Well today we got both of these Zambezi Silver oldies a fresh MOT. Having a FL2 I’ve forgotten how more agricultural the FL1 and D2 are against a FL2. Nothing wrong with being agricultural but it makes me think the FL2 isn’t dated at all.

I guess though if you compared a FL2 to a D5 then the roles would be reversed! It really was a pleasure driving both vehicles and it made me think as long as I’m in a green oval old or new you still have a cheeky smile

LRL
Land Rover Loyal

Click image to enlarge

The thing that dates the Freelander 2 is simply the engine and transmission . Yes it does the job , undoubtedly it can be a very attractive vehicle Now if you had a modern BMW or Audi 3.0 Diesel engine in it, a modern 9 speed auto, and had the latest driver aids that everyone and their dog fits you would have a very potent bit of kit  2009 GS Auto Zermatt Silver - Sold June 21 after 10 years of ownership

2016 Subaru Outback SE 2.0 diesel SE Premium Lineartronic Sold 2024 after 8 years and 80k miles . Best Car I ever owned !

2023 Toyota Hilux invincible X 2.8 Auto .

I have the Ford Ecoboost engine which is brilliant & I don't see why one needs more than 6 gears. All the new BMW & Audi look like white goods! Procrastination, mankind's greatest labour saving device!

Acoustic insulation ARB TPMS 3xARB air compressors After cooler Air tank On-board OCD pressure air/water cleaning Additional 50L fuel Carpet in doors ABE 2x1kg Waeco 28L modified fridge Battery 4x26ah Solar 120w Victron MPPT 100/20 DC-DC 18amps 175amp jumper plug Awning 6x255/60R18

MartynB wrote:

The thing that dates the Freelander 2 is simply the engine and transmission . Yes it does the job , undoubtedly it can be a very attractive vehicle Now if you had a modern BMW or Audi 3.0 Diesel engine in it, a modern 9 speed auto, and had the latest driver aids that everyone and their dog fits you would have a very potent bit of kit

If. A big word. If your Aunt only had a pair of balls, she’d be your Uncle.  Past: FL2 TD4 HSE Auto
Evoque SD4 Dynamic Lux Auto
Present: Audi A3 S Line.

Having just changed from a Zambezi silver disco 2 (which I miss) I can say the Fl2 felt like a racehorse compared to a shire horse When I first drove it. Much more modern design from early to mid noughties rather than evolution of a design dating back to late eighties (or sixties given the development from RR classic).
I'll have it for a good few years hopefully by which time I could be looking at moving on to an old fashioned Disco sport  Landrover - turning owners into mechanics since 1948

2014 Orkney grey Freelander SD4 GS.
2004 Zambezi silver Discovery 2 Td5 (Gone)
1963 Surf blue Morris Mini Minor Super de Luxe (my little toy)

Agree with you there Bobup, had my D2 for 5 years and thought I would miss it more, but allowing for the size difference then the Freel2 is a far better machine,
also having seen the results of both D2 and Freel2 rolling I know which I would sooner be in
Dave DAVE.
I.A.M. F1rst Driver.
Gone 2003 Discovery TD5 Auto,
Gone 1986 Defender 90 Station Wagon
Gone 1984 Range Rover 3.5 Vogue Manual.
Gone 1970 Series 11A/3 SWB 3.5 V8 Hybrid
Gone 1964 Series 11A LWB Van
Gone 1966 Series 11A SWB Van
Gone 1964 Series 11A LWB Station Wagon,

Doesn’t “dated” refer to some pointless fashion bauble being superseded by an equally pointless (but more “up to date”) bauble?

Good design should never date. The D2 was a good design (considering the restrictions that the designers were having to work under!) and so was the FL2. And they both still are!

The Freelander will not date as it is the last model! Procrastination, mankind's greatest labour saving device!

Acoustic insulation ARB TPMS 3xARB air compressors After cooler Air tank On-board OCD pressure air/water cleaning Additional 50L fuel Carpet in doors ABE 2x1kg Waeco 28L modified fridge Battery 4x26ah Solar 120w Victron MPPT 100/20 DC-DC 18amps 175amp jumper plug Awning 6x255/60R18

I had a Disco 200 ....... dated.

Then a Disco 300 ....... dated.

Then a Disco 2 (Td5) ........ best vehicle I ever had (kept it for 10 yrs !!)

In parallel I had a Freelander 1 (3dr) ........ enjoyed it.

Then a FL1 (5dr) ........... loved it.

Then a FL1 (3dr) ........... dated

Now the FL2 modified .......... enjoying it .............. but hanker for that Disco 2

Now the RR ......... I'm in love all over again


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Last edited by Largered on 14th Feb 2018 1:26 am. Edited 1 time in total

Those FL1 Expedition racks were like rocking horse even when the car was only just out of production. Possibly worth more than the car itself now

Both my FL1 3 door had one fitted and they could be located quite far back on the rails, I fitted a sheet of 5mm marine ply to mine to make it more usable for various bits.

IMO the FL1 3 Door looked amazing with the roof off with an expedition rack fitted with lights on.

And I would have another 3 door FL1 today if I could find the right one (but only as 2nd play car )

RogB, my 3dr had many combination looks .....

Custom made roof rails (note single piece targa roof panel)

Click image to enlarge

those are both very urrrrmmm interesting modifications (but knowing you they would definitely have served a useful purpose )

I tried the full soft top but found it to be too fiddly to put up and down, so I had the shower roof which was actually really good and very quick to fit/remove. I used to drive round most of the summer with the roof off and got a few admiring looks and comments with the expedition rack fitted over the open back end which when combined with the rear seat dog guard still meant the car was reasonably safe parked up.

RogB, if you used the Shower Roof .......... should have gone for the German spec ...... it had a clear flexible rear window.




.....also the Shower Roof reduced your max (advised) speed to 50mph.


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yeh I always thought it should have had a clear panel in the back... never knew there was a german version but im guessing they were ultra rare.

I never drive above 50mph anyway