TD5 manual or auto

[Matty_P]

Hi Crew,

New to the forum and in the market for my first Disco. I was looking at D3 but have since decided a TD5 is a better fit. I know exactly zero about these beautiful looking units and would like some feedback on Manual 5 speed vs auto 4 speed. We will be using it for some off road nothing too wild as well as daily driver and some sand work on Moreton island and QLD beaches.

I'm thinking 5 speed because 5 gears is all i have ever known, but also happy if the 4 speed is a solid performer and better suited to off road conditions.

Looking forward to joining the family very soon, thanks in advance.

Regards
Matty P

[pop058]

Welcome to the forum for starters. What sort of traffic do you drive in on a daily basis as an auto is much better in the stop/start stuff.

[Matty_P]

Travelling 60kms round trip in light to medium traffic from Brisbane bayside into the city 4 days a week. Traffic is not bumper to bumper like Sydney or Melbourne.

[rangieman]

Welcome aboard [thumbsupbig]

Mine is a manual and im very happy with it and would not own a auto but that is my opinion[wink11].

The Autos have a shelf life of around 260 ks most say and are due for a pricey rebuild at that [bighmmm]


The manual is a good reliable box but they run a Dual mass flywheel and some say to replace them at about the same ks which i don`t agree with and mine is way past that and still running just fine .[biggrin]

Oh and im no wussy wanting a auto all because of a few stop`s and start`s :tease:

[kelvo]

Real men drive manuals [bigrolf]

[bsperka]

Turbo diesels and autos are a match made in heaven. Manuals lose momentum when changing gears, especially on sand. The TD5 auto can be locked into a gear when in low range. Not as much engine braking with an auto though, and fuel use is a bit higher.
Btw: the upgraded model TD5 Discovery (the one with pocketed headlights) is the best purchase. Central locking diff plus other upgrades to original model.

[strangy]

Auto [emoji41]

[strangy]

Real men drive manuals [bigrolf]

..and don’t have airbags[emoji12]

[DazzaTD5]

*Drive a flogged out auto and its pretty crap.
*Drive a flogged out manual and apart from gear change crunches and noise its livable
*realistically both the auto box or manual box will cost about the same to rebuild.
*A decent used auto box will be easy to find and cheap, used manual boxes are hard to come by.

*Drive a good auto TD5 and its a better drive than a manual.
*A good auto box doesnt suffer that take off lag the manual has.

One of my customers on here (Gavin) has an auto TD5 that has just had a hybrid turbo fitted to it. I reckon its prolly near dam the best D2 auto I've driven, it pulls and drives incredibly nice.

[trout1105]

For sand work an auto box beats a manual transmission hands down and with the centre diff locked my D2a V8 is pretty much unstoppable on the beach[thumbsupbig]

[laney]

I have a manual which I find good to drive the duel mass fly wheel I found to be no to my liking so I put a single mass fly wheel and heavy duty clutch for its a better feel. Autos have come a long way in the past 20 odd years and You wouldn't be disappointed with that option either just a word of warning if you haven't brought one yet have someone who knows theses car to give it a good look over and if possible plug a scan tool into it to find any faults .[bigsmile]

[whitey56]

Matty if you are on the northern bayside you’re welcome to take my auto for a run I am at Deception Bay.
When I started driving my D2 I hated the auto, the shift points are a couple of k’s to high and a extra gear would be ideal, that’s just my opinion and I have become use to it.

[Bluetoes]

Love my Td5 auto, it out performs most other standard 4wd’s for beach work. Towing is easy once you learn to drive it using TC lock up. Although it’s no sports car am really impressed with the amount of torque the relatively small engine has. It towed my 1.5 ton boat with ease sits easily at 110 on the freeways.

[ozscott]

For sand work an auto box beats a manual transmission hands down and with the centre diff locked my D2a V8 is pretty much unstoppable on the beach[thumbsupbig]I have towed heavy campers and even a 23 foot dual.axle road van with my D2 V8 5 speed manual in soft sand for 16 years... and it too has been unstoppable. The auto is easier though as you have to think ahead with the manual and the odd quick change is required. Cheers

Ps back to td5 from what I have seen the auto allows them to keep the turbo spooled up which is essential for them in sand.

