Kingy

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Nick  Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

Hi Kingy, Im new on here and in exactly the same boat. Ive had the SEv HSE dilemma and still cant make my mind up.

If its any help Guy Salmon at Leeds are speccing up their used SE models with full leather in various colours, they are a great job and look better quality leather than standard. They have a rimini red 57 plate at the moment for 18k and 9k miles.

Im interested in the tow bar comments as too am a 'vannacarare'!!!

I'm hoping to have my private plate confirmed as on retention any day now - at which point I'll make a final decision on which vehicle to buy.

TBH the Landrover dealers I've spoken to have been shocking. If it weren't for the fact that I actually like the Freelander 2 I wouldn't waste my time with them or the brand. The latest one to contact me (from old records of when I bought our current F1) has told me I will not find an '07 F2 SE for £15,500. He said they are simply not available. When I explained that a quick national approved used car search on Landrover.co.uk turns several up he still said he doesnt believe it!
Why cold call me, find out I WANT to buy a Freelander within the next week and then argue about prices which are factual dealer prices?! Very off-putting and it worries me that if I'm being treated this way when looking to buy a vehicle for cash at screen advertised prices - what kind of hassle might I get if I have any problems?

By contrast the BMW dealer I visited has kept in touch with me (without being prompted) and has offered a deal on a car they have in stock which is below my intended budget and has warranty and a service plan.
After speaking to two longterm local X3 owners (no reliability issues and no problems at all with the ride) I'm tempted to go and test drive the X3 as I've spotted a few well specced ones at reasonably local BMW dealers that would fit the bill perfectly. Although its still likely we may go for a Freelander 2 - if we do it will be with no credit due to their dealers in any way.

The BMW dealer is working hard to get my business.
By contrast, two Landrover dealers thus far are making me work bloody hard to try and buy an F2 from them!

You could always try the site sponsor....Charles Hurst. ______________________
2011 Full Fat RR 4.4 TDV8
2012 FL2 SD4 Auto HSE
2013 Kawasaki Versys 650

Dave wrote:

You could always try the site sponsor....Charles Hurst.

I did check their webste/stock out but a bit far tbh. I'm after a more local dealer so I can drive the car I intend to buy (before I buy it) and sort out the accessories I want fitting.

I'm just a bit surprised at how hard the two Landrover dealers I've spoken to are making it. We run a family manufacturing business and if we were as unhelpful and blase as these dealers have been we would be out of business very quickly. (No chance of a tax payer hand out for us either! )

I tried 3 different dealers when I tried to buy my FL in Sept, and I found them all shocking. I was about to give up and go to VW when I happened upon Stratstones in Nottingham.

Give them a call and ask for Daniel Read, you won't find a more helpful chap.

Do you really want to drive an X3 and look a Cock? 58 HSE, auto, lago grey, tints. Mine and my dogs Storm and Sky
TT Quattro, black. Ers.
AC Cobra rep in build. Ars.

I have sympathy with you. Late last year I was looking for a newish FL 2 and was simply astonished that most LR dealers I approached just didnt appear to be taking my request seriously. I was quite clear what I wanted but they just didnt appear to want to make any effort to find me a car.

Only one dealer, Guy Salmon in Maidstone, appeared to want my business. After a month or so of looking they found the car I wanted at LR and needless to say I bought it.

Frankly I think most LR dealers need to sharpen up their act. On the LR website most can't even be bothered to put up actual pictures of the cars nor can they be bothered to ensure that they describe the cars properly vis mileage, gearbox, extras etc. I went to view a number of cars that had been misdescribed on matters such as privacy glass etc.

Lazy dealers will go the the wall. LR need to sort out their dealership network in my view as many don't help the brand IMHO.

Kingy wrote:

I'm hoping to have my private plate confirmed as on retention any day now - at which point I'll make a final decision on which vehicle to buy.

