Freelander 2 (LR2) thinking of buying a Freelander2

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clark ellis

New Member
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5
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We currently have a Hyundai Santa Fe. It's alright actually, but we're looking to upgrade. I like 4x4s, had a Pajero in the past but have always fancied a Freelander 2. It'll be used mainly on the tarmac.

Also on our list are a Skoda Yeti, VW Tiguan or a proper family car. I fancy the Freelander but will need to convince my wife. The Freelander will cost a bit more (around 11k by the looks of things), will be a bit older (~2010) and higher mileage (~60k miles) judging by one near me that I'm going to see tomorrow, a TD4 HSE so a good spec on it by the looks of things.

The question is are they expensive to run and what sort of problems do you get on them? I'm fairly good with cars but I'm disabled so limited in what I can manage myself now. I read you can get problems with the rear diff on the 4x4 version, how common is that and does it affect all years?

Would really appreciate any advice you can give me.
Cheers
Clark
 
Unfortunately I'm no expert on the FL2, but I can say it's very nice to drive and 'feels' like a modern car.
Compared to the Yeti, which is a great car, it's bigger, gives a higher driving position, and a more planted feel.
VW Tiguan, err, no. Can't stand the thing. But that's just my opinion.
Proper family car, buy a Ford Kuga, best of both worlds, and it's on the same platform as the FL2.

HSE has loads of toys and great interiors. Do the usual 2nd hand car checks and take your time to check servicing and paperwork. As ever, if it doesn't feel right, walk away, there's plenty out there.
Yes there is an issue with the Haldex rear diff, but mainly on the early ones, but look for the recall papers.

As you say are disabled but not to what extent, I would suggest finding a local independent Land Rover repair/service place, and go and talk to them. The good ones will generally talk the hind legs off a donkey and give advice freely. They are also the people to give you the running costs. I'm not disabled in any way, but I have a friendly mechanic, just in case.
If you give us your location, one of us will probably be able to recommend one.

Overall they're no more troublesome than any other car, it's just that us land-rover owners like moaning, alot, all over the net:)
Mike
 
Skinny Mike said:
Unfortunately I'm no expert on the FL2, but I can say it's very nice to drive and 'feels' like a modern car.
Compared to the Yeti, which is a great car, it's bigger, gives a higher driving position, and a more planted feel.
VW Tiguan, err, no. Can't stand the thing. But that's just my opinion.
Proper family car, buy a Ford Kuga, best of both worlds, and it's on the same platform as the FL2.

HSE has loads of toys and great interiors. Do the usual 2nd hand car checks and take your time to check servicing and paperwork. As ever, if it doesn't feel right, walk away, there's plenty out there.
Yes there is an issue with the Haldex rear diff, but mainly on the early ones, but look for the recall papers.

As you say are disabled but not to what extent, I would suggest finding a local independent Land Rover repair/service place, and go and talk to them. The good ones will generally talk the hind legs off a donkey and give advice freely. They are also the people to give you the running costs. I'm not disabled in any way, but I have a friendly mechanic, just in case.
If you give us your location, one of us will probably be able to recommend one.

Overall they're no more troublesome than any other car, it's just that us land-rover owners like moaning, alot, all over the net:)
Mike
Click to expand...
Thanks so much for your reply Mike. Good shout about the Kuga, we've not really looked at those and maybe we should. Not driven the Tiguan but helpful to hear your dislike of it - anything in particular you didn't like about it?

Searching around on here, it sounds like after 09 the diffs have better bearings. Does that mean I don't really need to worry about it if buying a 2010 model or is there still a fair amount of risk I wonder?
Freelander 2 rear diff problems

Good advice about talking to an independant LR garage. I'll see what's near me. I was planning on speaking to my local garage who are a good bunch, reasonable fees, great service but no idea if they have much experience with LRs or not. I'm in Corsham, Wiltshire. My main problem disability wise is a lack of strength. So if there is a bolt that is not easy to remove then I can't do the job. I was thinking about buying a impact wrench to maybe aid me a little though.
 
