Hi All

Haven't been around here for a while. I'm thinking of buying a SD4 Hse freelander 2. How are all the SD4 owners faring with fuel consumption. I could get around 37mpg from my TD4 SE when I had it, but I get the impression the new engines are returning better figures.

Cheers
Simmo -----------------------------------------
TD4 SE Manual, Sold.
I currently own a BMW 530D.WLTB another FL2.

Only had mine for a week, covered 600 miles.
Includes 50 miles in GGS driving 1 hour ahead of Galloway Hills Rally delivering time clocks, snow the whole way.The rest of that 150 mile trip was on country roads.
Yesterday I drove 130 miles through all sorts of weather and was caught in traffic jam nightmares around East Kilbride and M77 before returning home. About 1.5 hours stationary with engine running.
34.8mpg for 2 days.
Similar rally journey last year in FL2 GS Auto 08year was 28.0 mpg. All FL2's (3) Gone
2011 Mercedes C180 CGI Gone
FL2 GS Auto SD with heated leather, factory tints, alloy spare and a few other bits.

best i have had so far is 35.1mpg. But at the moment its at 24.1mpg. 21MY Defender 90 S 3.0 D200

Did a LR Experience 1/2 day session today in a SD4 HSE and it was reading 17.9 but I had great fun and learnt a lot thanks to the guys at East of England at Rockingham.

rchrdleigh wrote:

Did a LR Experience 1/2 day session today in a SD4 HSE and it was reading 17.9 but I had great fun and learnt a lot thanks to the guys at East of England at Rockingham.

I went there last month mate. It was great fun but I did not rate the SD4 following extensive on road testing as well as off road. The instructor also said the TD4 was the best option, unnecessary power in the SD4.

I must say that when my 4 year finance plan is up I will check out the FL3 (presuming it is out by then) but I am leaning towards RRS ownership if I can stretch to it  LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

Must have been the same instructor as mine also said the TD4 was a better option than the SD4 and having driven both I can't see the any benefit from having an SD4. Higher road tax and uses more fuel.

rchrdleigh wrote:

Must have been the same instructor as mine also said the TD4 was a better option than the SD4 and having driven both I can't see the any benefit from having an SD4. Higher road tax and uses more fuel.

This is why I went for the manual. The first FL2 I drove was an auto and I really liked it but having then driven the manual I found the manual to be smoother and more controlled. The auto lurched around on kickdown and revs too much for my liking. I found this to be worse still in the SD4. Each to their own and I would certainly enjoy auto ownership if I had bought one and they are far easier to drive in tricky conditions like snow cos of not faffing about with the clutch etc. It just seemed a waste of money for me to pay £1500 for the auto box which would then cost more to run and tax. TD4e FTW

The instructor guy said the FL2 and in particular the SD4 seems to be more jerky with the auto than the Disco or RRS or RR despite them all using the commandshift auto.

Dunno why

(not that this has anything to do with the topic, oh how I digress ) LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

FL2 XS SD4

6 days old, 750 miles, 50% on motorway at around 2000rpm, 40% A and B roads in ice and snow, 10% of time on sites that actually need 4wd, average over all 33mpg and max on motorway 36.4, laden and unladen, indeed evedrything bar towing - chuffed to bits.

Last one was a 57 XS that only ever managed 30mpg plus on a long run under 70, around home in the hands of the good lady and it swooped to 26/27mpg.

to put this in perspective, i have an 09 plate 1.25 petrol fiesta that seldom breaks into the 40's and has been in the low 30's on occasion.

You dont need the extra power, especially off road, but it does not go a miss and certainly feel far livelier on road where, to be honest, the extra acceleration is well appreciated.

For me, the auto box suited the old one well, especially off road, the extra power in the SD4 means you now get a brisk pace on the road as well with no trade off.

You can never have too much power. It's not like you have to use it all the time. Our old Zafira GSi was just shy of 300bhp and when driving it is normally, you would not think you had any more than the standard 200bhp. It's all about how the individual drives. Our FL2 has the same 190bhp as the SD4, although the SD4 for sure is quicker on the open road, probably due to it's auto box.

Personally I think it's a stupid comment by the LR instructor to say it has too much unnessesary power. A car is only as quick as how hard you put your foot down.

I have found the SD4 brings the best out of the 2.2 engine to be honest. Freelander 2 HSE Lux 2013MY - Barolo Black with Ivory Leather. Alpine DVD - Privacy -Evoque 20" Dynamic Wheels and more to come.........

I traded in a 08 manual GS for SD4 GS. the road tax for the old car £215 the new one £200. find the auto to be smooth and would go for another. just my opinion.  21MY Defender 90 S 3.0 D200

Its all about balancing things...

I would personally got for the more powerful car every time but taking into account mpg, cost, insurance, tax etc - I think what the LR man is saying, is that to the average joe who doesn’t cares if they can get to 60 2 seconds quicker or if they are able to overtake that boy racer down a country lane then the TD4 is probably the best compromise.

That’s said, I would still want the SD4  Freelander 2 TD4 Auto, SE, Narvik Black, Alpaca full leather, Rear Headrest Entertainment System, 6 CD, 18 HSE Wheels, Privicy tints

rchrdleigh wrote:

Higher road tax and uses more fuel.

If you compare like-for-like, not so.

CO2 (and therefore road tax category) are the same between Td4 and Sd4 autos... both = 185 g/km

Having driven both an SD4 auto and a TD4 manual I can see no advantage in the SD4. TD4 road tax is £155 per year and fuel consumption is better and I don't need to get to the back of the next traffic jam 2 seconds quicker. Currently averaging 39.0 after only 600 miles.

rchrdleigh wrote:

Did a LR Experience 1/2 day session today in a SD4 HSE and it was reading 17.9 but I had great fun and learnt a lot thanks to the guys at East of England at Rockingham.

rchrdleigh wrote:

Having driven both an SD4 auto and a TD4 manual I can see no advantage in the SD4. TD4 road tax is £155 per year and fuel consumption is better and I don't need to get to the back of the next traffic jam 2 seconds quicker. Currently averaging 39.0 after only 600 miles.