D2 vs FL2

I currently have a D2 that is getting to the point were it’s never out of the garage, one thing then another and it’s ****ing the wife off. Now before she tells me to buy a car (shiver), I may have pursued her that a FL2 might do the job.
I do Greenlaning, nothing too muddy, so would like a capable greenlaner, which is also a good daily. I need an auto, gammy left knee.

so would an FL2 be a good replacement? Is it decent off road? Would I be disappointed compared to the D2?

Paul

I do not have a FL2 or have I ever owned one, I have considered one myself and have researched the pros and cons of them. From what I've read I think they are good choice for what you want, unless you intend to tow heavy trailers. They are competent off road, even better with the correct tyres for the terrain. The engines are reliable and they have sorted out the drivetrain issues of the FL1 IIRC. I also think corrosion is not a massive issue either. I stand to be corrected on all of these point by members who actually own one of course

Beyond the odd muddy field we never took our FL2 green-laning or off-road but we did have a session with Land Rover at Eastnor Castle in an identical one when we bought it and it coped admirably. Indeed if I remember right we went on the same course they took us on in the new Defender last year. I was under the impression that if you raise the suspension then you increase the ground clearance in the FL2 but someone who knows what they are talking about may contradict that. I wish we had kept ours now and taken up off-roading sooner, but I guess we all have cars we can say that about.

On road it was great to drive. Quite pokey and very comfortable with a big boot. Well put together. A bit noisy on start up and the ride could be a little bumpy at times. Ours never gave us any problems in 7 years and 53K miles other than an ABS unit which failed.

PowerfullUK has recently put up a YouTube video of their FL2 on an off-road course. It did very well. They have a 2 inch lift and off-road tires. They sell the kit for the height.

Pappasmurf said:

I currently have a D2 that is getting to the point were it’s never out of the garage, one thing then another and it’s ****ing the wife off. Now before she tells me to buy a car (shiver), I may have pursued her that a FL2 might do the job.
I do Greenlaning, nothing too muddy, so would like a capable greenlaner, which is also a good daily. I need an auto, gammy left knee.

so would an FL2 be a good replacement? Is it decent off road? Would I be disappointed compared to the D2?

Paul

Click to expand...

A standard FL2 on good tyres will go anywhere a standard D2 goes on the same tyres.

The FL2 is lightyears ahead in every other respect, except the lack of 7 seats.

The FL2 is faster, handles better, is better to drive, uses less fuel, is quieter, has more toys (the SE or HSE), oh and holds it's money well too.

Gord Wedman said:

PowerfullUK has recently put up a YouTube video of their FL2 on an off-road course. It did very well. They have a 2 inch lift and off-road tires. They sell the kit for the height.

Click to expand...

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Go for it, you know you want to.

Another youtube vid shows a F2 (modified) tacklng Strata Florida and the bomb hole.

D2 to FL2... loss of the low box and higher towing capacity.

The diesel auto are good oft road. Usual issue of having to slip the clutch sometimes on the manual. Torque low down is good. Not as good as having a low box. Take mine oft road. stamdard on road tyres. I don't do damaging stuff. Manages ok if yer pick yer route carefully. If you lift it then the whole car lifts as it's wishbone suspension.

FL2 is great on and off but its a different vehicle to a D2. You cant beat the D2s suspension setup offroad, and the FL2 can never achieve the articulation and traction that a D2 could. But for green laning and muddy fields, a FL2 is very good. They are good on road too. Get an SD4 auto, very nice. Rear diffs go.
But its definitely more of a car than a proper Land Rover, if that matters to you

After 17 years of zDisco 1 and Disco 2(8years) we have moved to a 2010 Freelander2 TD4 HSE auto.
Had it now for nearly 3 months. Great car, lovely to drive and extremely quiet.
Lowest average MPG has been 25 locally and 40 on a 150 mile round trip.
After the Td5 this brings a big smile. Still miss the D2 but the more I drive the Freelander2 the more I like it.
Try and get a test drive and especially the auto.
Look at www.Freel2.co.uk for lots of info.