[rangieman]

I have towed heavy campers and even a 23 foot dual.axle road van with my D2 V8 5 speed manual in soft sand for 16 years... and it too has been unstoppable. The auto is easier though as you have to think ahead with the manual and the odd quick change is required. Cheers

Ps back to td5 from what I have seen the auto allows them to keep the turbo spooled up which is essential for them in sand.
Yes but in a Td5 manual in sand one has to think ahead as well for a good result[thumbsupbig]
I have done limited beach work but a lot more outback sand driving all in manual diesels with out drama .

It is no different to any other type of transmission just use common sense and it can be done with a little left foot and gear change effort [wink11] It ain`t that hard really:bangin:

[ozscott]

I love that in a manual you are more a part of the vehicle. It's an organic thing. Cheers

[rick130]

I'm a dedicated manual driver, I even had a custom accelerator pedal on my old Deefer so I could always heel and toe downchanges (Ok, more a roll of the side of the foot!) but the TD5 and slushbox is a bloody good combo, there is no lag as the engine is always on the boil.

[AK83]

My vote goes to the auto too.
Makes the D2 a much nicer drive all round, as said already too, better in sand than a manual too.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

I love that in a manual you are more a part of the vehicle. It's an organic thing. Cheers

https://www.antiquesnavigator.com/archive/2017/02/02/292010755162.jpg


No chemicals were harmed in the making of this lame joke.
[tonguewink]

[disco2hse]

The Autos have a shelf life of around 260 ks most say and are due for a pricey rebuild at that [bighmmm]

While I have a preference for manuals, the D2 we bought back in 2005 obviously didn't get this memo. We passed 260k some time ago. [wink11]

[ozscott]

I dont think there is much in it life wise. The R380 Tends to get a whiny 5th gear if towing in 5th st about 200k. It is a reasonably cheap fix though but the autos dont seem problematic. My D1 for example has the same ZF as the D2 just not computer controlled and shifts nicely at 300,000k.

Cheers

[Nagaman]

I just hope JLR never go the dual clutch auto route.
The modern torque converter autos are brilliant and I suspect more in demand if you want to sell on.
Finally do a left foot braking (advanced driver) course in your auto.

[ThorTd5]

Got an '04 auto. Needed a full transmission replacement after around 230000km. Turns out the previous owner had used it a lot of heavy towing in the passed. Drives fantastic!

[Markf]

Got an '04 auto. Needed a full transmission replacement after around 230000km. Turns out the previous owner had used it a lot of heavy towing in the passed. Drives fantastic!
My manual was in exactly the same boat. Replaced gear box at 330k after a life of heavy towing. Drives like a dream.

I reckon that if you like a manual then get a manual and if you like autos then get an auto.

[Salt grinder]

Yeah ? and smart men drive automatics [smilebigeye]

I bought my Disco, a second hand unit with auto . . . because that's what I wanted. All my previous off road touring units have always been auto a) because of their capability in sand - particularly dunes and - b) I use the gear lever like a manual "when I have to" . . . . like going down a hill in a lower gear.
You see all these vehicles ahead with brake lights on burning up their brakes. I'm not being a SA . . . just in control of my vehicle.
And I've never replaced a gearbox in my life . . . did I get lucky? Whatever, just enjoy it . . . . best car I've ever owned at 78 YOA. My first car was a 1928 A Model Ford.

[rick130]

Finally do a left foot braking (advanced driver) course in your auto.

But that's how I've always driven an auto!

And dog 'box race cars while clutchless changing [emoji23]

[Phideaux]

(TD5s seem to be good; a lot of people keep them a long time)
I believe there was an issue with the gearboxes on the Disco 1; resolved by Disco 2.

I prefer manuals (mostly) - I've only ever owned two autos; one elderly Jaguar and my current Freelander 2.
I did a LOT of 4WD-ing in the 70s/80s, (bushfire-fighting) almost all in manuals.
When it came to the 2011 purchase, I ascertained that the 'software' which runs the 4WD/AWD system is designed primarily for the auto. In an auto "You don't burn out the clutch". In fact, my AWD Freelander 2 goes pretty much anywhere I went in the low-range Toyota Landcruisers of 'back when I was paid to drive and chase fires across-country'. (I wish I had the 9-speed!)

