TD5 - Manual or Auto?

[Ben]

Morning all!

I'm getting frustrated with the search for a defender, and have been wooed by the Disco 2 I test drove yesterday. Basically the same spec as I owned previously, but a couple of years newer.
It was manual, and everything I remembered / expected.

However, I'm wondering what the auto's are like. I realise that I'm going to get less MPG than a manual, but they've got more torque, and I understand that the TD5 auto's are a lot better than the 300TDi autos as the gearbox talks to the engine to make sure they work together best.

I'm going to be using it for mainly motorway driving (hence the disco over a defender), with minimal towing (trailer to the tip!). I'll probably be doing 8-10k per year, so the MPG's not really an issue.

I've posed the question elsewhere, and I'm getting positive feedback about the auto. I'm going to have a go at test driving one today (the only auto Disco I've driven before was a 300 series v8 which was rather disappointing next to my Octavia!!!).

Any thoughts / benefits either way? I'm used to a manual as I've always had one, but I'm not going to let that put me off!

Oh yes - the auto's all have Cruise Control at the spec level I'm looking at, but I've still got a set of the "discoparts" brackets so I can retrofit a manual without too much trouble!

Cheers

Ben

[thermidorthelobster]

I voted Manual, but only by a whisker.  I used to think that autos revved the TD5 in the wrong torque area, but actually now I'm not so sure.  I'd be tempted by an auto myself if I replaced mine.  But if you go for a manual you'll be keeping things nice and simple and saving money on fuel.

[burgerman]

personally a manual type person, as it gives you more options if things"go wrong"   I have heard of auto discos(TD5) that when towing a larger item especially on a gradient, that the gearbox gets a tad too warm and goes into limp home mode, not my own experience, but have heard this discusssion a few times now??   Just my tuppence worth,

[Range Rover Blues]

On a deisel, manual, always.

That siad the V8 auto in the classic is about the only auto I like and it handles the power better than a stick, especially if that stick shift is past it's best.

[Paul.K/LuckyTrucker]

Hi there, my wife's 300tdi auto works a treat, towing my SJ on a trailer, I can't fault it but I do not let her tow our heavy club trailer 2.5 -3.00 tonnes. I tow it with my 200tdi. I voted for manual . One of our club members has a TD5 auto and his works fine but I was horrified to hear the engine revs it was using to get up a long steep hill, 3,500rpm. Maybe a TD5 thing but not conducsive to good mpg.
Best of luck