[Closed] freelander - tell me why not

What age, what price, what model?

two reasons:

Land
Rover

😀

Get a Misubishi Walloper instead

I know a few people that have had them - various models over the years. They all like them but they seem to be quite unreliable, expensive to service, not particularly fuel efficient. But despite that they seem to be liked by the owners who forgive them for their drawbacks so much have something that appeals.

I watched a YouTube video recently comparing the off road capabilities of all the SUV's in that category and surprisingly to me the Freelander didn't come out too well compared to the offerings from BMW, Audi and other options - BMW came out on top surprisingly...or maybe not since they used to own JLR. Would have thought if there was one area the car would win out would be off road capability.

I’m also in france, so that probably changes things too?

IIRC that means non French cars are cheaper as the French do like buying their own brands.

We have friends there who tell us 2nd hand cars are much more expensive than in the UK.

We had one a few years back. It was ok. Good to drive, remarkably good off road and in the snow even with normal tyres. It did have some gremlins. A dodgy connector kept causing it to cut out. Took ages to track down but was easy to fix eventually. A few other minor niggles. Centre 'diff' and fuel pump went. Both ok to replace but shouldn't have failed really. Overall it was fine, did what it was supposed to, probably wouldn't have another, but wouldn't completely write it off

If you are in France I would also consider where your nearest dealer is or whether local garages or specialists can deal with these cars. Every town and village seems to have Peugeot, Citroen, Renault dealer, but how far away is any other dealer? Given their reliability and age it is something I would factor into the decision.

They are cheap partly because they are unreliable, but also because people perceive them to be unreliable. If you don’t mind taking a bit of a risk then go for it, personally I think you get a lot for the money…. All the more so if you have a modicum of mechanical competence or a friendly local mechanic…

I have a Jag which had its fair share of foibles initially but is now pretty good, and the missus has a 6 year old beemer, bought nearly new, which is a complete bag of sh** so go figure..

We had one, an 04 plate. It wasn't terrible but it certainly wasn't brilliant. Except offroad and in the snow, where it would power through anything. The head gasket let go because it's a K series and they all do that, the centre diff didn't really diff properly causing the inside rear wheel to skip if the turn radius was too small for the speed in that gear, if that makes sense? It also had the most insanely annoying wiper stalk of any car I've ever driven.
Was fab in the summer with the back off and the T-tops stashed, though.

Freelander 2 is a fantastic car, engineered properly by ford, don't hesitate.

Freelander 1 was a clever car that created the crossover small SUV market, so they were testing the market and didn't spend on its development. The last of them were ok though and I'd love an early k series if I had a car collection but not to use....

Had an 08 hse freelancer 2. Bought new, with 3 years servicing included. Had 0 issues with it, good little SUV in my opinion. Felt very safe around the Welsh hills in the snow.

two reasons:

Land
Rover

😀

Get a Misubishi Walloper instead

This^^ 🙂
They are in my top 3 of the list of things I would give away/sell immediately if won as a prize.
1/ Harley-Davidson or any big armchair cruiser.
2/ Anything Land Rover
3/ A Caravan

😊

They’re great vehicles to drive, but simply not as reliable as almost anything else.
Go for the kia/hyundai, a better bet overall.
I looked at a couple of FL2s, among several other cars, but ended up buying a Subaru Forester. It had 1 previous owner and 58k miles on the clock. Had it 2 years, done 36k miles in that time, routine service items only.
Typical japanese, korean cars tend to be the same.

Because... SUVs were the second largest contributor to the increase in global carbon emissions from 2010 to 2018

But y'know, don't let that stop you if it feels good.

My 1.8 petrol freelander, I had from new in 2000, was a hugely capable small 4wd car. When it all worked.
It did exactly 104000 miles in 104 weeks. The mileage would have been significantly higher, had it not spent 11 of those weeks in dealers being fixed. Numerous steering and suspension parts, every door lock. 3 head gaskets and don’t start me on chewing through tyres. Never again.

Because… SUVs were the second largest contributor to the increase in global carbon emissions from 2010 to 2018

But y’know, don’t let that stop you if it feels good.

