Have a 24 hour test drive of the Freelander 2 auto HSE.

Since looking around at different dealers I contacted one who offerd me a free 24 hour test drive...ONLY ONE DEALER !!!

(wake up LR !! if you have a good product let people try it out ...maybe they wont want to return the test car and would buy them!!)


Have found it a very nice car to drive similar to my Disco 3 yet still different enough for wife to enjoy driving.

my normal driving is returning 30.2MPG (as opposed to 26.4 mpg on the Disco 3.) The best I got was 33.2MPG.

I wou;ld have expected a better MPG tho as my disco is 2.7 l and the freelanders 2.2l...and lighter in weight than my D3

the only niggles I do have is the stupid ignition ....WHY do you need a key AND a stop start button??? I am finding that rather anoying...id prefer a standard key....

having to push the key in and out seems rather pointless.I will ask if that can be deleted from my order car...

Generaly my overall opion is im very impressed, car is responsive smooth running comfortable and quiet.


If you could still keep the key in your pocket and sit in the car and just presss the stop start button that I could live with and would be OK....

Returning car today back to dealer...Very impressed and WILL be ordering and more surprisingly The Wife LOVED it !!!...she wasnt keen on having a fl2 but after having one and driving it herself...she is sold on it....RESULT !!! Laughing


yaugher@btinternet.com
_________________ Sept 1 2010 Now the PROUD owner of Galway Green Auto Diesel HSE

yaugher wrote:

the only niggles I do have is the stupid ignition ....WHY do you need a key AND a stop start button??? I am finding that rather anoying...id prefer a standard key....

having to push the key in and out seems rather pointless.I will ask if that can be deleted from my order car...

Yes it is pointless and smacks of me too - keyless option (like Jag XK and 10MY Disco) would have been much better. However you'll have to get used to it I'm afraid

But yes, the rest of the car is fantastic

natwest (ps Hope you are keeping a close eye on MY money at work??LOL)

not sure what the keyless one you mention is or how it works.

I wont have to get used to it if LR offer a deletion of it and a standard key start..(no doubt when I ask the dealer later they will not offer that! (also surprised that there is no fridge section between front seats as with disco 3 hse..)

Yes I agree with you its a fantastic car and even SWTSMO loved it and wanted it!! so We will be placing an order i think ver VERY soon (BUT NOT IN PINK !!  Sept 1 2010 Now the PROUD owner of Galway Green Auto Diesel HSE

I found the key thing a bit annoying at first and preferred the proper ignition of my D3. I remember the D4 I test drove had a keyless feature so I expect it will appear at sometime in the future on the FL2/3 A Land Rover owner since 1988

From a 1974 series III to a 12MY XS FL2 with help of a 1995 D1, 1996 D1, 2005 D3, 2007 D3 and a 2009 FL2.

I am not sure I will get used to it...i am finding it very anoying and totaly impractical at the moment Sept 1 2010 Now the PROUD owner of Galway Green Auto Diesel HSE

I agree that proper keyless is better but even the current implementation is lot better then a key based ignition and we probably are used to the benefits that Stop-Start button gives, things like you can turn off the engine not worrying about leaving the wiper in the middle of the screen and also engine management can shutdown the engine in a smoother way. Freelander 2 TD4 HSE Auto
Zermatt Silver
Side Steps & Mud flaps

Just arrived back home from the 24 hour test drive....Wife was actualy sorry to hand it back!

We are ordering a new Freelander 2 , Auto HSE in metalic Green. black inside.


The only extra we specified was the tow bar.
personalised new type no plate to go with it .
Delivery Aug 2010 for 1 9 2010 "60" plate.
and as suspected it is NOT possible to delete the push in key and stop start for a more normal type!!!  Sept 1 2010 Now the PROUD owner of Galway Green Auto Diesel HSE

Yes the key is awkward, mercedes have and electronic key and lock, push in, twist and it will start when ready
To me the LR fob is more like a keyless fob and makes no sense that you have to insert it, then press a button.
which is two seperate actions.
Regarding the fuel economy, yes they are thirsty and emit more CO2 than they should. The volvo XC60 auto with 205 BHP pumps out less than 199 grammes, why does the FL2 push out 214.
My dream car would be a FL2 with the new V6 diesel (perhaps 2.5 or 2.7 litre) and about 190BHP, also the new 6 speed ZF auto box. and an 8 way adjustable seat in the XS together with armrests.
added to this would be the build quality of a lexus and a 5yr warranty.......... who knows one day.

yaugher wrote:

Just arrived back home from the 24 hour test drive....Wife was actualy sorry to hand it back!

We are ordering a new Freelander 2 , Auto HSE in metalic Green. black inside.


The only extra we specified was the tow bar.
personalised new type no plate to go with it .
Delivery Aug 2010 for 1 9 2010 "60" plate.
and as suspected it is NOT possible to delete the push in key and stop start for a more normal type!!!

Disco 4 has proper keyless start so no doubt this system will make it's way into FL3. You have to remember the original design of the FL2 is probably over 5 years old, and keyless go was the reserve of more expensive vehicles. Phil

phil_wkl wrote:

keyless go was the reserve of more expensive vehicles.

And renaults  At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

exc val. I decided not to take what stock they could find I am not desperate to have one asap I can wait...so decided to order exactly what was required and it seemed to make sence to wait another couple of months and have it on the road for sept 1 " 60 " Number plate.

(full size spare wheel to!) Sept 1 2010 Now the PROUD owner of Galway Green Auto Diesel HSE

Last edited by yaugher on 2nd Apr 2010 5:40 pm. Edited 1 time in total

yaugher wrote:

exc val. I decided not to take what stock they could find I am not desperate to have on asap I can wait...so decided to order exactly what was required and it seemed to make sence to wait another couple of months and have it on the road for sept 1 " 60 " Number plate.

(full size spare wheel to!)

1stfreelander....one day maybe .....who knows! Sept 1 2010 Now the PROUD owner of Galway Green Auto Diesel HSE

Ok I'm going to breifly hijack this thread.

Please forgive me because I'm curious of what the different characters on a number plate in the UK represent. I noticed y'all talking about a "60 plate" and I've heard Top Gear talking about different types of plates.

When I was in the UK I saw a police program talking about how there has never been, nor will there ever be an "8" character in the 3rd position.

Here is the plate from my rental car in August.

Someone please decode:



Also, as an added note, that car made me wish so badly that my Freelander 2 had a diesel. It got great mileage, had decent power and a lot of torque. Am I correct to say the Volvo XC60 has the same diesel as a Freelander 2? I carry a gun because I can't carry a cop.
Ted Kennedy's car has killed more people than my gun.

2008 Freelander2/LR2
-Rimini Red

2005 Freelander
-Bonatti Gray
-EBC front brake rotors
-DAP-Inc. Lift
-BFGoodrich All Terrain RWL
-Muffler Delete
-CAI