New to the forum and need help with purchase decision

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N

Neet11

Member
Posts
11
Location
East Lothian
We'd really appreciate some help with a new purchase. We need a 4X4 and after no small amount of research have decided on a Freelander 2. We're looking to buy a TD4 (manual gearbox) and there are two we're currently interested in. Both are 2010. One is a TD4 GS (67,000 miles) and the other an TD4e HSE (93,000). The HSE is two hundred quid more and obviously has all the shiny bits, but no privacy glass. The GS is pretty standard, but does have privacy glass. They've both had three owners and appear to be in very good condition with FSH. Both are 200+ miles away, but in opposite directions! It's a difficult question, I know, but which one do you think, on paper at least, is the best buy and the one we should go see?

Thanks for your help.
 
I might be wrong, but I thought the TD4e was front wheel drive only. Someone who knows the FL2 better than me will be along in a bit.

I'm curious as to why you want a manual box, when automatics are so much nicer to drive, and don't require expensive clutch changes.
 
Nodge68 said:
I might be wrong, but I thought the TD4e was front wheel drive only. Someone who knows the FL2 better than me will be along in a bit.

I'm curious as to why you want a manual box, when automatics are so much nicer to drive, and don't require expensive clutch changes.
Click to expand...

I thought the ed4 was the 2WD version. If not, our research has been pretty rubbish ;) Personal preference re manual.
 
Yes, you're right, the eD4 is the FWD version.

I felt exactly the same about the manual box on both of my first and second Freeloaders, but the third one was an auto and it suited the car better - especially if using it off road or towing where it is much easier to control and is more robust. The manual's clutch will burn easily under stress, while the annoying lack of low range is partly made up for my the automatic's "creep" capability. The auto will also bring the SD4 option which has some very useful extra power for overtaking, though low down torque is about the same.

Looking for a manual in the HSE and above will severely limit your choice, as most of these were autos.

I'd recommend deciding on your minimum specification first, before going to see anything. To me, it would have to be the HSE for the full leather and really good sunroof, but you may feel differently. I've owned an XS, an HSE and the HSE Luxury and the added bits and pieces were nice to have.

Once you've done that, it's entirely down to condition, service and MoT history and age. You don't say if they are private, or dealer, purchases. Good quality warranties are well worth having, but they tend to no longer be available once mileages pass 100,000 - which is the only reason I'd be nervous about the 90,000 miles plus car.

http://www.freel2.com/forum/ is a useful source of information on Freelander 2's, but not as much fun... ;)

I hope that helps a bit.
 
Last edited:
Nodge68 said:
I might be wrong, but I thought the TD4e was front wheel drive only. Someone who knows the FL2 better than me will be along in a bit.

I'm curious as to why you want a manual box, when automatics are so much nicer to drive, and don't require expensive clutch changes.
Click to expand...


TD4e is 4x4, the e means it has stop start technology. As mentioned the ED4 is 2wd.

I'd definitely go for the HSE and haggle the 200 quid, it's a much nicer place to sit. Heated windscreen and seats are a plus in the cold. Just look for splits in the driver's seat base the seat faces are leather but everything else is PVC, this has a tendency to split on the outside edge of the driver's seat. Ask the seller if his car has this problem. Also check both key fobs work, they are charged when in the car meaning sometimes the spare is completely flat and won't charge. There are sellers on eBay that can repair them, but it's a good bargaining tool. Rear diff should be fine on a 2010, just check there are no noises coming from the back end. Cambelt needs changing at 10 years or 150k so this will need doing soon on either car so factor this in the cost. Check the doors are actually locked when you lock the car. The door lock motors can give up, not cheap to replace. Front wheel bearings can go, if you here a rumbling noise this is almost certainly the cause.

Other than that they are pretty reliable.
 
Tigger Eeyore & Roo said:
Yes, you're right, the eD4 is the FWD version.

I felt exactly the same about the manual box on both of my first and second Freeloaders, but the third one was an auto and it suited the car better - especially if using it off road or towing where it is much easier to control and is more robust. The manual's clutch will burn easily under stress, while the annoying lack of low range is partly made up for my the automatic's "creep" capability. The auto will also bring the SD4 option which has some very useful extra power for overtaking, though low down torque is about the same.

Looking for a manual in the HSE and above will severely limit your choice, as most of these were autos.

I'd recommend deciding on your minimum specification first, before going to see anything. To me, it would have to be the HSE for the full leather and really good sunroof, but you may feel differently. I've owned an XS, an HSE and the HSE Luxury and the added bits and pieces were nice to have.

Once you've done that, it's entirely down to condition, service and MoT history and age. You don't say if they are private, or dealer, purchases. Good quality warranties are well worth having, but they tend to no longer be available once mileages pass 100,000 - which is the only reason I'd be nervous about the 90,000 miles plus car.

http://www.freel2.com/forum/ is a useful source of information on Freelander 2's, but not as much fun... ;)

I hope that helps a bit.
Click to expand...

You’ve been enormously helpful. Thank you so much. I think we prefer the HSE too to be honest but did have the 100K thing in the back of our minds which was putting us off a tad. Thanks too for opening our minds to the automatic. It makes sense to cast the net a wee bit wider.
 
S1monm said:
TD4e is 4x4, the e means it has stop start technology. As mentioned the ED4 is 2wd.

I'd definitely go for the HSE and haggle the 200 quid, it's a much nicer place to sit. Heated windscreen and seats are a plus in the cold. Just look for splits in the driver's seat base the seat faces are leather but everything else is PVC, this has a tendency to split on the outside edge of the driver's seat. Ask the seller if his car has this problem. Also check both key fobs work, they are charged when in the car meaning sometimes the spare is completely flat and won't charge. There are sellers on eBay that can repair them, but it's a good bargaining tool. Rear diff should be fine on a 2010, just check there are no noises coming from the back end. Cambelt needs changing at 10 years or 150k so this will need doing soon on either car so factor this in the cost. Check the doors are actually locked when you lock the car. The door lock motors can give up, not cheap to replace. Front wheel bearings can go, if you here a rumbling noise this is almost certainly the cause.

Other than that they are pretty reliable.
Click to expand...

Thank you so much for replying and for the brilliant advice. Hugely appreciated. We’re going to look a bit further afield and see if we can find an HSE with lower mileage,
 
Seems like a sensible idea! You're probably already aware of the facelift in 2011, which may or not be important to you. Also with the stop start equipped cars (and all face-lifted cars) came lower CO2 figures and cheaper VED.
 
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