How far into the forest did they take you, and unfortunately it won't/can't do what a D3 can do  ______________________
2011 Full Fat RR 4.4 TDV8
2012 FL2 SD4 Auto HSE
2013 Kawasaki Versys 650

Don't know if Freely2 has it in it's TR system but the 2010MY and later bigger LR's now have a Sand Launch provision in GGS mode............................... supposed to stop wheel spin in soft sand completely and IIRC automatically switches off the DSC, which makes fast getaways even better for you. How can carbon have a footprint, it has no feet?
Now driving - RRE Coupe Dynamic Lux Auto with Plus pack, Fuji White, Ebony, SD4 with tow pack
Gone - 2010MY FFRR TDv8 Stornoway and Ivory, Privacy - the pace of a TDv8 RRS, the incomparable grace of a Range Rover
Gone but will be missed- RRS Tdv8 HSE Stornoway Grey with Ebony Leather
Gone (only a little missed) RRS Tdv6 2.7SE Giverny Green/Aspen
Defender 90 County HT in Epsom Green

Not sure about the new models, but my old one and the wife's have the same settings as the D3 except rock crawl and of course minus the low range box.

Don't get me wrong, the FL2 will go alot of places, me and a few others on here took ours through Kielder Forest and it was certainly capable, I certainly scraped the bottom of mine quite a bit and it still had bits of the forest/mud underneath it when I part exd it for the D3.

The D3 just does it all that bit better  ______________________
2011 Full Fat RR 4.4 TDV8
2012 FL2 SD4 Auto HSE
2013 Kawasaki Versys 650

Dave

When we were there they had Freelander, Disco, and RR out and following a couple of days of what was sometimes torrential rain the conditions were very wet and muddy. The Freelander went everywhere the other 2 went with the exception of the rock clamber and the couple of sections where we lacked the ground clearance. We certainly did all the same climbs and descents as the others and waded in the pond with the water level just at the maximum marker. It's the first time I have been on the course so I obviously can't say we saw everything they have to offer but with the exceptions mentioned above all the vehicles did the same things.
I fully accept that the Disco might do everything a little bit better and of course some things the Freely can't do, but when you consider the price difference you would expect it to offer something more than 2 extra seats and a better towing ability.
I am very happy with the time we had although I suspect that had I gone on the experience day before I bought I would probably have gone for an auto instead of a manual but not enough of an issue to worry me or spoil my enjoyment of the car I have.

Sand launch is in the err, Sand mode! but only on the new models, so I think the Facelift FL2 will have it.

And just to batter Dave slightly...Freelander's more capable in snow, Disco and the rest are too heavy or have crap tyres in my experience of both anyway

Says he with my Signature  Mine: 2012 Golf GTI Edition 35
Family's: 2009 Freelander 2 HSE TD4 Auto, Stornoway

Yorkshire - God's County

Don't agree with that statement based on my experiences. FL2 scared the crap out of me in the snow, ok if you want to crawl along at 15mph then yes it's fine, but the D3 with it's lockable diffs is more sure-footed. I agree with tyre chioce, but when both were running the same boots the D3 if far better IMHO  ______________________
2011 Full Fat RR 4.4 TDV8
2012 FL2 SD4 Auto HSE
2013 Kawasaki Versys 650

MY2010 Manual + Proper Winter Tyres (Compulsory here in CH) was absolutely composed throughout the whole of last winter (Nov to April) - on and off road.

It was driven in all types of snow conditions, in temperatures down to -27°C and paced not pampered across a broad spectrum of road speeds. The range of altitudes covered would have been between 400 and 2,800mtrs a.s.l.. Snow chains never needed.

From our experience I can only think that it's down to driver inability and/or poor tyre choice that would quote "scare the crap" out of someone in an FL2 on the white stuff.

Agree with athelstan, winter diving in more snow and ice than Dave could even start to imagine, never scares the crap out of anybody driving a FL2 in Norway. No 4x4's drive slowely here in winter either.

Given the correct (non-studded) winter tyres and driving ability and occasionally with TR in the snow slot you wont brown your pants even if your on ice.  2007 Freelander 2 HSE TD4 Manual with Premium Pack & Moonroof.
Stornoway Grey with Ebony Black Pleather, Clear Indicators, Body Side Mouldings etc.

Fair enough Dave but when I was driving them back to back on standard tyres I felt otherwise. I don't hang around in the snow either but everyone to their own! Mine: 2012 Golf GTI Edition 35
Family's: 2009 Freelander 2 HSE TD4 Auto, Stornoway

Yorkshire - God's County

athelstan wrote:

MY2010 Manual + Proper Winter Tyres (Compulsory here in CH) was absolutely composed throughout the whole of last winter (Nov to April) - on and off road.

It was driven in all types of snow conditions, in temperatures down to -27°C and paced not pampered across a broad spectrum of road speeds. The range of altitudes covered would have been between 400 and 2,800mtrs a.s.l.. Snow chains never needed.

From our experience I can only think that it's down to driver inability and/or poor tyre choice that would quote "scare the crap" out of someone in an FL2 on the white stuff.

Driving both vehicles in the same manner I can assure you that the D3 felt more sure-footed, got nothing to do with driver inability or tyre choice as both were fitted with the same tyre.

Sames as you BigDave, i don't hang around either.....got quite a heavy right foot  ______________________
2011 Full Fat RR 4.4 TDV8
2012 FL2 SD4 Auto HSE
2013 Kawasaki Versys 650

The best Land Rover for driving in the snow is the FL2 according to the instructors at the Skipton Land Rover experience, we were there during the summer and got talking about the snow earlier in the year and without any hesitation both instructors said the FL2 was their preferred vehicle for driving in the white stuff.

The intstructors in Eastnor said the same to me. Freelander is the better car for driving in snow and wet grass.

I had no trouble at all driving mine back in winter, was really sure-footed everywhere and not once did i feel nervous or loosing control.

athelstan wrote:

MY2010 Manual + Proper Winter Tyres (Compulsory here in CH) was absolutely composed throughout the whole of last winter (Nov to April) - on and off road.

:

Past master wrote:

athelstan wrote:

MY2010 Manual + Proper Winter Tyres (Compulsory here in CH) was absolutely composed throughout the whole of last winter (Nov to April) - on and off road.

:

What's the rule about winter tyres? I'll be driving through CH at Christmas, but only on the motorway. Wasn't planning on buying any fancy tyres!

Thanks for that. I've done a bit of research and it looks like "all year" M+S tyres count as winter tyres. And of course we all have those fitted already. I'm also told they keep the motorways clear, so I'll take a chance on not having chains. And I don't think I'd get over the mountain passes even with chains! I've already got my trusty Vignette, so I reckon I'm ready to go!