What would you do?

[Cupar2]

Hi, I am new here, and would appreciate some genuine feedback please...

I have owned a 2011 Freelander2 TD4 XS manual for about 9 months/9000 miles - it is currently on about 60,000 miles. The car has cost me some £1000 during my ownership in servicing costs (I had the Haldex serviced, a 'B' service, rear discs/pads and 2 new tyres). My car currently has an issue with the handbrake (only working on one wheel) so it won't pass its MoT due in September, and the battery will almost certainly need to be replaced this winter. (More £££s). However, I like the sturdy shape and solidity of the car. I like the feeling that it will go anywhere (though do not go 'off road'). I find it comfortable, though the load area is a tad tight for carrying my dog (in his dog-crate) plus my gardening tools... On the negative side - I don't like the manual gearbox, plus (and worst of all) my Freelie suffers from a seemingly inherent hesitation/stutter/jerk at about 1500rpm, much-reported on the LR forums, which really spoils any driving-pleasure.

So, I feel it needs to go... I live on the Isle of Skye - so don't have easy access to loads of cars for sale.

Next week - I will take a trip to Inverness where I have found a couple of cars to take a look at. There is this Freelander: https://goo.gl/Q3LpQ1 or this BMW X3 https://goo.gl/9JbeWm The snag is that the X3 only has one service stamp, from 2015, at 13,000 miles, but it has an advisory-free MoT history.

Would you take a chance of the X3, or would you stick with Land Rover?

[X5Sport]

Being a BMW Forum, you would not be surprised if we’re all a little biased   

BMW also use electronic service histories rather than a stamped book so a call to BMW UK should get you the service history.  It should be done every two years or after a variable mileage interval (around 20k) depending upon how it’s been driven.

The BMW is a much better vehicle than the Freelander in terms of mechanicals, build quality and driving.  The auto box is very good.

Unless you have a knowledgable independent garage locally, servicing could be trickier than the LR simply because the workshop will need the right tools (computer code readers) etc.

You also need to be careful with tyre choices on any xDrive vehicle with ‘staggered’ wheelsets - different widths front/rear.  You don’t have to stick with runflats but you should stick with ‘*’ marked (BMW Specific) tyres.  Using non-RFT tyres softens the ride.

I would try both and then see how you feel. 

[Cupar2]

Thanks for your helpful reply. I hadn't thought about electronic service records... doh!

Local garages here are fine for basic work - oil change, brake pads, MoTs and so on, but it has to be a trip to Inverness for anything more specialised. There is a BMW dealership there (I know... £££££s), but hopefully the need for specialist attention won't happen too often!

I plan to try the X3 first, and will only try the Freelander if the X3 disapponts.

[English Yeoman]

Hi mate, I moved from a FL2 to a BMW X5 (My wife also has the X3)

Observations so far:

The FL2 is much better in the snow and off-road / adverse driving conditions - just feels more sure footed and safer

The BMW will be a much more refined drive - especially the jump from LR manual to BMW auto - it's a revelation and I'll never go back to a manual again!

More space in the BMW (by far) so this will help you with the dog / tools etc.

Servicing is about the same - neither a BMW or anything made by LR are going to be cheap to run!!!


Good luck with the search!