Freelander 2 MPG?? (Thinking of switching from Disco2)

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john snoo

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uk
I am considering switching from my D2 TD5 to a Freelender, probebly FL2. I never considered them really but a friend of mine just bought one and said it drives way nicer than my Disco (which is pretty horrible to drive, clutch/gearchange is so nasty!). Most important issue for me is MPG but I do need a 4x4. I don't do any serious offroading but want the ability to go off road and do a bit of towing and field use for shooting.

So... My Disco gets around 23-24mpg in normal use, up to about 27.5 on a run. What sort of real world MPG does a FL2 get? And are there mods than can make a decent improvement on it to maximise fuel economy?
 
Low 30’s day to day.
High 30’s on a run.

Probably ball-park 10 to the gallon more than your disco.

Very capable off road. I use mine a lot in fields shooting.
A very comfy on road 😉
 
Mine with 99,000 miles on the clock does 44mpg on motorways at 60mph and 38 urban. Very comfy to drive with usual toys.

One thing which improved the economy was, several weeks ago i filled up with go faster diesel and stuck four bottles of redex diesel additive in the tank. Sceptics will probably say it wouldn't do anything but my mpg has improved even though im now running on normal fuel.
 
Spanky-spangler said:
Mine with 99,000 miles on the clock does 44mpg on motorways at 60mph and 38 urban. Very comfy to drive with usual toys.

One thing which improved the economy was, several weeks ago i filled up with go faster diesel and stuck four bottles of redex diesel additive in the tank. Sceptics will probably say it wouldn't do anything but my mpg has improved even though im now running on normal fuel.
Click to expand...
 

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Freddie17 said:
Low 30’s day to day.
High 30’s on a run.

Probably ball-park 10 to the gallon more than your disco.

Very capable off road. I use mine a lot in fields shooting.
A very comfy on road 😉
Click to expand...
Bloody hell, that's MUCH better than I was expecting. My Disco is just painful now. Spent so much on it, it's a real beauty, but I just don't need its real world capabilities and would much rather something a bit lighter and easier to drive on roads, sacrificing a bit of off road ability (mainly just the low ratio which i have used a handful of times over many years!)

Off road wise, all i need is to be able to drive a small sheep trailer across pretty easy fields, or tow a boat to the slipway. The boat and trailer can't be much more than 1.5 ton, maybe less. But I do need 4 wheel drive to help me get up the slip sometimes near end of summer when there's algae on the slipway. I am sure 2 wheel drives could do it if careful, but I just want the comfort of knowing I won't have a problem.

I really think this might be a good decision, most of my use is road based and whilst I love my Disco, I Just don't 'need' it as much as I 'like' to have the capabilities it has.

I wonder what other considerations to think about, if any? I doubt road tax can be any worse than Disco, though these days who knows what tyrannical thievery they will come up with next, but again Freelander can't be treated any worse than Disco2.

Anyone here driving a FL2 but with experience of D2 in the past to compare?

I am not too fussy about gizmos and gimmicks (obviously, I drive a Disco!) - in fact I tend to dislike most modern BS like cars talking to us, tracking our movements to tell Big Brother, deciding when we need wipers on or off.... :D :D. Elec windows are something I finally learned to enjoy, but wouldnt be bothered by manual ones! A couple of things I do like are heated seats (blame that on wife and the kids who seem to carry more of her genes than mine :D), also Cruise Control is a BIG one for me,mainly to try my best to avoid all the mercenary little speed traps, especially average speed sections.

I don't need parking sensors but don't mind em, don't need sunroofs. A half decent cup holder is always nice though :D

Generally, I am getting the feeling a FL2 may be a more sensible thing to be driving around to pick up kebabs and kids!
Spanky-spangler said:
Mine with 99,000 miles on the clock does 44mpg on motorways at 60mph and 38 urban. Very comfy to drive with usual toys.

One thing which improved the economy was, several weeks ago i filled up with go faster diesel and stuck four bottles of redex diesel additive in the tank. Sceptics will probably say it wouldn't do anything but my mpg has improved even though im now running on normal fuel.
Click to expand...
Holy 5hit - that's amazing! Obviously I wouldn't expect that, but I am more than willing to spend money on changes to maximise fuel economy (DPF,EGR, remap... whatever helps). if I could see any number starting with a 3 I would be happy, if it started with a 4 I think I'd have a cardiac arrest!!

Thanks guys, anyone selling one? :D
 
DAMN - Forgot to ask, are we talking Auto or Manual in the two replies above?
And that's actually a point I should have mentioned. I generally always preferred manuals. I suspect if I hadn't had a Disco I would still want manuals always, but I am starting to drool over other people with auto boxes!
Interested in opinions on the two options in FL2
 
john snoo said:
Bloody hell, that's MUCH better than I was expecting. My Disco is just painful now. Spent so much on it, it's a real beauty, but I just don't need its real world capabilities and would much rather something a bit lighter and easier to drive on roads, sacrificing a bit of off road ability (mainly just the low ratio which i have used a handful of times over many years!)

