I would guess most people now days who spend the amount of money that a ds costs don’t get their hands dirty on old motors. A lot of people nowadays have absolutely no interest in laying underneath a motor at the weekend, a lot don’t even own one and just rent one when they need one. Different world now.

Amen to that Justadriver. The last car I worked on was my MGB GT about 40 years ago. Had to replace the spring loaded slipper on the timing chain. Bruised and cut knuckles, soaking wet as not under cover on the drive and vowed never again. I now and have since, left it to the experts and in any case too old nowadays. 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

Agreed, we live in a different world.
Even when the FL2 was relatively new many of us would still stick our heads under the bonnet, possibly more Land Rover fans rather than Land Rover drivers.

These days they are "Prestige" vehicles and the drivers think more Gucci rather than workhorse - granted a very comfy workhorse. Not just LR drivers, most car owners are buying an image rather than a tool.

Maybe it's an age thing, when younger I bought old wrecks and put them back on the road, learning along the way - spent many hours climbing around scrap yards. These days do you see many people doing an engine swap in the street? No-one in the street complained as it was on my door they would be knocking when their car needed fettling. Tangiers Orange - gone, missing her
Replaced by Ewok what a mistake - now a happy Disco Sport owner

dorsetfreelander wrote:

OK so after 3 months and a couple of thousand miles I thought it worth reporting back on what I have learned so far about DS ownership as no doubt some FL2 owners will be making the same journey eventually. First of all I decided to go for the petrol ingenium version which hardly get mentioned in the forums compared with the oil dilution DPF issues on Diesels. Also a neighbour has a 68 plate petrol DS with 65k miles and no issues. The following are a set of notes.

1. The main Disco Sport problems reported seem to be with diesel DPF regeneration and timing chain issues which seem to occur mostly in the earlier models. The DPF problems result in oil dilution and this can cause wear on the balance shafts in early models as well as timing chain and tensioner wear. Some users of earlier models are getting messages to change the oil every 4/5k miles.

2. There was a problem with early engines with the timing chain tensioners which have been modified on later models.

3. Petrol engines were introduced in 2018 together with some mods to the diesels at the same time but I don’t know the details.

4. The MY20 saw a facelift to the DS but it was such a major change that it is affectively a different car. JLR changed the floorpan to enable it to support batteries for hybrids and in doing so hoped to sort out the DPF issues on diesels. I believe that they also changed the drive train and the electrical system.

5. The DPF problems stem from the pre MY20 cars using the Freelander chassis/floorpan. It was not possible to get the ingenium engine in and to place the DPF near to the engine where it would receive hot exhaust gases. They had to put it in a different position where the gases were cooler hence the need for lots of regens and adblue.

6. On MY20 onwards autos there is now a more conventional auto gear stick rather than the earlier knob that rises up when the engine starts.

7. Oil changes are 21,000 miles/2 years although conventional wisdom is to do it once a year regardless even on the petrol version and if you have DPF issues then a lot more than that.

8. I haven’t found anything about the drive train but it’s different to the FL2 and no one mentions Haldex or hydraulic steering fluid as it’s got electric steering.

9. My MY20 DS is a MHEV or mild hybrid. It works by replacing the conventional alternator with some sort of motor/alternator which charges up a 48v battery under the front passenger seat. This in turn charges the conventional 12v battery which I guess runs the lights and the usual stuff. I understand that there is a 12v starter motor but it is only used when the engine is cold, this also enables the car to start if the 48v system fails for some reason. When the engine is going it does stop/start via the belt on the motor/alternator.

10. When the engine starts it runs at 1500rpm for about 20 seconds then dies down to normal tickover and I assume that it’s charging the 48v system. Driving it feels like any other car but when pulling away the motor/alternator helps the engine using energy harvested from when you last slowed down or braked. I believe that it provides an extra 20hp. You can feel that the braking is different when it is doing this in normal traffic or going down a hill and it seems to have an effect on brake wear as at 27k miles there is hardly any sign of a lip on the discs (I haven’t had the wheels off yet to look at the pads)

11. Overall it is a joy to drive, its extremely quiet and smooth and no diesel engine clatter. The 9 speed auto is totally smooth and you don’t feel the gear changes. I thought that my FL2 XS auto was good but this is a definite step up in terms of interior and comfort, more like a Range Rover.

12. One final point, we need a Freel2.com equivalent for Disco Sports, either these cars don't break down as often or the owners are not very practical but I don't see requests or discussions about doing wheel bearings and stuff.

Well mine is a 69 plate MY20 P250 SE model Mk2 facelift DS but no idea of the spec of the lights or if they were standard equipment. They are definitely LED and seem OK to me and much better than my old 14 reg XS SD4 FL2 with the projector halogen lamps (H11?). Does this help?

Incidentally just got back from a 220 mile run to Heathrow up the M3 and A31 and back and computer says 37mpg



 3 x FL1 2 manual + 1 auto
5 x FL2 4 manual + 1 auto
Now Discovery Sport P250 MHEV SE

Thanks for reply.

