New member in Canada about to purchase a 2013 LR2/Freelander 2

Hello everyone,

I live in New Brunswick on the Atlantic coast of Canada. I'm originally from the UK and have driven Land Rovers and a Range Rover for my employers in the distant past in the Western Isles.

I'm about, I think, to buy a 2013 LR2 with 6-speed auto. The same as a Freelander 2 except there is no engine option they all come with the 2.0L turbo Eco boost (Ford). For years I've looked for a Defender (they have to be 15 years old to import into Canada) but they're all too expensive, high mileage etc. Lots of them are the ones built for the Italian police, so they have the really thirsty petrol engines.

Anyway, I can just about afford a 2013 LR2/FL2 HSE Lux with 30,000 miles (50,000 Kms) and I have been trying to find out if the majority of the problems that plagued the Freelander and the Freelander 2 up to 2012 have been resolved with the 2013 model year? I've noticed a dozen Technical Service Bulletins and one recall (air bags).

I would be very grateful for any feedback from any 2013 Freelander 2 owners on the reliability of their vehicles.

Thanks,
Andrew~

I've owned 3 of these: a 2011 from new and a 2012 and a 2013, both from a year old - clocking up around 140,000 miles between them. I finally traded the 2013 for a new Discovery (LR4) 6 months ago. A work colleague still owns my original 2011, which now has 130,000 miles on it (he's planning on seeing at least 200,000 miles out of it), so I've got a fair amount of experience of them! Although, living in the UK, they were all 2.2 diesels...
Apart from a tendency to destroy the original rear differential, at around 100,000 miles, I'm struggling to think of any problems worthy of reporting. There was a minor issue with one of the Diesel engines (an irregular "cough" under acceleration on the 2012 car) and a small pipe leading to one of the exhaust sensors on the 2011 fractured, although neither are relevant to your petrol engined car.
The lack of low range is an inconvenience off road, which makes the auto box the gearbox of choice.
It's well worth paying the extra for the Lux as the seats are more comfortable and the Xenon headlights are amongst the best. The sunroof (on the UK specced cars at least) is superb!
Although I can't comment on the petrol engine, the rest of the car is great and I'd buy one again without hesitation.
Please let us know what you decide to do and how you get on. Do you have any photos of the one you're looking to buy that you could post here?

Agree with the above!!!!

Welcome. That explains why I only saw one LWB Defender in a month in BC. What a silly import rule. Even a 110 looks like a dinky toy against all the Dodge, Chevvy's and Ford trucks, some of them are gross (twim wheeled rear axled 4x4). Why not import one from the UK at UK prices? Good luck with your Freelander.

Thanks guys for the replies, they are very encouraging. I like your Border collie avatar Tigger Eeyore & Roo and you have a handsome red and white Collie, I had one I rescued from Wales "Teg" I've attached a couple of photos of the 2013 LR2 in the showroom, it is a Lux. I'm told the cambelt should be changed at 50,000 miles (80,000 kms) but I'm not sure if that owner was referring to the 2.0 L Eco boost engine or a diesel? Hopefully it's not an engine out service to change the cambelt and presumably, idlers, tensioners etc are replaced at the same time. I'll check it out with the dealer maybe this engine has a timing chain anyway? It's a lease return with a full service history and looks well looked after.

Thanks for the comments on the dogs. The Avatar should be moving, but it doesn't seem to any more. If you click on it it does! I wondered about your Avatar - is that Teg (good collie name), or have you got another one in Canada? Freelanders (in fact, most Land Rovers) tend to run a fair bit better with a collie in the back. It's a well known fact.

Nice looking car from the outside, though the inside leather colour is a love it or hate it thing. If you love it, then dare to be different

Can't help on the engine, as we never got that engine in the UK. But the original cam belt in the 2.2 diesel runs past 100,000 miles ( http://www.freelanderspecialist.com...ander-2-service-schedule-2-2-litre-diesel-td4 ) so it can't be the diesel that's being talked about.

That's Remus, he was from the Outer Hebrides, I rescued him when he was 5 weeks old in 1980. Teg was my red & white Collie.
Yes that interior colour kind of makes you stepback at first but I've a feeling it'll grow on me and I definitely like to be different

Well, I hope you go for it. Would it be very different to what you're using now? Have you tried it, or one like it, yet?

Sorry, I won't go too far off topic (honest), but here's a last one of Ben. And Land Rover. They fit pretty well in FL2's...

Ben's a red merle
I've had four wheel and awd vehicles for a number of years (GMC Jimmy, Suzuki jeeps and I currently have an SX4 with 210,000 Kms). I tend to keep them until they're done.
Your photo reminds me that it would need mudflaps. I'll be in touch with the dealer today and double check on the remaining warranty and cambelt. It's too far away for me to test drive but it's a Land Rover and I know I'll like it. It's good to be reminded of your roots

I think you'll find this a very nice car to drive in comparison.

Please keep us posted!

Hello Tigger Eeyore & Roo, I should be the owner of the 2013 LR2 HSE LUX in the above photo later this week. I found a red 2014 with only 12000 miles (20,000 kms) and nearly opted for that one but the 2013 has an extended warranty to November 2019 or 160,000 Kms and its $6000 cheaper. A difficult decision but anyway one of them should be mine by Friday.
I am wondering if you could tell me where you bought your Land Rover logo mudflaps? I asked the dealer but the oem flaps look like generic hard plastic mudflaps and there is no Land Rover logo. I would like to buy a set of four.
Thanks,
Andrew

Great result, enjoy your new FL2!

I wish I'd bought out the entire stock of those mud flaps when they were still available in 2011; looked high and low for them since!

They were aftermarket, but still look like new on the car after 130,000 miles (I know the current owner). I think that LR must have had a go about the use of their trademark!

Okay, thanks, that was a good purchase on the mudflaps