Freelander 2 V6 HSE/HST - any good?

[Hitch78]

I've seen a 2008 LR2 Freelander 3.6 HSE with the HST kit (which I'm not too sure about) and wanted some advice. I know it will do fine for the daily grind but will it cope with the occasional bout of dune bashing?

I live in Dubai and have a Boxster S and a Wrangler 4.0 and I'm looking to go back to having one car that will do me fine on the day to day and do well when occasionally going off road.

I had looked at v8 LR3s but they're so heavy it put me off. Lots of stories of getting stuck a lot in soft sand. Others I've considered are Xterra 4.0 and Pajero 3.8 but Jap metal just doesn't do it for me so I'm reluctant.

Any advice appreciated...

[ruaricoles]

I did some work on the Freelander 2 including sand driving development (from a cooling / heat management perspective) so have some understanding of this; in short, the car is developed to the same standards as all the bigger LRs so is very capable. Clearly you don't have low range, but put it in manual 1st if you need to for big climbs and it'll hold it fine. Tyres and tyre pressures (and wheel size) are clearly important; I can't remember if the bodykit comes with bigger wheels (you'll be better off if not), or if the revised bumpers reduce the approach/departure angle. The terrain response system has sand mode which nicely changes the throttle map etc. Finally, the engine's a 3.2 and not a 3.6; it suits the car nicely, and while quite thirsty, in Dubai I doubt you'll consider that a particular issue! Most people who go off-road in a Freelander 2 are amazed at how capable they are, even on standard tyres. Enjoy it if you buy it!

Ruari

[Thorny]

Can't talk about dune bashing but we have the diesel SE FL2 and it is a great bit of kit, my only negative is that the boot is a tad small. Lots of info here:

www.freel2.com