Hi,

I've been debating between getting an Evoque and Freelander and took both out for a test drive, and to my surprise I actually had more fun in the Freelander, the Evoque felt too car like for me (I'm moving from a M3 and want something completely different, hence not wanting something that drives like a car per se).

So decision made, or so I thought. When I started looking I'd chosen vehicle I wanted which was a Dynamic with quite a number of extras, but the salesman told me I can't have that anymore as they just have 3 new specs, the SE (GS), SE Tech (XS) and metropolis (HSE), but no version of the Dynamic. OK, not the end of the world I'll have the metropolis (HSE) as it has all the spec I want, just doesn't have the funky dynamic exterior. But you can't spec it in manual OK, so I'll have the SE Tech and spec it up, can't really do that either

So I can either have a Metropolis with a gear box I don't want (more on this in a minute), or a SE Tech without the spec I particularly want, or I can try and find a second hand dynamic with my perfect spec (if it exists).

To help with my decision I have a couple of queries. How flexible are LR with the specs list, if it's not on the options will they absolutely not do it, such as adding the top meridian audio system to the SE Tech, or having the Metropolis with a manual gear box?

The second query relates to the auto box. I generally don't like auto boxes, and if I do drive them I have them in manual mode. However, I took the Evoque auto out and if you had it in manual but didn't change gear for 30s or so it reverted to auto again, which caught me out a couple of times. For me this is really annoying, if I want it in Auto I'll put it in auto. OK so I know they need to change down if you're being lazy and let the revs drop, but still leave it in manual. Does the Freelander auto gear box also revert to auto if you don't change gear for a while, or does it stay in manual (command shift) until you tell it otherwise?

Sorry for the long winded post, but I thought I'd share my thought processes Any help greatly appreciated

Most dealers tend to stick by the book so I've found, some do "special vehicles" although I'm not sure they'd class what you're looking for as one.

As for the 'box, if you knock the FL box over to the left in "command shift" it stays there, it will only change itself if you're either screaming the tits off it, or the revs are too low (ie trying to pull away from stationary in 5th)... At least the one I drove last week that I'm hoping to buy did

SES88 said:

Most dealers tend to stick by the book so I've found, some do "special vehicles" although I'm not sure they'd class what you're looking for as one.

As for the 'box, if you knock the FL box over to the left in "command shift" it stays there, it will only change itself if you're either screaming the tits off it, or the revs are too low (ie trying to pull away from stationary in 5th)... At least the one I drove last week that I'm hoping to buy did

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Thanks, maybe I should give the Auto box a whirl then, I'll just have to get used to the back to front box

snerkler said:

Thanks, maybe I should give the Auto box a whirl then, I'll just have to get used to the back to front box

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It's ideal if you just want to tootle around and switch it into manual as required... I don't like the manual freelander 2, just feels wrong to drive, suits the auto far more!

SES88 said:

It's ideal if you just want to tootle around and switch it into manual as required... I don't like the manual freelander 2, just feels wrong to drive, suits the auto far more!

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Well I've not driven the auto box but I had a right hoot in manual, I tended to drive it like a white van man

I would never have it in auto, even when tootling, I just hate them so it would definitely be in command shift 100%. My other concern is I have a dual clutch semi auto box at the moment, and it really is the creme de la creme. I have my concerns about going to a torque converter auto box after this, but I think I need to try it for myself

the e92 gearbox is indeed sublime, its based more on a manual box than an auto though... give it a go, just ask to drive a used one they have on the forecourt if they don't have an auto demonstrator!

SES88 said:

the e92 gearbox is indeed sublime, its based more on a manual box than an auto though... give it a go, just ask to drive a used one they have on the forecourt if they don't have an auto demonstrator!

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Yep, will do. Thanks for the help

Get yerself a betterer main dealer.
FL2 auto is nice. Evoque has more gears in the auto than FL2.
Spec's have changed recently. Less models. FL2 stops this year so they may be consolidating builds to cover popular demand. Options are very limited compared to before.

