£2k AM/ FR bike suggestions

A mate wants a bike that he can use for downhill & xc riding on a £2k budget.
Something like a Reign X, but not a Reign X. Needs to have a large or extra large frame, reasonably slack, coil sprung, 160mm - 180mm travel, strong frame and under 35lb.
Any ideas?

easy one Orange Alpine
light, strong, proven, good angles, and English made as well

That's what I thought but he does tend to panic that his frame is going to snap when he hears the slightest creak so he would probably have a nervous breakdown if he brought an Orange! Also a little over budget.

Lapierre Spicy or Froggy?

That's what I thought but he does tend to panic that his frame is going to snap when he hears the slightest creak so he would probably have a nervous breakdown if he brought an Orange! Also a little over budget.

Don't worry about that. They come with PRO2 hubs so he won't hear F A over the freewheel anyway.

I have an alpine and am very happy with it. They are a bit over budget though.

Froggy could be ok, bit of a poor spec but good for upgrading. Would the Cube Hanzz or Fritzz be any good?

Weren't you considering swapping to a full DH rig Steve?  Couldn't you sell him your Giant?   

Transition covert or Nukeproof mega.

I'm keeping the Reign X & upgrading it, it's worth bugger all to sell.

Covert is too expensive & everyone I have met with a Mega has snapped the frame at least once.

This years Saracen Ariel comes 2 flavours, would the 66.5* Head angle/160mm travel version do what he's after at all? seems like it might make a reasonable Mini DH/FR/AM frame.
It is Air-sprung, but The previous 140mm version was generally well recieved for harder use, and I'm sure the shock could be changed if needed...
It's sort of British too which might tick a box for him, Seeing as he's not got Orange money...

Or is a saracen still considered a bit too low end?

This years Saracen Ariel comes 2 flavours, would the 66.5* Head angle/160mm travel version do what he's after at all? seems like it might make a reasonable Mini DH/FR/AM frame.
It is Air-sprung, but The previous 140mm version was generally well recieved for harder use, and I'm sure the shock could be changed if needed...
It's sort of British too which might tick a box for him, Seeing as he's not got Orange money...

Or is a saracen still considered a bit too low end?

You can't run a coil on an Ariel

http://www.freeborn.co.uk/devinci-2010-hectik-3
I am hopefully picking one up this weekend.

Hectik & Ariel are both good options. I don't think an air shock would be a problem. Ariel has a bit of a low spec on the basic version.
Lapierre Froggy seems to have gone a bit mental this year with the Marzocchi 888 dual crown forks.
Rose have a couple of bikes which look idea & great value, the Uncle Jimbo looks good as a lighter option http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/article/rose-uncle-jimbo-4/aid:436036
Or the Beefcake FR as a harder hitting option http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/article/rose-beef-cake-fr-4-524499/aid:524514
Plenty of cash left in the budget for upgrades on either of these.

Another hard hitting option and a little over budget but what a bargain! http://paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s1p3503 If I had the cash myself...

If you are looking at the direct sales companies (Rose) then Canyon and YT Industries offer some amazing value builds on well rated frames.  The Preview bit of the YT site has some nice looking upcoming bikes too.

Had a look at Canyon, they don't seem to be quite as well spec'd as Rose. YT look good but never actually seen one or a UK review.