This appears to include America and the rest of the world.

European SUVs are actually pretty efficient.

Look at the mpg of some of the new stuff Vs an average ten year old estate car.

Then look at the mpg of an American SUV like an escalade.

Land Rover 🙁 Run away as fast as you can !!!

thanks everyone, good info all around. the dealer/mechanic issue I had already considered. I have both a Kia and a Hyundai within 500m of where I work...

and the term SUV makes me shudder too, but I need access up some pretty beat up tracks, (but not really full on 4x4 stuff), so i find myself looking at these things.

probably wind up with a Kia as things stand right now.

thanks again,

Steve.

And yes the french do like driving french cars. if i want a Dacia it would be easy, but expensive!

You said it, get a new Duster, surely they are cheaper in France than here?

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=&t=1900473

The little petrol engine is a peach and very frugal.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/new/202010054626658

Has the ratio of engines to cars reached two yet? Run. Away.

Because… SUVs were the second largest contributor to the increase in global carbon emissions from 2010 to 2018

It's 2nd hand, so already been built and driven. Probably more environmentally friendly to use rather than no one buy it and it get scrapped and a new car gets made to take its place.

I had a 1.8 K series Freelander, put me off the brand for life, when it worked it was quite good and fun off road with the right tyres but reliability was dire constantly needed something fixing, couldn't wait to get shot of it as every drive become a nervous worry waiting for the next problem.

and the term SUV makes me shudder too, but I need access up some pretty beat up tracks, (but not really full on 4×4 stuff), so i find myself looking at these things.

The French used to build good cars for this, plenty of ground clearance, supple suspension, skinny tyres. I can get my Mk1 Berlingo up and down stalkers tracks in the highlands without any bother so long as its got decent tyres on it

Amongst the second generations Berlingos there are 'Trek' models that have a bit more ground clearance and a limited slip differential - more than adequate for 'bad roads' rather than off road

Because… SUVs were the second largest contributor to the increase in global carbon emissions from 2010 to 2018

Nothng to do with SUV's...everything to do with a massive increase in car sales full stop where most of those car sales happen to be SUV's. Got to love statistics! Can use any stat to support any argument.

My wives X3 is the most fuel efficient car we've ever owned and we've always had relatively sensible small cars, but none have averaged the MPG we're getting from the X3. Marry that to the fact its a full Euro 6 latest and greatest engine with all the fancy pants environmental tech means its checking out cleaner air than its sucking in.

greatest engine with all the fancy pants environmental tech means its checking out cleaner air than its sucking in.

Don't advise you to inhale from the exhaust pipe...

The Freelander II 2006-2015 is the best all round small 4x4 Landrover have ever made in my opinion. Nothing comes close for it’s all round ability on and off road. The TD4 pre 2011 non DPF versions being the pick of the bunch. Yes it does have niggles, the filter for the steering rack reservoir can block and damage the rack. The oil filter is a pig to reach. Window regulators will fail over time but if you need a proper 4x4 that can cope well on the road these are really good. Much better than the defender as an every day car.

Marry that to the fact its a full Euro 6 latest and greatest engine with all the fancy pants environmental tech means its checking out cleaner air than its sucking in.

Alternatively get a new Lada Niva

All the crash resistance of a wet cardboard box, both versions. If you value your safety don't.

I have irrational want for a panda 4x4

I have irrational want for a panda 4×4

they look like fun...

greatest engine with all the fancy pants environmental tech means its checking out cleaner air than its sucking in

Honda did actually make a claim along these lines, back in the 90s (IIRC), they claimed that in areas with high smog levels, the exhaust gases would be cleaner than the air being sucked in. I remember reading it in some bike mag or other.
I think whatever Honda it was, it was one of the earlyish fuel injected supersport bikes.

Yeah, it was a tongue in cheek comment. I had heard that somewhere before too. Think it was more in relation to catalytic converters removing airborne toxic pollutants as they go through the engine and cat in petrol engined cars in polluted cities. Who knows if it’s true.

