We decided to go to our local LR dealer today to see what they have. Don't get me wrong I still love my FL2 but after nearly 4 years we thought we should look at possibly replacing it.

We arrived and found not one Freelander in the showroom, they had a demo SD4 HSE in the workshop but could not get it out. So we had a look around it.

Very nice but could not drive it as it was blocked in. So we had a look around the forcourt at the used cars. The guy we bought ours from wasnt in so we saw another guy. He said to me that my car would need to go through the workshop before he could value it as it will be five years old in December and will probably need things doing to it. What a bloody cheak! He had not even looked at it.

So after looking at 3 used HSE's, a 57 plate at £20500, an 08 plate at £22995 and an 09 plate at £26995. Price wise they was about right for a dealer. But I expressed my concern at the condition of these cars. He said they were used and that I should expect to see marks here and there.

I said what a load of , my 4 1/2 year old HSE was far better condition that the 09 plate. He didnt agree until he looked at it. Apart from a few stone chips which are expected for it's age, I would go as far as to say ours is perfect.

Not one scratch, swirl mark, dent, scuff. Nothing.

I came to the conlcusion that if I decided to change it would have to be for a new one. So we are thinking that we may keep ours for another couple of years. Auto would be great but I have lived with a manual for near on four years so another one or two won't hurt.

A disapointing day to be honest. Freelander 2 HSE Lux 2013MY - Barolo Black with Ivory Leather. Alpine DVD - Privacy -Evoque 20" Dynamic Wheels and more to come.........

Think you are spot on Mav re condition of the cars................... dealesr being dealers and their readiness to knock your p/x, was there any mention of your improvements ? 2010 FL2 XS Auto in Santorini Black with HSE alloys

Marky wrote:

Think you are spot on Mav re condition of the cars................... dealesr being dealers and their readiness to knock your p/x, was there any mention of your improvements ?

What improvements - change to black and add a caravan  2002 Honda VFR800
2002 Toyota Celica 140 Silver (mid life crisis - again!)
2007 FL2 GS Manual Army Reconnaissance Green + freel2.com sticker
2004 Toyota Celica 140 Black - Gone
2000 Toyota Celica 140 Silver - Gone
1998 Toyota Celica ST Pearl Green - Gone
1996 Nissan Primera 1.6 - Gone
1994 Rover Montego 1.6 Auto - Gone

Mav71 wrote:

So after looking at 3 used HSE's, a 57 plate at £20500, an 08 plate at £22995 and an 09 plate at £26995. Price wise they was about right for a dealer. But I expressed my concern at the condition of these cars. He said they were used and that I should expect to see marks here and there.

I said what a load of , my 4 1/2 year old HSE was far better condition that the 09 plate. He didnt agree until he looked at it. Apart from a few stone chips which are expected for it's age, I would go as far as to say ours is perfect.

I've thought that about all the LRs I've seen at dealers also - but then I've recently been in a couple of peoples cars and cannot believe the state they let them get in... A lot I think comes down to expectation and perceptions, one persons clean and tidy can be very different to another persons clean and tidy... I also think the Land Rover effect comes into play here where a snd hand 4x4 is expected to have a few dinks, scratches, dirt etc given how it should have been used...

It does not however excuse the fact that if you go to another prestige mark (such as BMW ) then all their cars will be immaculate and more often than not as good as new.

Come on Land Rover - pull your finger out and act like your peers! Freelander 2 TD4 Auto, SE, Narvik Black, Alpaca full leather, Rear Headrest Entertainment System, 6 CD, 18 HSE Wheels, Privicy tints

Marky wrote:

Think you are spot on Mav re condition of the cars................... dealesr being dealers and their readiness to knock your p/x, was there any mention of your improvements ?

Mav71 wrote:

Marky wrote:

Think you are spot on Mav re condition of the cars................... dealesr being dealers and their readiness to knock your p/x, was there any mention of your improvements ?

When he looked around mine and saw what I had done, he said he would speak to the boss. Got the call back this afternoon, they like the 2011 facelift and say it will really help them to sell it. The figure they are talking presently to PX is between £17500 and £18000.

They said mine would be up on the pitch at between £20k and £21k. The reason being, is demand, my spec and condition.

Privately I was told I should easily get around £19500 for it! Even at £18000 PX, I still have to consider whther to spend an additional £20k on top!

So we have just been to BMW to look at the new X3. Didnt stay that long either, the BMW sales people were arrorgant to say the least and they offered me £13500 for it after getting it 'under written' by a LR dealer.

