Freelander 2 Sport offroad?
Freelander 2 Sport offroad?
Author
Discussion

benjj

Original Poster:

6,787 posts

187 months

Thursday 21st June 2012
quotequote all
Hello chaps,

Can anyone tell me how capable a Freelander 2 Sport is off road? It is not for me - I am organising a PH laning morning this Sunday and one of the attendees is a chap with one of these.

I want to pick a route that will challenge us all (3 FFRR, 1 Evoque, 1 90 and the Freelander) but ensure everyone finishes smile

The FL is an auto, no low range box, it does have HDC and will be on road biased tyres.

So, can anyone advise, particularly ground clearance, ascents/descents using 1st on the auto box etc.

Cheers,

Ben

camel_landy

5,416 posts

207 months

Thursday 21st June 2012
quotequote all
It'll be fine.

The auto is the best option for the Freelander but do you mean Freelander 2 Sport?? They did a Freelander 1 Sport but I don't know of a Freelander 2 Sport. Get them to be steady & progressive with the throttle as the trick with Traction Control systems is to give it enough to get the systems to react but not too much that you get everything spinning!!

If it IS a Freelander 2 and things start getting tough, the sweet spot is at 2k rpm... Stick it in Mud & Ruts, hold it at that engine speed and give the car a chance to sort itself out. wink

FWIW - Terrain Response on the RRE works differently to the FL2.

Otherwise, all I'd say is that when the ruts start to get deep, get someone out to 'spot' for the RRE & FL.

...oh & have fun. biggrin

M

benjj

Original Poster:

6,787 posts

187 months

Thursday 21st June 2012
quotequote all
Thanks for that, very reassuring!

My mistake, it is a FL 1 Sport Auto.

Noted on best driving style. I don't think that the lo-box will be missed too much but, as you say, the ground clearance is the thing.

As you say we'll all make sure that the two lower cars have spotters to guide them up or down the tricky bits.

Cheers,

Ben

camel_landy

5,416 posts

207 months

Thursday 21st June 2012
quotequote all
Cool... There's not a lot you can do on the FL1 other than point & squirt!

Keep HDC on (even up-hill) and if he's running low-profile tyres, try & watch out for sidewall damage.

M

benjj

Original Poster:

6,787 posts

187 months

Thursday 21st June 2012
quotequote all
I'll get him to do that - thanks.

A.J.M

8,340 posts

210 months

Thursday 21st June 2012
quotequote all
The sport's run 18s with 40 profile tyres, depending on the maker of them, they could be M+S rated ones, i know pirelli tyres are generally rated M+S.

Also, they have lower suspension than standard by either 30-35mm so keep an eye out for ground clearance issues, as deep ruts etc can bottom them out, but that applies to standard freebys as well.

Otherwise no real issues, as long as the driver listens to advice and doesn't do anything silly then he should be fine.

benjj

Original Poster:

6,787 posts

187 months

Thursday 21st June 2012
quotequote all
Groovy.

Should be an interesting run, we are exclusively LR!

3 x FFRR
1 x G4 RRS
1 x Evoque
1 x Defender
1 x Freelander

Shame we couldn't get a Disco really but then we're pushing it on numbers.

A.J.M

8,340 posts

210 months

Thursday 21st June 2012
quotequote all
Sounds a good run!
Take plenty of pictures as i'll be very interested to see how the day turns out.

benjj

Original Poster:

6,787 posts

187 months

Thursday 21st June 2012
quotequote all
Will do. There are a few pics up already from the recce run smile

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...

A.J.M

8,340 posts

210 months

Thursday 21st June 2012
quotequote all
That does look very good!
I'm heading down to hull next month to meet some mates and hopefully do some off roading in my freeby.
Sadly due to being a young ginger haggis chasing, caber tossing skirt wearer. (covered all stereotypes? hehe )
I have no idea which county hull sits in and my question in the off road section has currently done unanswered.

Ah well.

benjj

Original Poster:

6,787 posts

187 months

Thursday 21st June 2012
quotequote all
ere you go (you ginger bd smile)

http://www.trailwise.org.uk/

http://freetalk.me.uk/yorkshire.php (look at Yorkshire Moors, that is near Hull, ish)

camel_landy

5,416 posts

207 months

Thursday 21st June 2012
quotequote all
I've had a quick look at the pics and if that's the worst you're throwing at it, all the cars will breeze it... It'll be a nice scenic morning drive, followed by a decent breckie.

As for that last pic, with the RaRo at an angle... I know exactly where that is and it's nowhere near Yorkshire... Herefordshire more like... In fact, I'd suggest that it was taken at the top of Rogers Quarry at Eastnor. wink

M

benjj

Original Poster:

6,787 posts

187 months

Thursday 21st June 2012
quotequote all
The 3 wheeled RR was just a piss take to wind the chaps up!

The routes will be harder than those in the pics - probably! We did a recce route of a Plan B in case the very heavy rain forecast from now until Sunday up here in the Dales washes the tracks out. I think we'll be ok though.

camel_landy

5,416 posts

207 months

Thursday 21st June 2012
quotequote all
benjj said:
The 3 wheeled RR was just a piss take to wind the chaps up!
It's OK... I got it. wink

However, I know that corner well and the RRE & Freelander will go over it (you just need to watch the sills). biggrin

M

abbotsmike

1,033 posts

169 months

Thursday 21st June 2012
quotequote all
No useful insight from me, but if it all goes pete tong, just make sure the defender has a tow rope to pull them out!!

benjj

Original Poster:

6,787 posts

187 months

Thursday 21st June 2012
quotequote all
Tow rope already packed!

camel_landy

5,416 posts

207 months

Thursday 21st June 2012
quotequote all
abbotsmike said:
No useful insight from me, but if it all goes pete tong, just make sure the defender has a tow rope to pull them out!!
Frankly, my money would be on the RRS needing to pull the Defender out... wink

M

mikeh501

799 posts

205 months

Thursday 21st June 2012
quotequote all
camel_landy said:
Frankly, my money would be on the RRS needing to pull the Defender out... wink

M
Yeah right. I can't imagine them 20" rims with summer rubber being much cop.

benjj

Original Poster:

6,787 posts

187 months

Thursday 21st June 2012
quotequote all
The RRS is a full spec G4 designed for desert racing. I think it'll be just fine wink

300bhp/ton

41,030 posts

214 months

Thursday 21st June 2012
quotequote all
Nobody has asked. But does the Freelander have TCS and HDC. Not all do.

As for clearance, is it going to be any worse than an Evoque? I doubt.

Pics look like quite gentle terrain. Might be slippery when wet, although the pics make it look like it wouldn't be. Apart from that I can honestly say I've driven an MG Meastro over mre challenging terrain without getting stuck. Hope you have a nice time though.