Freelander 1 vs Freelander 2

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RichM

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The Freelander 2 is probs a clear winner for reliability. I've also heard that it has more electronic gizmo's than what the Freelander 1 has, and that it excels in most areas when compared to the Freelander 1. That said, some have said the Freelander 1 is more capable off road. Is this really the case?

FWIW I'm not interested in buying a Freelander 2. I'm just interested to see how they compare off-road. If I was gonna spend that sorta money on a 4x4, I'd do the sensible thing and buy myself a nice Disco. I guess that would also make me eligible to join the "cool" club on this forum too! :p

Rich
 
i think all said if you can take a FL2 off roading down big ditches in big puddles etc then you have far too much money and the only honorable thing to do would be to give some to me :D.

i tend to feel that with the likes of the new disco and FL etc that their off road capability will be prob getting worse as they tend to be styled more and more like a chelsea tractor to please the WAGS. having said that i have never driven one :p
 
As they leave the factory I would say the Freelander 2 is the better off road, in fact in nearly every capacity. Having said that my experience is mainly autos. The manual Fl 2 tends to be a bit fast off road, I have no experience of a manual Fl 1 off road.
 
Hi all

Anyone know if the freelander 2 has the soft top version the freelander 1 has. ??
I cant seem to find anything official.
Alice
 
Ohh 5 door. No way round that..

Thanks for reply.

Seems like the other brands have stopped making convertibles also
Eu law ?
 
Last edited:
Hi all

Anyone know if the freelander 2 has the soft top version the freelander 1 has. ??
I cant seem to find anything official.
Alice

The official line is no, and for that reason the FL1 wins hands down,

that was part of the mass market appeal with so many guises, soft-top, hard-top, commercial, 5dr

The FL1 may start to age and look dated but the FL2 will always look bland by comparison.
 
In answer to the original question which is better off-road FL1 or FL2.
Autos for me every time for off road.
Ground clearence on FL2 bigger problem, the fuel tank must have a guard fitted on the FL2, or it will be destroyed first time out, this reduces ground clearence to less than FL1.
Also plastic lower door sections get removed if you try to get out when in ruts. Tank guard acts as a scoop in deep mud.
FL2 terrain response, brilliant in sand, snow or mud.
Engine is more flexible in FL2, but gearbox cannot be left in 1st/2nd, it will eventually change up irrespective of commandshift requests, even in sand mode.
But biggest drawback is no snorkle is available for FL2, coupled with a very exposed air intake, makes me very nervous about even moderately deep wading. 06 FL1 rear used to float before the engine drew in water, and the earlier X reg diesel hand a second air intake high up in the engine bay.
Just been round Eastnor Castle both FL2 dragged thier bellies all the way round, but made it without mishap. On the same day/route Defender ripped out fuel line, one Disco lost a step, and another lost trim. Discos and Sport all had variuos bits of tree jammed in suspension/steering. But niether FL2 would risk the deep wading section along the stream.

Having said that both FL2 dragged thier bellies, niether suffered any damage, this would probably have modified the exhaust (again) on my older FL1.
So what do you want - on snow FL2, deep ruts FL1, wading FL1, sand FL2, towing Defender FL2 :) Both will put a smile on your face, and supprise those who have not been converted.
 
In answer to the original question which is better off-road FL1 or FL2.
Autos for me every time for off road.
Ground clearence on FL2 bigger problem, the fuel tank must have a guard fitted on the FL2, or it will be destroyed first time out, this reduces ground clearence to less than FL1.
Also plastic lower door sections get removed if you try to get out when in ruts. Tank guard acts as a scoop in deep mud.
FL2 terrain response, brilliant in sand, snow or mud.
Engine is more flexible in FL2, but gearbox cannot be left in 1st/2nd, it will eventually change up irrespective of commandshift requests, even in sand mode.
But biggest drawback is no snorkle is available for FL2, coupled with a very exposed air intake, makes me very nervous about even moderately deep wading. 06 FL1 rear used to float before the engine drew in water, and the earlier X reg diesel hand a second air intake high up in the engine bay.
Just been round Eastnor Castle both FL2 dragged thier bellies all the way round, but made it without mishap. On the same day/route Defender ripped out fuel line, one Disco lost a step, and another lost trim. Discos and Sport all had variuos bits of tree jammed in suspension/steering. But niether FL2 would risk the deep wading section along the stream.

Having said that both FL2 dragged thier bellies, niether suffered any damage, this would probably have modified the exhaust (again) on my older FL1.
So what do you want - on snow FL2, deep ruts FL1, wading FL1, sand FL2, towing Defender FL2 :) Both will put a smile on your face, and supprise those who have not been converted.