With the auto, off-road, you can 'creep' much more slowly than in a manual; also with the auto on the highway on cruise-control - no worries about gear-changing.

Older manuals use less fuel than same-period autos; modern autos are sometimes even 'more economical'. Manuals are more 'informative' on the test-drive; sometimes you can get by 'after a gear has died' but when an auto-box loses a gear - it's usually the whole box out of order.

It's 'horses for courses', so - what's your course?

Phideaux

[martnH]

I agreed with you Phideaux

Autobox is superior in performance that including better fuel economy, better handling off-road in low range as well and also associated improved safety as you can infinitely reduce vehicle speed.
Buy sometimes I do feel I can shift gear better than most computer


Manual for the fun and driving experience. I get a sense of achievement every time when I score a perfect gear shift (up or down) in my defender. That's a shift of no kangaroo hop where none of my passenger noticed.

[ozscott]

Manual better economy in a D2 V8 for sure. Better downhill when the sphincter tightens in very steep areas in an auto.

Sand, auto easier, uphill rock hopping auto easier and better. 5 speed more ratios.

Cheers

[LRJim]

Better downhill when the sphincter tightens in very steep areas in an auto.

Cheers

The only thing about the auto that really kills it and economy. I had a straight pipe and wasn't thinking about the compression, went down a really really steep hill, all engine brakes gone never been so scared off road. Lucky LR have the transmission brake which saved the day made it labour enough to get some engine brakes back. Straight pipe replaced with muffler all's good again. Nothing beats manual at down hill.

[AK83]

.... Nothing beats manual at down hill.

We used to have a really nice downhill test run in the Mt Disapointment area, not far from where I live.
Not scary as it's safe if you get a bit of speed up(which the D1 tdi auto would), but easy peasy if you start with the handbrake on, and release it just enough to allow you to creep down(with the brake still on just enough to allow slow movement.

Done in the wet and dry, and no problems. So that's my method now on very steep descents where it may get too much speed up.
The Tdi would then max out and hold 3500RPM in 1st low .. whatever speed that equates too. Did feel a bit too fast for my liking tho.

So manual in those situations is more ideal, but can be compensated for.

On most other 4WDs tho where the handbrake operates on the rear axle .. I wouldn't trust that method.

For me, the only true downside of an auto is that you can't push start an auto if (say) the starter packs in, or battery(s) all give up or whatever and you're stranded alone miles from anywhere.

What feels like a million moons ago, I once ran out of fuel in my RRC(which I changed it's LT95 to an LT77) manual.
I had broken leg and wrist at the time, and didn't fancy the 1klm walk to the servo to get some juice.

So I just ran it on the starter(I had dual batteries) got a slight amount of momentum up, third, slip clutch, more starter .. etc, etc.
Got to 50m at an intersection, pulled up .. made the walk (with my broken leg) a lot easier(ie. 100m all up, and not 2klms!).
Probably wouldn't do that if it ever happened again without the extenuating circumstances, but just to highlight the downside of an auto.

With all that tho.. still prefer an auto in a D2 tho.
In a Defender, I'd probably prefer a manual .. probably just a psychological thing.

All the manual Landrover products I've driven .. I don't think the shift quality of the manuals would rate as mid range, compared to many other vehicles.
Best gearchange was sisters little Polo .. clutchless power shifts perfectly, and had to drive it across town(ie. Melb) about 40+ mins with a snapped clutch cable.

[LRJim]

We used to have a really nice downhill test run in the Mt Disapointment

For me, the only true downside of an auto is that you can't push start an auto if (say) the starter packs in, or battery(s) all give up or whatever and you're stranded alone miles from anywhere.


How often do you go to mt D? I've only gone once it was on the fly and really struggled to find tracks. I found the ladder and that's about it.

