Auto or Manual

[BigA]

I am looking at changing from the 90 to a Disco?? looking around and want a 300TDI.

Anyhow, their are a lot of auto's about, and SWMBO recons i should have one as i don't like changing gear (i really don't know where she gets that from   ) so to get to the point, what are autos like of road?

Andy

[muddyweb]

what are autos like of road?

Superb !

Smooth power delivery right from standing, more control, easier hill starts, etc, etc.

You might find it a bit sluggish on the road behind a Tdi, so it depends how important a factor that is to you.  Otherwise, I'd certainly go for it.

[MuddyMachine]

I prefer my auto any day :D

[chuggaman]

i would love an auto

mike

[Damonski]

Sorry guys I prefer my manual.

[beast5680]

well i,ve had both, currently have an auto 300tdi as the sunday best car i like autos and think they are much underated but saying that i wouldnt have another diesel one as they are too sluggish for my liking especially if your trying to get out of junctions on to busy roads :shock:
i find running costs are higher with regard to fuel compared with a manual.
There are a hell of a lot of diesel autos available at the mo as they are grey imports from japan, usually well specced as well

[Rangie3.0LtrDan]

The only time you should have an auto is with a V8 rangie  :o  the auto disco's are too slow, when going down a motorway i had an auto 300TDi disco following me in my manual 300TDi and i had to keep slowing down so he could catch up, and that was all within speed limits!

[petergalileo]

I wish mine was an auto  :(

[landroverkeith]

Manual  8)  more fun i reckon

[BigA]

hmmmm...... still unsure, the way i drive, fuel probably wont be much different  :? i like the idea of ease of an auto, this will be my day to day vehicle as well as laning toy (so long as bits dont fall of as much as the 90) and i dont do that much travel, but unsure about not having the control off road, but then again, i am sure the auto box would better select than i would  :roll:

[beast5680]

i would rather have an auto for off road stuff you dont lose contriol you can use the box as a manual but just no clutch to worry about also you dont get as much engine braking with an auto on descents, dont get me wrong i really like auto,s as a day to day car especially in traffic just not mated to a 300tdi

[BigA]

dint get me wrong i really like auto,s as a day to day car especially in traffic just not mated to a 300tdi

don't forget to take into account that i am changing from a 1988 2.5TD 90, so whats acceleration, i have forgotten  :lol:

seriously, i take your point though.... i think i am going to have to give both auto and manual a drive and see how they go, must admit though, the prices of the autos are also swaying me  :?:

[Jim-Willy]

My Dad has a Disco auto and had a manual one previously and he likes the auto.  It is slow pulling away but cruises at 80mph no bother.  My 90 auto has a lower geared transfer box so is OK off the mark but 70 you are pushing it a bit.

[robbie]

I have driven manuals for years (not lots of 4x4's) and was undecided as you are about the auto for off road, but I have to say I absolutely love it. It is a 98 300TDi, no fancy gimmicks for off roading but I am more than satisifed.

The hill starts are dead easy cos you always have some traction there. I have had several 'smart arse' comments when I have stopped on a hill, selected Diff-Lock and then carried on..... very easily too

The fuel side of things seems fine too, I can get 500 miles to the tank without too much trouble, a little more if I dont use the aircon often (dont know if this is more in my mind or not...) I did only get 450 when I first got it but I think this was down to me needing to adjust to driving an auto again

I have no problems keeping up with other 300TDI manuals.... although just a shade more sluggish from the start. To be honest, the vehicle is NOT a racing machine and if you are moving from a 90 you will think you might need wings on it as I am sure it will seem to fly.

The only thing which was a little worrying at first when I went off roading  was the engine braking when going down hill. The auto will take a second or two to kick in before you begin to have full engine braking.... resist the thought of braking, it WILL kick in and it will control your descent.

Go on....... get one....... you know you want to :D

OHH, and mine has done 109k miles too...... and still going strong :)

[BigA]

nice one robbie, that's the sort of info i was after, and sounds good, and no other discouraging comments either, i must admit the more i think about it, the more i am swaying.

i have seen a couple close by, and will be going and looking at them soon, armed with my list of checks such as rust in the load floor, diff lock not working on autos etc. and info from hear i cant wait  :)

i will still give some manuals a go i think, just to compare for myself.

[Daz800]

manuals for me all the time.

Daz

[bambamjj]

Im lazy but must admit i prefer the Auto, allows me more brain power to think about what else the Disco is doing, rather than ensuring im using the correct gear/clutch control, but engine breaking was a worry to start with.

Go for it would never change to a manual, works car is Auto and just convinced the wife to get an Auto next time round.

