Member Since: 27 Mar 2007
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 1072
If you are doing a lot of town driving or sitting in ques etc there is no option but the auto. It's a dream in town and out and about... Swore I would never have one, but now could never dream of going back. Off Roading is OK.... But I'd rather be Boating!
6th Jun 2010 1:00 pm
ruggedpeak
Member Since: 10 Jun 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 1625
Have to say Auto is the route.
I drove manual defenders for years then got an Auto RRC and have never looked back. Why do work the car can do for you? Although Auto's use a bit more fuel if you adjust your driving style to take advantage of the engine and box setup you can get the consumption on a par. Gentle throttle with early changes and take advantage of less engine braking approaching braking areas (i.e. ease off and slow a bit earlier to save fuel and brakes) its not an issue. If you drive hard and fast won't make much difference since you'll be hanging onto gears in a manual.
Much more relaxed off road to.
I find I have a more relaxed driving style in an auto for some reason and have less urge to floor it.
Go Auto!Tony
Club RLD Wheel Protector & Sump Guard
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10th Jun 2010 4:25 pm
riddicks
Member Since: 02 Mar 2006
Location: Chester
Posts: 43
I've got a manual and get a combined of 32mpg when doing a lot of motorway miles, (general driving I get about 26-27mpg). I agree with those that say in slow or stop start traffic the auto is much better - try going through Blackpool illuminations in a manual D3, I was limping for days after....
The other thing to bear in mind is that if you have a rather petite wife, with very little upper body strength the manual could put her shoulder out, or at least that's my wife's excuse when I ask her to drive back from the pub.
Last thing, I have had a few problems with changing into Reverse and 1st - always been tricky to do. It tends to stick a lot, engaging other gears first 4th 5th then 1st or R seems to work. But not always great. LR Stealer just states they are all like that and then fills the gear box linkage full of grease. Anybody else had a similar issue?
Would I have another manual - lots of miles YES (MPG great) - not many miles NO
Simon
10th Jun 2010 5:11 pm
bambi
Member Since: 10 Apr 2009
Location: south yorkshire
Posts: 2059
Riddicks at blackpool illuminations, we didi it last year in the d3 auto, coffee on tap kids gawping and giddy, left leg relaxed, no strain, got to the end pointed the nose to home set cruise gave the car her head and arrived home very soon afterwards,( just missing the car in the barriers no lights on). totally relaxed. Auto the only way, and better residuals,
10th Jun 2010 7:36 pm
Chicken Duck
Member Since: 11 Nov 2009
Location: Italy
Posts: 1387
riddicks wrote:
Last thing, I have had a few problems with changing into Reverse and 1st - always been tricky to do. It tends to stick a lot, engaging other gears first 4th 5th then 1st or R seems to work. But not always great. LR Stealer just states they are all like that and then fills the gear box linkage full of grease. Anybody else had a similar issue?
Me had it from first week brand new only in reverse though
10th Jun 2010 9:22 pm
andycouchman
Member Since: 17 Aug 2009
Location: Cotswolds
Posts: 130
Manual gives you a really cool dash readout to tell you what gear you are in too 8) .
I prefer the extra control of a manual. The only downside is that both 1st and reverse are quite high geared so towing a trailer can mean using low ratio or slipping the clutch - both of which can be a drawback.
It's a good and quite quick gearchange too, and the clutch and gearchange are nicely weighted.
And yes, even if you only have two feet you can still operate all three pedals at once Andy C
23rd Jun 2010 7:01 pm
DiscoDunc
Member Since: 08 May 2006
Location: Bristol
Posts: 16390
Quote:
but I have had my manual from new 55 plate and just hit 50k
Blimey.... dont you use it ???
ive done 125K in an 06 Duncan
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If I'd known I was going to be so thirsty this morning I'd have drunk more beer last night.
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D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
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Done over 113K miles in my Manual (55 plate) with no issues, and not replaced clutch yet
I get similar issue with Reverse and 1st, somtimes it just doesnt want to go in, so i just lift the clutch slightly whilst putting a little pressure on the gear stick putting it in to which gear i want and it just pops in
I think i would get an auto next though - only because i'm getting lazy though You only live once, but if you work it right, once is enough.
