Northern Irelander
Well-Known Member
When you say handles like a pony.......... do you mean the front end lifts under acceleration.
The FL has very soft suspension.
She handles fine, with fully independent suspension,
Perhaps someone with the Sport version can confirm if the ride is good in Mondo mode?
Northern Irelander
Well-Known Member
Im not in agreement Blippie, yes the handling is different but by no means poor. I have got the FL stuck in mud in both Mondo mode and 4wd, wrong tyres really at the end of the day
Its a different machine in Mondo mode, all the power is unleashed to the front wheels, allowing that famous front end lift.
In 4wd the beast is tamed, more predictable, extra engine braking etc
Landrover in South Africa (Port Elizabeth) advised me to go this route. They keep a storeroom full of customer propshafts with your name on it. If you wanna do some serious offroading then they just fit it on quickly (10 mins). This was confirmed by another independant Landrover specialist as the best thing I could do for this particular model (2000 XEDI). Reason is the IRD ratio problem for which Landrover refuses to accept liability for. Keeping 4wd on older models results in IRD problems, diff problems, excessive rear tyre wear and viscous coupling probelms on the prop shaft. Spares in SA are ridicously priced, whereas in the UK they are more affordable. So what I have now is a 4 x 2 SUV, no worse than any other 4 x 2 SUV on the road. I drove a 4 x 2 Huyuandai Tucson this week, and the Freelander in 2wd mode still drives better to me. What I will say, however, is that pushing her hard on a ground road the roadholding is not as good as 4wd, especially in the wet (hardly ever rains here), but otherwise I am satisfied with what I got. I also tow a caravan with it, and no problems.
Blippie
Well-Known Member
I absolutely accept this is somwhat a matter of taste.
However, whilst I am by no means an expert driver, I do drive a variety of vehicles, often pretty near the edge of their handling envelope. Our Freelander in 2wd was pretty scary - light in the front end, massive understeer when accelerating, loss of balance in the car causing wheelspin.
If you are happy with it - no problems. But we'll keep ours as god intended, if you don't mind! ;-)
Cheers
Blip
However, whilst I am by no means an expert driver, I do drive a variety of vehicles, often pretty near the edge of their handling envelope. Our Freelander in 2wd was pretty scary - light in the front end, massive understeer when accelerating, loss of balance in the car causing wheelspin.
If you are happy with it - no problems. But we'll keep ours as god intended, if you don't mind! ;-)
Cheers
Blip
If I was driving the vehicle to its limits, then I would certainly insist on 4wd too. However it is a case of economics here, with poor service from the local Landrover dealer and excessive prices they charge for parts, we do not have too much choice. For real seriuos off road use the popular choice is a Defender or Land Cruiser. But in reality here most 4x4's are for show and never go off a tar road.
But thanks for the input.... it is good to hear all views and experience.
Cheers,
But thanks for the input.... it is good to hear all views and experience.
Cheers,
Northern Irelander
Well-Known Member
Again I dont dispute your experience of the FL causing all of the above.
Whats good is the steering rack, you feel where the front wheels are in relation to understeer. I simply ease off. Plus the good driving position looking out over the clam shell bonnet gives you good bearing on the vehicles performance.
you also get a bit of torque steer because the Fl whether diesel or Petrol has quite a bit of power. Plus the throttle on the diesels and petrols is very responsive.
This summer I charged up a sand dune in Mondo mode with two heavy railway sleepers on the roof rack.
My first attempt, was unsuccessful, I wasnt going hard enough, second time I gave the 1.8 the boot and it proved itself even with Bridgestone Dueller road tyres. NIce........
I quite enjoy inducing wheelspin
, when I drive slowly and steadily there is no cause for concern When winter comes I wouldnt do without 4wd, great in the snow, but thats another story
TTom
New Member
when I drive slowly and steadily there is no cause for concern
That's just my way of driving and, above that, I never go off-road.
Northern Irelander
Well-Known Member
Then you'll go far sir, with better fuel economy and its more green
Just what the Belgian authorities like to hear
My FL is 240g CO2 per Km, my other k-series car is around 180g CO2 per Km, so I have reduced my carbon footprint in Mondo Mode
