High Mileage Freelander 2

[BigJon]

One of my customers has a Freelander 2 TD4 with nearly 195 000km on it. No major failures in that time.

I got to thinking after I serviced it last week that it must be up there as being one of the highest mileage Freelander 2s in Australia. How far have yours gone?

[inside]

Only 80K for me. 195K sure is a lot but good to hear there's been no major problems. The 240K service looks like a big one, but 240K between major services isn't too bad.

[BigJon]

I think he might trade it in before then. The service I did recently was pretty much a 'B' service. Oil, air, fuel and pollen filters. I also got the trans oil changed (for only the second time).

What is involved with the 240k service?

[Blknight.aus]

at a guess..

download the user settings to a memory device. remove the oil and expansion tank caps.

wheel out the old F2 and wheel in a new one, replace the oil and expansion tank caps then upload the user settings.

well that's probably what you could easily believe they do if you pay for a dealer to do the service.

[inside]

As much as Dave would like to bag the FL2 it's really hard to do. They have been around 6 years now with three recalls and no common major failures at all. In my experience they are fine to service at home too. I still really enjoy driving mine even after 5 years, I can't think of a vehicle in its class to replace it with.

240K you need to do the timing belt. I think at a LR dealer you'd be looking at over 2K. I also assume you'd need to start looking at suspension components too depending on its life.

Labour Estimate 5.2 Hours
Engine Oil - 0W 40 full synthetic Castrol EDGE Capacity 5.9 Litres
Antifreeze - OAT organic acid treatment
Automatic Gearbox - Castrol Transmax J Capacity 7.0 Litres Automatic
Transfercase - Ref to Land Rover Capacity 5.9 Litres
Rear Axle -80W 90 Castrol EPX Capacity 0.7 Litres
ADC - Active demand coupling Ref to Land Rover Capacity 0.65 Litres
LR006295 - Sump plug washer
LR005816 - Air filter
LR001313 - Fuel filter
LR001247 - Engine Oil filter and seal
LR000996 - Belt
LR000660 - Idler pulley
LR000772 - Oil seal filler / drain
LR001949 - Washer flanged
LR004257 - Belt
LR005362 - Tensioner pulley
LR000901 - Fresh air pollen filter kit (EC)

[BigJon]

This Freelander has now had it's first major failure.

Yesterday I fitted a second hand turbo after the original stated making whirring / whining noises. Something had failed internally, it was also down in power and throwing fault codes.

Still not bad going for 199 000km.

[inside]

Could it have been the actuator arm?

[BigJon]

The arm is definitely not seized, we could see it moving when giving the engine a rev. I just eyeballed it (sitting on the bench) and I can't see any corrosion. I think it is more likely an internal failure.

[mikehzz]

Mine's on 149766 kms, no dealer services since 36k. Drives great, I still love driving it. An awesome car.

[BigJon]

I opened it up and looked at the variable vanes. No issues there, so I suspect bearing failure.

[sniegy]

Jon,
A month or so ago now we have a client trade in his FL2 for a new D4
His speedo reading was over 320K Km's.
Few minor issues when new & carried out the recalls applicable to his vehicle, but apart from that no "major" issues whatsoever.

Having a family now means he required some more room.:p

[bnicho]

Rather than start a new thread, I though I'd bump this ancient one. :p

I live in a rural area and drive 100-300km most weeks. I sometimes tow a small car on a trailer or the odd load of firewood etc. I also do a little offroading but not full on rock-hopping. Muddy forest trails with the odd bog hole, dirt roads and similar. There are lots of these to explore where I live.

I don't want a huge 4x4 as we already have one of those as a family car. This car will mostly be just for when I am by myself.

Freelander 2 Diesels with a few kays on them seem to be a really good deal, on paper anyway. Cheap for what they are. Good economy, good power to weight, and they look great. While I'm a bit suspicious of the witchcraft of the "Terrain Response" system, from reading online reports it seems it will do what I need offroad. The towing capacity is also high enough to handle the towing I do.

What online reports won't tell you though, is what these cars are like when they get old.

Hence I am interested to hear from people who have put 250,000+km on a Freelander 2 2.2 Diesel. What problems have you had, how expensive were they to fix etc?

Thanks,
Brett.

[MR LR]

To put it simply.

The Freelander 2 diesel, is the most reliable vehicle Land Rover has ever built. Ask anyone that works for Land Rover.

Some of the independents are biased towards the older, mechanical diesel, like the Tdi in the Discovery 1 and Defender, but they are outdated now. As far as the overall vehicle is concerned, FL2's are the most affordable Land Rover to own and run, ever.

The starter motors and door locks are the only things I've seen be a regular issue.
$40 for a new plunger and contacts, or $1100 for a new starter...

I'd buy one (we have one at home). But I'd avoid any other modern LR like the plague, the D4 (we have one of these too) is starting to look like a bigger money pit than anything else.

[bnicho]

Thanks for that feedback Will. It is encouraging.

I'd love a Defender 90, but a TDI one would probably drive me nuts in a week with the noise and lack of refinement. I might as well keep the reliable-but-ratty old Surf if I want to go everywhere slow, smelly and half-deaf. Maybe I am getting old. :o

My budget certainly won't stretch to the asking price of a Puma 90. I have been looking at TD5 Discovery II's, but I really don't want something that big. Hence considering the Freelander 2.

[BigJon]

I have been looking at TD5 Discovery II's, but I really don't want something that big. Hence considering the Freelander 2.

Probably find they are similar sizes.

[MR LR]

Probably find they are similar sizes.
The FL2 is actually wider!

[bnicho]

The FL2 is actually wider!
FL2 is shorter, lower in the roof line and lighter. But the wider part does concern me. Not sure if they are both measured with mirrors fully extended though! :confused:

[bnicho]

Well, I bought it. Now just waiting on RWC before I collect it. Then the fun of arranging a towbar. :)

[russ55]

Hayman Reese- about $800 wired. That's without the reverse sensor cut out.

[bnicho]

Hayman Reese- about $800 wired. That's without the reverse sensor cut out.
I can live without the cutout if there is a switch to kill them. Not sure if my purchase has one or not. I didn't check.

It's a UK private import GS TD4.