Build yer own ere: Build your Land Rover Freelander 2 - Models

Latest catalogue: https://www.forms.landrover.co.uk/web/BrochureRequest.aspx

Hippo said:

Get yerself a betterer main dealer.
FL2 auto is nice. Evoque has more gears in the auto than FL2.
Spec's have changed recently. Less models. FL2 stops this year so they may be consolidating builds to cover popular demand. Options are very limited compared to before.

Build yer own ere: Build your Land Rover Freelander 2 - Models

Latest catalogue: https://www.forms.landrover.co.uk/web/BrochureRequest.aspx

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Thanks for the links. I've done the LR build and aware of the new builds hence me discussing the SE Tech and Metropolis
What do you mean re the get a better dealer comment? Are you saying that some dealers can push through 'special orders'?
I've got another set of test drives tomorrow, this time the Evoque manual, and also FL2 auto. Fingers crossed I can reach a decision.

Can you retro fit the dynamic 'body kit' and if so how close are colour matches?

I got the feeling yer dealer wasn't helping enough. that's all. I would expect them to want to do their best to sell you stuff. I accept LR have limited the models but a sale is a sale. I sure they could explain it betterer or help with telling you what options they could fit themselves.

Hippo said:

I got the feeling yer dealer wasn't helping enough. that's all. I would expect them to want to do their best to sell you stuff. I accept LR have limited the models but a sale is a sale. I sure they could explain it betterer or help with telling you what options they could fit themselves.

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Thanks. I get the impression that they may look into things more if and when I make my mind up tbh. Once I decide whether I want one or not Ill really nail down the spec.

Tbh I may end up going 2nd hand as I like the look of the Dynamic over all the others. It's a shame this is the model they've dropped (the others are pretty much the same just renamed).

It's a shame I'm not wanting to take quick delivery as they have 0% finance on at the mo.

It's a real shame the Freelander 2 is stopping production.

Edit:
the reason why the OP has only 3 options of Freelander 2 is because they're the run out models before they stop making them. They chose 3 spec's based on popularity/cost of build and heavily discounted them anorl. That's a good buy if yer looking for one.

But that will be good for buyers of s/h Freelander 2's a few months after the FL3 comes out. Or whatever it is called.

You can get the body kit separately for a Freelander 2 and colour match is fine to be honest.

Plus on Evoque auto if you're in Sport then it won't change back to auto mode when using the paddles.

In my opinion the important thing is to get the right base spec of vehicle and then you can add on the extra easy stuff like body kit - wrong gearbox, missing features will bug you for all the time you have the car!

td4van said:

You can get the body kit separately for a Freelander 2 and colour match is fine to be honest.

Plus on Evoque auto if you're in Sport then it won't change back to auto mode when using the paddles.

In my opinion the important thing is to get the right base spec of vehicle and then you can add on the extra easy stuff like body kit - wrong gearbox, missing features will bug you for all the time you have the car!

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I disagree about the evoque, I was in sport and it still reverted to auto. Thanks for the rest of the advice.

Epicuser said:

But that will be good for buyers of s/h Freelander 2's a few months after the FL3 comes out. Or whatever it is called.

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Freelander is finishing altogether and being replaced by the discovery sport apparently.

snerkler said:

I disagree about the evoque, I was in sport and it still reverted to auto. Thanks for the rest of the advice.

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Other sites say this shouldn't happen and it should stay in command shift, wonder if it had a fault? Definitely did it is S and D though as I wondered if this may have been the case

Evoque auto is faster than the manual version, most of them are now!

SES88 said:

Evoque auto is faster than the manual version, most of them are now!

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To be fair they're all very tardy compared to what I'm used to so it's all about the experience rather than speed

snerkler said:

To be fair they're all very tardy compared to what I'm used to so it's all about the experience rather than speed

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Well any LR will feel tardy compared to the M3!

They all shift about even when in command shift if the car decides it needs to shift, such as if you're sitting at way too high revs and not accelerating or trying to pull away in 4th (as I did today when chatting away on the phone and forgot I was in CS)