Member Since: 19 Oct 2013
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 145
Moving from FL2 to Discovery
Could any of you that have moved from an FL2 to Discovery 4 let me have your thoughts regarding the experience. I am just in the process of deciding and it's just the driving experience that is putting me off as the Discovery feels so much heavier to drive than the FL2. In part, I suspect because the amount of turn needed on the steering is significantly more than the FL2 for any given course correction. The size isn't a problem as it's the same width and whilst the Discovery is taller and longer on the road that is no issue. So, apart from the driving experience and the fact it will probably use 15%-20% more fuel, I can see no reason not to change.
All input would be appreciated.
thanks
22nd Mar 2016 3:49 pm
nigel207
Member Since: 26 Mar 2009
Location: Nottinghamshire
Posts: 1359
My father has a FL2 (auto), so I have experience of both. The D4 is much heavier than the FL2 (well over half a ton), and isn't as "chuckable" but, the D4 is far more refined and has a much smoother ride. The FL2 is quicker off the mark, but runs out of steam much quicker than the D4.
There is obviously more to break on the D4 than the FL2, and it will be more expensive to run, but I personally wouldn't swap Dad! Nuff said.
22nd Mar 2016 3:54 pm
nazca sand eddie
Member Since: 29 Oct 2015
Location: England
Posts: 41
I have owned two FL2, and thought they wer brilliant vehicles.
I have recently changed to a MY16 Discovery 4, as I needed more load carrying space and didn't much like the spy shots of the D5.
I am delighted with the D4. If anything I prefer its steering over the FL2. There seems to be more power for accelerating , astonishing in fact. I like the higher driving position as well.
There is a course laods more room inside, and even with front seats fully back, there is more leg room for passengers.
However, I like the driver's seat as high as possible and this causes my left leg to nudge the dash with my knee - something that never happened in the FL2.
Too early to really comment on fuel consumption. But so far offroad is better than the FL2 (13 down to 20 mpg). Towing is about 10% worse, but the engine is new. Around town seems about the same as FL2, and longer solo journeys about 34, compared to 40 on the FL2.
22nd Mar 2016 4:04 pm
wireworld
Member Since: 19 Oct 2013
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 145
Thanks for that although I would get a service pack and 3 year warranty so the running costs excluding fuel would be pretty much the same (RFL+£65, Ins+£150, Servicing -£300) for three years at least.
22nd Mar 2016 4:07 pm
Pelyma
Member Since: 06 Jan 2005
Location: Patching, Sussex
Posts: 15496
I've got an 07 auto Fl2 that I've had from new and a MY16 HSE Lux. It's horses for courses, the Fl2 has been great, it's too small as a main car, juicy on short runs but has taken everything my wife throws at it. Compared to my old D3 it was a nippy roller skate but against the D4 I don't think it is. The engine is quite course and of course you don't have air suspension. Drive both and make your own mind up would be the best bet. DS3 TDV6 HSE - Silver with Alpaca (old one) Gone
DS3 TDV6 HSE- Silver with Alpaca (new one) Gone
D4 HSE Lux - Montalcino Red Gone
Porsche Cayenne V8 Diesel S
22nd Mar 2016 6:21 pm
LT
Member Since: 31 Dec 2005
Location: South West
Posts: 23826
I've driven many FL2's. I like them a lot. However, it's always nice to get back into the Discovery (3&4).
If you don't need the extra seats, space, towing capacity, off-road brilliance of the D4 etc. then I doubt I'd bother to change TBH. \in theory, the FL2 should be cheaper to run/own.
I personally prefer to drive the D4 (or D3) to an FL2 and I don't understand what you mean about the steering.2006 D3 HSE (Original & still the best)-GONE
2010 D4 HSE (A bit bling)-GONE
2014 D4 HSE (Almost too bling)-GONE
2015 D4 HSE (A heated what?)-GONE
2016 D4 Landmark (Written Off)-GONE
2016 D4 Landmark (Surely the last!) PD1881 rims-GONE
2017 FFRR SDV8 Autobiography (now semi-retired)
22nd Mar 2016 6:35 pm
Brian_DL13
Member Since: 25 Aug 2013
Location: Teesdale
Posts: 1418
I had a FL2 before my current D4. Loved the FL2 enough to get the Disco. Don't regret it at all.
SWMBO preferred the FL2 for driving as it was 'easier to see things' but apart from that no negatives - and the steering / brakes seem no heavier to me. The engine/transmission is a lot smoother, much greater space in the boot, even more capable off road ... I could go on.
22nd Mar 2016 7:01 pm
wireworld
Member Since: 19 Oct 2013
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 145
LT the steering gearing on the Disco is lower 3.3 turns as opposed to 2.7 (IIRC correctly) so for any given turn the Disco steering will require more input from the driver than the FL2. At least that's how I understand it.
22nd Mar 2016 7:10 pm
ronp
Member Since: 29 Nov 2006
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 15263
Re: Moving from FL2 to Discovery
I did it the other way around - I moved from a Disco 4 to a FL2
Had a new D3, then D4 and now (I've semi-retired and got no money) I'm in a FL2.
The FL2 is a great vehicle, been very economical to run and hasn't given me any surprises with things breaking down/needing replaced.
It does everything I need it to do and it carries all my kayaking, hiking, mountain biking, camping kit all in one go and there's still space left for a couple of passengers.
