Thread: Manual or Auto?

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

Originally Posted by 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

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.

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!

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

andrew

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.

Originally Posted by Blknight.aus

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

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.