'09 Freelander 2

[singlecoil]

We bought this from our local garage at 99K miles nearly a year ago, part exchanging an Audi A1 that I was starting to have real difficulty getting in and out of. We had a look through their stock, tried the Volvo equivalent but found that awkward to get into as well.




But the Freelander was fine, it was well cheap, automatic (essential) and we had money back on the p ex so it immediately acquired the nickname of 'Freebie'.

It's not a car I'd taken any notice of before we bought ours but since we have I find I see them all over the place. For a car that was surely never a big seller, and one that they haven't made for 11 years, I'm surprised at how many I see. On a fourteen mile round trip to Tesco in Minehead we saw at least a dozen, and it's hardly ever less than 7 or 8. Having had a year's experience of one I'm not surprised, totally reliable and (in our case at least) lots of nice little extras such as memory electric seats, auto wipers etc .

Nothing to report apart from the tailgate central locking switch needing to be replaced (could still open it with the dedicated switch on the fob).

[dci]

Does that have the 2.2 diesel? Probably the best 'small' engine that Land Rover ever made (or used at least).

I spend a lot of time in the countryside with country folks and a lot of them have these in 2.2 SD4 flavour as daily drivers and they will not part with them.

My only other preference for when these Freelanders finally bite the dust is the early Discovery Sports which also had the 2.2 SD4 before they changed to the disaster Ingenium engine.

[Ry.Clarke]

I’m toying between one of these or the newer disco sport with the 2.2. Significant difference in cost.

Do you find it comfy? I particularly liked the XC60 I had years ago because you were basically in an armchair surrounded by Swedish tank.

[singlecoil]

It is indeed the 2.2 diesel engine. I understand much of it is Ford as I believe they owned LR at the time. I don't find it particularly comfy because as far as I'm concerned the front seats don't go back far enough (they don't in a Bentley Continental Flying Spur either, so not really Freebie's fault)

[Huzzah]

Our village is full of them, almost common around here.

[TobyTobias]

I have a 2011 2.2 that's just hit 180k, I've been running it the past 10k miles and so far only had to replace a rattling alternator, tensioner and most recently a split boost pipe. I only paid a couple of grand for mine last year to run along side my Lotus Elise as I live up in the peak district hills, I absolutely love it, cant see myself ever getting rid, it'll end up like triggers broom! Its great on fuel (average 40mpg) and its nice having a car I don't have to worry about too much as its already a little rough around the edges. The Queen used to potter around in one, enough said

[jwwbowe]

My father had a SD4 HSE back in the day, green with oat interior and no tints. Was bloody lovely. Never put a foot wrong. Wishes he never sold it. Drove it through deep snow uphill on summer tires and it coped amazingly. Shame the can’t tow 3.5t but other than that they are cracking. Enjoy

[fizmo100]

Encouraging reading on this post. I'd read how reliable the Freelander 2 was when researching and searching for a 7 seater which was a bit nicer to be in on long trips than the Galaxy we had. Led me to a Discovery Sport, travelled a long way to get a 2.2 with a manual. Looking back, I wish I'd gone 2.2 auto, the manual is a little bit agricultural into 2nd gear.

The fact I also see so many older Freelander 2s on the road makes me think the same way you do - they must be built to last and owners seem to love them.

[LightweightLouisDanvers]

I've had my 2014 Sd4 for nearly 8 years. Taken it from 17000 to 137000 miles.
Not much has gone wrong a few boost pipes, couple of boot switches and an egr valve and cooler which was a big bill. Still pleased with it and can't think what I'm gonna replace it with eventually.

[GeniusOfLove]

Comfortably the most reliable car ever to wear that badge, it's made almost entirely of Ford bits!

Joking aside everyone I've known who has owned one has loved it, and they seem to run to moon mileage too.

[ChevronB19]

jwwbowe said:

My father had a SD4 HSE back in the day, green with oat interior and no tints. Was bloody lovely. Never put a foot wrong. Wishes he never sold it. Drove it through deep snow uphill on summer tires and it coped amazingly. Shame the can’t tow 3.5t but other than that they are cracking. Enjoy

Ditto. I had a 2014 SD4 HSE, final year of manufacture, that had lots of facelift Ed bits, especially the interior. I loved it, it truly felt ‘luxury’. I too wish I’d kept it.

[Portofino]

ChevronB19 said:

Ditto. I had a 2014 SD4 HSE, final year of manufacture, that had lots of facelift Ed bits, especially the interior. I loved it, it truly felt ‘luxury’. I too wish I’d kept it.

Agree, top spec cars are very much mini Range Rovers.

[Pablo16v]

Congrats OP, these are still very popular around this part of Aberdeenshire and I know two people who have late model HSE's who just won't part with them.