The Tiguan is alot smaller than they make out, open the boot, you'll be surprised. And if it goes wrong, which they do more than they admit, it'll cost a fortune to fix.
Buy a Jeep instead, Cherokee or Grand Cherokee, miles better. We've got a Grand Cherokee, amazing machine. But it's huge, the Cherokee is more Freelander size. But the Kuga still makes more sense for everyday use over a Jeep.
As for the Haldex, there's posts on here that explain what happens to them. If your concerned, and you buy an FL2, just take it straight to a LR specialist to get it checked out.
Mike
 
The Tiguan is much smaller and is horrible to drive. Had one for 3 years and hated it. It was unreliable too and rolled away 3 times when the EPB released its self. They also are empty of kit, unless the original purchaser added options.
The FL2 does have a high driving position and drives quite well.
We now have a 65 plate Ford Kuga as our family car. It makes the FL2 feel decidedly slow and feel old fashioned.
Me. I'd go with the Kuga, but only in the facelift version.
 
It looks like you have a budget of 10K and are not in the position to get really involved in DIY mechanics.

If I were you I'd look very seriously at what you might be able to get on private lease plans - you know the sort of things where you just pay for the fuel and everything else is done for you. In the long run if you're paying garages to chase down dodgy electrickery computer related faults on vehicles about a decade old I reckon you'll probably come out better on one of those lease plans these days.

If this appeals - read the small print in the tedious contract and go with a company with a good name - try www.honestjohn.co.uk for general advice
 
Stretch said:
It looks like you have a budget of 10K and are not in the position to get really involved in DIY mechanics.

If I were you I'd look very seriously at what you might be able to get on private lease plans - you know the sort of things where you just pay for the fuel and everything else is done for you. In the long run if you're paying garages to chase down dodgy electrickery computer related faults on vehicles about a decade old I reckon you'll probably come out better on one of those lease plans these days.

If this appeals - read the small print in the tedious contract and go with a company with a good name - try www.honestjohn.co.uk for general advice
Click to expand...

For some people, in some situations, I tend to agree. Our family Kuga is on lease. It means we get to drive a new car, which we couldn't afford to buy outright and only have a monthly lease costs to worry about. It's simple, worry free motoring.
I have my own Freelander and the wife uses the Kuga or her BMW E46 vert, depending on how she feels.
If we are going out as a family, we use the Kuga.
 
The Mad Hat Man said:
yu can get an almost new dacia duster for less with brilliant warranty :)
Click to expand...

I'm not adverse to buying a less trendy car like a Dacia, but I don't think I like the look of the Duster that much. Also they don't crash that well for their class of car and safety is a high priority for me in buying any car. Thanks for the suggestion though.
 
I went and did it last year,
Bought a freelender 2 auto, it is quiet comfortable and drives great, driving position is very good and I can drive long distances with no discomfort, about 35 mpg localy and 38 - 40 on a long run, better at night as the oncoming headlamps are not directly in your eyes like my old BMW.
I managed to find a 2010 one with 13K on the clock ( checked MOT site and its real) bought from main dealer who sold it when new, one owner and 4 main dealer service stamps in the book, paid a premium but it is like a new car.
Only had it 1 year but would recommend them, apparently there is a lot of Ford in the FL2, same power unit and transmission as the Kuga and some of the Volvo cars, I heard they were actually built in Hailwood, but not 100% sure. Whoever built them forgot to build in the rust and electric problems which are an essential part of any Land Rover.
Had no issues yet but I have heard of the diff and Haldex problems, there is a company called Bell Engineering who will do a service/ oil change on the Haldex unit, i have never used them but you can see some good comments on them if you Google their name, I may have mine done soon.
 
Test drove one today. Good drive. Only thing I didn't like was the center console is quite wide and far forward meaning less leg room than I am used to. I guess I'd get used to it. This particular one smelt very doggy which put us off a bit. Still thinking about it but might wait for a better one to come up. Noticed what someone on here said about the wheel arches warping, great advice on here, thank you.
 
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