Nissan X-Trail or LR Freelander Td4?
Discussion
Hi all,
I'm needing one of the above for work (the A3 is too small and low).
The LR is permanent 4wd and I presume the X-Trail is a Haldex system? I've heard that some Haldex systems don't work in reverse, is this correct?
I do approx 500 to 700miles per week through the Welsh countryside and rarely get on to 70mph dualfun roads, so speed/acceleration is not a major issue, but a reasonable drive and comfort level is.
Can the PH massive give me some pointers?
Many thanks,
C.
I'm needing one of the above for work (the A3 is too small and low).
The LR is permanent 4wd and I presume the X-Trail is a Haldex system? I've heard that some Haldex systems don't work in reverse, is this correct?
I do approx 500 to 700miles per week through the Welsh countryside and rarely get on to 70mph dualfun roads, so speed/acceleration is not a major issue, but a reasonable drive and comfort level is.
Can the PH massive give me some pointers?
Many thanks,
C.
If it's a freelander 2 go for it. They're superb.
I did consider an X-Trail when I got the FL2, but in hindsight I definitely made the right choice.
Only experience of FL1's is the turbo going pop and the engine 'running-on' , but a mate recently picked up one of the last FL1's and seems very happy with it.
The X-trails are reasonably well specced but the Freelander does everything slightly better imo.
I did consider an X-Trail when I got the FL2, but in hindsight I definitely made the right choice.
Only experience of FL1's is the turbo going pop and the engine 'running-on' , but a mate recently picked up one of the last FL1's and seems very happy with it.
The X-trails are reasonably well specced but the Freelander does everything slightly better imo.
We have an x-trail and have driven my father-in-laws Landy (FL1) a few times. The x-trail is night and day better on the road, in terms of comfort, handling, and acceleration. It's also much more frugal and carries a lot more gear.
Re the 4WD system. It is normally 2WD, but has three setting - 2WD, Auto (2WD unless it detects slip), and locked centre diff so permanent 4WD. The top sepc model also does torque split across the "axle"
Off-road, it's good enough. I'm in an MR team, and I had no problems last winter getting to call-outs through foot deep snow on moorland roads on all season tyres - I was very very impressed TBH.
The down-sides: The turbo and IC and the 2.2Dci are very fragile on the early models.
Re the 4WD system. It is normally 2WD, but has three setting - 2WD, Auto (2WD unless it detects slip), and locked centre diff so permanent 4WD. The top sepc model also does torque split across the "axle"
Off-road, it's good enough. I'm in an MR team, and I had no problems last winter getting to call-outs through foot deep snow on moorland roads on all season tyres - I was very very impressed TBH.
The down-sides: The turbo and IC and the 2.2Dci are very fragile on the early models.
Edited by rhinochopig on Sunday 10th October 16:26
Hi guys,
Thanks for the info
I am looking at a Freelander II - the one with the TD4/bMW diesel lump.
Budget for the work hack is up to 15k, but I'd prefer to spend less as the car is going to have a bit of a hard life.
I'll not be doing much rough stuff off road wise, but I need the 4WD for the winter in mid Wales and also the construction site visits. I don't expect to be greenlaning it - I have the Defender for that
Cheers,
C.
Thanks for the info
I am looking at a Freelander II - the one with the TD4/bMW diesel lump.
Budget for the work hack is up to 15k, but I'd prefer to spend less as the car is going to have a bit of a hard life.
I'll not be doing much rough stuff off road wise, but I need the 4WD for the winter in mid Wales and also the construction site visits. I don't expect to be greenlaning it - I have the Defender for that
Cheers,
C.
Caractacus said:
Hi guys,
Thanks for the info
I am looking at a Freelander II - the one with the TD4/bMW diesel lump.
Budget for the work hack is up to 15k, but I'd prefer to spend less as the car is going to have a bit of a hard life.
I'll not be doing much rough stuff off road wise, but I need the 4WD for the winter in mid Wales and also the construction site visits. I don't expect to be greenlaning it - I have the Defender for that
Cheers,
C.
Freelander 1's also used the TD4 engine. And I think they are good. FR2 is meant to be better, just a shape the 6 pot petrol is auto only.Thanks for the info
I am looking at a Freelander II - the one with the TD4/bMW diesel lump.
Budget for the work hack is up to 15k, but I'd prefer to spend less as the car is going to have a bit of a hard life.
I'll not be doing much rough stuff off road wise, but I need the 4WD for the winter in mid Wales and also the construction site visits. I don't expect to be greenlaning it - I have the Defender for that
Cheers,
C.
Caractacus said:
Hi guys,
Thanks for the info
I am looking at a Freelander II - the one with the TD4/bMW diesel lump.
Budget for the work hack is up to 15k, but I'd prefer to spend less as the car is going to have a bit of a hard life.
I'll not be doing much rough stuff off road wise, but I need the 4WD for the winter in mid Wales and also the construction site visits. I don't expect to be greenlaning it - I have the Defender for that
Cheers,
C.
Try and drive them both. I think the FL2 is much better looking car, and nicer inside as well, but having had a very quick go in a friends, I personally couldn't live with the damping. The wheel control on them is really odd over a pattery moor road - like one of the front dampers is knackered. This is a bit of trait in these sort of vehicles, but the FL2 seems certainly worse than the x-trail.Thanks for the info
I am looking at a Freelander II - the one with the TD4/bMW diesel lump.