Hope this helps

Jon

[hobbit]

The hybrid is a 300tdi auto disco setup, goes like stink, mind you not so much weight as a disco though

The 200 disco is manual, was sluggish on take off, but a slight adjustment to the pump, as cured that problem, but an auto box in there I think would be too sluggish, lot of weight in the motor, with the length and tools I carry on board

[GADGETP38]

well, I have had manuals and autos and my 300tdi auto is the best motor by far.
Don't know where the addage " autos are slow/sluggish" comes from 'cus nowt similar can keep up with me to 60 and that includes my mates manual v8 90!   I seem to leave most things at the lights and off road it is simply superb.   you have so much control.   Also in a recent trip in the pyrenees the engine braking down hill was excellent too.
 :D

[Richard54]

I have driven off road with a auto box, best thing, plenty of power and control.  Do not forget that just because it is an auto box does not mean that you cannot keep the drive in a lower gear, usually start with the box in 3 and take it from there.

Good luck!

[robbie]

usually start with the box in 3 and take it from there.

except when your going downhill, or your engine braking will never kick in until you reach 40mph!!!  :shock:  when you're going downhill, start in 1 then see how you go ;)

3 is fine for flat or uphill although I will admit I usually lock it in 2 unless the terrain is very flat

[Jake]

Is an auto box really that much better for off roading?
I've only ever driven a manual so i dont know.
Whats it like for hill descents?
I understand it would be better for centain circumstances but is it better all round?
 :)

[muddyweb]

Is an auto box really that much better for off roading?
I've only ever driven a manual so i dont know.
Whats it like for hill descents?
I understand it would be better for centain circumstances but is it better all round?

In my experience, yes.  It is better all round, and in all conditions.
You need to change your driving style slightly, but that's about all.  Hill descents work OK... as mentioned, you just need to have a bit of nerve going over the top as the engine braking isn't quite as instant.

[robbie]

I agree whole heartedly. Although not driven off road for too many years, I have driven a Suzuki Samurai, Suzuki Jimny, Land Rover 90 and Shogun sport (all manuals) and the Disco Auto.

By far the easiest and most controlable is the Disco.... I wouldnt change it  8)

[BigA]

getting some good comment hear, and very positive for the auto. I think from all your helpful advice i am going to go for an auto.

i wont know what has hit me going from the 90, comfort, space and ease of driving, what will i do  :)

[dazzawhipple]

getting some good comment hear, and very positive for the auto. I think from all your helpful advice i am going to go for an auto.

i wont know what has hit me going from the 90, comfort, space and ease of driving, what will i do  :)

Just think of its running abilities  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:


Darren

[BigA]

Just think of its running abilities  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:


Darren

Heh, heh, do you mean it may actually run for more than a couple of days :?: but didn't we both have to be rescued yesterday Darren  :?

[dazzawhipple]

Just think of its running abilities  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:


Darren

Heh, heh, do you mean it may actually run for more than a couple of days :?: but didn't we both have to be rescued yesterday Darren  :?

Ouch :oops: http://forums.mud-club.com/viewtopic.php?t=16624

 :lol:  :lol:  :lol:

[colintandy]

mines an auto fantastic offroad soooo easy on road  :D but there again mine is not slow either on the road and is not light either when all kit in and passengers :D  the only problem i face like many auto boxes is the gear lag :(  but once up in the top she stays put very well unless i boost he he he ...then she takes off ...who said tdi are slow...not mine  :D but then she has a full bore twisted performance tornado exhaust and airflow uprated intercooler and i fiddle alot with the pump and the boost preasures ! be warned take advice befor fiddling ..like all landrovers they have the aerodinamics of a flying shed :D mines a 200tdi auto 3 door not sluggish at all a pleasure and alot of fun to drive even on the road when i have to  :D normally get about 400-450 tank full 80 litre tank at moment im down to about 350 due to riding on bfg muds and a roof rack and my heavy right foot :D

[muddyjames]

I have recently (november) bought a 300tdi auto and I love it. It is my lazy car.

Yes it does take forever to pull away at junctions but you just learn to wait for a bigger gap. I am thinking about fitting a hiclone to the air intake as that is supposed to make the turbo kick in at lower revs.

I towed a heavy box trailer to and from site last week in the snow and the car park was just sheer sheet ice and when everyone was pushing the transit vans out of the car park I pulled away no problems and without diff lock.

I am not sure how Robbie gets 500 miles out of a tank of diesel. Please enlighten me robbie. If  remeber rightly I got just under 400 miles I think out of the tank but that towing a trailer for about 80-100 miles and leaving the engine running for 40 minutes each morning to warm the engine up before I towed so that would reduce fuel consumption.

I havent actually used up a tank of diesel with doing no towing or off roading just on road driving. Maybe that is why I am getting low miles?

But yes I would recomend an auto any day. Even towing it is a dream and off road you just sit back andenjoy and if you want 1st gear just select 1 and it will get there in the end. I was using the gears like a manual when towing on ice and you could feel the engine breaking for you.

My disco has done about 175,000 miles and ................ nope not going to tempt fate.