2011 FL2: Is major pre-servicing better than a 3rd party warranty?

[Doccy]

G'day,

New to AULRO, but been lurking here and other Freelander forums doing my research.
I'm hoping to be moving far north soon so I've decided on a FL2 2011 as my next car.
My budget is $15,000.

A 2011 SD4 SE has come up for $13,000. 2 owners, full service history, but 195,000kms.
2011 Land Rover Freelander 2 SE Automatic SUV | Cars, Vans & Utes | Gumtree Australia Hunters Hill Area - Hunters Hill | 1227226424 (https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/hunters-hill/cars-vans-utes/2011-land-rover-freelander-2-se-automatic-suv/1227226424)

I figure that a diesel engine is typically good for twice that anyway, so why be obsessed with low kms.
Stamp duty and transfer fees and inspection sheet will chew up another $400.
Then I need a mobile LR specialist inspection. $400???
That leaves about $1200.

'...and get a good third party warranty!' has been advised over and over again on forums. A basic warranty seems about $1700.
I could stretch to that, but they seem to have a 200,000km vehicle cap. I'm also thinking that it's a waste of money given the excess anyway and that I'd be better off spending the cash on getting the cam belt, water pump, and other engine belts done immediately rather than wait for the big 10 year service. In other words, fix any major catastrophe points straight away and drive (almost) as stress free as with a warranty. And then continue to service properly in the future, obviously.

I understand that disasters can happen and it's a LR, but do you think pre-servicing is a better bet than buying a 3rd party warranty when it comes to a 2011 FL2?
[bighmmm]

Cheers,
Doccy

[Xtreme]

A very comfortable and capable vehicle the Freelander 2.
As well as your list of replacement/service items, I would strongly suggest that you replace the HP fuel pump also. I had one deposit metal fragments throughout the fuel system at less than 200k and was quoted $15,000 to replace all components of the system, including the tank! Don't wish to turn you off the Freelander but a bit of preemptive maintenance may prevent a disaster.

[woko]

My 2007 FL2 is at 270000km. It's been excellent. I do over service it. I change engine oil and filter every 10000km. Do fuel filter every 20000km. Change driveline oils every 50000km. I did the timing belt and water pump when I got it and will do it again at 300000km

I've owned it since 160000. Only major work I've done is rebuild the rear diff as the pinion bearing went.
I've done a few smaller maintenance items like, Actuator on the turbo, clutch pulley on the alternator, Clutch on the air conditioner compressor, front lower control arm bushes, full set of struts, Remove swirl flaps, crank angle sensor, injector bleed off o-rings. Fitted after market radio.

Been excellent high mileage car, would definaly get another.

[Doccy]

Thanks, Xtreme.
15 grand would fill the brown undies. I'll add the HP fuel pump the list.


Cheers, woko.
Looks like to enjoy the FL2 (and perhaps any Landy) you've got to respect it enough to treat right. No skimping. Think I'll follow your conservative approach rather than try to save a few bucks. [thumbsupbig]


[B]How do/did you both feel driving around without a warranty?
I mean, you don't find yourself crossing heart every time you drive?
...I had an old 1973 Mercedes 280E when I was young and other people assumed I was playing Russian Roulette, but I had a great mechanic who had serviced it for owners before me and it was fine. A good service history and present = rosy future. Seems like FL2 owners who maintain 'em don't tend to report too many disasters, particularly on post 2011 models, so I'm optimistic it's going be my favourite ride so far.

[FisherX]

I wouldn't worry too much about the Freelander 2 TD4 they are pretty reliable.

We got ours at 150K with no warranty and I've had to do a Crank Angle sensor, rear shocks and wheel bearings, remove the swirl flaps. but the front wheel bearings need done now and that's at 215K

Other than that she has been sweet. The crank angle sensor was the only thing that left me on the side of the road. Get the Bosch one, not the cheap ebay special. Ask me how I know.

I service annually with the Britpart service kit at $50 for all the filters. I also use Penrite 15W30 synthetic C4 oil. I did the Haldex unit oil change with the compatible BMW oil for $19 from ebay, and the front and rear diff with Penrite synthetic.

