X5 vs XC90 vs Freelander2

[alfaspiderman2]

So the trusty Freelander is going to be replaced.

Narrowed search down to one of the above. I know none are typical PH motors but getting one of these for family duties (8k a year, local forest/beach hacks, holiday runs to Cornwall/France). (This will allow my Merc estate to go in favour of something more fun for me!)

Budget is £15-17k, must be high spec (leather, xenons, cruise), auto, not fussed on petrol vs diesel

Like the image of the Land Rover, the looks/spec of the Volvo, and the drive of the X5. Local BMW and Land Rover indies are major plus point as well.

Struggling to decide between the 3. Thoughts/experience?

[Bullett]

You are a bit ahead of me on timescale but I'm considering something similar. X5 has been excluded by the Mrs, a couple of friends have teh volvo and rave about it.

Any reason you've not included the Cayenne?

[npope]

alfaspiderman2 said:

So the trusty Freelander is going to be replaced.

Narrowed search down to one of the above. I know none are typical PH motors but getting one of these for family duties (8k a year, local forest/beach hacks, holiday runs to Cornwall/France). (This will allow my Merc estate to go in favour of something more fun for me!)

Budget is £15-17k, must be high spec (leather, xenons, cruise), auto, not fussed on petrol vs diesel

Like the image of the Land Rover, the looks/spec of the Volvo, and the drive of the X5. Local BMW and Land Rover indies are major plus point as well.

Struggling to decide between the 3. Thoughts/experience?

Benn through the same thing and I have just signed on my secound XC90 after a a few years away from one, I loved the XC90 a great car not very good on the MPG and tires but over all love it. I do have three kids so need something that would take three car seat and with the XC90 all seats in the rear are inderpendant so it really help with car seats. You will also get more for your money a newer car I would think. Go an have a drive of one try and get the 185 BHP shoudl not be a problem with your budget.

[Chris_w666]

FL2 is a very good motor and a leap ahead of the old model so much better in fact I am surprised they didn't come up with a new name, a bit smaller than the others so slightly easier to live with day to day if it is doing lots of town/car park stuff.

XC90 is very nice but would I be right thinking you would get a older/leggier one for the same money as the LR? I drove a brand new D5 yesterday and it was a fantastic wafty car with much better seats than the FL2.

I know nothing about the X5 but of those 2 I would plump for the Freelander unless a 185/200ps D5 XC90 is in budget.

[edo]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2248570.htm

BMW X5 4.4 Sport Auto Comms pack (2005/55)
39,898 miles £15,950

BMW X3 4.4 Sport Automatic, Toledeo blue with upgraded soft black Nappa leather trim, automatic gearbox, full and comprehensive service histort, communication pack including wide screen sat nav and TV function, electric memory seats with heaters, electric steering column control, multi function steering wheel, aluminium running boards, hill descent control, 19'' alloy wheels re-furbished and unmarked, the car will be sold with a new MOT test and the remaining road fund licence (317g/km), electric folding mirrors, CD player, graduated top tinted windscreen, we have both keys and all the hand books for this car, park distance control front and rear, bluetooth phone system, wood trim, digital dual zone climate control.

[Hip2Bsquare]

I'd go with the BMW if you are not going to do any serious off roading and prioritise comfort.
They drive very well, very well built and the dealer network is usually very good.

The XC90 is a great car and is somewhere in between the FL2 and the X5 for capability and refinement.

The FL2 is excellent but somewhat smaller than the other two choices (as you know). They are much more refined than the rather dated FL1 and good off road too.

[stevieb]

Key question really is that do you need 7 seats? as the X5 is hard to come by with 7 seats at your price bracket.

The xc90 is a good car, but costly to maintain. and things do go and will go wrong. been there got the T-Shirt £8k in maintainence/repairs in 2 years ownership.

I would go with the X5 if you only need 5 seats.

Also why are you looking at a Freelander when comparing this against the XC90 and X5. you could get a good spec Range Rover or a Discovery for 18k

Edited by stevieb on Wednesday 17th November 15:56

Edited by stevieb on Wednesday 17th November 15:56

[VladD]

Can I just ask why you're considering an X5, but not an X3?

[alfaspiderman2]

Some great responses there - thanks.

