TD5 auto vs manual

[IamKONG]

Hi all how are we
In the hunt again for a td5
Ive owned the manual version before and loved it
But struggling to find them on market, but there are a few autos out there
Just curious on people thoughts on subject as am bit lost in which direction to go
Cheers
:)

[Rok_Dr]

Howdy

It's a question that has been asked before. Couple of threads follow which may give some insights. At the end of the day both are capable and it will come down to personal preference and service history.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/discovery-2/148929-d2a-manual-vs-auto.html

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/general-chat/170334-auto-vs-manual.html

Cheers

Steve

[Freightdog]

Get a manual for the highway, or an auto for off-road/city. That IMHO is where each is best.

[PhilipA]

I have to say that my Td5 auto EU3 really impresses me on the highway towing my camper.
It took me a while to learn the rules. No cruise control, hit hills at 110 if possible.
The TC locks at 80Kmh and keeps locked down to 70 Kmh on a light to medium throttle , so fuel economy should be pretty much the same as a manual except in twisty slow going, and that is hardly "highway".

After I got the hang and attacked big hills eg Buladelah bypass south at 2500 in top, the car hung in in locked top all the way, and crested far faster than my RRC 3.9 with lots of mods.

Fuel economy was about 12L per 100 Km with the say 650 Kg camper and big Rhino roof bars and an awning at speeds of 100 and pretty consistent 105 in 110 zones.

Funny but I find the turbo lag not such a problem. maybe having had a Porsche 924 Turbo as comparison means I am used to it>LOL.

I would choose an auto again .
Regards Philip A

[Roverlord off road spares]

Get a manual for the highway, or an auto for off-road/city. That IMHO is where each is best.
if it's a daily commuter then auto gets my vote, I used to do an hour commute to work in peak hour traffic, driving a manual and got it out of 1st gear was a pain in stop start traffic. I ended up with a very muscle bound left foot.;)

[Wasa57]

The td5 matched to the ZX 4 speed auto is a match made in 4WD heaven.
My 2000 auto / ace disco does all I ask both on and off road in comfort, and with ease, making for a more enjoyable trip and relaxed driver.

For manual, the best match for me was my ex-1988 Isuzu 3.9 with the 5-speed box. I could take off from stop in third (not recommended) in that beast, such was the low-down torque.

My vote: go the auto.

[Marmoset]

I've got an auto TD5 for sale in Perth ;) Not sure if I'm allowed to post a link? PM me for details.

I wanted a manual when I bought it but there was only autos around. I think it the auto complements the TD5 well - there's not quite the need to give the engine so many revs to get going out of junctions. When the torque converter is locked above 80Km/h the thing is mighty and picks up speed pretty quickly.

It's also pretty good off road in manual mode/low range - it makes the most of the engine braking and is very easy to control.

[Road Stone]

Hi,

I've just completed a 900klm trip around south western Uganda in my 2004 TD5 auto.

Very good roads apart from those in the game reserves and about 300k's was over undulating hills, which fortunately had climbing lanes for trucks.

At first I found driving over this terrain, very frustrating because as soon as you lost the turbo the car took a lot of effort to recover any sort of speed.

It took me sometime to work out how to keep the turbo on the boil so to speak, I found a bit of a flat spot when attacking a hill with the auto still in fourth. I really had to push the accelerator hard to get it to drop to third and keep the momentum going.

Once I had learnt this it was okay. Great fuel economy though, about 10/100k with a mix of A/C on and off.

I guess its about learning how to get the most out of the TD5 with your driving style.

Cheers, Jerry

[OffTrack]

The Auto is nice, but needs to have been pampered or else you are looking at an expensive replacement job.

I'd avoid like the plauge any auto D2 that has been used for extensive towing, unless the Auto has been recently replaced. If you have access to a diagnostic tool which can access the Autobox ECU check the adaptive pressures. These are in the range of 0 - 254, and increase as the box compensates for wear. A good box will have compensation figures at the low end of the scale. 200+ and you are looking at replacement in the near future. Mine is currently showing 250's for 1-2 and 2-3 in various speed ranges despite having been fitted with a AB rebuilt transmission at some stage.

I discovered after buying that the vehicle had been used by a horse riding school for the first 6 years of it's life, and also had wiring for dual battery in a caravan and the remnants of wiring for an electric brake controller. So obviously it's been a tow truck most of it's life.

cheers
Paul

[3doug6]

I find I use the brakes a hell of a lot less in a manual as I can always use the gears to slow down. And when I'm not in a rush, which is most of the time as a few seconds to the next red doesn't make a difference, I can get away with not using the brakes at all. I would say I use them <25% as much as when I was driving the auto Falcon. So a bit longer life out of pads/ rotors. Can't comment of off roading in an auto.

Also, I much prefer to change gears myself.

[davrac]

I was in the same boat when looking for mine. Wanted a manual because thats what I had always had previously.

Much like you I had trouble finding one. Found an auto with low klms and have now driven it for 60000 km.

I do city, highway and off road work and have never looked back. Don't think I would consider a manual anymore. :)

Its just to easy.

Happy hunting

Dave

[IamKONG]

Thank you all for the input
Much appreciated and very greatful
More then likely get the auto now just to get right one lol