Hi folks,

New here, so please be kind! Have finally decided to buy a FL2 and currently looking at various ones for sale. Looking at a 2013-onwards model, with low-ish mileage (under 60k). Preferably one without a tow bar, on the basis of less chance of it being sha**ed by towing stuff.

Big question - I much prefer manual boxes, but am hesitant to go for one because of stories that keep popping up here and elsewhere on the net around manual boxes. Delicate clutches, etc. Am I just asking for trouble by going for a manual, or are they not as bad as stories suggest? Are autos that very much more reliable?

Not wanting to go near a debate on the wonder/ease/magicalness of driving manual v auto - just reliability and advice on whether to buy on that basis.

Thanks all in advance.

OK. First one in. How long is a piece of string? Opinions are like etc. Etc.

We have a manual, and we tow a caravan. Had it for 5 years, now on 80,000 miles. Never had a problem.

There, I said it......

And in the sprit of healthy debate, "why would you choose a car that uses more fuel?" And "automatics are for old ladies!"

I’ve owned two manuals and one auto FL2 (as you can see below).

The manual is fine, unless it’s stressed and then the clutch does feel a little fragile. I used to have to park an Ifor Williams twin axle trailer in a friend’s fallow field. If it was wet and the ground was a bit soft, it took no time at all for the clutch to start frying when manoeuvring. It never gave out on me, but it was the weakest link when the going got tough and it really limited what I could attempt.

The auto was absolutely fine and never gave me cause for concern.

I have always preferred manuals, but I’d never buy another LR with a manual box having used them both.

But, if you’re only going to use it as a road car and never tow, the manual is absolutely fine

My manual has been 100% reliable since 2013 from new and the clutch is still perfect as i don't abuse the clutch.
I did tow a caravan but my towing was mostly france and open roads.
Also had an auto and had nothing but problems for 4 years !Much better Fuel consumption and lower road tax made the manual a no brainer.
If your really looking for a gem mines only done 16,000 miles & garaged from new and is under the for sale columb.

http://www.freel2.com/forum/topic32104.html Jaguar x-type sport gone
Jaguar x-type 2.2d sport one of my best cars ever sadly gone
Freelander 2 GS auto 2008 most unreliable ever ! gladly gone
Freelander 2 GS manual 2013 only time will tell !

Thanks for the replies so far, folks - good food for thought.

And oldgeezer - thanks for the heads up on your FL2, looks a beaut. Bit of a trek from where I am though, and to be honest, looking at XS/Dynamic/SE tech trim. But thank you anyway.

Make sure you get one with the better hifi, not the base system because you can't upgrade it. Also a reversing camera.

If you have lots of traffic get an auto & also if you want to do off road an auto is better.

Full sized spare wheel. 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

Mine is a -07, 150000miles and still on the same clutch from the factory. My DMF starts to be a bit sloppy, but the clutch still does its job without slipping. I think manual is OK as long as you are not going to do everyday towing or offroading. The autos are a bit thirstier and not what you wish if you do a high annular mileage, and also very costly if it goes bang....

Quote:

Preferably one without a tow bar, on the basis of less chance of it being sha**ed by towing stuff.

Like all generalisations does not apply in every case I fitted a towbar to occasionally tow a small trailer for domestic use AND so I could fit a rugged cycle carrier.
My manual does everything I ask of it without problems - just clocked over 50000 miles
Don't limit your choice - BUT do research what and how the vehicle was used for No Longer the owner of a 2013MY Fuji White GS

"Fiat Lux" a philosophy not a car

I had my Discovery Td5 for 11 years and 165000 miles. It needed 2 clutches and 2 flywheels in that time. I did a lot of caravan towing with it.
When moving to the Freelander, auto was the only choice. and although Ive only had it 9 months Im delighted with it.  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)

We've got a Td4 manual and an Sd4 auto and the Sd4 combo is really well suited to the Fl2 , on a run it will match the Td4 for economy but trails it around town .

Mark 2009 FL2 TD4 SE (Sadly gone)
2007 FL2 TD4 GS (The wifes , gone after 8 great years)
2012 FL2 SD4 SPORT LE(Gone and missing it)
2015 DISCOVERY SPORT 2.2SD4 HSE (For now ?)
2014 Ford Bmax 1.0 ecoboost ( Gone but what next )
2014 Ford Focus 2.0tdci Zetec S

SD4 Auto all the way for me, IMO all Land Rovers suit auto

yes they use more fuel, but not massive amounts more,

plus if you have long legs and big feet like me the auto gives you extra stretch room

I agree with RogB.

SD4 Auto is the one to get true LR driving experience.

If you are over-worried about fuel consumption, the FL2 is the wrong car for you. Many other smaller SUV type vehicles are out there now, they look as if they are off-roaders, even if they are not! FL2 XS SD4 Auto 2010 2012-2017 (21k - 91k miles) (MY2011)
FL2 Metropolis SD4 Auto 2014 2017- (16k - 76k+ miles) (MY2015)

most on here will go for auto and slag manual off, mine is an 07 HSE manual with 160,000 miles on original clutch, personally I think if you drive properly your clutch will be fine.

Its 40 years since I ever had to get a new clutch fitted in a car, that was a MINI 1000 with about 120,000 on the clock, 70,000 of which I did.

If I could have auto on my HSE I would  2017 SEAT Ateca 4drive 2.0 xcellence (May 2022 -
2007 HSE with HST bodykit in Zermatt Silver 169,700 miles (dec 2016 - May 2022 )
2007 Honda Civic Type S GT (2012-2017)
2002 Mini Cooper S (2008-2012)
1992 Honda Legend 3.2i (2003-2008)
1990 Honda Concerto (1999-2003)
1985 Honda Accord (1997-1999)
1983 Honda Accord (1993-1997)
1983 Mini Mayfair (1988-1993)
1974 Mini 1000 (1979-1986)

I've had both, and enjoyed both.

I had a few gearbox and clutch problems with my manual one.

My current one, an SD4 (all are auto) is an absolute joy to drive, and the gearbox has never given me a minutes problem. Updated- Waiting for a Scotland v England 6 Nations home win. 24th Feb 2018
Gone-1972 88 SWB Soft top
Gone-1981 24v FFR Lightweight
Gone-2009 Freelander 2 TD4 GS manual
Gone before it bankrupted me- 2008 Discovery 3 TDV6 Auto
2013 Freelander 2 SD4 GS Auto

Had five FL2s in the family and two of them had manual gearbox problems, one was rapidly "moved on" and the other had gearbox rebuilt under extended warranty. I now drive a SD4 auto and would never go back.
On a slightly different tack my son now works in Africa and has an auto Toyota Hilux pickup which does a mixture of on road and extreme offroad driving around farms all day with galactic mileage and seems to be totally indestructible. 3 x FL1 2 manual + 1 auto
5 x FL2 4 manual + 1 auto
Now Discovery Sport P250 MHEV SE