Their smile soon was wiped off when I asked who under wrote it, and that my LR dealer had offered me between £17.5 and £18.5k. They were giving me a lower quote to increase their margin.

So BMW won't get a penny off me. The X3 drove too much like a car than a 4x4.

I thought that was part of their job description.
I have never been to a BMW dealer and had anyone come to greet me on the forecourt.While i spent sometime 30 minutes looking at there cars

I've never had a great experience buying BMW's - although there are some good dealers out there willing to go out their way to make a sale.

It seams to me that the more expensive the car, the less likely the sales guys are to make an effort IMHO

BMW service seams reasonable though - or at least in my experience Freelander 2 TD4 Auto, SE, Narvik Black, Alpaca full leather, Rear Headrest Entertainment System, 6 CD, 18 HSE Wheels, Privicy tints

Mav71 your experience mirrors mine when I was looking for a nearly new FL2. Went to all the dealers around me but no one seemed to want to do a deal. Prices were sky high and, although I accept that the brand holds up well in the second hand market, they were OTT. Eventually SWMBO, who really isn't into buying cars, stunned me by saying we should by a new one!!! So I have - it arrives in a few weeks time and I got over 3K off list. It's an SD4 HSE Ipanema Sand. Got it through DRIVETHEDEAL and so far it's been a breeze. They put me in contact with a dealer in Yorkshire - won't mention names until they tell me it's OK as big discounts seem to cause trouble for them. All the paperwork is in order, deposit £1650 paid and receipted. They will deliver to the door with a years road tax - but actually I am going to pick it up - prefer the fist 200 miles to be with me at the wheel.

Just as a footnote, while I was looking for a secondhand one, I saw a new SD4 GS with leather seats - over 31K! I pointed out to the salesman that if I bought it - no discount offered - when I brought it back in 3 years or so he would say "Can't give you much cos it's only a GS" - he just nodded in agreement! B. ds.

When I was looking for my car, I went to BMW first and tried a 520d Touring. It was before I'd even considered a Land Rover.

I really wanted to like that car and borrowed their demonstrator the car on a day's test drive. I drove all of 10 miles before turning round and handing it back to them What on Earth is all the fuss about? Even Eeyore (that's the Mrs - can you see a theme here?! ) thought that it was a big car for a man with a very small wi**ie The dealership were very nice until I told them (very politely and respectfully) that I didn't like it; they couldn't seem to understand why I wasn't bowled over by it!

Last edited by Tigger on 9th May 2011 4:40 pm. Edited 1 time in total

Agreement with Captain Worm RE BMW Service Department, friends who have BMW's say that the service department is pretty good at the dealers they have used.

But here is an update for you. I got a call from the BMW dealer about 2 hours ago asking if I was serious as I went in a 56 plate Freelander 2 and was looking at a £40k BMW! What a !

So I decided to pay them a visit, so got into this :-

Click image to enlarge

Swingwing wrote:

Just as a footnote, while I was looking for a secondhand one, I saw a new SD4 GS with leather seats - over 31K! I pointed out to the salesman that if I bought it - no discount offered - when I brought it back in 3 years or so he would say "Can't give you much cos it's only a GS" - he just nodded in agreement! B. ds.

Sounds like BMW dealers are , I hate it when people get treated that way, isn't the idea if going in to a garage with a older car to buy a new normal practice

And here's me thinking of going for a car with better mpg as my next car and thinking some sort of BMW 5 series might have fitted the bill, I now very much doubt it  Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

No it was Lookers Colchester -They must all be at it .

I was disgusted by the state of the used stock at my local dealer when I went to look for mine.
Seagull all down them, dog hairs and dust inside, one had the handsfree thing hanging off and a big rip in the seat.
When I pointed all this out to the salesman he said "what do you mean?"
I went elsewhere, cars were spotless inside and out.

I know it's a never ending job keeping them clean but bloody hell it's not rocket science is it?

Captain Worm wrote:

Mav71 wrote:

A lot I think comes down to expectation and perceptions, one persons clean and tidy can be very different to another persons clean and tidy... I also think the Land Rover effect comes into play here where a snd hand 4x4 is expected to have a few dinks, scratches, dirt etc given how it should have been used...

How many times have you seen the word MINT condition in an ad for a used car? only to find it really means the kids mint sweet marks all over the upholstery and a few polo mint holes where the rust is?