The point was that modern SUV’s can still be efficient and clean compared to earlier gen cars. Well as clean as any car can be. Even my mates big Bmw x m car that does 0-60 in 4 seconds returns over 50 mpg on the motorway. You’re not going to get much better than that in a Ford Focus despite is significantly smaller size and weight. And if it’s an ST you’ve got no chance. Like any car, depends on the engine, how it’s driven and how much it’s driven rather than the type of car.

Want !!

My wives X3 is the most fuel efficient car we’ve ever owned and we’ve always had relatively sensible small cars, but none have averaged the MPG we’re getting from the X3. Marry that to the fact its a full Euro 6 latest and greatest engine with all the fancy pants environmental tech means its checking out cleaner air than its sucking in.

This point was made the other week but if you put that engine in a 3 series estate it'll improve its emissions per km and mpg by (rough guess) 10-20% because it doesn't have the aerodynamic disadvantages of being tall.

I'm not saying you shouldn't buy one (I drive an older diesel MPV so I'm not going to hurl rocks!) but please let's not kid ourselves that it's a more or equally environmentally sound option than the equivalent estate or saloon.

If all those Sportage/Qashqai sized SUV buyers bought a mid sized hatch instead the CO2 fleet numbers would be lower amd the planet would be better off.

Freelander 1 Awful and not even if it was free.
Freelander 2 Great cars.

if i want a Dacia it would be easy, but expensive!

Best you tell us how little you actually want to spend...

The point was that modern SUV’s can still be efficient and clean compared to earlier gen cars. Well as clean as any car can be. Even my mates big Bmw x m car that does 0-60 in 4 seconds returns over 50 mpg on the motorway. You’re not going to get much better than that in a Ford Focus despite is significantly smaller size and weight. And if it’s an ST you’ve got no chance. Like any car, depends on the engine, how it’s driven and how much it’s driven rather than the type of car.

The current focus does 58.5mpg in mixed real world driving in the autocar's testing, so that's a 17% improvement already even before you make the very selective "on the motorway" comparison where it will be even better.

I'd say >17% improvement is very much "much better".

Is boot space a priority? My experience of the 2nd gen Freelander is that the boot floor is so high up that it ends up not much bigger than the boot of a standard Golf sized hatchback. 2 suitcases and it was nearly full. And it wasn't a false floor with space underneath either.

The current focus does 58.5mpg in mixed real world driving in the autocar’s testing, so that’s a 17% improvement already even before you make the very selective “on the motorway” comparison where it will be even better.

I’d say >17% improvement is very much “much better”.

Glad we agree the X3 is a very efficient car. I never said it was THE MOST EFFICIENT CAR YOU CAN BUY. It was my mate in his fire breathing BMW SUV M car that could achieve 50mpg which is astonishing given the performance capability of the car...unlike the Focus ST that couldn't achieve 50mph ever. So the classic myth that all SUV's are by definition inefficient is wrong. Some are very efficient indeed.

Yeah, it was a tongue in cheek comment. I had heard that somewhere before too. Think it was more in relation to catalytic converters removing airborne toxic pollutants as they go through the engine and cat in petrol engined cars in polluted cities. Who knows if it’s true.

I'd heard that in relation to the Porsche Boxster, but it was comparing it to the air in LA, so the producing cleaner air than the environment is a pretty easy bar to beat.

So the classic myth that all SUV’s are by definition inefficient is wrong. Some are very efficient indeed.

Please just stop trying to justify your choices like this. You must understand that yes they're efficient compared to old cars, but compared to the equivalently sized hatch SUVs have no chance. The climate emergency is such that "more efficient" isn't good enough, "the most efficient possible" is what we need. I have numerous friends working at OEMs who tell me the proportional increase in SUVs compared to normal cars has completely cancelled out the effect of any BEV sales to the point that employees get epic deals on BEV cars just to try and bring the fleet average down. Fair enough choose your X3 for other reasons but you can't kid yourself that it's good for the environment.

FL2 - 'The best Landrover Ford ever made' Mine did 135,000 in 4 years, zero issues. It did a lot of towing, too. Much better off road than my current Navara. Its now got 175,000 on the clock with its second owner with just a failed tailgate lock. Brilliant car, but mine was a 190bhp auto and liked a drink.