Budget for the work hack is up to 15k, but I'd prefer to spend less as the car is going to have a bit of a hard life.
I'll not be doing much rough stuff off road wise, but I need the 4WD for the winter in mid Wales and also the construction site visits. I don't expect to be greenlaning it - I have the Defender for that
Cheers,
C.
X Trail everytime, I really miss mine. If youre after something comfortable, roomy, 40+mpg and reliable then that's your motor. Performance was also quite impressive considering it's size. Also received excellent service from my local dealer, and was especially pleased when Nissan agreed to replace a blown turbo, free of charge even though the car was 5 years old with 75k plus miles. Feedback from a few mates who have had LR's in the past was on the whole not good, reliability issues and poor fuel consumption.
Regarding the FL2...
The suspension is superb until you hit bumpy stuff where it can feel quite 'crashy' if it's on the standard tyres it came with (which frankly, are rubbish). It's been my only real criticism of the car - nowhere bad enough to put me off but it did take a bit of getting used to. The flip side is you can chuck it into corners like no other 4x4 I've ever driven, it's almost car-like. I recently changed the road tyres for road-orientated AT tyres, and it's made the world of difference. It still sticks like the proverbial to a blanket, but the softer sidewalls make it so much more back road friendly.
It's also remarkably good off road (something I say as a fairly experienced off-road driver I hasten to add). Having been out with a few of LR's drivers to see what they can really do I was amazed.
That aside, for everyday stuff they are without a doubt the best car in their class IMO. Interior quality is far higher than Nissan's, much nicer place to be. Good mile munchers, ours has done 35k since new IIRC, and it's been faultless, not so much as a squeak or a rattle. The only money it's had spent on it has been servicing and diesel.
Fuel consumption is decent, I average 35mpg (genuine, not just trip computer lies) and it's got more poke than either of the X-trails I've test driven. Neither will set the world on fire, but they're quick enough for what they do.
I've not heard of any big reliability issues (though I've heard of plenty of people with mates who happen to have funnily enough...) and two of my best mates spanner new landies for a living (mine included).
I think you'll be happy with either of in all honesty, the Nissans are certainly very good motors - my car history is testament to how much faith I've put into Nissans having had more than a dozen of them in 10 years, but in this instance I preferred the FL2 by quite some margin. As long as you're buying on condition, making sure you get the most for you money and whichever you prefer, you'll get a solid vehicle that'll last forever.
The suspension is superb until you hit bumpy stuff where it can feel quite 'crashy' if it's on the standard tyres it came with (which frankly, are rubbish). It's been my only real criticism of the car - nowhere bad enough to put me off but it did take a bit of getting used to. The flip side is you can chuck it into corners like no other 4x4 I've ever driven, it's almost car-like. I recently changed the road tyres for road-orientated AT tyres, and it's made the world of difference. It still sticks like the proverbial to a blanket, but the softer sidewalls make it so much more back road friendly.
It's also remarkably good off road (something I say as a fairly experienced off-road driver I hasten to add). Having been out with a few of LR's drivers to see what they can really do I was amazed.
That aside, for everyday stuff they are without a doubt the best car in their class IMO. Interior quality is far higher than Nissan's, much nicer place to be. Good mile munchers, ours has done 35k since new IIRC, and it's been faultless, not so much as a squeak or a rattle. The only money it's had spent on it has been servicing and diesel.
Fuel consumption is decent, I average 35mpg (genuine, not just trip computer lies) and it's got more poke than either of the X-trails I've test driven. Neither will set the world on fire, but they're quick enough for what they do.
I've not heard of any big reliability issues (though I've heard of plenty of people with mates who happen to have funnily enough...) and two of my best mates spanner new landies for a living (mine included).
I think you'll be happy with either of in all honesty, the Nissans are certainly very good motors - my car history is testament to how much faith I've put into Nissans having had more than a dozen of them in 10 years, but in this instance I preferred the FL2 by quite some margin. As long as you're buying on condition, making sure you get the most for you money and whichever you prefer, you'll get a solid vehicle that'll last forever.
Had both.
Curently used 2008 X Trail Aventura manual.
Previously 2009 FL2 XS auto.
Little to choose really...
Arguably the Landie is better looking inside and out and has the badge, but the boot is relatively small and is pricier as it holds it's value better.
The Nissan counters with really good comfort, practicality and you get a newer car/higher spec for the same money.
Given the choice, the Landie would edge it for me, but I do really like my X Trail and on Yokohama Geolander AT tires, is very good off road. Nothing too hardcore, but I do use it off road and on the moors etc with work.
Personally I prefer an auto with these vehicles, but settled for a manual with my current X Trail as it was a great price.
Another alternative, Jeep Cherokee. Cheaper and less sophisticated but a good cruiser and great off road.
Curently used 2008 X Trail Aventura manual.
Previously 2009 FL2 XS auto.
Little to choose really...
Arguably the Landie is better looking inside and out and has the badge, but the boot is relatively small and is pricier as it holds it's value better.
The Nissan counters with really good comfort, practicality and you get a newer car/higher spec for the same money.
Given the choice, the Landie would edge it for me, but I do really like my X Trail and on Yokohama Geolander AT tires, is very good off road. Nothing too hardcore, but I do use it off road and on the moors etc with work.
Personally I prefer an auto with these vehicles, but settled for a manual with my current X Trail as it was a great price.
Another alternative, Jeep Cherokee. Cheaper and less sophisticated but a good cruiser and great off road.
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