And i completly agree with the starter thats the only real worry I've had I've been meaning to get a spare. Everything else you can generally bush mechanic your way home.
I had a rodeo 98 with a cactus starter solenoid and I drove it for almost a year like that. Worked every 1000 time so i just either keep it running or park on a slope. Generally it would fire 1st time at a servo (it must have known I would burn it)
When it didnt I'd just tap the starter with a hammer and put a few more dings in the door and it would eventually start.
My even older rodeo had the same problem, I'd start it with a screwdriver bridged over a couple of wires on the starter.

I miss having a manual for play but I drive into melb everyday so I had to make life easier on myself a little bit. But it's the v8 so she's a glutton.

[emoji106] [emoji106]

[ozscott]

I often short shift the 5 speed in the 4.6 and you wouldn't know in normal traffic. 1st...3rd...5th or 2nd...4th. Love the 5 speed. Couldn't prise it from me. And quick too...and let's face it sometimes we like to shift the beast along quickly.

Cheers

[AK83]

How often do you go to mt D? ....

A few short years ago, I used to go almost every Friday(I'm about 30mins drive up the Hume.
Take the Clonbinane exit and immediately past the fwy, turn left, then you hit a hairpin. This is now the Spur Rd.
Once over the really steep section(great views) it then gets into the gravel roads in the state forest.
Main Mountain Rd then Two Tees Rd to Camp 1(or something like that). From No. 1 Camphead north(and a bit east-ish) up Murchison Road. Nice smooth gravel. Past the Falls turnoff, then you see Tunnel Hill track(dead end, not much to see).
Then maybe a few hundred meters north of this(on the RHS) is a couple of newly formed tracks.
Not long ago, there was a track that wasn't a track that lead almost vertically down the 'cliff' through some farmland and out the gate, over the Strath Creek, and onto Falls Rd and into Strath Creek 'town'.
They're done some works, now this track heads down, has quite a few erosion ramps, but still steep in a few sections.
The track that wasn't there last time I was there, is now called Sailor Jack Track. Quite steep between trees rutted and loose shale like surface.
Lots of fun on bros locked D2(but no CDL .. yet). Didn't really trouble the D2 tho.

if you use OziExplorer I can upload a short tracklog to show the old track, which is close to these new sections.
But the gate onto the easy Falls Rd and into Strath Creek is now closed(no entry sign). So it's steep down into nothing and back up again.

[Matty_P]

Really appreciate the feedback guys, some great points. Im still looking at the moment and think i will happy either way clutch or no clutch.

Busting to get my Disco, then received a message from a fellow forum member who will have a stella D2a available in a month or so. Its hard being a bloke and trying to exercise this stupid thing they call "Patience" .....I want one and i want it now!


Will keep you posted.

Matty P

[Salt grinder]

went down a really really steep hill, all engine brakes gone never been so scared off road. Lucky LR have the transmission brake which saved the day made it labour enough to get some engine brakes back.

Is there a particular figure which we apply in ft/lbs on a torque wrench when it's applied to tightening the sphincter nut. Say between 10-100ft.lbs

. . . Do the manual drive have the same TR selections, plus hill decent, as the auto has and with speed control on the + - steering wheel switch ?? [wink11]

[LRJim]

Is there a particular figure which we apply in ft/lbs on a torque wrench when it's applied to tightening the sphincter nut. Say between 10-100ft.lbs

. . . Do the manual drive have the same TR selections, plus hill decent, as the auto has and with speed control on the + - steering wheel switch ?? [wink11]Ohh i think it was well passed 100ft.lbs I had the wife in the car and I was sweating bullets she thought all was good till she looked at me hahaha. I have ABS that helped also to stop skidding but I don't know how good it is for it.

I have a D1 auto no HDC and never had the manual you would have to ask someone else who has one sorry mate!

[rick130]

Manual better economy in a D2 V8 for sure. Better downhill when the sphincter tightens in very steep areas in an auto.

Sand, auto easier, uphill rock hopping auto easier and better. 5 speed more ratios.

Cheers

Even the R380 didn't have a low enough low/low for me in the Deefer, it would runaway at times, hence Maxi Drive low range.
That fixed it. [biggrin]