should, then the transmission catches up, but nothing drastic, it reminds me of slipping the clutch on my bike to get away quick. At 150 bhp the diesel is never going to be a missile but it has sufficient torque to make the progress that is sane in a car such size.

I'm getting around 40mpg from ( clock divided by brim to brim fill ) 40/40/20 urban/A road/ motorway and the trip analysis computer showing up to 47/50 on the motorway stretches. Subaru give a 5 year , 100,000 mile warranty on the transmission . In the USA they sell them in droves and don't offer the manual.

All in all I'd say it's a very pleasant thing to drive Get one out on test, Subaru dealers can be good, I used KT Green in Otley, they loaned me the car for 1/2 a day so I could have a decent , unaccompanied test . 2009 GS Auto Zermatt Silver - Sold June 21 after 10 years of ownership

2016 Subaru Outback SE 2.0 diesel SE Premium Lineartronic Sold 2024 after 8 years and 80k miles . Best Car I ever owned !

2023 Toyota Hilux invincible X 2.8 Auto .

Subaru 6 month servicing in the 21st century! Procrastination, mankind's greatest labour saving device!

Acoustic insulation ARB TPMS 3xARB air compressors After cooler Air tank On-board OCD pressure air/water cleaning Additional 50L fuel Carpet in doors ABE 2x1kg Waeco 28L modified fridge Battery 4x26ah Solar 120w Victron MPPT 100/20 DC-DC 18amps 175amp jumper plug Awning 6x255/60R18

MartynB...thanks very much for taking the time to write such a comprehensive summary.

Lightwater: what do you mean about 6 month servicing? 2011 SD4 HSE Auto
(Previously 2007 TD4 XS Manual)