Great post! Thanks for that. :)

Rich
 
Very interesting post Rich, but I feel I must take issue with a couple of minor points.
FL2 has more ground clearance than FL1, so I'm not sure why it should be a bigger problem. The fuel tank is vulnerable, but I don't think I have ever damaged one.
I suspect speed may be the issue. I don't know what gear I drive in as I just leave it in D, but if you are getting it to change up from command shift 2 you must be going quite fast (I can't comment on driving in sand). Although I ruin in D I've never detected it changing up.
How deep water are you wanting to wade in? The book says 500mm, which is the same as a Defender! Having said that I would happily take a Defender, with no snorkel, far deeper, but I wouldn't risk a Freelander. The Fl1 (from memory) is about 400, I have taken mine deeper (the doors didn't fall off) but it doesn't do the back brakes much good, the alternator(?) isn't sounding too healthy either.
I have damaged the plastic panel below the bumper, and the door trims are vulnerable in ruts.
The sump guard on the FL1 can be vulnerable, it's very good if you hit a rock, makes a horrendous noise, but being polycarbonate distorts then springs back without a mark. If you end up the vehicle high centred with all the weight on the sump guard it can come partially disconnected at the back and start to hang down, then it will act as a scoop as you can back up in mud, and either pull it off, or clog up the selector .
The key is picking the right line, keeping the speed down, and knowing it's limits, despite what some people will tell you, it will not go anywhere a Defender can, although it will go places a lot of Defender owners don't realise their Defender will go!
As regards speed, conventional off road wisdom is to use a higher gear in slippery conditions. This is not so critical with the gentle power application of an auto (especially when coupled with Terrain Response) but in any case it applies to vehicles in low range. Even in first a Freelander is running in the equivalent of low range 3rd!
 
Davec
I will admit to occasionally going very quickly off-road, usually on sand.
The FL1 had a 8mm ali checkerplate sump guard, but this did not noticeably reduce ground clearance.
The FL2 now has Mantec sump and fuel tank guards, the tank guard reduces the ground clearance, to the extent that lanes I would have cleared on the FL1, now have her dragging on the FL2.
The first time off road on the FL2 was at one of the LR shows where I had to abandon the run due to fuel tank damage, didn't puncture, just destroyed the mounting, and twisted the plastic tank.
When extended slow speed driving in convoy (1.5 days)- the Defenders were in 1st/2nd low, the FL in auto would change up to 2nd and use to torque converter to compensate, this started to raise the coolant temperature, because the FL1 can be forced into 1st I was able to keep her cool.
"it will go places a lot of Defender owners don't realise their Defender will go!"
Couldn't agree more, Freelanders will never be Defenders, but then again would you want to do 35,000 miles a year in a Defender or a Freelander?

Depth mmm 500mm does sound enough, it's a bit late when you find it isn't.
 

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2 inch lift, aluminium sump guard, straight through middle section on exhaust (get rid of mid silencer and catalytic converter) and then replace the rear back box with one that sits to the left of the cubby hole and the FL1 would win hands down.

I'd also be somewhat less worried about damaging a FL1, they do take quite a beating. Damage a FL2 and it's likely to be costly and when the electrics come into it, it's no longer DIY repairs.
 
2 inch lift, aluminium sump guard, straight through middle section on exhaust (get rid of mid silencer and catalytic converter) and then replace the rear back box with one that sits to the left of the cubby hole and the FL1 would win hands down.

I'd also be somewhat less worried about damaging a FL1, they do take quite a beating. Damage a FL2 and it's likely to be costly and when the electrics come into it, it's no longer DIY repairs.

I agree that FL1 will take a good beating before you kill it, but suggest that the vast majority are more "precious" about their Landrovers than us.
The original post was hopefully to help a less extreme prospective owner. :)

FL2 with guards front and back, make a living designing and fixing electronics and the FL2 is not quite so scary - bodywork damage is more my worry, so would still prefer it to have the FL1 brows over the wheels though. Drowning the engine would not make my day.
 
Its not wise to put any vehicle in deep water. Oil seals, bearings etc get destroyed by the sand/muck/mud in the water. A FL2 will go anywhere a FL1 can and more. Torque is greater lower down on the FL2. Traction is also betterer anorl. The risk of damage is down to the driver. Pick the route carefully and yer can have fun all day. Drive like a twerp or try the impossible then eggspect damage.
 
The Freelander 2 is probs a clear winner for reliability. I've also heard that it has more electronic gizmo's than what the Freelander 1 has, and that it excels in most areas when compared to the Freelander 1. That said, some have said the Freelander 1 is more capable off road. Is this really the case?

FWIW I'm not interested in buying a Freelander 2. I'm just interested to see how they compare off-road. If I was gonna spend that sorta money on a 4x4, I'd do the sensible thing and buy myself a nice Disco. I guess that would also make me eligible to join the "cool" club on this forum too! :p

Rich

If spending that sort of money on a disco - better budget on a good mig welder as well ;-)
 
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