D2 Autos...why don't I like them?

Hendrik

You don't say whether you are looking at the diesel or the V8. I can imagine it being more of an issue with the diesel than the V8. Back home I had a V8 auto, and bought the auto based on the advice of similar forums, the auto is supposed to be more reliable, and that to me (when buying a 2nd hand D2) was most important.

I had to get over my original misgivings of auto vs manual (I was very pro manual). I have to say there is now no way I would go back to a manual, on road or off (which is good as it is not an option on my current vehicle)

That said, there is one draw back with the D2 auto, and that is that on the road there is no "manual" option, which at least allows you to select and stick with your gear. This is minor though, and you do adjust your driving style to suit the box. To counter that is the auto kick down when over taking…… so much simpler than in a manual, and one could argue safer…… lets you focus on the job of piloting the car and not worry about gear changes etc etc

As for steering an auto and driving a manual, I disagree….. it becomes an art form to get the box to do what you want it to with the most subtle movements of your right foot (especially off road).

Either way, happy hunting!

Hendrick,

Keep looking - My D2a TD5 auto is an absolute dream on the hills. Sitting at around 100kmh and a little over 2000 rpm it has no problems going up hills without changing down. In fact you can really feel the torque of the engine in those situations. Are you test driving in sport mode? That could be your problem as sport mode will hold gears longer and change back earlier.

As far as the manual being driven and the auto being steered - well as far as sealed roads go, the Discovery is not what I would call a "drivers" car.

Cheers
Martin

I don't have a prob with mine.
Whilst I hear what the OP says about it kicking down in gears etc, mines running 235/85x16's so the "problem" was even more exaggerated than on standard tyres.

However, all I do is drop it down to 3rd and away she goes with absolutely bags of power and no issues. The revs don't go through the roof, and it doesn't appear to have much impact on economy (may even be better).
That was how I was taught to drive by police advanced driving techniques in the UK and its never let me down. The key is to read the road ahead and know how your vehicle copes with the situation/conditions, irrespective of what vehicle you drive.

On hills and overtaking, I just treat "D" as an overdrive gear.
I'm pretty sure I read somewhere in the owners manual something about this technique too.

Cheers,

..:: KIEREN ::..
2000 Disco II Auto V8
Object Of Mass Consumption
AussieAubs Disco Page

Quote:

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Originally Posted by xsm

Hendrick,

Keep looking - My D2a TD5 auto is an absolute dream on the hills. Sitting at around 100kmh and a little over 2000 rpm it has no problems going up hills without changing down. In fact you can really feel the torque of the engine in those situations. Are you test driving in sport mode? That could be your problem as sport mode will hold gears longer and change back earlier.


Cheers
Martin

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Couldn't agree more - our D2a TD5 is the first auto we've had and I love it and you certainly learn to drive it so things happen the way you want. We've now got a Subaru outback petrol/auto as a daily car and it doesn't drive as well as the TD5, especially on hills - it really hunts around the gears - maybe I need a different technique;)

cheers, Andy

Thanks for all the replies guys, just the sort of comments I have been after.

Regarding Fuel economy, I'm not expecting it to have the economy of a Prius.
Like I've said, I would probably get used to it...its just that a Td5 Auto, doesn't feel as good as driving the manual. Just to me, I have always driven manuals. I'll go have a drive of a few more...see if I can find one in good condition to start off with, the one I drove yesterday was in terrible condition, had a worn out engine mount and the guy (who is a mechanic) just would not believe me when I told him the drone is from a worn out engine mount. Was also surprised about the fact that he had removed the fuel cooler, because he said its a fuel heater and you don't need it in Aus..."yeah righto mate".

Will try having a go at sports mode next time too, I didn't even have time to try it out, I was too occupied with the guy arguing with me about that fact that all td5's drone at 2200rpm because its a 5cyl and not balanced properly from factory...so I said "yep righto mate, you can keep your car"

im a devoted manual fan coming from a road bike background and after having my td5 auto for 18months the only manual ill ever own again is going to be either a bike or a sports car. The set n forget auto is excellent and yes you just have to adapt your driving style a bit. an extra 500rpm to pre empt a hill helps. although now that i have 4.11s on 265/75s it goes up serious hills on the cruise control without even flinching i love it!

that said my ultimate selling point is how else am i supposed to drive up a track n hold a "non alcoholic" beverage at the same time?:beer:

In the rough stuff u cant go past the auto n when its in M in low it may as well be a manual, "look mum no clutch!":wasntme:

just buy one you wont regret it

Gday Hendrick,

I have a D2 5sp and Dad has a D2a auto, and I would have the 5sp any day..It suits his style and he tows a bloody big van with it so its perfect for him..
I haven't driven it since he had it chipped, and, it may have been my driving, but the car always seemed and sounded like it needed another gear..the drone drove me mad after a 200km trip on the Perth freeway

I wont say I would never have an Auto, as I will proberly look at upgrading to a D2a or D3 next year..(depending how the D2 goes on the canning trip)..and I know that looking myself a D2a 5sp is dam hard to find..

Anyway thats my 2c worth , I hope you find one that you enjoy and serve's you well..

Cheers Ean

I test-drove an auto TD5 when looking to replace my 1st manual TD5 D2 but found the unlocked torque converter unpalatable so got another manual. The D2 is about to be sold, having purchased a D4 and I prefer using the D4's 6-speed auto box in manual mode (5-speed by default) for most of my driving.

I must agree that the torque converter issue is a pain. At 80 to 90 on the open road the engine revs it's head off if I try to accelerate too hard. I have to ease off and hope that the thing will eventually lock allowing me to accelerate smoothly. Saying that having auto is good as I do a lot of driving in town and traffic in Brisbane is getting worse by the day.

"revs its head off"

ya gotta love it,,


so how many gears did you kick it down?:p

or is this just 4th unlocked?

or is this a 500nm chip?(does torque increase lockup time?)

if it takes forever to lock back up, I'd say you have a problem,,