RRR207 wrote:

I own a D4 manual with the 2.7 ...... it's a lovely car to drive. I also prefer the slightly softer dash/interior over the D3.

I have been told by a LR tech that most were destined for LR contract work, hence are pretty rare in the 'real' world. All are GS spec & therefore lack many toys, didn't bother me as most of the toys I wanted weren't on the LR options list in the first place

The same tech told me that despite running the 2.7 engine they run different ECU's, closer to the 3.0 engine but I've never had this verified. I have to say I've only driven one manual D3 but it didn't feel as smooth & fast as mine but that is hardly a scientific comparison.

Some extras can be fitted ..... I've had CC enabled, works fine with the manual box. Especially on motorways you hardly ever drop out of 6th gear. You are restricted enabling some extras due to the lack of the satnav screen, unless you are lucky enough to find one that someone spec'ed with satnav.

Despite all of the above I'd have an auto by choice purely because I'm lazy, but back when I bought mine it was buy a manual D4 or an auto D3 & I wanted the newer vehicle. Mine had 15k miles, FLRSH, 1 owner & came from Stratstones for £25k, that was 18mths ago.

I recently bought my D4 as was permanently moving to Pyrenees in France and winter dictates 4x4 - as does a lot of the terrain. It took some persuading to go back to LR after thousands spent repairing D2 TD5s, but one drive in a GS convinced me. Being sceptical (and budget concious ), I quite fancied a LHD 2.7 manual - not knowing that they were rocking horse poo material. Within a couple of days I found a 1 owner 50K miles UK supplied 2009 (59 plate - on spanish plates when I bought it) LHD 2.7 GS 7 seat Manual in Buckingham Blue with FLRSH. Went to look at it - immaculate, with Harman sound, full screen nav, front and rear heated seats, fogs and Bi Xenon headlamps. Never had a towbar fitted either and to top it all, those nice 18" wheels with 'comfy' rubber on them and no leaky sunroofs either - do D4s leak like D2s did? Got CC, BT telephone etc. and all on steering wheel.

RRR207 is right, the 2.7 manual is lovely to drive and in my opinion feels purposeful and even a bit utilitarian, certainly very much less 'Chelsea Tractor' (not wishing to offend - sorry). Well... I love mine . It is plenty fast enough and happily sits at 140 kph (oops) all day long on CC in 6th. Strangest thing is - where are the LR squeaks and rattles. My D4 is silent!

Agreed though - the manual does command some respect and needs to be handled more sensitively than the auto. This is not a nippy little hatchback and is quite easy to stall when cold. Slipping the clutch is out of the question! SWMBO certainly struggles a bit, but then she drives (rather speeds around in) a 1.6 petrol Beetle Cab