derwendolly

Well-Known Member
Full Member
I am considering looking for a Freelander 2, up to £20000 and don't want a pup!
Pitfalls, recommendations, suggestions - all welcome.
I will be seeking to buy from a dealer as I do not have anyone to advise me.
 
I'd put a few extra ££££ and get a Discovery Sport instead. It's a better all round option than the ageing FL2.

Thanks for that. I have a Discovery2 at the moment and I love it! I have had it for 18+ years and spent a fortune on it - always having LR original parts fitted where possible and a galvanised chassis, too. I think the only parts of the original vehicle left are the engine and the gearbox!!!! It is running beautifully and every mile has been put on by me, BUT at 251000+ miles I know it is going to need replacing soon as I am unable ( incapable ) of doing ANY repairs myself and I live in fear of having a serious breakdown when on a long or European journey. I do have breakdown cover but that in itself can be a pain when you live miles away from anywhere or have to communicate in a foreign language.
 
This intrigues me, at 3/4 yrs old it is probably a ex lease model, or a demo. Lease models can be good if the company leasing it kept to the service records, what is the milage, has it got a good service record. Is it possible to talk to previous 'owner'? Is it Land Rover certified vehicle. I would be tempted to look for a decent 3yr old that has been serviced well and put in as part exchange by someone looking to keep their vehicle up-to-date. I have a 2010/11 and it is great, one weep on a oil seal on rear half shaft, other wise she is great. the F2 has a pretty good reputation. The only thing I can think of is make sure that the tyres are all the same, ie they haven't had a puncture and replaced just the one tyre. If it wasn't a lease why after only 3/4 of a year are they getting rid of it ?????? Monday morning vehicle ????. At that age not much would be worn unless they did huge motor way miles and then that should be reflected in price. So many questions .....
 
My bad expression! It is meant to read as 'a three to four old vehicle'.
nah probably me, getting to be more swedish as i live here, and losing my comprehension of English. As a 3-4 yr old again service records, has it done over 150k if so definitely check to see if major service was done, it is the 10yr or 150 kilometre but at that age unlikely your looking at that. Like I said they are pretty reliable if looked after. About the only thing I can think of is oil leak from front of engine due to poorly tightened breather tube (least ways I think that is what it is) but that is merely tightening up the clamp but might give a bargaining point :). I do a 300 kilometre trip every other week in all kinds of weather and temperatures, ( down to - 35c ) no problems. I have the diesel pre-heater on mine and it doesn't have the parking facility on it which is a cheapskate move by LR cause it is only a electronic fob thingy, might be worth checking out if that follows with vehicle if so equipped. As a matter of interest I have a disco 2 1996 that is going to be stripped and rebuilt as soon as i can get a workshop built and finish the 1971 vw bus I have and finish ......... etc :)
 
As a matter of interest I have a disco 2 1996 that is going to be stripped and rebuilt as soon as i can get a workshop built and finish the 1971 vw bus I have and finish ......... etc :)
Mine is a year 2000 May but, unlike you, I am incapable of stripping and rebuilding it. Sadly, it seems to be the bodywork that is beginning to deteriorate. The last ( FEB) MoT reported that the front offside inner wing was beginning to show signs of rusting through :( and I think the rear door is rusting in a few places patches, too. With the expertise, I would keep the vehicle and work on those things but, without the essential talent, I have to pay my mechanic to do it all and that looks to be a false economy as it is not going to stop rusting as it gets even older!! Besides, at my age, I just have to accept the situation and work around a feasible solution, hence my decision to wave bye-bye and replace it. Typical woman, old and incapable!!!!:rolleyes:
 
You are beginning to convince me that another Discovery

The Discovery Sport is a Discovery in name only. It's a development of the Ford EUCD platform. This is used by many modern vehicles and has nothing to do with the Discovery 2 or even the D3. It's a completely different vehicle and much better for it. It's also a close cousin to the FL2, just much more refined. The EUCD platform is tried, tested and well engineered. The new Discoverys don't rust like the old ones either, which can only be a good thing. The Discovery Sport is also a slower depreciating vehicle compared to the FL2 it replaced. This means your extra outlay will reward you by retaining it's value for longer. ;)
 
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The Discovery Sport is a Discovery in name only. It's a development of the Ford EUCD platform. This is used by many modern vehicles and has nothing to do with the Discovery 2 or even the D3. It's a completely different vehicle and much better for it, it's also a close cousin to the FL2, just more refined. The EUCD platform is tried, tested and well engineered. The new Discoverys don't rust like the old ones either, which can only be a good thing. The Discovery Sport is also a slower depreciating vehicle compared to the FL2 it replaced. This means your extra outlay will reward you by retaining it's value for longer. ;)
You're doing a first class job of convincing me!!
 
You're doing a first class job of convincing me!!

