Manual or auto?

[spelchek]

Hi all - new member here. Have decided (after much research and a weekend being driven around in my bus. partners new FL2 SE) to buy a TD4-e. As a VW Golf 2.0 tdi driver (4 yrs, 104k - still in love with the car) I must admit to feeling a certain trepidation in moving away from my beloved (and trusted) TDI egine - but VW just doesnt have anything to compare to the FL2. On the other hand, have lots of excitement about driving a new type of TD - especially this one!

Just wanted to know if there is any real disadvantage to the manual gearbox in terms of the 'Terrain Response' technology etc. We're pretty keen on the TD4-e but just would like to know if the manual would limit availability and performance of the techneology.

Thanks in advance - oh, and moderaters - may I just take this opportunity to say what a pleasure it is to see a forum with the 'Ron Rule' in its terms of service. :)

[spelchek]

Oh - usage will be mainly hauling the family around with a bit of light off-road (mainly beach) anticipated.

[Scouse]

If you're considering any sort of off road work, then I'd choose the auto option to overcome the fact that you don't have any low range gearing.

[mikehzz]

Hello,
The manual is only new in Australia so I don't think that there are many people you can talk to. You would be the cutting edge? Try the Freel2.com forum in UK for more info. Personally, I love the auto and I drive it in manual mode a lot. Autos are great in certain situations such as going up steep sand hills. Also, I think the torque converter helps to compensate for no low range when in mud/ruts program. I have no idea if or how thats done in a manual.
Performance wise, my wife has a VW Eos (almost the same as a Golf) and I drive it regularly but I much prefer my FL2 TD4. It handles very well on road, much better than I was expecting. It also handles a lot better than I thought off road. Done 50k kms and still totally impressed with it.

Mike

[spelchek]

Thanks for the answers.

Scouse - can you explain, for the 4WD challenged, how the auto overcomes a lack of low range? My old Meyers Manx beach buggy had no low-range and it went everywhere (beach/sand wise) - yeah I do realise it is a much different car than the FL2.

Thanks again fellas.

[mikehzz]

Roughly speaking, the torque converter acts like a sort of "slipping clutch" which allows the engine to keep turning even though the car might not be moving. The 6 cylinder Subaru Outback auto doesn't have low range either because of its powerful motor and torque converter. The manual Outback has a low range setting (or used to).

[djhampson]

The Auto will be easier to climb up ramps and ledges with because you will be able to apply power very slowly so the car barely moves.

The manual would require more skill from the driver. Without low range your more likely to stall the manual at slow speed. That can have nasty consequences if you can't stop the car and have to roll down a hill without engine power for brakes and steering.

The -e feature IMO is more of a gimmick or "look-at-me-I'm-green" than anything else because you need to consider the time you spend idling at lights when the engine could switch off. The driving I do I don't see that happening often enough to make a worthwhile difference.

[spelchek]

The -e feature IMO is more of a gimmick or "look-at-me-I'm-green" than anything else because you need to consider the time you spend idling at lights when the engine could switch off. The driving I do I don't see that happening often enough to make a worthwhile difference.yeah - I'm kind of in the same camp. But the -e model is a fair bit cheaper tan the SE which is why it's a consideration. The manual does get better mpg's than the auto, tho - and that [B]is important to me. I've become quite the 'hyper-miler' geek since I bought the Golf :)


I'm still torn - awaiting the quotes from the broker to come back to me today which will (i hope) make the decision a bit easier.