However, I'd much rather be in a D4 or D3 - the ideal all round vehicle ...... always on the road less travelled 🚧
22nd Mar 2016 7:17 pm
Red Merle
Member Since: 30 Aug 2014
Location: Liskeard
Posts: 7441
I had my first FL2 (XS manual) in 2011 and kept it for 2 1/2 years and 90,000 miles. Loved the car to bits! Reliable, hugely capable off road, superb view out, with a great square shape so that I could see all the corners The downsides were a lack of boot and rear seat space, no low range, less than brilliant seats and a bit of steering vagueness on the motorway. Consumption was around 33-34mpg.
I moved jobs and the company FL2 had to go back. Faced with the choice of a new 3 Series touring, or running my own car I, naturally, ran my own car. Que a 1 year old FL2 HSE manual. Even better than the original A year later I swapped for a FL2 HSE Lux auto which was the best of the lot, although the mpg took a dive and dragged the figures down to 29mpg.
Really, I should have stopped there as it was a superb car - one of the nicest cars I'd ever owned. So why, oh why, did I leave my senses and trade it in for a new Disco?! ....
The Disco is longer, it's harder to park, it eats tyres in 2/3rd's of the mileage, it uses more fuel, is more dated and you have to climb up into it (Transit style), rather than walk into it (FL2 style). It brings with it £290 tax discs and the promise of properly committed service costs
It's all sounding very negative, so do I regret spending the price I paid for my house, back in 1994, on just one car?! Not one bit!
I must have forgotten to mention that once you get used to the size and the more truck like drive, it is also hugely more powerful and torquey (being genuinely quick), it has a fabulous V6 which makes so much less noise than the FL2's (and what noise there is is pure music!), has unmatched towing capability, is super smooth, has a genuinely brilliant 8 speed auto, is so much nicer to drive on the motorway, unlike the FL2 it has zero road noise, is ridiculously capable off road, the family adore it and the air suspension is almost as good as the hydraulic system in my lovely old Citroen XM's. (Pause for a nostalgia break).... So what if it costs more to run? I'm mad enough to drive 30,000 miles a year in it and I pay my own bills and it's worth every penny!
Would I have another FL2? In a heartbeat Would I voluntarily part with my Disco in order to be able to have another FL2? Over my dead body! If you can afford the bills, then go for it!
PS: Fuel isn't the big worry that you might think. It actually returns about 27-28mpg, very little less than the FL2 auto
PPS: Buy one while you still can; the D5 will be a very different car and from the looks of the photos and the "Vision concept", a little bit 2011 - 2015: 3 x FL2
2015 - 2017: 2 x D4
2017 to date: FFRR SDV8
2023 to date: 2 x FL2 as “second” cars 🙄
2021 to date: Hinckley built ‘14 Triumph Trophy 1200
2022 to date: Hinckley built ‘14 Triumph Trophy 1200 & sidecar!
(One of only two known to exist in the world!)
22nd Mar 2016 8:42 pm
Red Merle
Member Since: 30 Aug 2014
Location: Liskeard
Posts: 7441
wireworld wrote:
Thanks for that although I would get a service pack and 3 year warranty so the running costs excluding fuel would be pretty much the same (RFL+£65, Ins+£150, Servicing -£300) for three years at least.
How many miles are you planning on doing?2011 - 2015: 3 x FL2
2015 - 2017: 2 x D4
2017 to date: FFRR SDV8
2023 to date: 2 x FL2 as “second” cars 🙄
2021 to date: Hinckley built ‘14 Triumph Trophy 1200
2022 to date: Hinckley built ‘14 Triumph Trophy 1200 & sidecar!
(One of only two known to exist in the world!)
22nd Mar 2016 9:01 pm
wireworld
Member Since: 19 Oct 2013
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 145
I have another car so about 8k per year I guess
22nd Mar 2016 9:26 pm
J77
Member Since: 03 Mar 2008
Location: Fife
Posts: 6270
In terms of LR ownership I've been around a bit
I went from D3 to Fl2 and went on to have 3 of them, so it's fair to say I like them but for me the Disco is my LR of choice. I stuck with the Freelander because I spend most of time in it on my own but in reality as I do low mileage it wasn't anymore economical than the D4 other than servicing and road tax which is now better with the service pack and lower road tax of the current D4.
The D3/4 is an amazing vehicle to drive, it's comfortable, it's smooth and will handle most things it's asked to do.
Really can't see myself having anything else.
Just go for it, you'll love it 23.5MY Defender 90 X-Dynamic SE D250 MHEV Pangea Green
22nd Mar 2016 9:34 pm
Red Merle
Member Since: 30 Aug 2014
Location: Liskeard
Posts: 7441
Then the running cost differences between the FL2 and the D4 are going to be marginal 2011 - 2015: 3 x FL2
2015 - 2017: 2 x D4
2017 to date: FFRR SDV8
2023 to date: 2 x FL2 as “second” cars 🙄
2021 to date: Hinckley built ‘14 Triumph Trophy 1200
2022 to date: Hinckley built ‘14 Triumph Trophy 1200 & sidecar!
(One of only two known to exist in the world!)
in addition to all the above reasons, this forum is where the action is........Farewell and adieu to you, Spanish Ladies
Farewell and adieu to you, Ladies of Spain
For we've received orders for to sail for old England
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
....
and it's worth every penny! 
If you can afford the bills, then go for it!
