Buying a Freelander 2

I have previously owned a Freelander Td4 2005 model. I was thinking of buying a newer 2008/10 Freelander 2 but I don't do enough miles to keep a DPF clear. What year did they start fitting DPF's to this model please.

Welshtom said:

I have previously owned a Freelander Td4 2005 model. I was thinking of buying a newer 2008/10 Freelander 2 but I don't do enough miles to keep a DPF clear. What year did they start fitting DPF's to this model please.

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DPFs arrived at some point in 2009MY. Mine is a 2008 (58 plate), but is actually a 2009MY vehicle, with the 2009MY updates, but mine doesn't have a DPF. I believe they were initially optional, before becoming standard when mandatory, in 2010/11.

Be aware that these vehicles need maintenance much earlier than the LR service schedule, or they begin to cause expensive issues.
LR service schedule is silly, giving 150k or 10 year intervals for important components like the Haldex, rear diff, PTU and gearbox. LR say they are filled for life, but not changing fluids massively shortens the life of these expensive items, which will likely fail long before the service is due.

I actually quite like the FL2 as a vehicle, it's much more modern feeling than the FL1, but it's actually much more expensive and difficult to maintain, and to me feels rather sterile, unlike the FL1 which has character.

Thanks Nodge68, that's really useful information. I didn't realise that the FL2 was that different to the previous model. I agree that most vehicles benefit from servicing and changing oils and filters sooner that the service intervals. My previous FL was from a LR Authorised dealer and had an engine fault that they couldn't cure and they bought the vehicle back off me. Now living at the top of a Welsh hill being able to get out and about in most weathers is fairly important. A previous diesel Vauxhall with a DPF started having problems because of the DPF clogging up and I don't want to have that problem again. It looks as though an early FL2 or a late FL1 is best for me to look for. Thanks for the model year info and DPF's

Welshtom said:

I didn't realise that the FL2 was that different to the previous model.

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Oh it's a completely different vehicle altogether. The FL1 was a 'parts bin special', meaning it was built using many parts from other vehicles in the Rover/ LR stable. This has the advantage of keeping costs down, and means the parts are well tried and tested.
The Freelander 2 is basically a Ford Galaxy, with some Volvo XC70 bits thrown in, as they actually share the same platform. Unfortunately the move to a more computerised vehicle, has made electrical repairs more common and more difficult too. This is on top of the increased mechanical complexity and seemingly fragility that the heavy FL2 has to move it down the road.
It's a lovely vehicle compared to the FL1, much more advanced and better on the motorway, but in durability it's a backwards step, and repairs are more expensive as a result.

Welshtom said:

I agree that most vehicles benefit from servicing and changing oils and filters sooner that the service intervals.

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The LR service intervals are a joke. They have been set out to keep fleet managers happy. The Haldex is a classic example of this. LR specif a 10 year/ 150k mile service interval for it. However the same unit in a VW has a 20k/ 2 year service interval.
This means that the FL2 Haldex is having to work hard on failed fluid and blocked filters, which causes it to fail, with a pretty steep repair cost. This is one of many issues, caused by silly long service intervals. Additionally in my experience, LR dealers are a joke, and really don't care about the FL2, as they're only interested in maintaining expensive RR models.

Welshtom said:

A previous diesel Vauxhall with a DPF started having problems because of the DPF clogging up and I don't want to have that problem again. It looks as though an early FL2 or a late FL1 is best for me to look for. Thanks for the model year info and DPF's

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DPFs don't like short trips.

Nodge68 said:

Oh it's a completely different vehicle altogether. The FL1 was a 'parts bin special', meaning it was built using many parts from other vehicles in the Rover/ LR stable. This has the advantage of keeping costs down, and means the parts are well tried and tested.
The Freelander 2 is basically a Ford Galaxy, with some Volvo XC70 bits thrown in, as they actually share the same platform. Unfortunately the move to a more computerised vehicle, has made electrical repairs more common and more difficult too. This is on top of the increased mechanical complexity and seemingly fragility that the heavy FL2 has to move it down the road.
It's a lovely vehicle compared to the FL1, much more advanced and better on the motorway, but in durability it's a backwards step, and repairs are more expensive as a result.

The LR service intervals are a joke. They have been set out to keep fleet managers happy. The Haldex is a classic example of this. LR specif a 10 year/ 150k mile service interval for it. However the same unit in a VW has a 20k/ 2 year service interval.
This means that the FL2 Haldex is having to work hard on failed fluid and blocked filters, which causes it to fail, with a pretty steep repair cost. This is one of many issues, caused by silly long service intervals. Additionally in my experience, LR dealers are a joke, and really don't care about the FL2, as they're only interested in maintaining expensive RR models.


DPFs don't like short trips.

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Thanks again Nodge68, I am rethinking my plans and perhaps a really good FL1 Td4 would be more suitable for my needs.

Welshtom said:

Thanks again Nodge68, I am rethinking my plans and perhaps a really good FL1 Td4 would be more suitable for my needs.

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If I didn't need to use my FL2 for occupational long distances to see family and holidays, then I'd have an FL1, simply because they're simple to maintain and repair.