23rd Jun 2010 9:26 pm
Discobox
Member Since: 07 Feb 2010
Location: Market Drayton
Posts: 44
I chose manual because of the better fuel economy otherwise definately would have gone for an auto
..I do around 600 miles a week so mpg is important to me .
I also noticed the difficulty in selecting 1st gear from time to time 57 Stornoway XS
05 Arctic 987S
23rd Jun 2010 10:00 pm
bobbroom
Member Since: 14 May 2009
Location: Cambridge
Posts: 177
I've did nearly 130k miles in my "54" manaul and no problems - clutch fine and very smooth gear changes. Managed to get relatively good MPG too. Just bought an "08" auto and I'm constantly pressing an imaginary clutch and moving the gear from D to N!
24th Jun 2010 8:09 am
al cope
Member Since: 08 Nov 2005
Location: Oldbury, WM
Posts: 10354
same story as some have already posted, did 80k in my manual 55 plate - did have the clutch replaced early on due to slipping/stinking clutch plate, no problems afterwards, but ALWAYS used low range when manouvering at low speed with the caravan on the back.
Now on an 09 auto, and the auto is silky smooth, but now where near the manual for mpg. On a run, manual would get into the low 30's, auto best is 26, maybe 27 (actual, not what the dodgy trip comp is saying) - Around town manual would still be 26 - auto = 20, and 17mpg if I drive it like I've nicked it.
AlVolvo XC90 B5 Plus Dark
Gone - MY18 D5 HSE - Corris on 22's with Black Pack
Now gone - MY16 D4 SE Tech, Loire Blue, Almond Leather, Privacy, plus some other goodies.
Old - MY12 D4 SDV6 XS Auto - Ipanema Sand with Almond Leather - Plus other niceties, and D4.com sticker
Older - D3 TDV6 XS Auto - Lugano Teal with Almond Leather, 20" Stormers, Shiny Tailpipes, DVD/TV - and obligatory D3 sticker
Ancient - D3 TDV6 S - Tonga with Ebony, 20" Stormers, satnav & DVD
Mines a 55 plate HSE AUTO and as a towcar, it's brilliant. Alright, might use a bit more fuel than the manual but it's so relaxing to drive. Command shift gives you some control over the box and for slow speed manouvering, stick it low range and control your speed with the brake - no need to touch the throttle at all and no clutch to slip and burn out.
Towing electrics are very easy to fit and can be purchased from The Large One (TLO) for less than £90.Now an ex-D3 owner after 7 happy years. Miss the car but not the big bills
24th Jun 2010 10:14 am
irishrover
Member Since: 18 Aug 2008
Location: The Treaty County
Posts: 361
i have an 07 reg with the manual box. getting good mpg @ the minute, around 28.5 actual, but only had 90k service recently so may have something to do with that. other than that, i love my manual, nothing like being able to slip back into fourth gear and over take if needs be with plenty power on tap.. now covered 150k km's (94k miles) in under 2 1/2 years & no issues with cluth to report. but would agree with others, auto is far better suited to stop/start driving about town.
There's now a bias in Oz for automatics. They are much better for driving in soft sand, particularly beaches. Downshifting a manual on a soft beach can easily cause the vehicle to suddenly stop and become stuck. This is not a common problem in the UK so it may not apply to you (I'm currently in London until tomorrow and haven't seen any sand nor any mud. Is the weather always this sunny and warm here? )Jim Dowell - D4 HSE TDi, 12,000 hydraulic winch & hidden winch mount, MTRs, TyreDog, Traxide 2 x aux battery system, fixed air compressor, Dolium roof rack, MitchHitch.
RIP 2005 D3 HSE V8 5 seater gold (stolen and torched)
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now covered 150k km's (94k miles) in under 2 1/2 years & no issues with cluth to report. but would agree with others, auto is far better suited to stop/start driving about town.