In response to specific questions:

Why no Cayenne? I like the rugged appeal of the LR and XC90 (less so X5).

7 seats? Not necessary

X3? Just can't get along with the looks or image although I realise (because most people agree with me on that) they are great value

Disco/Rangie? Would love either but too expensive to get a good Disco3 and Rangies are too big for wifey

Keep the views coming

[frosted]

I had the Rx300 and 400h and wouldnt buy anything else , in 4 years of ownership I didnt spend one penny on any of them, bar the service

If you dont want the thirsty 3l petrol nor the electric 270 brake engine then the 3.5l sits nicelly in the middle

Edited by frosted on Wednesday 17th November 16:12

[Parrot of Doom]

The XC90 is donkey's years old, and isn't being replaced.

Just thought I'd mention that.

[stevieb]

Ok a Few suggestions

Leftfield one.. my wifes idea of a family run about for the school run

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2225456.htm

But more seriously

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1949546.htm

or this

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1871914.htm

[sparkythecat]

FWIW Clarkson rates really rates the Volvo XC 90, so much so that he's actually owned 3 of them.

[300bhp/ton]

alfaspiderman2 said:

Some great responses there - thanks.

In response to specific questions:

Why no Cayenne? I like the rugged appeal of the LR and XC90 (less so X5).

7 seats? Not necessary

X3? Just can't get along with the looks or image although I realise (because most people agree with me on that) they are great value

Disco/Rangie? Would love either but too expensive to get a good Disco3 and Rangies are too big for wifey

Keep the views coming

Cayenne is quite good off road too. Way better than the X5. On that note I'd also look at the Touareg.

Petrol FL2 is meant to go well quite think they are often over looked.

[stevieb]

The XC90 is an absolute pain in the rear to park. The turning circle is like a cruise liner compares to other cars in the same class.

I would test drive the XC90 and FL2 back to back and see which one you get on with.

[Republik]

frosted said:

I had the Rx300 and 400h and wouldnt buy anything else , in 4 years of ownership I didnt spend one penny on any of them, bar the service

If you dont want the thirsty 3l petrol nor the electric 270 brake engine then the 3.5l sits nicelly in the middle

Edited by frosted on Wednesday 17th November 16:12

I'd tend to agree with this. Especially the 400h, it's a funny old engine combined with the electric but it really shifts. It's utterly effortless and solid with a real quality finish inside and out.

[markh1973]

I've just acquired a 06/56 XC90 D5. Car is fantastically comfortable, great stereo (someone paid £1,000 when it was new to upgrade it). Fuel economy is never going to be great on such a big car but haven't yet seen how it fares on a longer motorway cruise.

Boot is plenty big enough for the dog crate (for a lab so it's pretty big) as well as luggage - assorted junk carried by a family. The back seat comfortably seats three kids - two on booster cushions.

I would say that it doesn't manouevere as badly as some people make out. Didn't look at either of the others - the FL2 would have been too small and X5s just didn't appeal.

[markh1973]

stevieb said:

The XC90 is an absolute pain in the rear to park. The turning circle is like a cruise liner compares to other cars in the same class.

I would test drive the XC90 and FL2 back to back and see which one you get on with.

Parkers quote the turning circle of the X5 at 12m and the turning circle of the XC90 SE Lux at 12m so not a great deal of difference there. With all of these it depends which size wheels the car has - the XC90 R design (19 inch wheels as opposed to the 18s on the SE Lux) has a 13m turning circle.

[alfaspiderman2]

300bhp/ton said:

Petrol FL2 is meant to go well quite think they are often over looked.

Yes, the petrol FL2 is on my radar screen - given that they're good value c.f with the TD4, almost always top spec, and a nice 6cyl petrol.

Only thing that bothers me is long term costs - not too worried about fuel as lowish mileage but fear that residuals will be very poor on a three litre petrol Freelander

[SonicHedgeHog]

I looked at the Freelander boot this week and it is tiny. Really stupid for such a big car. How about a Subaru Legacy Outback - more than enough offroad ability and you can get a fairly young one for your budget. For the sort of cars you're looking at I think you're in danger of some seriously big maintenance bills at your price point. Not as big as for the Cayenne mind you which is eyewateringly expensive to repair.