Well, I picked up my new (to me) 2011MY TD4 S from Pentland Land Rover in Cupar yesterday, after trading in a 2009 Discovery 3 GS. Here are my first impressions:

Likes:
Much nippier on the road than the Disco. Feels like it's taking up less space.
Firmer suspension and more road feedback (but not uncomfortably so)
Much more spacious inside than I expected
Aux input to stereo for phone
Driving position
Intelligent stop / start system
Proper spare wheel, easy to reach
Loads of cargo space with the seats down (which fold much easier than the Disco's)
Two year warranty and LR assistance now standard with used LRs under 5 years old.

Not sure:
Road noise - very surface-dependent. Quiet as a whisper on the right surface. The Disco seemed to be insulated from this.
Audio system - crap sound quality (looks like the same head unit as in the Disco, but far inferior sound, so must be the speakers)

I set off straight away from the dealer on the 170 mile journey home. Mainly single carriageway A-road (A9 through the Cairngorms) with some dual stretches. Road climbs at 1400 ft at one point, and 1200 ft at another. A bit of stop-start traffic coming past Inverness. Fuel computer showed 43.5 mpg at the end of the trip, so no real complaints there. (I'll do a proper brim-to-brim test though).

Looking forward to only paying £180 road tax instead of £485!

Here's a pic:




Very pleased that the South African Melville and Moon seat covers from the Disco fitted pretty well. They're canvas and very hard wearing. They've been on two Discos a Defender, and now the Freelander.




Planned additions / mods include:
Roof rails / cross bars
Full length canvas load-liner
(Maybe) some under body protection
Switching to AT tyres when the current ones have worn some more
(Maybe) better speakers

ETA: ps. I'd love to know why the system turned one of the pics on its side!

very nice, my stop start TD4 did well on fuel as well, far better than mu current auto sd4.
Yes, the FL2 does suffer with road noise, tyre types and surface make a massive difference, AT tyres will be noticeable!

If you are getting underbody protection, start with the tank guard. The tank is plastic and exposed when off road
Welcome. 

Thanks for the tips.

More first impressions:

This car drives much more like a Land Rover than the Discovery, which is a surprise. It will happily pull away in first or second with no throttle applied, giving that great low-speed "ambling" ability over rough terrain. Great torque from the engine.

I can get 7 foot long planks of wood in the back (poking between front seats), which has amazed me. I guess the Freelander's rear space is biased towards rear seat passengers rather than boot-space. With the seats down it seems almost as capacious as the Disco.

(You can see I'm loving it so far)

Hello the car is looking nice in white too, good to see another person from Ross-shire. Where about are you I'm in Alness? I have to say I don't find much problem with road noise I used to have a Jaguar XF and I find the Freelander as quiet as the jaguar. Must be more tyre related. Regards

Alan

We're in Tain, so not far away at all! Do you mind me asking what tyres you have? Mine are Continental 4x4 Contact on 16 inch rims.

p.s. Hope you're enjoying the summer weather as much as we are!

Ah ok was almost through at the vintage rally on Sunday there but the weather put us off. No of course not mine is on Perelli scorpion 19" it was one thing I was expecting when I changed from the jaguar to the Freelander was more road noise but if I'm honest I find very little of a difference you hear the engine a wee bit more but that's to be expected.

Summer ive forgotten what that's like, never used the fire so much at this time of year!  Regards

Alan

Ahhhh Tain...I have fond memories of sitting in Graham Eunace's personal office, sampling certain varieties of Glenmorangie that never leaves Tain......fantastic few days spent up there...stayed at the Glenmorangie as well...brilliant Hotel! Foraging near Gaydon....
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MY13 HSE Lux SD4, Baltic Blue - current, 30,000> miles without fault
MY12 HSE 2.2 SD4, Sumatra Black - gone after 10 months/43,000 fault-free miles

It's not a bad drop at all. If you enjoy Glenmorangie try a wee Dalmore  Regards

Alan

I was at the rally. The rain only really set in from about 3.00, so plenty to see before then. Tom Robb had his usual Land Rover set-up there.

Re. The Dalmore - Now you're talking! Give me a wee dram of the 12YO any day over the Glenmorangie. Not cheap though.

I wish I had went now the rain was on from about 11 in Alness so we decided to stay at home. Yeah the 12 is lovely if u get a chance at a bottle of 15 it's epic my personal fav worth every penny. Regards

Alan

Try the Co-op 12 year old Highland single malt, I think it is Dalmore , at £22.95.

Hmm doubtful tbh Dalmore don't sell many bottles off for relabeling by other companies. You sometimes see special reserve in the coop that is from a Dalmore cask but its not as good and its still £40 odd. Sorry i have a slight obsession with Dalmore i have to have them all!!! i know its a problem!! Regards

Alan