Freelander 2 auto, but with tow bar.
Discussion
FiF - Can I assume the barge and pole was because it had a rear hook?
Camel - Why is auto the choice? I've got FL2's on my Radar at the moment as they seem to be able to do most things and still make for a commuting car, a stick is not on my avoid list though.... can you give an overview of models and bits to have not have with the FL2.........cheers
Camel - Why is auto the choice? I've got FL2's on my Radar at the moment as they seem to be able to do most things and still make for a commuting car, a stick is not on my avoid list though.... can you give an overview of models and bits to have not have with the FL2.........cheers
Why Auto? Well, it's like this...
Firstly, the Freelander does not have a low-range set of gears like other larger 4x4s have (the low-range gives you more torque & better control at the low speeds used off-road). So, the auto helps compensate for this as you don't have a clutch to burn out when negotiating obstacles.
If you're towing, again the auto helps with the low-speed manoeuvring (I hate the smell of clutch smoke!).
The auto on the Freelander has 'Command Shift'... i.e. you can shift the gears manually if you want to have that feeling of being 'in control'!!
M
Firstly, the Freelander does not have a low-range set of gears like other larger 4x4s have (the low-range gives you more torque & better control at the low speeds used off-road). So, the auto helps compensate for this as you don't have a clutch to burn out when negotiating obstacles.
If you're towing, again the auto helps with the low-speed manoeuvring (I hate the smell of clutch smoke!).
The auto on the Freelander has 'Command Shift'... i.e. you can shift the gears manually if you want to have that feeling of being 'in control'!!
M
HarryW said:
FiF - Can I assume the barge and pole was because it had a rear hook?
Yes it was because of the hook on a manual and a worry about how the previous driver(s) had treated the clutch. The FL2 manual clutch is not that robust allegedly, and needs to be slipped when slow speed reversing a trailer. Quite a bit of discussion on various places about this and knock on effects to dual mass flywheel longevity.Also the consistent advice from owners was that the auto is just a nicer vehicle to drive.
In the end I went for a 10 plate HSE Auto with premium pack. So far very pleased with it, touch wood, and whilst I considered many many vehicles, from 2wd estate cars and other soft roaders, in the end the FL2 consistently got the vote as the nicest place to be, but at a price.
Also really liked the Yeti btw, but the load space configuration plus lack of flat floor eliminated that. Also very nearly bought an Subaru Outback, nip and tuck in the end between that and the FL.
edited to add
Re which model question, the concensus seems to be that the model to look for is the XS as it seems to have all the bits that most people want, satnav, decent audio, heated seats, heated windscreen, front and rear parking sensors.
I looked very hard for an XS that had the bits I wanted as I prefer the partial leather/Alcantara upholstery to the full leather, but what I was looking for was an option on that MY XS, but standard on HSE, so in the end paid a little more, and it was only a little more to get HSE. In the end pleased I made that decision as would still be waiting, whereas ended up with a choice of 8/9 vehicles meeting spec in budget range.
Edited by ExFiF on Monday 4th June 10:11
Cheers for that; The auto economy and Co2 seems like a big hit on paper compared to manual, prices for HSE border on D3 territory and makes it become less attractive, kitted XS are not that far sort either.
Avoid tow hook motors
So is manual is OK if you do no towing or serious off road work.
What is the hill decent system like seeing as they have no low gears, it is standard on all but the base S.
Leather is nice but not essential. Is cloth that bad?
Nav seems like it completes the dash layout to me, but is it actually any good and worth paying for?
Pan roofs improve the ambiance, do they leak.
Avoid tow hook motors
So is manual is OK if you do no towing or serious off road work.
What is the hill decent system like seeing as they have no low gears, it is standard on all but the base S.
Leather is nice but not essential. Is cloth that bad?
Nav seems like it completes the dash layout to me, but is it actually any good and worth paying for?
Pan roofs improve the ambiance, do they leak.
have you found www.freel2.com
Can't help you on many of the questions as I'm still a noobie with the vehicle.
Fabric is OK I'd reckon, though a few that I looked at with cloth interiors were a bit scruffy, maybe just unlucky picking ones with spills.
The nav system gets a bit of a variable response on that website linked above. LR sat nav
I haven't used mine in anger so far, just played around with it, and whilst it has given me some damn strange routes at first, this was all down to my failure to RTFM. Coming from the Volvo RTI system which I found completely OK but Clarkson and the other idiots constantly slate as the worst sat nav.... in the woooorld then perhaps my standards are a bit dodgy.
