Thread: Manual or Auto ??? Newbie needs help

No the autos don't die at 120,00km. Thats a pretty serious dribble of BS really. Unless you do something to kill the auto they soldier on pretty well.

Whats better for you is personal choice really. Most pay more for the autos and they will probably be easier to find. In your case, I'd say autos are better with the cruise control, but the manuals will be more efficient to run with such large distances.

Thanks Slunnie for the quick reply.

Does the manual have cruese? I have had manual cars with cruise before and there was no hinderence to it's performance.

Also are the seats in the back retro fittable. I need a 7 seater but if I find the right beast without the back row I would like to get some form a wrecker etc.


Cheers

yes they are available with cruise the td5 its and easy retrofit.

yes the rear seats can be retro installed but require engineering to make it legal.

the cruise on the manual will gobble more fuel in the hills but less on the straights Be carefull with it as its bloody agressive.

the autos as mentioned are good for a lot more than 120K Km but demise is not unheard of long before then if they are abused and poorly maintained.

Same goes for the manuals.

I Recommend the manual but mainly because I do a lot of stuff that exposes the weaknesses of the autos.

Agree with above.
Auto is better and easier on the beach. A tranny cooler is essential there though and probably good idea in general.

For economy I would choose manual.

In terms of reliabilty, I had both and if driven well and not abused and serviced, they will both last.
Look out for a model with the cdl fitted though, can make a big difference off road and in sand.

Happy buying.

Hi Matt,

Originally Posted by Blknight.aus

yes the rear seats can be retro installed but require engineering to make it legal.

This may not always be the case as I know of a 5 seat manual acquired from new with a compliance plate that stated 7 seats. When purchased by its current owner they contacted "bundalene" on this forum and acquired all that was necessary to retro fit the third row of seats. The only difficulty was one of the original bolt holes had to be tapped otherwise a straight forward job. Apparently it must depend on the day of manufacture whether all the bolt holes were threaded or not. That just means you have an excuse to buy a tap and die set - bugger!

You may can probably get all you need from TRS in South Aus. also - Ask for Phil.

So when looking at the 5 seat vehicles (especially the manual) check the compliance plate, you may be in luck.

As for manual or auto, I have only ever had 1 manual vehicle - hated it. Therefore IMO a manual is always the way to go.

I have a manual 2000 Disco 7 seater (240,000kms on the clock) with a brand new clutch and fly-wheel, it's a great drive and a smooth shift.

All the best with your chose.

Tony

Get the face lifted 03MY model (dual headlights) as this has the centre diff lick fitted again. Big help in sand and from late 2001 to 2002 they couldn't be retro fitted.

I'd also recommend the Auto, having owned a 2003 one. There are only two downsides. You'll reach for low range quicker as 1st is almost 2nd in a manual and as mentioned above the economy can be a little worse.

Auto all the way for me, why change gear when the car can do it for you , + you can use the auto as a manual in low range, you cant use a manual as an auto tho

The ZF box in the D2 is pretty bullet proof if you look after it, "in general" I read more issuse with manuals ref clutch / flywheel / gearchange problems than I do about auto issues, yes they do have problems, but its more often than not the electrical side as opposed to mechanical failure. Look after the auto it should last the life of the car, as would a manual, but depending on how you use it etc and how long you have it, you most likely will have to throw a clutch in a manual at some point, so a future cost to "consider".

Well thanks for all of the thoughts there. looks about half and half manual V Auto.

I will probebly end up chipping it, cooler and so on so I think the manual will be up to it a bit more.

Now today i drove an 04 model, spec was S so basic stuff 116,000km on the clock. Dealer asking 24,ooo a bit much I think.

I think it made me feel a bit crook. It seem to have alot of body roll and the ride seem to be a bit ruff. this was my first drive of the Disco so I didn't know what to expect. Would you expect this from this model. I asked about the airbag suspension the sales guy said that didn't come in untill the Disco 3. I didn't this this was true. So when did the Air bag stuff (SLS??) show up? I then drove a Prado to see if it was just the 4x4 thing. The bumps were the same but the the body roll wasn't as bad. What is required to arest the roll in the disco. I would rather the disco. don't realy want the fuel bill of the prado and other things about it I didn't like.

What is required to arest the roll in the disco.

I think I want the centre diff lock (CDL?) and the airbag suspension, manual td5 with 7 seats. did they make such a thing?

Also what is the go with 17 and 18 inch alloys can I fit 15s for the beach drives?

Lots of questions there.