Calling all facelift FL2 SD4 drivers!

Now that some of the forum members are getting their hands on the facelift model I was just wondering how they are finding them in comparison to their old ones?
1) Does the SD4 feel much more powerful?
2) Does the SD4 have the lag that the TD4 had from a standing start?
3) Is the SD4 quieter?
4) SD4 MPG?

Went on a LR Experience day at Halewood a couple of weeks ago and drove HSE SD4 auto on and off road - definitely a lot quieter than my 08 TD4 SE, but this might be because of more sound proofing under the bonnet ?

Just go test drive one for the day?! Mine: 2012 Golf GTI Edition 35
Family's: 2009 Freelander 2 HSE TD4 Auto, Stornoway

Yorkshire - God's County

In answer to Shilens questions

1) still 'running in' but seems to pull more strongly
2) yes even more so - believe it has a larger turbo which will give more lag
3) considerable quieter especially from cold starts
4) trip from Teesside to Lake district and back returned 41.5 mpg (only done 500mls) so hopefully this may improve. Mine is a GS Manual

rt wrote:

Mine is a GS Manual

Minor technicallity, isn't SD4 (190 PS) only available as an auto?

SD4 is auto only!

It's awesome!

I was gonna say that, auto and HSE spec?? Mine: 2012 Golf GTI Edition 35
Family's: 2009 Freelander 2 HSE TD4 Auto, Stornoway

Yorkshire - God's County

Natwest. Good point well made. Should have read the question more carefully.

I had hoped SD4 would be available as a manual than slush-box only

Quote:

I had hoped SD4 would be available as a manual than slush-box only

I found when our HSE auto was new that it seemed to hunt and lurch about when changing gears slightly, but after a few hundred miles it seemed to change earlier, and not be so keen to change down (which suites my driving style). Interestingly, now it's not me that drives it the most, when I do it's gone back to being keen to change down whenever my foot goes anywhere near the throttle, and holding onto gears longer. Mine: 2012 Golf GTI Edition 35
Family's: 2009 Freelander 2 HSE TD4 Auto, Stornoway

Yorkshire - God's County

Big Dave
You are now driving a car with less power/torque than FL2, a gasoline one maybe? Am I right?

No Alex, my car's a Seat Leon FR TDI (170 hp, 350Nm) but is a manual.

The Freelander is actually my parents but I used to 'borrow' (use it most the time!) on occasions before I got my car!

The FL has Land Rover's Intelligent Shift Transmission I think, so I'm assuming this is the main reason that the experience has changed slightly, as it has adapted to the other driver's driving style? Mine: 2012 Golf GTI Edition 35
Family's: 2009 Freelander 2 HSE TD4 Auto, Stornoway

Yorkshire - God's County

Re auto gearchange: the auto box has adaptive memory and adjusts to best suit your driving style.
This has been quite obvious with both my FL2's when I have been on Isle of Mull for a few days covering 4-500 miles on single track roads with lots of stop start. When back to mainland gearchange pattern is noticeably different for a good few miles till it adjusts back to usual driving style. All FL2's (3) Gone
2011 Mercedes C180 CGI Gone
FL2 GS Auto SD with heated leather, factory tints, alloy spare and a few other bits.

Have all FL2 autos got this 'learning' gearbox ? When I was on the LR Experience recently the intructor seemed to imply that it was a model year 11 thing, which at the time I thought was incorrect, but maybe he was trying to get me to buy a new one!