All the running gear on the Freelander 2 is pretty much a Ford/Citroen/Peugeot/Volvo so tested and proven on a bunch of other cars with no real issues.

[Doccy]

FisherX, wish I was mechanically minded like you. I'm bloody hopeless.

Speaking of which, looks like that Freelander 2 2011 SD4 (https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/hunters-hill/cars-vans-utes/2011-land-rover-freelander-2-se-automatic-suv/1227226424) I was hopeful about is a lost cause too.
Suspicious communication avoiding the answer, sends through a couple of cropped pictures of the service book
The seller's 'Land Rover specialist' in Sydney is Wang Hi Tech Automatic (https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1GCEV_enAU868AU868&q=Wang+Hi+Tech+Automatic&spell=1&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiLlMb6wY7lAhWafSsKHafDAOMQBQgtKAA&biw=1680&bih=939) (!).


[B]Edit: Correction. Looks like he just went there recently to have them hook it up to a diagnostic machine for a quick report. He has since sent through proper photos of the service book, which shows stamps from Purnell Motors then Central AutoHaus Alexandria...but which jumps from 131,000kms in Feb 2016 to 196,000kms in Aug 2019. As per my UPDATE post below, he wrote back saying the mechanic didn't stamp it and implying its all stored online now or something. ???


He also seems to be simultaneously selling an BMW X5 with pretty much the same ad, though I may just be paranoid. I guess if the description fits.
It all depends on evidence of servicing since he has had it. Waiting.

If it turns out to be dodgy, I may have to give up on a 2011 model Freelander 2 and settle for 2008-2010.
Sounds like I many of you have/had a pre 2011 FL2 that has served you well.
The price difference would either give me several more thousand to pour into repairs at the outset, and some 2008 models might even have already done the 10 year service.

Cheers

[disco gazza]

Have you looked on carsales at all?

There's this one SSE-AD-6232537 which I think is the best out of the bunch(44 freebie 2's).

Anyway,its up to you to have a look and see what you like.

Good luck.

[Doccy]

Yep, disco gazza. I'm all over carsales.com.au like a rash. [thumbsupbig]

I saw that one you point out -- https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/land-rover-freelander-2-2012/SSE-AD-6232537/ -- early on as a stand out.
I love the cream leather and the colour. But a couple of things have made me wonder...


* Although the log book has all the service stamps from Trivett Land Rover in Alexandria, the current (2nd) owner has had his trusty local mechanic do the servicing since. AFAIK, he is not a Land Rover specialist. How nervous should that make a buyer? Can a non-specialist cause all sorts of trouble, or will any issue be readily apparent by a LR expert pre-purchase inspection?



* The tail light covers are cracked. In Victoria, I'm pretty sure that would fail a RWC. The owner says fixing it will be an additional cost. I hate to think how much that would be. Several hundred???



Ultimately he'd have to be willing to come down a bit so I have spare money for preemptive servicing of some kind, but it's having faith in a non-LR specialist that's the big thing.

Thoughts?
[bighmmm]

[Doccy]

As I've edited above...
Correction. Looks like the 2011 SD4 SE seller just went to Wang Hi Tech Automatic (https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1GCEV_enAU868AU868&q=Wang+Hi+Tech+Automatic&spell=1&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiLlMb6wY7lAhWafSsKHafDAOMQBQgtKAA&biw=1680&bih=939) in Five Dock to have them hook it up to do a G Scan diagnostic report which shows all 15 systems scanned with no DTC. Strangely enough, there is no specifics about the car filled in on the report. i.e. Rego, VIN, kms. Although he mentions a mechanic friend below, so perhaps it was just a quick favour, hence the missing details.

He has since sent through proper photos of the service book, which shows stamps from Purnell Motors then Central AutoHaus Alexandria...but which jumps from 131,000kms in Feb 2016 to 196,000kms in Aug 2019. I asked and he said,

"The motor mechanic did not fill in the service log book. The Land Rover service log is also electronic and requires Land Rover tools to log in a date no more than 12 months for the next service. When the date arrives it will appear in the dash calling you to take the car for service. After the service, it requires the next service date to be reset by Land Rover again. I knew because I took the car to my mechanic friend to do the service but he cannot remove the service signal. The Land Rover dealer would not remove the service signal if they did not do the service. So I have to service the car again. Also, like the BMW, Audi or Benz, you can only use genuine parts because their computer inside do not recognise Off Market parts."



