Just downsized from a Disco 2 - what a joke

[FisherX]

G'day All,

New to the Freelander but not Land/Range Rovers.

So I've bought a 07 Freelander 2 TD4 SE for the wife to replace the D2 we've had for 10 years now (and still love it) but the kids are grown up and we have got a little soft and don't do hard 4x4ing anymore, and our idea of camping now is in a Lodge.

So down to BrisVagas it was to pick the car up that I found online and drive back to Cairns. What a lovely car all round. (except the horrendous tyre noise from the Goodyear Wrangler HP's)

But as I was sitting in the car looking around, it didn't feel like we had downsized from the Disco at all, and in fact it felt bigger (all except the boot). So when we got home I grabbed a beer and the measuring tape and off I went.

Well we didn't downsize at all. The Freelander has a wider track, longer wheelbase, wider interior and a larger luggage area when the seats are folded up. The only downsizing was in engine size and fuel consumption :)

But as the car is so nice to drive both around town and on the highway, not only is the Disco up for sale but so will be my XJ8 Jag.

Just a thought, the dash in the 2013+ model do you recon it might just be a plug and play swap?

[Cambo_oldjaguar]

Welcome to the Freelander club :)

As I guess you've figured out, these things are quite underrated, and a lot of vehicle for the money.

I haven't looked into retrofitting the late model cluster, but I would guess it's not really feasible. Not to mention the cost of the part if you can find one.

There is an update that can be done to the existing cluster that adds the clock, instant fuel, instant speed and battery voltage to the trip computer, i've done it in mine (see the thread in my signature).

p.s. don't sell your Jag!

[simmo]

It will be interesting to hear your thoughts after a few months, I'll be in the market for another car next year. It will have to be a diesel to get the good running costs though. cheers simmo

[mikehzz]

I'm a bit worried by your horrendous tyre noise. They are a great car but there was a rear diff bearing issue in the 07, 08 and 09 models. It's their only fault and usually fixed under warranty, a horrible whining sound from the rear. My fingers are crossed it's your tyres. Either way you will like the car and they will go a long way off road. Mine had it at around 75k and been good since then, currently on 224k. Cheers.

[FisherX]

When I did the test drive when I heard the noise my first thought was diff. But with 150K on the clock I guessed that the diff was a problem it would have shown up and been fixed before this. So on return to the yard I had a look at the tyres and it had some Chinese brand on the front (Goodride) and Goodyears on the back. I thought it would have to be the cheap tyres for sure. Nope it was the Goodyears. They were more hexagonal than round. So got a couple of hundred dollars of the price and now I have put on a new full set of Nexen tyres on and now she's sweet as. ( Never had Nexen tyres before but at half the price of the premium brands I gave them a go. Been impressive so far )

Cambo I'm liking some of your mods as I've got the faded vents and tailgate handle same as yours when you first picked it up. What do I need for the trip computer upgrade? Couldn't find anything on Google.

Also just ordered a CR2 tuning box from the UK for $200. I'm interested in how that goes. I'm not paying $1600 on a DP Chip. :censored:

[Cambo_oldjaguar]

The trip computer upgrade needs the dealer-level SDD diagnostic system, or maybe a Nanocom assuming that the files can be loaded into the unit and you can choose which files you want to flash into the instrument cluster.