Hello-some buying and towing advice? 2.2 or 2.0?

[400bhp]

Hi

I'm interested in purchasing a reasonably new Freelander. It's a second car which the wife will use and more importantly;) I will use to tow my racecar around.

I wasn't considering one of these until today (assumed my wife wouldn't like them for some reason) when we all but stumbled across them in the local LR garage. It's now probably a toss up between one of these and a Jeep Grand Cherokee.

The racecar & trailer probably weigh 1500kgs fully loaded.

My questions are:
1. Am I correct that the perfoemance stats for the 2.2 are 160bhp/400NM torque & around 1800kgs and for the 2.0 are 112bhp/260NM torque and around 1700kgs weight?
2. From the above it seems pretty clear the 2.2 will pull 1500kgs with a low centre of gravity pretty comfortably. Can anyone put my mind at rest and confirm?
3. I'm not comfortable that the 2.0 version can pull 1500kg? Would you agree?
4. If I'm wrong with question 3 is there any reason to purchase a 2.0 over a 2.2?
5. Is there a general buying guide/common fault finder for these models?

Many thanks for your help in advance and apologies if these things have been covered before:)

[robbie77]

Hi

I'm interested in purchasing a reasonably new Freelander. It's a second car which the wife will use and more importantly;) I will use to tow my racecar around.

I wasn't considering one of these until today (assumed my wife wouldn't like them for some reason) when we all but stumbled across them in the local LR garage. It's now probably a toss up between one of these and a Jeep Grand Cherokee.

The racecar & trailer probably weigh 1500kgs fully loaded.

My questions are:
1. Am I correct that the perfoemance stats for the 2.2 are 160bhp/400NM torque & around 1800kgs and for the 2.0 are 112bhp/260NM torque and around 1700kgs weight?
2. From the above it seems pretty clear the 2.2 will pull 1500kgs with a low centre of gravity pretty comfortably. Can anyone put my mind at rest and confirm?
3. I'm not comfortable that the 2.0 version can pull 1500kg? Would you agree?
4. If I'm wrong with question 3 is there any reason to purchase a 2.0 over a 2.2?
5. Is there a general buying guide/common fault finder for these models?

Many thanks for your help in advance and apologies if these things have been covered before:)

Evening and welcome to the forum.
You did mention a J**P though, so you need to put a quid in the swear tin and wash your mouth out! ;)

I can't offer any advice or experience on the FL2(2.2), but i can on the 2l FL1.
You are correct in saying that it leaves the factory with 112bhp, but a lot of people on here have had it remapped and some chipped.
It is exactly the same engine as the BMW 320D, which leaves the factory with 150bhp.

Mine is remapped to just under 150bhp and it performs admirably. Owners on here will tell you about the flat spot from a standing atart, or when momentum is lost. The flats spots are ironed out with a remap, fuel economy improves and it costs just ubder £200 depending on where you go.
If you live in the North West, there Is a nice chap called Ray who lives in Chester who can perform the remap.

And yes, you are wrong with question 3. The 2l can pull 2000kg.
I am into off road driving and i used my FL1 to tow my twin wheeled trailer with my quarry bashers on. It makes a very nice tow vehicle.

What to look for in a FL?
The big one is to make sure that it has 2 props. People remove the rear prop. when the VC/IRD are knackered. They will run very happily in 2WD, but its very expensive to replace the VC/IRD if you want to put it back to 4WD. If you search this forum you will find out how to check its working in any FL you go to look at.
Another thing is to listen out for a creaking or cracking sound on a test drive, this can be a cracked subframe.

If you need any more info, feel free to ask, there is always someone in here to answer your queries.

Robbie

[400bhp]

Thanks for this.:) Do you have a rough idea what your off roader and trailer weigh?

I live in South Manc so Chester is very close although I'm not sure I can be bothered remapping what is essentially a beater/wife car. Feel free to convince me although I have plenty of power from other sources.;)

Apologies-I've just noticed the stiicky buying guide at the top.

Hmm the 320d engine - replacement turbo issues?? I guess ok as post 2003.

[robbie77]

I've been a member in here a fair while now and i've not heard of any major turbo issues.

As for the towing, i would say my trailer would be a good 600kg and i had a Frontera on it, a Vitara on it, a highly modified Vitara on it and a Citroen C5.

The 1500kg of your outfit is well within the FL's comfort zone.

The benefits of the 2l over the 2.2 are buying costs. The 2.2 is the FL2 so is 07 onwards i think.
And if the extra power is what draws you to it then it would still be cheaper to buy a FL1 and have it remapped to give the better smoother performance.

Robbie

[brooklynodog]

Visit Whattowcar.com for safe towing limits and expected performance given anticipated combinations

[400bhp]

Visit Whattowcar.com for safe towing limits and expected performance given anticipated combinations

Thanks, I have already tried this. The 2.0 doesn't appear on the acceptable list. Incidently Honest John passed comment on the 2.0 not being appropriate for towing.

Doing a bit more research it would seem there is a lot of difference between the old & new models (Freelander 1 & 2)? Most reviews aren't very favourable with the 1st gen.

[Llanigraham]

Isn't it funny how all these "experts" can say these things, but we, the owners and users, find the opposite?

I have now towed with both the old L series diesel and a Td4 and they are both excellent. The Td4 is better but I have never had a problem, and that has included the Welsh Air Ambulance exhibition trailer. I now tow an Adria 2 berth caravan and hardly notice it is there.

I haven't towed with an FL2, but have driven one, and suspect that it is better than the FL1, but not that much better. It does appear to have more power but also doesn't get such good fuel consumption (other than the stop/start).

I am sure others here will confirm what I have said.

[400bhp]

I'll hopefully test drive a FL1 and FL2 back to back tomorrow.:)

I've not been impressed with LR dealers (well, the sales dept at least):(

[robbie77]

I'll hopefully test drive a FL1 and FL2 back to back tomorrow.:)

I've not been impressed with LR dealers (well, the sales dept at least):(


How did you get on with the test drives?

Robbie

[TEMPL4R]

Funnily enough, I've changed quite a few turbos on 320 BMWs but not one on a Freelander or Rover 75.

It seems it's a certain batch as 2002 year are most affected. The turbine shafts break. Renault 1.9 engines in Lagunas and Vivaros/Trafics do the same.

Chris