Manual or Auto?

[skidmark77]

Hi all
looking for a 96+ V8 disco as you know... My preference is to go for an auto but if a good condition manual comes up i just might take it.
from some posts i gather that the manuals are not the best of boxes and to maybe stick to an auto as these have less problems? is this true?whats the strike rate for noisy/failed manuals and autos among members here?

Andrew

[Blknight.aus]

go the manual (for those of you who didnt anticipate that Hi, welcom to AULRO) driven nice and serviced properly theres no real problems with an r380. But the same lies tru for the auto.

The real hassle comes from having the rebuild it if it fails.

I havent totally killed either of them yet but Ive had more problems with autos than manuals (counting customer type work here not just personal stuff). george130 has recently had one go puhh on him from water ingress into its guts and a total fluid loss renders them almost usless instantly untill you fix the leak and refill them, not so on the manuals...

either way check the oil of the box before you take it for a drive and after, if the dealer warms up the car before you get to it dont take it for a drive, tell him you'll come back first thing and try the test again or your not interested. A lot of early warning stuff will show up better when either type of box is cold and hasnt had its coffee yet. If hes not willing to let you take it from stone cold say thanks for your time, not interested, bye.

[Utemad]

When I was looking for my Disco1 I wanted an auto. Then I wanted a manual. Then I wanted an auto......... :D

I didn't like the heavy clutch of the manual but I really didn't like the rebuild price of an auto.
So I have a manual and now I am a man because I am used to the heavy clutch and don't notice it anymore :D:D
The Disco I bought had a 20k old clutch when I got it so should be good for another 100k or 70k now.

With the V8 you don't have to change gear that often anyway.

I read somewhere that the service life of the ZF auto is 250k.

[Blknight.aus]

thats what they expect it to get to if you abuse it, its good for double that (at least) just like an r380 is only good for 380nm of torque but dont mind up to 700nm if looked after from the get go.

[spudboy]

Listen to Blknight...... He knows ....

I much prefer a manual but that may be because:
- I am old
- grew up with manuals
- live out in the country
- they get better mileage
- seem simpler than all the gizmos inside an auto box
- apart from sand, better off road

I don't notice that the clutch is hard at all (Disco TDi300) and driving in the city is no dramas.

Slightly 'notchy' into 2nd when cold, but never had a problem with it in 10 years. Still on the original clutch.

[rangieman]

Yes a manual you have more engine braking going down steep hills and if its wet id rather the engine slowing me down

So all up this means you have more control over the car with a manual than you have with a auto:D

[Disco300Tdi]

Yes a manual you have more engine braking going down steep hills and if its wet id rather the engine slowing me down

So all up this means you have more control over the car with a manual than you have with a auto:D

I can lock up the convertor and walk quicker on mine

[2 rocks]

Skiddie

All of my 4WDs have been manuals (BJ70 Cruiser, 2 x Hiluxes, MQ Patrol, Disco1 V8, Forester [yes it has low range], 3 x Pajeros and a Wrangler) and I agree with virtually everything Spudboy says.

But, my D2 (when I get it:mad:) is an auto - I approach this with some trepidation as I feel I'm "losing some control"...but I can't stop "progress" (witness IFS front ends in nearly everything). So, what the heck - I'll give it a go, at least it'll be a change and the car came with a heap of other good stuff.

Maybe look for the "right" car overall and take the gearbox as it comes.
Mike

[rangieman]

I can lock up the convertor and walk quicker on mine
Good for you enjoy your walk :p
Ive seen a auto disco going down a slippery hill with it locked in first the car started getting faster and to try and knock some speed off the driver used his brakes (abs) on a slippery surface no work

You still have more engine braking in a manual than a auto , if the auto is low on fluid you have reduced or no drive and it would be useless to lock your converter up then:cool:

[Utemad]

Maybe look for the "right" car overall and take the gearbox as it comes.
Mike

That did actually play a part in my purchase.

[100I]

Good for you enjoy your walk :p
Ive seen a auto disco going down a slippery hill with it locked in first the car started getting faster and to try and knock some speed off the driver used his brakes (abs) on a slippery surface no work

You still have more engine braking in a manual than a auto , if the auto is low on fluid you have reduced or no drive and it would be useless to lock your converter up then:cool:
A freind has an auto & we put them both at the top of a paddock feet off everything - his in low-low was still running away from mine in 2nd-low.

Anyway autos are for girls:lol2:.

I've also heard it said that autos are the spawn of Lucifer.

[Bradtot]

Anyway autos are for girls:lol2:.



Ok so I will change my name to BRADALENA!
I have been more places in my auto than with my 4 speed manual. I loved the manual but the auto is just so nice and smooth and quiet and doesnt clunk...ooooooh I am a girl.
2 rocks You will become a girl very soon and you will love it!
As the other men have stated downhills is the only bad(if u can call it) part I use a little of the handbrake when I go down steep inclines as its connected the the propshafts and normally wont lock up just one wheel...but I am a girl..........lol:woot::burnrubber:

Yours forever
Bradalena

[2 rocks]

2 rocks You will become a girl very soon and you will love it!


