Freelander vs Freelander 2 is it worth the price diff?

[boxe]

Hiya. I am in the market looking for second hand freelanders MY05-07 - with no experience with landys before. Just wanted to hear opinions of people here. 06 Freelander 2s are around 8k pricy than late freelanders. Does the newer model has enough features to justify this?

[inside]

FL1 in general rubbish and will cost you a fortune in repairs.
FL2 no major issues within the last 6 years of production.
Chalk and cheese.
If you can't afford a FL2 do not settle for a FL1.

[101RRS]

FL1 in general rubbish and will cost you a fortune in repairs.
FL2 no major issues within the last 6 years of production.
Chalk and cheese.
If you can't afford a FL2 do not settle for a FL1.

With respect -you have no idea what you are talking about.

Generalisations are dangerous. For sure the 1.8 Fl1 from 98-2000 then the V6 did have some issues and are what you no doubt base your comments on. The diesel FL1s and in particular the later series of the FL1 - the very late TD4s were very good cars.

My 98 FL1 diesel was a highly reliable car that even at 14 years old with 270,000km on it was still a very tight car that reflected a quality build - certainly better than a Disco of the same era.

To answer the posters question - for sure the FL2 is a much better car - better interior, larger, 10 year later design, has Terrain Response - bigger more efficient engines and I would certainly buy one over the FL1 but because they are more advanced by 10 years. If the budget goes to a FL2 TD4 I would go for it. If the budget does not go that far then by all means go for a 04/06 FL 1 TD4 (these are the ones with headlights similar to the last of the Disco 2s.

Garry

[inside]

With respect -you have no idea what you are talking about.
I'm trying to save the guy some pain. From what I've seen you will have it with a FL1. Can't get the FL2 then get a Forrester, much better. But hey the internet is full of opinions and this is mine.

[camel_landy]

FL1 in general rubbish and will cost you a fortune in repairs.
FL2 no major issues within the last 6 years of production.
Chalk and cheese.
If you can't afford a FL2 do not settle for a FL1.
Don't talk utter pisch!!

The 1.8 'K' Series petrol engine has some well documented issues (not just when used in the Freelander) but the diesel engines have proven themselves to be verging on 'bomb proof'. My Freelander is one of the first to have come off the production line, thrashed on the Camel Trophy, thrashed around Eastnor as an 'Experience' car and still going strong today after 11 years of ownership.

The Freelander 2 IS a better car but don't discount the FL1. TD4 Auto is the best combination for either FL1 or FL2.

M

[inside]

Well the FL1 is a great car buy one today! Just not the 1.8 or the V6. Something about the IRD too they can go. Overall great car.

[101RRS]

But hey the internet is full of opinions and this is mine.

Mainly by people who have never owned one - a bit like Toyota people talking about Landies.

[101RRS]

Well the FL1 is a great car buy one today! Just not the 1.8 or the V6. Something about the IRD too they can go. Overall great car.

Again - only those prior to 2000 - a little knowledge is a bad thing.

[zedcars]

Flandie MK1 a disaster in NAS markets, basically the V6 engine and early Jatco transmission issues were its downfall. Much improved in 2004 on but too late to recover its tarnished image. The rest of the car was very good and quality comparable to similar cars on the market. Only marred by cheesy Hyundai style cable window regulators

But I have to state what about the parts pricing, and maintenance??? Ownership costs!!!.
Parts pricing and service costs are astronomical!

Yes in other markets like yours, the diesel engine variant was/is --yes to quote Camel Landy "bombproof".

It is the car I think that Landrover hopefully will quietly go away and that is why its successor is called the LR2. The use of Freelander 2 would have been akin to shooting the marketing of the car in the foot.

The Freelander 2 is a bit of a "ho hum" Landrover up here; it didn't enjoy the market penetration as hoped.
There are a few devoted owners, and the car from our experience suffers with annoying can bus issues and electrical parasitic draw on modules, which owners find frustrating. Not bad though, for me its just doesn't have the wow!
Dennis
zedcars

[mikehzz]

Flandie MK1 a disaster in NAS markets, basically the V6 engine and early Jatco transmission issues were its downfall. Much improved in 2004 on but too late to recover its tarnished image. The rest of the car was very good and quality comparable to similar cars on the market. Only marred by cheesy Hyundai style cable window regulators

But I have to state what about the parts pricing, and maintenance??? Ownership costs!!!.
Parts pricing and service costs are astronomical!

Yes in other markets like yours, the diesel engine variant was/is --yes to quote Camel Landy "bombproof".

It is the car I think that Landrover hopefully will quietly go away and that is why its successor is called the LR2. The use of Freelander 2 would have been akin to shooting the marketing of the car in the foot.

The Freelander 2 is a bit of a "ho hum" Landrover up here; it didn't enjoy the market penetration as hoped.
There are a few devoted owners, and the car from our experience suffers with annoying can bus issues and electrical parasitic draw on modules, which owners find frustrating. Not bad though, for me its just doesn't have the wow!
Dennis
zedcars

Mostly the petrol LR2 over there? The diesel is the pick here in my opinion and a good deal more popular. I wouldn't have bought if it was only available in petrol.

[boxe]

thanks guys for sharing your experiences and opinions. I am looking only for diesel. By my personal taste the exteriors of MY04 are nicer looking than MY06. I love landies from childhood, however reliability will be a concern which I cant ignore as an adult. I recently hired a pajero for a weekend and I was a bit let down by the built quality when I took it off road. How does a freelander compares to the Japanese counterparts?

