Freelander 2 (LR2) Newbie, wants a freelander2

Good evening people,
Ive never owned a Landrover (currently own vw t5 kombi) but I would now like a 4x4. I think the best land rover for me would be a freelander2 as my budget is about 9K. Id ideally like a 2011 onwards model xs or hse. Any advice on what to look for would be much appreciated .

Gareth

Service history and four good, ideally identical, tyres. A tow-hitch is handy
Everything factory fitted should work; check everything.
On the test drive try it in all terrain modes, sports mode, manual mode and hill descent control. That's a lot of modes, so we're not talking 'a quick run around the block'. Aim for potholes and listen out for any clunks indicating worn bushes.
Mines the SE spec with opening sunroof, non-opening moonroof and cold weather pack. Love it.

Yeah I want the xs spec and higher as I want heated seats/windscreen and sat nav. Do freelander2 suffer from chassis rot or are they too young for this?

Eastlancashire said:

Do freelander2 suffer from chassis rot or are

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No. Only separate chassis LRs suffer from chassis rot. All the monocoque body LRs remain pretty rust free. Even 20 year old Freelander 1s are still managing to survive from rot.

As Nodge says, the FL2 is pretty good as regards corrosion when compared with, for example, a Disco. The underbody of mine is pretty much rust free except for surface rust on the “moving bits” of the suspension. Nothing a wire brush and a lick of paint won’t cure, if I could be arsed.

Would you be able to class the freelander2 as reliable compared to its rivals?

My neighbour had a real issue with the differential on his FL2, then Chichester 4x4 confirmed this was one of the potential faults also on these.
On the other hand a mate has one which has been fine.
Thinking of one also to replace a FL1.

Eastlancashire said:

Would you be able to class the freelander2 as reliable compared to its rivals?

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That's difficult to say exactly, as it doesn't have many direct rivals.
It's pretty reliable, but not as reliable as a character less Japanese rival.

mizzen64 said:

My neighbour had a real issue with the differential on his FL2, then Chichester 4x4 confirmed this was one of the potential faults also on these.

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Early ones did have a rear diff issue, but most of those will be sorted by now. After about 2010, the diff issue was solved, so shouldn't be a problem now, providing it's had timely fluid changes.

mizzen64 said:

On the other hand a mate has one which has been fine.

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That's pretty representative of later FL2s.

mizzen64 said:

Thinking of one also to replace a FL1.

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I'll also go down the FL2 route, when my FL1 finally gives up the ghost.

Spec wise, for my budget only the Ford kuga is coming anywhere close,but it just doesnt have the look that the FL2 does. Im looking at Xs spec and with that im getting heated seats and heating front windscreen, sat nav and depending on how late a model I find dab radio.

Eastlancashire said:

Would you be able to class the freelander2 as reliable compared to its rivals?

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I'd class the Freelander 2 as the hardest of the soft roaders. Mine has been exceptionally reliable with only the wearable bits wearing out and the off few niggles.

Eastlancashire said:

Spec wise, for my budget only the Ford kuga is coming anywhere close,but it just doesnt have the look that the FL2 does.

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The FL2 can't be compared to the Kuga, as it's a different vehicle altogether. The FL2 is larger all round, even compared to the new shape Kuga. I must admit that I liked our Kuga, but off road ability is seriously lacking by comparison to any LR, even the FL1.

Eastlancashire said:

Im looking at Xs spec and with that im getting heated seats and heating front windscreen, sat nav and depending on how late a model I find dab radio.

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The XS does have lots of kit, which makes it good value. I personally can't be bothered with DAB, as down here it's pointless.

Double post
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