So far the LR sat nav seems less intuitive, but on the other hand I knew my way backwards round the Volvo unit, so maybe it's just familiarity that is needed. Certainly the LR system has a few alternative split screen display modes that are a definite improvement over the Volvo one, but not as good as the Skoda/VAG Columbus unit for example. I think both could do with an update, but have been comparing it side by side with a Garmin on one recent run. The LR route was almost identical, and applying local knowledge I'd say marginally better round one bit, the turn instructions were more accurate and timely too. So not that bad as some make out.
With the VAG you can create a stack of POI (eg genuine destinations / waypoints or even scamera locations) and upload them onto an SD card which sits in the satnav. The SD card can be up to 32gig so you can have a load of music on there too. You have to key in all POI into the LR manually, though of course there is a big database in the memory already. Updates to the map system are quite cheap compared to other manufacturers apparently.
HTH
Can't help you on many of the questions as I'm still a noobie with the vehicle.
Fabric is OK I'd reckon, though a few that I looked at with cloth interiors were a bit scruffy, maybe just unlucky picking ones with spills.
The nav system gets a bit of a variable response on that website linked above. LR sat nav
I haven't used mine in anger so far, just played around with it, and whilst it has given me some damn strange routes at first, this was all down to my failure to RTFM. Coming from the Volvo RTI system which I found completely OK but Clarkson and the other idiots constantly slate as the worst sat nav.... in the woooorld then perhaps my standards are a bit dodgy.
So far the LR sat nav seems less intuitive, but on the other hand I knew my way backwards round the Volvo unit, so maybe it's just familiarity that is needed. Certainly the LR system has a few alternative split screen display modes that are a definite improvement over the Volvo one, but not as good as the Skoda/VAG Columbus unit for example. I think both could do with an update, but have been comparing it side by side with a Garmin on one recent run. The LR route was almost identical, and applying local knowledge I'd say marginally better round one bit, the turn instructions were more accurate and timely too. So not that bad as some make out.
With the VAG you can create a stack of POI (eg genuine destinations / waypoints or even scamera locations) and upload them onto an SD card which sits in the satnav. The SD card can be up to 32gig so you can have a load of music on there too. You have to key in all POI into the LR manually, though of course there is a big database in the memory already. Updates to the map system are quite cheap compared to other manufacturers apparently.
HTH
Just had a low bhp, manual GS FL2 as loaner while my Auto HSE had the boot catch fixed. Alli can say was it felt like a completely different car..........a total dawg. Constant gear changing, uncomfy seat, no power. We couldn't believe it was a Freelander.
Auto, HSE is the only way to go, sorry.
Auto, HSE is the only way to go, sorry.
Resurection..Still pondering FL2's....
Is there much difference in performance or reliability with the Haldex 3 upgrade to Haldex 4 introduced in MY2009. When exactly did the change happen and how do you tell if it is fitted, as I understand it actually came in 2008 but the way motors are built and stored I don't think you can necessarily rely on a reg plate.
Is there much difference in performance or reliability with the Haldex 3 upgrade to Haldex 4 introduced in MY2009. When exactly did the change happen and how do you tell if it is fitted, as I understand it actually came in 2008 but the way motors are built and stored I don't think you can necessarily rely on a reg plate.
It is a LR and British, so it's not going to be perfect all the time. I've dug around a lot before buying and think I've got a good one, however time will tell.
Any make or marque has horror stories, generally the FL2 seems average on that front but above average for 'love'.........just don't quote me in a years time.
Any make or marque has horror stories, generally the FL2 seems average on that front but above average for 'love'.........just don't quote me in a years time.
Paddy_N_Murphy said:
Just please ensure it has had recall Q106 doen - although this it seems doesn't ensure damage has not been done already.
I did look at that aspect as part of research, so understand your point.....It has full main dealer history, but to be sure I've logged onto TOPIx (LR tool) and put my chassis through and it has no outstanding campaigns, i.e. Q106 has been done.
Triple7 said:
Just had a low bhp, manual GS FL2 as loaner while my Auto HSE had the boot catch fixed. Alli can say was it felt like a completely different car..........a total dawg. Constant gear changing, uncomfy seat, no power. We couldn't believe it was a Freelander.
Auto, HSE is the only way to go, sorry.
Spooky that, I recently had the same experience.Auto, HSE is the only way to go, sorry.
I couldn't believe how ropey the manual GS felt despite being a 12plate with less than 4k miles on it. I was actually quite shocked that leather and auto could actually transform the car so much.
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