TBH the Landrover dealers I've spoken to have been shocking. If it weren't for the fact that I actually like the Freelander 2 I wouldn't waste my time with them or the brand. The latest one to contact me (from old records of when I bought our current F1) has told me I will not find an '07 F2 SE for £15,500. He said they are simply not available. When I explained that a quick national approved used car search on Landrover.co.uk turns several up he still said he doesnt believe it!
Why cold call me, find out I WANT to buy a Freelander within the next week and then argue about prices which are factual dealer prices?! Very off-putting and it worries me that if I'm being treated this way when looking to buy a vehicle for cash at screen advertised prices - what kind of hassle might I get if I have any problems?

By contrast the BMW dealer I visited has kept in touch with me (without being prompted) and has offered a deal on a car they have in stock which is below my intended budget and has warranty and a service plan.
After speaking to two longterm local X3 owners (no reliability issues and no problems at all with the ride) I'm tempted to go and test drive the X3 as I've spotted a few well specced ones at reasonably local BMW dealers that would fit the bill perfectly. Although its still likely we may go for a Freelander 2 - if we do it will be with no credit due to their dealers in any way.

The BMW dealer is working hard to get my business.
By contrast, two Landrover dealers thus far are making me work bloody hard to try and buy an F2 from them!

Stormsky - thanks for the heads up on Stratstones. I'll have a look at what vehicles thay are showing in stock. I've pencilled another Landy dealer in for a visit this weekend but if I get the same treatment I dont think I'll be bothering again.

Sanderling - Thanks for sharing your experiences. After reading that and Stormskys comments I feel a bit better as I was starting to wonder if it was me ... or if £15,500+ of cash is no longer enough money to be of interest to a car (Landrover) dealer!
Agree about the Landrover.co.uk (used vehicle) website too. Where dealers have taken the time its very good, but far too many vehicles are literally just a model and price. No pics, no additional info etc.

stormsky wrote:

Do you really want to drive an X3 and look a Cock?

The car is for my wife - hence looking at the smaller/ more feminine 4x4 models.
I guess that is the conundrum though - Would I prefer to be classed as a cock by Freelander owners or as a the only gay in the village by the Landrover community in its majority (who refer to the Freelander as GAYLANDER) on the odd time I drive the vehicle!

ashtons99 wrote:

Ive just got a 6 month old HSE with premium pack for 22k from Farnells at guisley which is only a few miles from you, give them a call. Up to now I can recommend them.

Thanks for the recommendation. I'll bear it in mind.

Check out the dealer i use which is Lakeland landrover at torver nr coniston all i can say is EXCELLENT all the way Never been a problem from day one
regards eskdale

Can't believe the hassle that you are having trying to find a decent dealer. If you were down in Kent I'd put you straight onto Barretts. I don't know what they have in stock at the moment but from experience they do know how to treat their customers!

John L wrote:

Can't believe the hassle that you are having trying to find a decent dealer. If you were down in Kent I'd put you straight onto Barretts. I don't know what they have in stock at the moment but from experience they do know how to treat their customers!

John -My thoughts exactly

Also, in my opinion, the difference between the SE and and HSE is not worth worrying about. In fact the whole range is identical, with the exception of additional toys and bigger wheels. My Dad's 'S' is great ,albeit it lacks the toys I've become accustomed to. The car is exactly the same. If it were me I would get the SE and wack some HSE wheels on it, because there's nothing the HSE has over the SE that I'd hanker after. If you don't have any luck with the site sponsor, then try Stratstones on the net as they have great deals and collect and deliver.

Above all - have fun chosing - great cars  Gone - TD4 XS Auto, Sumatra Black, Mud flaps and side strips, clear indicators, private plate, privacy glass

HSE looks a lot better inside! has a better looking stereo, speakers and more buttons. SE has to many empty holes and blanking plates.

If you can afford the HSE then its worth it.

Dorko

Only you can decide whether the following additions on the HSE over the SE are worth it to you:

18" wheels (as opposed to 17")
AC air quality sensing (no auto sensing on SE)
Carpet mats as standard
Puddle lamps
Memory and auto dipping exterior mirrors
Auto dimming interior mirror
Dolby ProLogic Alpine surround sound radio, 6 CD stack, 14 speakers (as opposed to Alpine std radio, single CD, with 9 speakers)
Full leather seats
Armrests
Memory function seats - 3 settings Chris