Off road wise, all i need is to be able to drive a small sheep trailer across pretty easy fields, or tow a boat to the slipway. The boat and trailer can't be much more than 1.5 ton, maybe less. But I do need 4 wheel drive to help me get up the slip sometimes near end of summer when there's algae on the slipway. I am sure 2 wheel drives could do it if careful, but I just want the comfort of knowing I won't have a problem.

I really think this might be a good decision, most of my use is road based and whilst I love my Disco, I Just don't 'need' it as much as I 'like' to have the capabilities it has.

I wonder what other considerations to think about, if any? I doubt road tax can be any worse than Disco, though these days who knows what tyrannical thievery they will come up with next, but again Freelander can't be treated any worse than Disco2.

Anyone here driving a FL2 but with experience of D2 in the past to compare?

I am not too fussy about gizmos and gimmicks (obviously, I drive a Disco!) - in fact I tend to dislike most modern BS like cars talking to us, tracking our movements to tell Big Brother, deciding when we need wipers on or off.... :D :D. Elec windows are something I finally learned to enjoy, but wouldnt be bothered by manual ones! A couple of things I do like are heated seats (blame that on wife and the kids who seem to carry more of her genes than mine :D), also Cruise Control is a BIG one for me,mainly to try my best to avoid all the mercenary little speed traps, especially average speed sections.

I don't need parking sensors but don't mind em, don't need sunroofs. A half decent cup holder is always nice though :D

Generally, I am getting the feeling a FL2 may be a more sensible thing to be driving around to pick up kebabs and kids!

Holy 5hit - that's amazing! Obviously I wouldn't expect that, but I am more than willing to spend money on changes to maximise fuel economy (DPF,EGR, remap... whatever helps). if I could see any number starting with a 3 I would be happy, if it started with a 4 I think I'd have a cardiac arrest!!

Thanks guys, anyone selling one? :D
Click to expand...
Just look around for a good one - with known history.
An SE will have the toys you want without breaking the bank 😉
 
john snoo said:
DAMN - Forgot to ask, are we talking Auto or Manual in the two replies above?
And that's actually a point I should have mentioned. I generally always preferred manuals. I suspect if I hadn't had a Disco I would still want manuals always, but I am starting to drool over other people with auto boxes!
Interested in opinions on the two options in FL2
Click to expand...
I’ve driven autos for the last 15 years, and my daily is a bmw EV, but my FL2 is manual. It’s fun, and you have a little more control on the slippery stuff.
They are also cheaper 😉
 
Freddie17 said:
Just look around for a good one - with known history.
An SE will have the toys you want without breaking the bank 😉
Click to expand...
Thanks, was actually about to ask, I have no clue what engines/models/specs there are, so was going to ask which models to avoid (if any) and which are best.
 
Freddie17 said:
I’ve driven autos for the last 15 years, and my daily is a bmw EV, but my FL2 is manual. It’s fun, and you have a little more control on the slippery stuff.
They are also cheaper 😉
Click to expand...
Thanks. I thought manuals should be a few mpg better generally too so maybe I will stick with that. But if I can find a nice one that I can afford, I suspect I will take either auto or manual as I'm not sure it will make much difference. I do like controlling own gears though, apparently it's because I'm a control freak :D
 
2.2 TD4 (it’s either 150 or 160 hp, can’t remember) has plenty of power and grunt, will give you the best mpg. And will happily sit on a motorway and keep up with the rest of them, or plod along on cruise and watch the world go by.

They can have trouble with the rear diffs, but can be sorted if needed.
The Haldex 4wd system needs to be looked after too.
 
Just be mindful that it won’t have the same ground clearance as a disco.
It has good clearance, and probably plenty for what you want.
 
Spanky-spangler said:
Mine is manual with stop/start so the road tax is £255 and insurance is £247. It's a bog standard gs 150bhp.
Click to expand...
Thanks, but when you say stop/start, you don't mean that button on the dash that says that do you? Do you mean this weird thing where some cars turn their engine off whenever you stop at lights?! That whole concept makes me shudder! See, I'm pretty old and even more old-fashioned!

What age is yours? I am guessing I probably can't afford something that new.
Also, have you done brim to brim? Good point above, that's the only MPG I ever mean when I ask, I have never used computers even though some are fairly accurate (wife's transit seems bang on)
 
kermit_rr said:
Ok, i want to know, are we talking brim to brim 'real' mpg or going off what the lie-o-meter says?
Click to expand...

I did work it out once, but I’ve not felt the need to go and measure it exactly ever again. There are too many variances in the driving conditions to get an exact figure anyway - so it’ll change for every tank used.


Freddie17 said:
Low 30’s day to day.
High 30’s on a run.
Click to expand...
That’s close enough for me.

Nobody buys a Landie for their fuel efficiency!
 
Freddie17 said:
Nobody buys a Landie for their fuel efficiency!
Click to expand...
I do! It's a phrase I have heard before, often used as a way to say 'don't buy one if you want high MPG', but I already know that.
I want a 4x4, but I still want to get the best MPG i can, even though none of them are 'good'. So the options I was considering until my mate mentioned the FL2 were:

Mitsubishi Highlander (mainly due to 2WD selectable which gives better fuel, 4WD choice when needed)
Audi A6 All Road (had one a few years back, liked it but at 27mph MAX it was thirsty so no point switching from Disco to that really.
Several other jap vehicles but not really keen on them
 
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