By Andrew on Saturday, December 15, 2001 - 06:29 pm: Edit

Just picked up our brand-new Freelander SE today! It's Bonatti Grey with the tan seats and black trim. Has the Harman-Kardon stereo and sunroof, but no heated seats. Dealership ordered some tan floormats for us. (I think they'll offset the stark blackness of the interior quite nicely) They also installed a rub strip on the side, which looks ok- much better than I thought it would.

Thoughts so far? Great transmission! I love the Steptronic. Seats are comfy, interior is growing on me. I love the way it looks from the outside- very European. Handles well- it's fun to drive.

The only niggle I have so far is the lack of decent armrests. Any ideas on a center armrest? Land Rover doesn't offer one. I checked the US Kit as well as a few international Land Rover websites.

Future modifications will be a spare tire cover from a dealership in the UK (just because it's different, hehe), rubber floormats, maybe some foglights for the front, and of course some sort of an armrest. Might try to retrofit heated seats just for fun...it appears to be all wired- just need buttons and heating elements in the seats.

I do plan to take it off road, although the 17" wheels and limited tire options mean that I'm stuck with the stock Michelins. Obviously that will create some limitations, as will the fully independent suspension and no low-range. But after watching it on the off road course at the dealership, I think it will perform well enough.

My family has a 2000 Range Rover 4.0SE, so we're not strangers to Land Rover vehicles. Range Rover has seen light off roading in New Mexico. We've also owned several Jeeps and I currently drive a Toyota 4Runner, so we're not off-road virgins either. :-)

Anyways, just thought I'd introduce myself. Is this the best Freelander forum around? I've read Discoweb for years, just never posted.

BTW, how do I register for an account? Stupid question, I know, but I haven't figured it out yet.

By Axel Haakonsen (Axel) on Saturday, December 15, 2001 - 08:13 pm: Edit

Andrew:

To register for an account, click on "Edit Profile" under "Utilities" in the toolbar on the left. Then click on the "Instant Registration" button and follow the instructions.

Congratulations, and good luck with your new Freelander! Don't forget to take some pictures of it - and of your Range Rover too, and send them to Ho!

As for beeing the best Freelander forum around, I don't know, we just recently added a Freelander section to DiscoWeb. There may be others, but I am not aware of any.