The first time I set foot in a Land Rover dealer before buying mine, I asked for a price on an eD4; the salesman asked me "What do you want one of those for?!"

I bought a TD4 in the end.

The one eD4 that I've seen at the dealers since has a £2,000 price reduction.

Has anyone here bought one? Are they just being used as loan cars? Have they flopped? Are plenty of people buying them and keeping a very low profile?

Any opinions?

Tigger.

Well I have bought one!
Test drove both & could't tell the difference apart from ed4 appeared a touch quicker(very marginal).
Dealer reckons if I don't live in the sticks, up a hill or regularly tow a horse box or caravan and never go off road proper then the eD4 will be fine. Kind of snow we have had in the past on urban type roads will not be much of a problem as Tyres are equally important and eD4 has same Tyres. Also weight of car plays a part too. I have previously drove a BMW 320d touring and it was a nightmare but wife's front wheel drive Alfa had few problems with the snow so don't expect too many problems with eD4.
Like FL2 because of driving position which is excellent and fed up with crappy pot holed roads and road bumps. Not really interested in the off roading capabilities although dealer reckons if I keep the Gas on it will cope with most situations.
Dealer also reckoned that real life mpg difference against 4WD is nearer 5mpg which will equate to about £500 per year saving. Also lower CO2 emissions - won't change the world but every little helps I guess.
Dealer reakoned he had sold a few but not has many as the 4wd although view as that as summer approached and it proved itself over a winter it would make serious inroads into the 4wd customer base.
I have also just been told there is a minimum 8 week delay with delivery of car - I would like to think it's because the 2wd is so popular........
Will let you all know when I get stuck in the supermarket car park next Novemeber....

Thanks for your answer Scott!

My dealer can't shift them, they bought a black and a White one but had to use them as loan cars both are GS spec but, my dealer is in a rural area. 21MY Defender 90 S 3.0 D200

fleet companies are buying them i do believe,

Scott123

Why buy a 4WD that isn't a 4WD?

Dealers that I have met usually tell you what you want to hear!

"will this cheaper one be as good as the expensive one?" - "of course it will Sir! it might even be better..."

The voice of driving experience is often more accurate.

When I was changing from a coupe (2WD front) I looked at the options and concluded that even though most of my driving is on tarmac (or equivalent) I would prefer the safety of 4WD for the bad weather. I wanted the knowledge that whatever the weather I can get off the drive and safely reach work/home/shops.

But your choice and your money....hope you enjoy driving it all the same. And would love to get feedback from your experiences once used in wintery weather. 2002 Honda VFR800
2002 Toyota Celica 140 Silver (mid life crisis - again!)
2007 FL2 GS Manual Army Reconnaissance Green + freel2.com sticker
2004 Toyota Celica 140 Black - Gone
2000 Toyota Celica 140 Silver - Gone
1998 Toyota Celica ST Pearl Green - Gone
1996 Nissan Primera 1.6 - Gone
1994 Rover Montego 1.6 Auto - Gone

simont wrote:

Why buy a 4WD that isn't a 4WD?

222 eD4 registered in the UK to date

source: http://www.howmanyleft.co.uk/?q=freelander+ed4

Natwest wrote:

222 eD4 registered in the UK to date

source: http://www.howmanyleft.co.uk/?q=freelander+ed4

I wonder how many of those were demonstrators, loan cars and pre-registrations?

If we compare that to, say, the 2011 registrations of SD4 automatics, the figure is around 2755 :

http://www.howmanyleft.co.uk/?q=freelander+sd4

Unfortunately, it's not easy to get the figures for TD4's.

SD4 went on sale in 3rd qtr 2010 and 262 vehicles were registered that qtr. The 222 vehicles sold for the eD4 relate to Q1, 2011 when it went on sale. Both new models aimed at slightly different markets. TD4 will always dominate sales as it is the bread and butter mainstay model. People typically go into land rover to buy a 4x4. The qashqai sells as many 2wd models as freelander sells TD4. Also less than 5% of total qashqai sales appear to be 4wd. I looked at it but preferred the Freelander although was not looking for a 4x4. I was loath to buy a car I could neither say or spell. I guess u need to give it a year before we know if it is selling as hoped......