I've just spotted a lovely green frock that'll look a treat with my silver duco and a pair of Blunnies.:eek:
Mike

[incisor]

the auto's arent that bad, it has to be pretty dam steep for it to run away in low low but it does if you dont work at it.

the auto is much better (easier) for just about everything else IMHO

i sold my manual to buy an auto and i sold my auto to buy a manual..

they both have their positives.

[Captain_Rightfoot]

Autos are better at changing gears in sand, but can overheat if you run in the soft stuff for a while. :)

[incisor]

Autos are better at changing gears in sand, but can overheat if you run in the soft stuff for a while. :)
only if you are in high range and you should be in low range. :P

no overheating problems in low even pulling 1.5 tonne in sand unless it is extremely soft and then it takes a few kilometers or did in mine..

[100I]

hi duckies.

Truth is it's the same bog standard answer applies as any other LR question - really depends what you are doing with the car.
If I had to drive one in 5hitty traffic everyday, I'd have an auto too please.
Damn, just put a run in my stocking.:p

[Blknight.aus]

I could play devils advocate but I did that in some parts of my grey boxes of evil post a while back...

Autos do have some definate advantages over manuals.

Manuals have some definate advantages over autos (ok lots of them)

I prefer manuals as they have less failure modes and most failure modes arent instananeous or total....

Id love to have a manual shifting planetry geared manual with a TC and manual over ride for it and the lockupclutch so it could still function despite total loss of oil..

If you care to be more specific about what your going to be doing with the vehicle maybe we can get some more specific intelligently stated opinions that might help you some....

[matti4556]

Sandy beach - I mean REAL SOFT fluffy dry car-swallowing sand for as far as the eye can see - and you need to get there in one go = AUTO BOX and AIR DOWN
I had a fender with a manual box and it wasn't fun at all in sandy conditions.
Then again - I'm getting old and girly.
Pass the Kleenex someone......

[xsi]

With a manual you feel more "connected" to the driveline - oh gosh, Im getting warm and fluffy.:)

[2 rocks]

Oh look! Don't make me regret my decision when I haven't even got the car yet, ya sods!
I'll just have to find some peak-hour traffic to make myself feel better.
Mike

[p38arover]

For a pure off-roader, probably a manual. But for a daily driver in the suburbs, I'd never go a manual again.

I've seen more manuals being pulled at my local LR specialists than autos yet most of the cars that are being serviced there are autos.


Ron

[Tank]

Hi all
looking for a 96+ V8 disco as you know... My preference is to go for an auto but if a good condition manual comes up i just might take it.
from some posts i gather that the manuals are not the best of boxes and to maybe stick to an auto as these have less problems? is this true?whats the strike rate for noisy/failed manuals and autos among members here?

Andrew
Auto's are better off road, on road and on beaches, with an auto you dont go bouncing, throwing rocks and revving the ring out of your car to get up a rocky/slippery slope like you do with a manual. I dont believe manuals and a clutch are any more reliable than a properly maintained ZF auto, look how many posts you see from blokes with buggered clutches. An auto is always in the correct gear, an auto torque converter multiplies torque at low revs, put it in low/low and just walk your way up that slope with the engine barely ticking over. The only drawback is less engine braking down hill, but there is a method of driving that can help, the torque converter locks up to assist downhill, not like a car auto at all. ZF build a tough auto and I dont believe they are any less reliable than a manual box, a lot of the competition/rock crawler cars use them to good advantage, Regards Frank.

[2 rocks]

Everything is a compromise somewhere (unless it's a Transformer?) and I know for me it has to be daily driver, trail car and tourer...let's see!

[skidmark77]

thanks for your replies
the car will be a daily driver mainly, so was just interested in the longevity of the different boxes

andrew

[Blknight.aus]

driven nicely as daily drivers, given a good history and maintenance flip a coin.

Manuals tend to suffer in the clutch and will wear this faster than an auto develops the problem but the clutch is easy to replace and is DIY if you have the gear
Autos tend to suffer in the actuators filter and oils the repairs required are not DIY but the same effort has to be gone to to get the box out as per a manual.

manuals a cheaper to service
Autos need less servicing if driven properly.

Manuals can be more economic on city cycle but require a fine touch to do so
Autos are generally more economic and easier to drive on city cycle

Manuals are more economic on the open highway
Autos work better with cruise control, and on ranges and rolling terrain can make up the difference.



At the level your looking thats about as much as is really relevant.

[skidmark77]

Manuals tend to suffer in the clutch and will wear this faster than an auto develops the problem but the clutch is easy to replace and is DIY if you have the gear
Autos tend to suffer in the actuators filter and oils the repairs required are not DIY but the same effort has to be gone to to get the box out as per a manual.

unfortunately/fortunately everything is DIY when your a mechanic.
a few of the blokes at work have been giving me strange looks when i tell them i want a disco

[Blknight.aus]

Just to clarfy when I say DIY I mean it can be dome without specialist tools or knowlodge beyond how to do up/undo nuts and bolts and use a torque wrench. (which is optional if you feel like being dodgy about it.

[Utemad]

I think if I was buying a new or late model car then I would have gotten an auto. I'd just hate to have to spend over half of what the car is worth on a rebuild just because the previous owner was short on maintenance. Disco1 prices of course.

Love my manual though.