Viewing 17 posts - 1 through 17 (of 17 total)
  • CarTrackWorld. Test drives tomorrow. (freelander 2)
  • womble72
    Free Member

    Going to look at a freelander 2 tomorrow. Are there any Landy owners on here? Looking at an 09 HST, never say in one before (it’ll be wife’s car) so not sure what to expect. I know the old ones were problematic, are the FL2’s any better?

    womble72
    Free Member

    Also looking to buy a VW caddy… Seen a 1.9 TDI with a DSG box but not sure whether that’s a good thing to have on a small van (future resale)

    craigxxl
    Free Member

    I can’t comment on the reliability but I took one for a test drive recently. On the same day I took out an X-trail, Touran, Kuga and XC60. Whilst it wasn’t as car like and comfy as the Kuga it was head and shoulders above the others. I’m on the look out for the right model

    willjones
    Free Member

    Early FL1s were problematic, but later FL1s and FL2s better by all accounts. Obviously speaking from ownership of 1 vehicle, so small sample size! But bushes, top mounts – shouldn’t be any rattles or knocks from steering or suspension, check brake disc wear, and tyres. Wear and tear stuff yes, but expensive and annoying to fix soon after purchase. Injectors – diesels shouldn’t be smokey, particularly on start up, and should run smoothly. Something that niggled me was head room, and couldn’t get seat low enough to see very top of instruments. Enjoyed running the car though and suited lifestyle well. HTH.

    Chris.H
    Free Member

    I own a manual 58 plate GS, I bought it with 20miles on and it has now done 73,000.

    We had a few issues just after I bought it (new rear diff) all covered under warranty by LR. The only other major issue is that it has recently started making an dull droning noise, which is the rear diff bearings and is going in for the work next week.

    Apart from that, we’ve had a few niggles like the radio not allowing to change volume (restart the car and it works), ater getting into the boot opening mech and freezing (seal replacement), rubber strips under the wheel arches perishing and the handbrake can be really loose.

    Boot space is ok, but could be better. I have only replaced the brake pads once and tyres will last about 30k miles depending on what you use (General Grabbers) but will cost at least £120 each (or a lot more for a HST on 19/20 inch wheels)

    Fuel ecomony is probably the worst point, I average around 32mpg (on the display), with auto’s being worse, and road tax is £260ish.

    It’s a nice car to drive around, but feels more like driving a van rather than a car. Main dealers can be a bit hit and miss for customer service and some of the services can be expensive, although there are plenty of LR specialists around.

    I good forum to look at is freel2.com

    If you are buying from a main dealer, see if they will send you on a Land Rover Experience, you’ll get shown what the car can really do!! Going down a steep muddy bank using the Hill Descent function is an experience the first time!

    Woody
    Free Member

    Have driven the father-in-Laws one a bit and TBH I found it distinctly uninspiring, although I in fairness I have little to comapare ot to as I’ve only driven a Pajero and BMW X1 as a comparison and rarely offroad.

    He’s had no problems with his on a ’12 plate and may well buy a new one soon.

    ps. my dogs also barfed in the back, something they haven’t done in over 4 years, which may be indicative of the ride quality!

    jerseychaz
    Full Member

    Just picked up a GS spec, 94k on an 08 plate. Compared to our previous drives its lovely, I had an early Freelander1 which I flogged for about 50k when they first came out with no issues. The only downsides I can see are the VED at £260 and the indifferent main dealer service, I’ll be using my neighbour for that 🙂 Oh and 4 General Grabbers came to £450 fitted at trade!

    chojin
    Free Member

    ps. my dogs also barfed in the back, something they haven’t done in over 4 years, which may be indicative of the ride quality!

    Ah the ol’ industry standard dog-in-the-back sick test!

    br
    Free Member

    My wife has a 62 plate SD4 (190bhp auto), top piece of kit and really good to drive – feels like a mini-RR.

    Her old FL1 was good with only injector problems, until the torque-converter went.

    JAG
    Full Member

    I’ve got a Freelander 1 and I’ve driven plenty of Freelander 2’s 8)

    They are a good car and the Freelander 2 is the most reliable LandRover ever built. Least warranty problems and lowest overall warranty costs.

    It doesn’t drive like a car because it’s not a car it’s a 4×4 and not a particularly small one. The Freelander 2 is almost the same size as the first Range Rover and they’re as capable off-road as almost any LandRover. The only thing that slows it down off-road is the lower ground clearance – which is there to make it more car like 😀

    Boot space is good but not as big as an Estate car and you should get between 36 and 40 mpg.

    womble72
    Free Member

    Awesome! Thanks for the replies. We own a 2002 Honda Crv and toyed with the idea of getting another but we fancied a change and the freelander 2 looked similar in size. Not sure if giving up a super reliable but boring Honda is a good idea but tomorrow’s test drive will hopefully answer a few doubts.

    Suggsey
    Free Member

    Regarding the caddy van with dsg……it was what I was after but just beyond my budget and fairly hard to find with dsg. I have experience of using a caddy 2.0tdi 140bhp variant with manual box which never missed a beat in the year I drove it and was fast as …… I run a Golf R32 with 6 speed dsg plus f1 paddles and love it. Super smooth seem less gear changes, economical and relaxing in town traffic!
    I noted that the 110 bhp 1.9 tai with dsg and 4 motion was a couple of mpg less than others on spec sheets but to be honest it’s really not that big an issue.
    As for me I ended up with a vauxhall combo 1.3cdti ( fiat Diesel engine) and on a run I get 55mpg not hanging around!
    If the dsg is sluggish or rough in gear change and the service history isn’t fully covered maybe worth giving it a wide berth but often just an oil and filter change on the auto box will sort it out.

    womble72
    Free Member

    Well, test drove the Freelander 2. Very nice car to drive (auto) but somehow felt smaller inside than my old CRV. Also had a drive in a basic spec Discovery 3 with a manual box and found that very nice to drive, if a little sluggish, but the room inside is more suitable for my needs. I was caught on the hop with the D3 as it wasn’t something I had considered but quite liked it. Hmmmm what to do. 😀

    br
    Free Member

    Unless you really need the space of a Disco or its tow capacity, look for a FL2.

    Not sure when they changed the engines in the FL2, but if you can get the new one, do.

    womble72
    Free Member

    I really need the space of a disco 3. I can’t afford a van & a car so the extra space suits my needs. Shame really because the Freelander 2 is quite a nice vehicle.

    drlex
    Free Member

    I wanted the space and towing capacity, so have had a D3 for 8+ years; would recommend. Plenty of info on the disco3 website about likely issues, in particularly an issue on MY07 cam belt tensioner mount. Economy is not a strong point, as you might anticipate.

    TiRed
    Full Member

    Freelander – the only car to have more engines than owners. Run away! Buy a CRV. There is a reason why you see so many Mk1 CRVs and so few Mk1 Freelanders. Land Rovers did not improve THAT fast from Mk1 to Mk2. The 700L boot in a CRV will provide the space you need. The carrying capacity is HUGE!

    EDIT: just read your later post

    We own a 2002 Honda Crv and toyed with the idea of getting another

    Just buy another one. That’s what we plan to do (2005 diesel). After the Honda, EVERY niggle will annoy you.

Viewing 17 posts - 1 through 17 (of 17 total)

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