Hi all,

Hope this is the right place to ask a few questions? If not, please move me, mods

I currently have a freelander 1, the V6 version, and I'm looking to move over to a freelander 2, and more importantly the HST model.

I have a few questions though!

Will it be worth going for the HST over an HSE? Long term investment hopefully, so resale etc will be more important in 5 or 6 years time.

What sort of mileage should I entertain? The car will be used daily but not for big journeys, perhaps 10-15 miles a day, with the odd few hundred miles thrown in here and there.

Is a full land rover service history important? Are the freelander 2's very important to have serviced at main dealers?

Are there any points I should look out for in particular when viewing, and anything I should stay very clear of?

Any pointers would be greatly appreciated!

Best regards, Andy

P.s, I'm Devon based - if anyone is selling local I could be temper to view My budget will be between 11k and 13k.

From my experience I wouldn't own one of these without a proper warranty, overall the engines seem pretty reliable with the usual problems of sensors etc that fail etc as on any engine but watch out for the early 2011 facelift models (which have the lower road tax) and come with the "hesitation problem" that LR don't seem to be able to fix in all cases despite software upgrades. The real thing to watch out for is the drive train which in my opinion is underengineered (done when Ford owned LR) so that we are suffering from diff, haldex, transfer box and wheel bearing problems at relatively low mileage. This is the one area that people assume would be very tough "because it's a Land Rover". It's extremely capable off road when it's working.
Repairs can be expensive, hence the warranty requirement. LR service history preferred unless they are independent LR specialists. I bought a 10 reg one from a small garage and it was a nightmare after the warranty ran out.. 3 x FL1 2 manual + 1 auto
5 x FL2 4 manual + 1 auto
Now Discovery Sport P250 MHEV SE

I am in the complete opposite camp.

I owned my first Freelander 2 for over 6 1/2 years and it was pretty much perfect. My second has been owned for over 2 years now and with the exception of a replacement turbo, which is very rare it has also been excellent.

My warranty runs out next month, and am I going to extend it? No. There is no point.

Freelander 2 is without doubt the most reliable car that LR has made to date and accounts for less than 10% of dealer warranty claims.

There are thousands out there that are faultless compared to the ones that are faulty. Personally, I would buy one with a full dealer service history. I have always had mine serviced by my main dealer and it has proven to the right decision.

As for the model, I would go for the HSE is this is the more desirable model. If you are already running the 2.5 V6 Freelander 1, have you considered the Freelander 2 3.2 straight 6? Economy wise they are better than the old V6 FL1.

They ran up to around 2008/2009 and are a delight to drive. You would get a good deal on one as well. Freelander 2 HSE Lux 2013MY - Barolo Black with Ivory Leather. Alpine DVD - Privacy -Evoque 20" Dynamic Wheels and more to come.........

Hope I am not tempting fate but my experience is the same as Mav! Main dealers and my local independent have also said that the FL2 is the most reliable Land Rover you can buy. I have had three and no problems with any of them. I may of been lucky but, in my experience, I would say they are worth taking a risk on without a warranty. The key thing is to try and find one that has had 1 or 2 owners and has a detailed service history. I always phone the servicing dealers and ask them if the car has been a problem. They are always helpful and will usually talk you through the history and any problems it has had.

If you can find a good independent it brings the servicing costs down to that of a Ford or Vauxhall. The weak points appear to be oil leaks (seal between engine and gearbox in particular) and the rear diffs. There are a few people who have had serial problems with their FL2's, including Dorsetfreelander, so I can understand their negativity. Common (??) major faults can be repaired for under £700. Not a small amount of money but, for a reasonably complex vehicle, not too bad either.

An HST has a body kit I believe, no good at all if youre going anywhere on the rough, you will probably rip it all off??

Fair comments. Our current two FL2s were both LR approved, both had about 35k miles and came with 2 years warranty, both dealer serviced. I have only taken them for dealer servicing since as I don't want any arguments about who did what etc. I can't fault the help I have received from the dealer and LR Assist whenever I have had problems. I am now well known at my dealer and the salesman who sold them always looks a bit embarrassed when he sees me come in. By my estimation the repair work done on the 60 reg is about £3k and on the 11 reg over £1.5 k so far. In March 2016 we will have to make a decision about keeping or extending the warranties (about £800) or trading in. 3 x FL1 2 manual + 1 auto
5 x FL2 4 manual + 1 auto
Now Discovery Sport P250 MHEV SE