Does this sound right?
Do Land Rover keep all service records online now, even for pre-2013 cars?
...I've written back to ask who he has been servicing with.

[FisherX]

As far as the DTC report goes, I wouldn't pay that any attention to that at all.

I could easily run a scan, clear all the codes, do another scan and run a DTC report and it would show a report free of any codes.

I would put more trust in that report if it did show a few codes just nothing serious.

The only real way to get an accurate DTC report is to take it for a good long test drive AND THEN run a scan and DTC report.

[FisherX]

"The motor mechanic did not fill in the service log book. The Land Rover service log is also electronic and requires Land Rover tools to log in a date no more than 12 months for the next service. When the date arrives it will appear in the dash calling you to take the car for service. After the service, it requires the next service date to be reset by Land Rover again. I knew because I took the car to my mechanic friend to do the service but he cannot remove the service signal. The Land Rover dealer would not remove the service signal if they did not do the service. So I have to service the car again. Also, like the BMW, Audi or Benz, you can only use genuine parts because their computer inside do not recognise Off Market parts."



.

Hey Doccy,

I wouldn't believe Land Rover that you can only use genuine parts or not reset the service reminder yourself.

Sure when it comes to major components it'd stick to the genuine parts, but that does not mean you have to use the dealer to fit them. A good mechanic with a high end scanner can handle just about, if not all servicing and repairs you would need. If a mechanic doesn't have a decent scanner in this day and age I might start shopping for another mechanic to work on a newer car.

But as far as service items the aftermarket is so much cheaper and I haven't had any issues on quality, even from Britpart.


The following is from Landyzone.com.uk to reset the service reminder on a 2011.

"After servicing it is easy to reset the service schedule mileage and date by following the procedure of holding the odometer reset button in, holding the start button on (don't put your foot on the brake) the word service will flash, keep holding in till the word service is steady then release the start button and using the odometer button step through the date/mileage reset. On date hold until reset appears this has reset the time to 365 days, step to mileage and hold until reset appears this has reset the mileage to 14950 miles, step to end and hold until it flashes and shows new info. Turn off ignition and job done! HOWEVER this does not get rid of the annoying message that says 'oil service due visit dealer' that all the forums told me can only be erased by a Land Rover dealer who will undoubtedly refuse if they haven't carried out the service. In desperation I decided to try a reset as used on the later 2013 models with the digital dashboard - IT WORKED. For those of you not familiar with this here is what you do (sounds weird but I promise this is not a wind up) insert key press start button to turn ignition on open bonnet - I leaned over and pulled release lever - open drivers door press throttle pedal to floor and press brake, hold for 1 minute release and turn off ignition. When you turn on again the message will be gone! I was so pleased with this I have signed up to spread the joy - nobody likes being blackmailed by manufacturers."

[Doccy]

Very interesting, FisherX.
And the plot thickens, as now the seller really does seem to be claiming his LR mechanic in Sydney is Wang Hi Tech Automatic (https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1GCEV_enAU868AU868&q=Wang+Hi+Tech+Automatic&spell=1&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiLlMb6wY7lAhWafSsKHafDAOMQBQgtKAA&biw=1680&bih=939) (who, I assume, is also the mechanic friend he refers to). Not only did the mechanic not bother to stamp the books, but the seller said he threw out his service receipts.
Hmm.

[FisherX]

Yeah that's a bit suss.

But not a deal breaker. I'm sure you would have pre purchase inspection before you bought it anyway. If he refuses an inspection or can't make the time for it I would run away. I did have a look and it looks to be reasonable at a reasonable price. But one thing the guy looks like a car flipper. Again not a bad thing but he probably picked it up on Craig's list, cleaned it up and now trying to pass it on. And that would be why he doesn't know much about the car.

If a pre inspection comes up acceptable, you could negotiate the price to include a service as the details are sketchy.

At least that Freelander doesn't have swirl flaps! I'd also be interested how the SD4 performs.

Good luck on your search.