Hi All,

I've had a search, but couldn't find a similar thread within the last few years.

I recently rejoined the forum after a long time away. Back in 2013, I bought a 2010 HSE TD4.E (manual), it lasted a year then was sold for an Audi TTS. Anyway, time has moved on, a few different motors since (all new) and we're in 2021.

I'm currently running around in an X3, which finishes its lease in a few months. Quite simnply, I can't order anything new that I like without delivery for at least 6 - 9months and equally, I'm not sure with the current climate, I want to have it on tick.

Therefore, I'm back at the point of, lets buy something outright and run it for a few years until the world calms down a little bit.

Having really enjoyed my old FL2 and it fits our lifestyle well, I though why not buy one again.

Budget is around £13k ish.

Ideally I'd want a HSE 2.2 SD4 Auto, but I have seen a few other options popping up, including Sport LE (?), Dynamic? Essentially as much "spec" for my money if possible.

Mileage wise, what is the consensus, I'd like as low as possible, but I imagine somewhere around the 70-90k mark is what's right for a 12/13 plate car?

What should I be looking out for on the FL2 of this age / mileage? Have I missed anything that's worth considering, or is a red flag? I noticed some have had a Cambelt done but thought this was really 150k or 9 years?

On a side note, I've seen a few for sale through Yate Car Sales. Does anyone have any experience with these guys. They're a bit of a treck for us from North Wales, but seem to have reasonable stock and claim to be a specialist?

Thanks in advance.

Will

Cambelt is 7 year interval now, reduced from 10.

Yates look to have some lovely examples but really top prices. It's quite amazing what late Fl2s are making still.

I bought my '14 GS nearly 4 years ago with just 17000 miles for £19k. Similar aged cars with 4x the mileage (albeit higher spec) are still making that. Landrover - turning owners into mechanics since 1948

2014 Orkney grey Freelander SD4 GS.
2004 Zambezi silver Discovery 2 Td5 (Gone)
1963 Surf blue Morris Mini Minor Super de Luxe (my little toy)

I think it's the challenge we're in now, with new car lead times as high as they are and manufacturers stopping production on some models due to shortages, decent quality second hand cars are increasing in value.

I don't mind paying top end, if I'm getting top end service/top end car.

Thanks for the advice on the cambelt. With that in mind, clearly becomes a negotiation point on any that haven't been done. Was it reduced from 10 to 7 due to failures?

Cheers,

no not failures, from what i understand cambelt or water pump failures on all FL2 are extremely rare..... but how lucky do you feel ?
the 7 year interval is mainly for the SD4 engines and belt with water pump etc should be around £500 all in at a garage give or take.
if you like your spec then you want MY13 onwards (late 62 plate - 64/15 plate)

the LE Sport is basically the earlier version of the Dynamic but with lower tech spec inside.

your budget should be able to get you what you want, i.e a decent spec 62 - 64 plate but avoid the GS spec as the stereo unit is basic.
HSE of those years gets you everything except Xenon and reversing camera as standard.

good luck hunting, prices are ridiculous at the moment for 2nd hand due to all the obvious reasons.

Thanks for your response.

Which year did they start fitting xenon's as standard? I see all of them have headlight washers, I assumed they had xenons (clearly I'm wrong).

The reversing camera doesn't overly bother me, although I appreciate it's handy.

I think the general consensus on this site, is that the MY 2013 onwards models have been by far the most reliable seemingly with most of the more common issues eliminated

Happy hunting Steve

Thanks Steve.

What's the easiest way to tell a MY13 car apart?

From what I've read on the SD4's its the shift of the drive select from the dial to the buttons?

Wooly wrote:

Thanks for your response.

Which year did they start fitting xenon's as standard? I see all of them have headlight washers, I assumed they had xenons (clearly I'm wrong).

The reversing camera doesn't overly bother me, although I appreciate it's handy.

Round double ring led tail lights and round indicator ring on rear lights. Landrover - turning owners into mechanics since 1948

2014 Orkney grey Freelander SD4 GS.
2004 Zambezi silver Discovery 2 Td5 (Gone)
1963 Surf blue Morris Mini Minor Super de Luxe (my little toy)

Wooly wrote:

Thanks Steve.

What's the easiest way to tell a MY13 car apart?

From what I've read on the SD4's its the shift of the drive select from the dial to the buttons?

Yes and changes to the dash are the easiest way of telling

Old Dash up to 2012

Click image to enlarge

New dash 2013 Onwards

Click image to enlarge

Looking at the prices, it seems a MY13 car is probably a bit out of budget unless going higher miles.

Personally I would not be afraid of higher miles - as long as it has a maintenance record. Low miles can mean lots of short journeys which is worse for the engine. My MY14 had 105K on when I bought it in Jan 2020 and has been problem free, replaced the timing belt/waterpump as it went past 7 years old but that was only £300

Thanks for the feedback @congoblue

A quick question on spec between HSE or Sport LE. I can't seem to find a breakdown of which came with what etc? I quite like the black and white centre seats in the Sport LE, but they're not a deal breaker etc.

Also on the spec question, with budget etc, would people suggest sticking to an older HSE say 2012, or go for a new 2013 (MY13 car) XS for example?

Another question, how easy are the side steps to remove? Personally I'm not a massive fan, yet quite a few seem to have them fitted?

Final quation for now. I've read up a bit about 10 year being a "big service". Can anyone let me know what this entails and what sort of cost would I be looking at? (ball park). Purely as if I;m looking at a 2011 car, it should have ideally had this done, but a 2012 would be coming up soon.

big service refers to cam belt etc.

ive just had all the below done at 8 years as there was no records of the belt being done, cost was just under £1000 but includes £135 for intercooler hose, £70 for underseal treatment and labour for a fault on the headlight washers.

https://www.freel2.com/gallery/albums/user...A0004.jpeg

RogB wrote:

no not failures, from what i understand cambelt or water pump failures on all FL2 are extremely rare..... but how lucky do you feel ?
the 7 year interval is mainly for the SD4 engines and belt with water pump etc should be around £500 all in at a garage give or take.
if you like your spec then you want MY13 onwards (late 62 plate - 64/15 plate)

the LE Sport is basically the earlier version of the Dynamic but with lower tech spec inside.

your budget should be able to get you what you want, i.e a decent spec 62 - 64 plate but avoid the GS spec as the stereo unit is basic.
HSE of those years gets you everything except Xenon and reversing camera as standard.

good luck hunting, prices are ridiculous at the moment for 2nd hand due to all the obvious reasons.

As an example of repair/service costs: - My 2014MY SD4 Metro is in for a 7-year service next week
, cam belt, tensioner and pulley - plus MOT - collected and re-delivered etc., all in price quoted (by local Indie) is £616 +VAT

Click image to enlarge

All the best with your planned return to a lovely FL2!  I've decided to stop being a good example and will now just be a terrible warning.....
2008 TD4HSE - gone but much loved.
2014MY SD4 Metropolis - very much loved.