Well, after 14 years of an excellent era of my 2009 TD4 HSE having toured England, Scotland and Europe with zero breakdowns and 100% reliability and all the rest, tomorrow ends all that.

I have been in search now for a low mileage well kept Freelander SD4 and to be honest there are many out there but when you find, investigate and trudge through history some don’t come up trumps, but please don’t take offence all of you who have recently found their gold mine, well certainly I didn’t.

I did set my heart on one recently in Derbyshire at a local dealer, but the ghost in the cupboard came out when I did an MOT history search. What a shocker when the news came back that this particular one was once on cloned plates plus a sordid history. This one was Santorini black just like mine. So I thought no one would notice my change over. Until next paragraph!

So a visit to the main dealer where I took the plunge and purchased a Discovery sport D240 HSE complete with its fold away tow ball. Having an excellent trade in on my well loved and cared for child of mine!

Yes I well know about the Ingenium engine and all it’s faults but this deal is not one to let go, with factory warranty and all the rest.
Possibly I will be posting a for sale notice on the freelander 2 dog guard plus all other bits and bobs which someone might find a home for which are all genuine LR parts.

how many miles had your TD4 done ?

My SD4 is 8 years old with 56K on the clock - im hoping for another 8 years at least ?  Jules

Hi Jules sorry for the late reply my current mileage as of this email is 156621, just removing all the last of personal items from the car then we’re off to the dealer.

After 14 years of ownership I can honestly say that the freelander 2 is the best car I have ever owned, just hope this next one is as good as?

Just wait and see I suppose

It is a bit emotional though I just hope the next owner is good to her😩.

Good news is the DS D240 is a very different beast to the run of the mill D180. Different exhaust architecture that means it doesn't dilute the oil like the D180 (or D150). Towing is fun, even up to the 2,200kg limit.

Brakes are larger so you may struggle to get replacement parts - took three attempts to get the right rear discs for mine. No Haldex or rear differential it has the GKN active driveline.

Fuel tank is tiny as they nicked about 14 litres for the Adblue tank, speaking of which she does like a drink of Adblue, mine does around 300 miles per litre but the old D180 did more like 2,000 miles per litre. Tangiers Orange - gone, missing her
Replaced by Ewok what a mistake - now a happy Disco Sport owner

Thanks Andy, I’m glad you mentioned the oil dilution issue as I was going to change the engine oil and filter mid LR servicing to aid the crank and cams etc.
Regarding the brakes the dealer has replaced all four discs and pads plus although early have done a mot test which expires next April.

I think Iv had an excellent deal as I got excellent trade in allowance for my freelander plus a slight discount on the price of the DS, plus extended warranty from LR, time will tell on the quality ie faults etc.

Leaving my 14year old motor on the carpark was very emotional but whoever buys it from a trader will realise they have a bargain with 11 months mot plus the cambelt and WP.

The DS drives exceptionally well and very quiet plus the added torque which is quick.
Thank you again for your comments.

davyboy wrote:

I have been in search now for a low mileage well kept Freelander SD4 and to be honest there are many out there but when you find, investigate and trudge through history some don’t come up trumps, but please don’t take offence all of you who have recently found their gold mine, well certainly I didn’t.

davyboy wrote:

Thanks Andy, I’m glad you mentioned the oil dilution issue as I was going to change the engine oil and filter mid LR servicing to aid the crank and cams etc.
Regarding the brakes the dealer has replaced all four discs and pads plus although early have done a mot test which expires next April.

I think Iv had an excellent deal as I got excellent trade in allowance for my freelander plus a slight discount on the price of the DS, plus extended warranty from LR, time will tell on the quality ie faults etc.

Leaving my 14year old motor on the carpark was very emotional but whoever buys it from a trader will realise they have a bargain with 11 months mot plus the cambelt and WP.

The DS drives exceptionally well and very quiet plus the added torque which is quick.
Thank you again for your comments.

I had a DS nightmare! with oil dilution among other things. Dont worry he will be back soon

I think if you choose the right engine you can avoid the oil dilution problem. Jules

Yeh petrol

Find a nice early Disco sport with the 2.2 Sd4 engine and autobox, thats what we did. I'm sure you'll be happy with one after your FL2. 2009 FL2 TD4 SE (Sadly gone)
2007 FL2 TD4 GS (The wifes , gone after 8 great years)
2012 FL2 SD4 SPORT LE(Gone and missing it)
2015 DISCOVERY SPORT 2.2SD4 HSE (Now gone)
2014 Ford Bmax 1.0 ecoboost ( Gone but what next )
2014 Ford Focus 2.0tdci Zetec S (Gone,but what a car)
2020 Ford Fiesta ActiveX 1.0 Ecoboost
2024 Skoda Kodiaq 1.5 Tsi SEL

Hello Kot, well yes I was slightly concerned regarding the oil dilution with these ingenium engines, but in reflection of that apparently the D240 has not suffered by this issue plus a very good friend of mine is a technician at my local dealer and he said recently the 240 are quite stable regarding faults.
If you had similar in a main dealer who would you trust? People who have had issues in the past and rate them poorly on any motoring forum or a trusted contact? Anyway I have two years factory warranty so if something is going to pear shaped I’m sure landrover would correct it.

I did my research into BMW, Mercedes Porsche but certainly not the Korean manufacturers and they all have problems but with my freelander being 14 years old plus 156k I took the plunge and had the DS.

All I wanted is something reliable which can clearly tow 2200 kgs without problem and I think I made the right choice, if in 12 months something happens plus it’s low miles and exceptional excellent condition I’m sure I would try another LR. Time will tell I suppose but please do not judge a book by its cover as they say!

The DS drives absolutely perfect plus it tows my weighty caravan with no problem, the only niggle is that the freelander with caravan in tow and a full tank of diesel drove 250 miles and the fuel gauge dropped to 3quarters of a tank, the DS same mileage dropped to half a tank, but in comparison in all I didn’t visit a fuel station with the DS quite so often with the same items etc in the caravan. Just have to monitor the progress

Towing is something there is not much discussion about from EV enthusiasts
Glad you have found another LR that meets your needs

Towing is something you rarely hear discussed by the majority of motorists  Current driveway contents:
2021 V60 Cross Country B5
2009 FL2 dog bus and shooting wagon

On Order: 2023 Fisker Ocean Ultra - deposit paid.

Towing is something that dictates my choice of car, its the main reason I bought and continue to run landrover products. If I didn't have a big caravan I wouldn't need a landrover although I still think my Freelander will be the last, nothing in the current line up appeals, or to be accurate is affordable! Skoda Superb 4x4 estate is a likely option in years to come. At 104000 miles on the Freelander now so it should last a fair while yet. 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)