I've spent the last 6 months weighing up the FL2 vs Discovery Sport options myself.
I've come to the conclusion that the DS is a better all round vehicle than the FL2, so would get my vote. It's also very nice to drive, but very different compared to a D2, so would need getting used to.
The SE Tech is a good all round trim level to choose, with auto transmission coupled to a diesel engine.
 
.... with auto transmission coupled to a diesel engine.
It's this that concerns me. My experience (many years ago I have to say) of a diesel auto compared to the manual was not good. I found the auto lacking 'umph!, if you know what I mean. I can only believe that things have changed since the1990's!
 
My experience (many years ago I have to say) of a diesel auto compared to the manual was not good. I found the auto lacking 'umph!

The latest breed of 9 speed auto's is breathing. The 9 speed auto Discovery Sport is faster and better to drive than the manual gearbox version. The auto box is now so good, there's absolutely no need to have a manual. Try one and see for yourself.;)
You'll be surprised at just how good and instant the response is from the engine/auto combo. The most powerful diesel/auto box combo will accelerate from rest to 60 Mph in 7.9 seconds, but the manual box version takes another second to get to 60 at 8.9 seconds.
I'd go auto every time and there's no high priced clutches to replace every few years.
 
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have driven the FL2 auto and manual versions
and a DS ingenium diesel 180 bhp manual
( dealer courtesy cars )
from a driving p.o.v. thought the FL2 auto were best
liked it straight away ..
the DS i thought were totally bland ..
after 3 days concluded just maybe i could like it .. maybe ..
it kept telling me to change up at 1600 rpm ..
speed were deceptive .. methinks i'm doing 70mph ..
look at speedo .. it sais 80 mph
( ditto for methinks 60 mph .. speedo said 70 mph )
very smooth and quiet .. too much so for my taste ..
a straight thru exhaust would have been nice .. for some feedback :)

and every time the engine were off .. the stop/start would re-initialise ..
and as i dislike said feature .. found it a bit irritating ..

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for various reasons i prefer driving my FL1 ..
was glad to get it back each time ..
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This intrigues me, at 3/4 yrs old it is probably a ex lease model, or a demo. Lease models can be good if the company leasing it kept to the service records, what is the milage, has it got a good service record. Is it possible to talk to previous 'owner'? Is it Land Rover certified vehicle. I would be tempted to look for a decent 3yr old that has been serviced well and put in as part exchange by someone looking to keep their vehicle up-to-date. I have a 2010/11 and it is great, one weep on a oil seal on rear half shaft, other wise she is great. the F2 has a pretty good reputation. The only thing I can think of is make sure that the tyres are all the same, ie they haven't had a puncture and replaced just the one tyre. If it wasn't a lease why after only 3/4 of a year are they getting rid of it ?????? Monday morning vehicle ????. At that age not much would be worn unless they did huge motor way miles and then that should be reflected in price. So many questions .....
It can be an ex lease at only 1 year depending on the company. Number of years varies on what the owner wants. Or an ex MCP. Peeps chop their vehicles in at all sorts of ages. Dun't mean there's anything wrong with it. Some like to upgrade regular to keep up to date. Others are charging cost to their company so there's a tax benefit to keep replacing.
 
The FL2 has a well established fan base. Prices hold fairly well when compared to none LR models. Yes they had issues but most of this was sorted out in early years. A "LR approved used" is always a good option. Bit higher on price but yer get 2 years fairly good warranty with it with options to extend. They stopped making them int UK in October 2014. A fully loaded last edition my15 metropolis on reasonable miles is at the top of yer budget.

It's difficult to compare the FL2 to the disco sport. LR aimed the DS to a different market. They also loaded and priced the spec differently. FL2 always gives you better value for money when new or used, when comparing spec. Some DS models seem to have quirky specs which cost a lot to add popular features which most would expect as standard on such a vehicle when considering its price.

The FL2 and DS give different driving feedback. Yer would need to ask someone who's driven both for a comparison. It's hard to describe but the DS front end feels heavier than the FL2, at speed or when slow. It also pitches on corners differently. It also doesn't give the same driver feedback of being connected. If you had only driven a big vehicle like a DS then yer wouldn't notice it. If you then drove a FL2 you would realise the difference. Visibility is betterer int FL2 but the DS has newer technology like the ingemium engine later on. Faults on the FL2 are well known with most having fixes. DS repair knowledge is getting betterer but sadly the DS fourm is over run with peeps who love to hate it which spoils the forum.

Power and diesel... Pick the sport diesel SD4 on the FL2 if yer want more power than the TD4. SD4 is auto as standard but TD4 has option of auto or manuals. Autos are much betteter. SD4 has power across all rev ranges with effortless delivery. Diesels have come aong way over the years. Most have enough torque they don't need to drop a gear to accelerate hard when cruising. Be careful of buying power yer dun't need. Higher power models cost more to buy and collect tickets easier.
 
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