Freelander 2, SD4 or TD4, XS or HSE, manual or auto??
Discussion
Hi all, I've had my current E-Class for 3 years and whilst I've loved it, I'm hankering after a change, and the only car the wife and I can agree on is the Freelander 2, we think it'd be a good replacement with similar running costs, comfort and luxury, and more useful in the Scottish winters as the E-Class spends a few weeks marooned in front of the house each year whilst I have to train it work, not ideal.
That's as far as it goes, we can't agree on spec, gearbox (currently love our auto) or engine, so a few questions for any owners, we're thinking of buying 0-1 yr old with max 12k miles.
That's as far as it goes, we can't agree on spec, gearbox (currently love our auto) or engine, so a few questions for any owners, we're thinking of buying 0-1 yr old with max 12k miles.
- SD4 vs TD4 - is it the same engine with more power and better MPG, would a remapped TD4 give the same effect (as there's far more choice of pre-owned TD4s)
- HSE vs XS - HSE has armrests and a sunroof over the XS that I'd like, it appears the only other differences are exterior trim and bigger wheels, which don't really matter to me, are there other differences I'm missing? (I know the XS has the half leather/alcatara seats, which I prefer to full leather.)
- Auto vs manual - do these cars suit manual or auto best? From what I read the auto has significantly worse MPG (I've heard as much as 10MPG difference), but is the recommended box for the car as it drives a lot better?
Not sure I can offer too much constructive but I've had a Freelander 2 SD4 XS Auto for a couple of months now from new.
SD4 vs. TD4 I can't really comment on as I didn't drive a TD4 for long, but the SD4 gives me about 35mpg on a mixed commute, and seems surprisingly quick vs. what I was expecting. My previous car was a Boxster and whilst the Freelander is obviously slower, it's really not that noticeable in daily use - that perhaps says more about my driving style since clearly if you're going to rag it from every standing start the FL2 isn't the ideal vehicle.
HSE vs. XS. Personally, even after speccing up the XS and adding full leather, armrests, sunroof, and a few other toys, I was still about £3.5k short of the HSE and simply couldn't see what the extra got you that justified it, I really really couldn't.
Auto vs. Manual, personal preference but I tried both and loved the auto but simply couldn't get on with the manual. It just doesn't seem right for that sort of car, and little thing such as the armrests kind of defeat the point if you're constantly changing gear. The Command Shift is there if you want semi-manual control, but I've barely used it, actually I've almost forgotten that it's there.
SD4 vs. TD4 I can't really comment on as I didn't drive a TD4 for long, but the SD4 gives me about 35mpg on a mixed commute, and seems surprisingly quick vs. what I was expecting. My previous car was a Boxster and whilst the Freelander is obviously slower, it's really not that noticeable in daily use - that perhaps says more about my driving style since clearly if you're going to rag it from every standing start the FL2 isn't the ideal vehicle.
HSE vs. XS. Personally, even after speccing up the XS and adding full leather, armrests, sunroof, and a few other toys, I was still about £3.5k short of the HSE and simply couldn't see what the extra got you that justified it, I really really couldn't.
Auto vs. Manual, personal preference but I tried both and loved the auto but simply couldn't get on with the manual. It just doesn't seem right for that sort of car, and little thing such as the armrests kind of defeat the point if you're constantly changing gear. The Command Shift is there if you want semi-manual control, but I've barely used it, actually I've almost forgotten that it's there.
Thanks for that, I'm pretty sure it was you I PM'd about price and dealer a few months ago when you ordered? I still haven't made a decision!
I'd really like the SD4, I gather it gets better MPG than the TD4 and the extra 40bhp must be noticeable, BHP, torque and MPG on it will be similar to my E-Class, I don't want anything slower.
Is the sunroof you specc'd the same as the HSE sunroof? Is it full length and does it open right up or just tilt - I really miss a sunroof on my car!
Your spec of car actually sounds ideal (are you selling
) but the missus is set on a SHE, she's probably worried about what the neighbours think rather than thinking logically!
I'd really like the SD4, I gather it gets better MPG than the TD4 and the extra 40bhp must be noticeable, BHP, torque and MPG on it will be similar to my E-Class, I don't want anything slower.
Is the sunroof you specc'd the same as the HSE sunroof? Is it full length and does it open right up or just tilt - I really miss a sunroof on my car!
Your spec of car actually sounds ideal (are you selling
) but the missus is set on a SHE, she's probably worried about what the neighbours think rather than thinking logically!Now that you've said it yes, I think you were - nice to know I'm not the only indecisive person on PistonHeads!
Daft as it might sound, I wanted all the colour coding that you get with the SD4, and can't get with the TD4, so I never really did pay that much attention to the TD4. Looking at the specs the TD4 manual gives better combined economy, like I said, I simply didn't get on with the manual.
Sunroof is the same. It's a little deceptive because from the outside it's a lot of glass, but inside it's divided into two with a fair bit of plastic surround. The rear part is fixed, the front part is electric tilt and slide, so if you imagine looking at the car from the outside, with the roof slid back a big slab of glass moves, but internally it's a fairly normal sized sunroof - very usable though and unlike the Boxster you don't have to be quite so fussy about the conditions.
I suspect the HSE vs. XS will come down to whether you're looking at new vs. used and possibly a little bit of pot luck on stock levels. New I maintain that there isn't £3-3.5k's worth of extra value in the HSE, used it obviously comes down to the specific car and being in the right place at the right time.
I do find the speed a little deceptive. My Boxster was a reasonably fast car but if felt like a reasonably fast car. This falls more into the category of put your foot down and find yourself looking at the speedo thinking "Oops".
Daft as it might sound, I wanted all the colour coding that you get with the SD4, and can't get with the TD4, so I never really did pay that much attention to the TD4. Looking at the specs the TD4 manual gives better combined economy, like I said, I simply didn't get on with the manual.
Sunroof is the same. It's a little deceptive because from the outside it's a lot of glass, but inside it's divided into two with a fair bit of plastic surround. The rear part is fixed, the front part is electric tilt and slide, so if you imagine looking at the car from the outside, with the roof slid back a big slab of glass moves, but internally it's a fairly normal sized sunroof - very usable though and unlike the Boxster you don't have to be quite so fussy about the conditions.
I suspect the HSE vs. XS will come down to whether you're looking at new vs. used and possibly a little bit of pot luck on stock levels. New I maintain that there isn't £3-3.5k's worth of extra value in the HSE, used it obviously comes down to the specific car and being in the right place at the right time.
I do find the speed a little deceptive. My Boxster was a reasonably fast car but if felt like a reasonably fast car. This falls more into the category of put your foot down and find yourself looking at the speedo thinking "Oops".
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