Trading Merc CLK230 Komp for a 4x4. But which one?

[deuteronomiser]

Hi. I've just joined this forum, though I have been reading many of the threads with interest over the last few days and I thought that I might be able to ask for some solid advice from you good people.

I'm currently driving a 10 year old Merc-Benz 230CLK with 116k on the clock and minor rust. None of this bothers me because the merc is reliable, comfortable and fine to drive. What does bother me is the forthcoming winter (in terms of driving) and that I need to be able to get around in 'weather' due to elderly parents who rely on me for almost daily support.

So I have a 4x4 choice to make, with a budget of circa £20k, I have been looking with increasing interest at the Land Rover Freelander 2, 2.2 TD4, GS, Auto (previously considered the Skoda Yeti 4x4 but passed on it due to reading far too many scary after-sales horrors, not to mention the 8-9 month waiting list for one!).

The FL2 does seem to be the favorite post test drive but do I go for a lower spec-mileage-price model or spend more on a higher spec XS or even the almighty palace of cream leather and lit footwells, aka 'HSE'? And at what cost? I need some helps with the economics of which one to get and how much to spend on it.

My local LR dealership in Lewes are trustworthy and the guy I dealt with was very straight with me; a definite plus but I like to be aware of other peoples experiences before spending £20,000, as this will be the most we will have ever spent on a car and we obviously don't want to be lumbered with a bad decision due to making a rushed choice. Also, the Merc is mechanically flawless and well cared for so our only pressure to change is Winter!

Much as I am hugely in favour of the FL2, as this will be my first 4x4, i'm gradually becoming aware of the overall costs of owning one. Below 40mpg makes the corner of my eye twitch, due to tolerating 16-34mpg range of the CLK. I know someone with a Volvo XC(??) who would sell it at their first opportunity, except that it's too far gone for anyone to give serious money for it, plus it usefully swallows furniture like a tanker, which is something I do not need. A relative has the X3 M3 and loves it, except for a couple of really irritating 'we know it's a fault but aren't admitting it' nonsense wriggles from BMW regarding widely accepted issues eg Swirl. Yes I am surprised at that too!

So, if you would be so kind, what does the real world have to say about the FL2? I'm only a couple of days into my search and i'm open to other suggestions.

It must be a 4x4. Any fuel/ Hybrid. Either Manual or auto. As fuel efficient as possible. For use mainly on roads but will also be required for the occasional jaunt off piste. I will shortly be joining the IAM and I have held a clean license for 26 years, so no need for 0-60 as I really don't care if i'm at the back of the queue any more than I do about my ever receding hairline, as long as I got there reasonably and minus atmospheric rises in blood pressure and/or fuel usage.

Looking forward to questions, suggestions, advice, experiences and also to contributing to this Forum for the benefit of all.

Thanks for reading and considering this. Over to you.

[muckymotor]

My wife has a Jeep Patriot 2.0 diesel. Owned it for three years and haven't had a single problem, does 40 mpg too.

[anomaly]

My father has a 2.2 diesel Honda CR-V. An excellent car really and not one I would have considered myself. In EX spec it is fully loaded to the point of reversing camera and full glass roof. Being a Honda means reliability is not an issue. Better value than a Freelander too.