I bought a 2012 LR2 (Freelander2) new and have since put 150k miles on it. The thing has been perfect - not a single problem in 13 years.

That said, it is 13 years old and I'm getting nervous when I take it on longer drives in rural areas where a breakdown could be a major headache.

I'm considering replacing it with a new Evoque (which I test drove and really liked), just for the newer safety features, more comfort, and more peace-of-mind that a new vehicle is less likely to encounter some serious problem. Thoughts?

I know these old LR2's have quite a fan base, and someone told me, "Don't ever get rid of the LR2. It's the best / most reliable vehicle they ever made", but I don't know how true that is. Any reason I might regret trading it for a new Evoque?

Does it have an Ingenium engine ? YES
Would I touch it with a barge pole ? NO


JLR have been penny pinching on engine design for years resulting in seriously unreliable engines - eg crank shafts snapping in the V6 engines - has that ever been a thing with any other manufacturer of luxury vehicles ? Jules

That is exactly what I'm worried about, Jules

That said, I guess I'm trying to weigh the reliability of one of these new Igenium-based vehicles against one that's 13yrs old /150k miles on it.

I would rather have a FL2 with 200k miles on it than a ingenium engine with 20k miles on it! My FL2 is nearly 13 yrs old only ever had a one headlight bulb go other than that its been faultless. 2013 FL2 XS.
Defender 90 300 TDi.
Defender 90 300 TDi CSW.
1964 MGB Roadster.
1944 Willys MB "Jeep" with bullet holes. (gone)
17 hand Irish Drought Thoroughbred (mostly lame)
Nagging Old Boiler.

Mahatma Gandhi said if there is an Idiot in power those who elected him are well represented. The Enemy is our own corrupt Government.

@awesomsauce…if you are in USA can you get a petrol engine…..? Otherwise I agree with Rommel…
& my FL2 still on original bulbs……apart from front indicators which had lost their orange color. FL2 SD4 HSE Lux Auto MY 2012— current
D2 TD5 HSE Man MY 1999 470kmls….gone 2014 ….lovely engine..chassis rotten
D1 300TDI Man MY 1996 56kmls….gone 1999…D2 much better
Wife’s FL1 1.8P MY 2001 32kmls …gone 2007…has Mini since.

Ha! Yes, still on original bulbs on mine, too

Yes, I'm in the US so the engine would be petrol. Are those better regarded?

Im afraid I can't comment on the petrol versions. You need to search the internet I guess. Jules

Quote:

Are those better regarded?

The level for comparison isnt exactly high - still a fundamentally weak design whichever flavour of dino-juice fuels it.

If you're looking for reliability, there are other manufacturers than JLR. Check out how well positioned Land Rover's products are in JD Power's 2024 reliability ratings... [Jaguar have stopped making new cars, so their unreliability statistics should begin to improve soon... ]

As to the venerable LR2's reliability - simple, it is a Ford.

 Jules

awesomesauce wrote:

I bought a 2012 LR2 (Freelander2) new and have since put 150k miles on it. The thing has been perfect - not a single problem in 13 years.

That said, it is 13 years old and I'm getting nervous when I take it on longer drives in rural areas where a breakdown could be a major headache.

I'm considering replacing it with a new Evoque (which I test drove and really liked), just for the newer safety features, more comfort, and more peace-of-mind that a new vehicle is less likely to encounter some serious problem. Thoughts?

I know these old LR2's have quite a fan base, and someone told me, "Don't ever get rid of the LR2. It's the best / most reliable vehicle they ever made", but I don't know how true that is. Any reason I might regret trading it for a new Evoque?

[quote="Fatal Apathy"]

Quote:

As to the venerable LR2's reliability - simple, it is a Ford.

awesomesauce wrote:

Ha! Yes, still on original bulbs on mine, too

Yes, I'm in the US so the engine would be petrol. Are those better regarded?

jules wrote:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRjNO7lC8ZU

Truly appalling customer service.
Unfortunately it's not an isolated incident. Shower of . 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)

Petrol Evoque? then Yes.

FL2's are rare in cities but fairly popular in rural areas with tow bars, HSE and SD are hens teeth all have high mileage or rather KM's in the region of 300K plus Ewoks are popular in cities Seville is full of them though not sure about petrol versions.
I'm thinking about a 20/21 DS hybrid but the petrol is a 3 cyl which has some worries, being extremely hot here I haven't heard about DPF problems and the diesels appear to be getting popular.
The most popular are Ewoks RR Sport and FFRR also quite a few Santana's which I don't think went to coil springs as the agreement ended with Defender launch but many had a Santana 5 speed gear box which was fitted to the UK Defender and non are anywhere near as low as UK prices. The Spanish tend to work on a run it into the ground then change, or buy a new one for retirement so there are a few low KM cars available from bereavement sales. my PC is slightly to the right of Genghis
2012 HSE SD4 In Orkney Grey now gone, best car ever.