[101RRS]

The FL1 and the FL2 are at the top end of the softroaders (equivalent of RAV4, Outlander, X-Trail, Kluger, Territory) in capability but not as capable as the full on 4wds. The auto in both models and terrain response in the FL2 masks to some extent the lack of low range - it depends what you want to do.

For all road use and most tracks they are fine but will be lacking in the technically more difficult tracks. With my old manual Freelander with careful driving I could get it most places but its downfall was steep rough hills where you had to creep up and the lack of low range showed through. The suspension is very good and compliant and steep hills could be taken at higher speeds where the suspension could take up the rough.

Despite their capabilities both cars remain softroaders and not not full on 4wds. They are fine in open country but not on steep climbs unless they can be taken at speed.

Garry

[boxe]

I appreciate your input Garry. Could I also have views about their reliability?

[101RRS]

Noting I had a early Freelander and not a late one. As far as I am aware the issues that plagued early versions such as diff ratios causing VCU and IRD failure were fixed in about 2000/1. Basically if the car is serviced and maintained properly there are no real systemic issues with the last of the FL1s.

The gearbox requires meticulous maintenance and care must be taken to keep all tyres at about the same wear level - rotation and often is required. The 'heath robinson' rear window mechanism can be problematic but fixes are available. After 14 years and 270,000km mine still worked fine.

While no longer a systemic issue when the VCU fails it locks and can damage the drive train - was a given on the very early ones but in the last of the series this issue was no longer systemic. Obviously the higher the mileage wear comes into play and it can fail but no different to any other bit of the car.

Hopefully someone with first hand experience with a late model TD4 auto will come along and give you the information you need.

Garry

[davesq]

I bought a 2004 TD4 S manual freelander 1 from new, had it for 3-4 years & about 160,000 k's. Fantastic car, about the only diesel available at the time except the jeep, which rode like a drunken american, so we got the landrover. Generally there was 2 things I was not quite happy with, tyre wear, it seemed to chew the tyres up quick & the gap between 1st & 2nd gear just didn't seem right. 1st was nice & low, I guess to try to make up for no low range & 2nd just seemed a bit high. Slow off the mark at the lights, but once you got it going it was fine, in fact it would pull up the hills on the sydney newcastle freeway better than a lot of bigger petrol cars. No problems with it for about 150,000k's then it broke down twice in about 3 weeks. First time the fuel pump died, second time was a minor wiring problem with a fuel sensor. Parts had to come up from melbourne & artarmon landrover seemed to take forever to do the repairs. This was my work car & the hassle of no car was a problem so I moved on....to a freelander 2 SE TD4. This is optioned up so much more than the old one, leather electric seats, 6 speed auto, auto lights, auto wipers, cruise control, terrain response, only missing satnav & bluetooth. Overall a much better car than the old one, got a bit more room, quieter, better ride, the motor is only slightly bigger but has about twice as much grunt. Given a choice i would pick the new one each time. Costs about 10G more but worth it in my opinion. How good would it be with the low range & air suspension of a D3?

[Ausfree]

Having previously owned a 2001 FL1 KV6, I wouldn't buy another one, diesel or not. The FL2 on the other hand is a different proposition. Being a clean sheet design, I would consider the extra money, worth it.:)

[101RRS]

Having previously owned a 2001 FL1 KV6, I wouldn't buy another one, diesel or not. The FL2 on the other hand is a different proposition. Being a clean sheet design, I would consider the extra money, worth it.:)

But he is not looking at a 2001 KV6

[p38arover]

Personally, I think LR made a mistake keeping the FL name for the later car. It tarnishes the new car with the old one's reputation.

[Ausfree]

Having previously owned a 2001 FL1 KV6, I wouldn't buy another one, diesel or not. The FL2 on the other hand is a different proposition. Being a clean sheet design, I would consider the extra money, worth it.:)
Ah, how easy it is to be misunderstood on the internet. I can see how certain roosters on this Forum get into cockfights.:p Garry, I have highlighted what the intention of my message is, apologies if there is a misunderstanding!!:(:D Perhaps it might have been better if I had said " I wouldn't buy another FL1 whether it is a diesel or petrol model":D

[101RRS]

Ah, how easy it is to be misunderstood on the internet. I can see how certain roosters on this Forum get into cockfights.:p Garry, I have highlighted what the intention of my message is, apologies if there is a misunderstanding!!:(:D Perhaps it might have been better if I had said " I wouldn't buy another FL1 whether it is a diesel or petrol model":D

I also, would never buy a KV6 FL1, but I would consider one of the last TD4s :)

Cock a doodle doo :cool::D

[Ausfree]

I also, would never buy a KV6 FL1, but I would consider one of the last TD4s :)

Cock a doodle doo :cool::D

The engine in my KV6 was great, never used any oil and went well, but it was thirsty, VCU and IRD never gave me cause for concern, the problem that gave me great heartache was the Jatco transmission, after an expensive complete overhaul, it let me down again after 18 months. We loved the FL1 and was sorry to see it go but I was not prepared to waste more money on it.

When I use the term "roosters", I think you know the people I was referring to. The Soapbox was closed because of the nastiness and vitriol. But nice people like you and me didn't get involved in that did we???:p

[101RRS]

The Soapbox was closed because of the nastiness and vitriol. But nice people like you and me didn't get involved in that did we???:p

Never :angel: