Hi all, I am trying to find a FL2 within budget and ideally would like a 2011 facelift model as I prefer the front and also the slightly higher mpg.

However there are loads of 10 reg low mileage old face ones which are more affordable. Minus the front and horsepower, what else changed? Are the newer ones more reliable, better parts etc? Has the inside/toys changed between the old and new?

If I can get one that's only 6 months older but just as good then it's worth considering.

Thanks.

A 2010MY is without the dreaded DPF and possibly has a more reliable EGR AND you can blank off the EGR pipe. You can service the 2007 - 2010 yourself and reset the service indicator.
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2011MY has the revised EGR which cannot be blanked off, has the DPF which can be problematic for 'short run' drivers and needs a LR technician to clear the oil change warning.
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I am considering an update of model for next year and will look for a low mileage prefacelift HSE and move my cosmetic facelift bits over. Ive had a Vauxhall with a DPF and wish to avoid like the plague.
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You pays your money and takes your choice..............
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Kind regards from Fred
. 2010GS Auto ex Celeb, Santorini Black, 2011 facelift , spoiler, spats, mudflaps, LED footwell lamps, Witter detach,
Other cars:-
1958 & 1959 Austin J40 Pedal Cars under restoration (I make many J40 parts)
If you have an Austin J40 or Pathfinder Pedal Car looking for a new home pls PM me.
2009 Meriva

Oh interesting. I did not know about the DPF. Does that apply to basically all 160bhp models? Other than that nothing to worry about if serviced properly?

Although I assume emissions go up as would tax?

my 2010 freelander only has 22,000+ miles on the clock and runs like a dream. OK 34.5mpg but so much power can't see any reason to change it Ex 2010 Freelander2 GS-e Diesel manual Silver owner

Hi Chuckalicious,
If you travel doesn't involve short runs and you use a dealer for servicing and don't mind paying for shorter service intervals the a 2011 MY or later shouldn't be a problem.
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I am an engineer by training and profession and are active on rebuilding cars with years of hands on; the last thing I want is to have to go to a dealer and pay an hours labour so he can turn a dashboard warning instruction off because I can't do it.
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It's your choice dependant upon your lifestyle as to which year car to buy.
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One other point I don't like is that later cars have an electronic push button handbrake.
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Do please let us know which year and model you settle on.
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Kind regards from Fred.
. 2010GS Auto ex Celeb, Santorini Black, 2011 facelift , spoiler, spats, mudflaps, LED footwell lamps, Witter detach,
Other cars:-
1958 & 1959 Austin J40 Pedal Cars under restoration (I make many J40 parts)
If you have an Austin J40 or Pathfinder Pedal Car looking for a new home pls PM me.
2009 Meriva

Thanks everyone - I'm really glad I asked. Many of my journeys will be short so no DPF would be a huge advantage.

I take it the stereos etc are all the same?

I will be going to a dealer tomorrow and assuming I can get a good price on my current car I may well have a FL2 in a few days Exciting.

Thanks again.

Hi Chuckalicious,
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Please don't take my view alone, do some more research on this brilliant forum
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Do a full search on the DPF and you'll find out what kind if driving is needed to keep it clear of re generations .
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Today's housewife doing the school run these days must buy a petrol car and keep clear of a diesel.
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I appreciate in a couple of years time that I'll have no choice but to buy the newer car, I'll probably then invest in the fault finding software for my laptop so LR can't hold me to ransom.
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Kind regards from Fred
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Thanks Fred. I mostly do shorter trips with a couple of motorway longer runs a week. I'd happily take a 10 over a newer car if it meant no dpf worries tho.

I don't think the newer FL2's have had much trouble with the DPF. Most of the horror stories were from the early cars (not a standard fit in the UK). Had my 61 plate for two years and would never have known it had one other than the soot free exhaust pipe.

DPF's are probably installed on all European cars post 2011of all manufacturers to meet the emission's program. its not a specific LR problem, its a manufacturer / customer problem.
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The DPF collects all the exhaust soot until it shows as blocking up the exhaust; when this happens the engine squirts diesel into the exhaust as it leaves the cylinder to 'start a fire' in the DPF which causes all the black gooey particles to burn and leave as a fine dust, hence clean looking exhaust pipes.
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Its the clients driving style where problems occur, the 'school run' car blocks up, the diesel is squirted, the fire starts then the driver parks up before the full 'burn' has been achieved. Next school run it squirts diesel in again and tries again but gets stopped short.
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Its these cars where unburnt diesel trickles down the bore and dilutes the engine oil needing a short service interval AND if the owner doesn't take it for a 20 minute run at say over 2,000 revs regular then the filter gets blocked up and warning messages appear necessitating a trip to the dealer for him to use a program to cause a full burn till clean.
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I'm on another Vauxhall Forum as well and I see all the comments on there as well.
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I guess Wizzking that you do a regular good run where it all burns free hence no evidence.
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Kind regards from Fred
. 2010GS Auto ex Celeb, Santorini Black, 2011 facelift , spoiler, spats, mudflaps, LED footwell lamps, Witter detach,
Other cars:-
1958 & 1959 Austin J40 Pedal Cars under restoration (I make many J40 parts)
If you have an Austin J40 or Pathfinder Pedal Car looking for a new home pls PM me.
2009 Meriva

I understand the purpose of the DPF - my wife drives a diesel and I read up about them before getting my current car. As I drive more short than long journeys, not having a DPF would be preferable.

Had our MY2011 since December covered around 3500 miles (of which most is short distance 5 mile runs) and have never had any issues with the DPF.

We do however drive to Norfolk/Wales every couple of months to visit parents so maybe this is enough to clean it out?

I wouldn't be put off buying a facelift because of the DPF.

I was in your boat weighing up the options with pre facelift/facelift vs cash etc and finally found a 2010 plate MY2011 for decent money at a dealers.
To me this is the best option as you are getting a good price because of the age but still get the little tweaks of the facelift.

My MY14 SD has done 14000 miles (just coming up to first service) and I've had no DPF problems. I think I've noticed an occasional unusual smell, which I think may be the DPF regenerating. But although I do some long trips I very rarely get up to 2000 rpm and that doesn't seem to be a problem. LR Experience diesels seem to do OK with DPF, although I was told that they use premium fuel as it seems to help avoid problems.
Not sure whether a non-LR dealer can reset the oil service indicator (which flags up if you have too many failed regenerations, and apparently needs to be reset after a service). Ex AA Series III LWB Safari - Gone
300TDi Disco (bought new - terrible car) sent back after 18 months
Freelander 1 Estate - leased, given back at end of lease
200TDi Disco (bought from a mate with 100,000 on the clock) - Gone
Disco 2 TD5 - sold and exported to France
FR2 TD4 GS - Gone
FR2 SD4 HSE - Now changed for a DS
New model ex-demo Evoque S 180 in white
Unable to order a new DS, so gave up. Now have a Volvo S90 Recharge.

Well, took the plunge today traded in my current car plus a bit of cash to get a 60 reg (Dec 2010) facelift GS with 29000 miles, with a years LR warranty. Chuffed

Get it on Wednesday so can't wait.

After much debate I decided to get one with the DPF. My wife does a long drive every day to work so if we find my driving means the DPF needs clearing she can take it once a week. Hardly a hardship having a 170bhp A4 for a day

So thanks for all the help and advice.