Better than facelift FL2 halogen is a pretty low bar !
Looks like your DS2 has LED Premium.
The label on top of the headlamp unit will tell you - can't quite read it all in your photo.
I think
LOW is basic LED
MED is LED Premium
HIGH is Matrix LED. FL2 SD4 XS 2013 Orkney Grey

So presumably I have premium LEDs

Click image to enlarge

out of interest what does scanning the QR code give you ? might give you full specs if your lucky

Having taken the front wheel off and wheel arch cover I can now see why I am losing washbottle fluid. Can anyone point me at a source for connectors like this? It's actually on a DS but you FL2 guys tend to be a bit more practical.

Thanks



 3 x FL1 2 manual + 1 auto
5 x FL2 4 manual + 1 auto
Now Discovery Sport P250 MHEV SE

They are a standard connector, they come in T,Y Rt angle and 4 way all you need is the hose diameter and Google search. my PC is slightly to the right of Genghis
2012 HSE SD4 In Orkney Grey now gone, best car ever.

Well I have had my DS for just over a year now and I thought that a report might be useful to anyone else thinking of going on this journey from an FL2.
1. First of all, apart from the leakage in the washer pipe the car has been trouble free although at 32k miles you wouldn't perhaps expect much to go wrong. However I have taken out the extended warranty plus LR Assist for £1200 which is a bit of a hit but these cars are very complex so paying for peace of mind perhaps.
2. Only done about 6k miles this year but replaced original Pirelli tyres on the front, they were down to about 4mm (and not droning) but showing signs of perishing and a few cuts on the outside. Hardly any wear showing on brake pads as it's a mild hybrid so does a lot of dynamic braking.
3. I am on a couple of forums plus the facebook page and the most reported problems are with the 2.0 diesel Ingenium DPF system and subsequent timing chain failure caused largely by oil dilution. Advice is change your oil every 6k miles or once a year rather than the 2 year/20k specified by JLR. The forums have lots of stories of people buying privately and seeing the DPF light come on after a few days so beware.
4. Later 2.0 diesels seem to be better with a redesigned timing chain. They also benefit from the facelift (69 plate onwards) new floorpan which enabled the DPF to be placed nearer the engine but stories still abound of the DPF regen cycles and need for regular long trips although to be honest this is also true of other manufacturers with Eu6 diesels.
4. Surprisingly there are very few mentions of wheel bearing or diff problems or the sort of mechanical stuff on Freel2.com but more about issues with the infotainment system and subtle software issues. Perhaps DS owners don't do diy.
5. The petrol version and early 2.2 diesels never get a mention in the forums which tells you everything really.
6. I changed the oil (0W-20) by sucking it out via the dipstick, oil filter is a doddle as it's on top of the engine, just unscrew the cap and out it comes with no oil loss. Air filter similar to FL2.
7. The petrol version is so quiet that I can't tell if the stop start is working without looking at the rev counter and very smooth. Overall I am getting overall about 34mpg. Still finding things out about the car like it's got a tilt meter, compass, altimeter and you can continuously display the 4 wheel drive system and see how much power to each axle etc. Ideal for a Chelsea tractor! 3 x FL1 2 manual + 1 auto
5 x FL2 4 manual + 1 auto
Now Discovery Sport P250 MHEV SE

Hope no one minds my posting on here as I’ve been gone a while but thought I might add my tuppence-worth to the post-Freelander movement.
We had a lovely 2013 Freelander which was affected when Khan expanded the London ULEZ. Costed up what it would mean paying the charge every time we went out compared with replacing the car and decided in the end to trade in for a Skoda Karoq. That was good for just over a year, initially hated the 19in wheels until we moved to Michelin CrossClimates which sorted out the ride, but over time I was getting lower back pains on any journey over an hour. Looked around local JLR dealership for a Jaguar E or F Pace but nothing doing in petrol at any dealerships in the country in our price bracket. Then spotted the dealer had taken in a 68plate Velar as a p/ex - P300 R-Dynamic HSE, 2 litre petrol 300bhp 4wd. Problem within the first week when error message popped up, LR Assistance came out and diagnosed a faulty wheel sensor affecting ABS, hill descent, traction control and all such related items so you can imagine the dash-lights resembled a Christmas tree. LRA also spotted the water pump was leaking. Back under warranty, off road for a week but all sorted and after I kicked up a stink a second years warranty was added 👍 Apart from that it’s proved to be a great car - loaded with a helluva lot of stuff, wonderful to drive, comfortable and aesthetically pleasing. Local runs returning mid-20s mpg, motorways giving us around 30mpg which I’m happy with
Given a complimentary LR experience by the dealers which we booked at their West Country site a few weeks ago. Needless to say used their Velar, a mild hybrid but was left in awe at what I could be able to do in ours should the occasions arise - water, mud, gravel, rocks, freewheeling hill descents . . .Until then I’d always looked upon the Velar as a prestige SUV and although it clearly doesn’t compare with the more utilitarian RRs such as the Defender and Discovery it’s certainly proved an eye-opener.
Finally I wondered if anyone has ever booked our old Freelander on here, GK63YWW. It was p/ex in Dartford but shortly afterwards MOTd in Cumbria I believe.
Thank you
Barry aka Sidthecat

Good to hear from you Sidthecat!
Having read many posts relating to ingenium diesel engine failures I will never buy any car fitted with one.
The petrol fuel economy isn't brilliant and I just don't see me having one of them either. It would seem that my days of daily driver land-rover will come to an end which is a shame, however the ever upward pricing of their products coupled with poor reliability and lousy dealer service mean that I'll be looking elsewhere when it's time to part company with the Freelander. 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)