Member Since: 10 Jun 2006
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 40
Auto versus manual
Hi there,
I am looking at getting a Discovery 3 Diesel in Australia - but they are all automatic here - even testdriving one is hard - but I can order one in.
Could anyone with a Diesel MANUAL in Europe let me know how they run?
I would have thought on a Diesel you would not have to change gears too much and the consumption should be much better (my Prado uses just under 13 liters per 100km)
Prado Grande --> D3 --> D4 ... its getting better all the time
10th Jun 2006 1:16 am
Tony
Member Since: 20 Apr 2006
Location: Adelaide Hills
Posts: 183
Hi SGK,
The auto is pretty good! I traded my manual Defender for a petrol V6/auto D3 with a degree of trepidation (I was swayed by it being $10K cheaper than the diesel!) and I've found the auto to be smooth, responsive and fantastic for towing. And by all reports, it's an even better match for the diesel.
And don't worry too much about the drop in economy - even at current diesel prices, it will not be signioficant in $ terms over a year's travelling and in any case will likely be better than you are getting with the Prado.
Cheers,
Tony.Ex Defender 110 200Tdi owner.
10th Jun 2006 1:36 am
Lex
Member Since: 21 Jun 2005
Location: Toowoomba Queensland
Posts: 47
Why would you consider a manual when the auto is such a nice gearbox?It mates beautifully with the diesel engine and I suspect that the difference in fuel consumption is negligible.The only area in which a manual is superior is extreme downhill engine breaking ;but with HDC this is also of academic interest.I doubt that I could be tempted to go back to a manual notwithstanding the fact that I have owned several in years past.TDV6 HSE Zambezi/Tundra
10th Jun 2006 1:38 am
Smarticus
Member Since: 01 Jan 2005
Location: Northumberland
Posts: 655
We own an auto diesel but get a manual diesel loaner during servicing. There is an enormous difference in the driving experience. We find the manual actually quite difficult to drive smoothly and as a result it is more tiring and less enjoyable. This is particularly pronounced in town driving or small side roads. The auto enhances the smooth riding characteristics perfectly and definitely seems to bring out the best in this vehicle.
There does appear to be a significant fuel consumption penalty though of circa 15%.Disco 4 TDV6HSE
Defender 200TDi CSW
RR Evoque
10th Jun 2006 8:16 am
TonyH
Member Since: 01 Mar 2006
Location: Market Drayton, Shropshire
Posts: 211
Don't even think about a manual. The auto is exc. although the manual does have advantages when off-road. However, you have the option of engaging command shift if you want the manual over-ride. Anyway you will want to consider the resale value which is higher on the auto.*Disco3 7-seat Auto
March 2006
Zermatt silver
*Disco TD5 GS Manual
2001
Epson Green
108,000 miles without a single problem
*Disco TD200 Manual
1993
Bonatti Grey
55,000 trouble-free miles
*Various company cars, no comparison
10th Jun 2006 10:50 am
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72787
I moved from a D2 manual to a D3 auto & would never look back. First main car with an auto (apart from great little Smart Roadster which had paddle shift ) and it's excellent. Mpg not that good (25ish with gentle driving) but car still new & needs a few thousand miles to loosen up. For me was definately the one to go for.
Me too, DSL. Came to the auto D3 via a manual D2 and won't go back again to a stick shift except if I were to get a sportscar.
Just love the smooth as silk auto box and the way it shifts down so readily to take advantage of that mountain of torque. Absolutely brilliant. Same basic acclaimed ZF box is used by Jag and Aston Martin I believe.'06 TDV6 SE AUTO BUCKINGHAM BLUE
'98 Volvo V70
'87 Mecedes 420 SEL
'08 BMW 135i Coupe Twin Turbo
10th Jun 2006 5:30 pm
Penguin
Member Since: 02 Dec 2005
Location: A fun place
Posts: 485
If you plan off-roading and are use to drive off-road manual, go for the manual...
If you wont do much off-road, take the auto.
One of the biggest advantages of the auto is the fuel consumption: it's less.
Advantage of the manual, you can excellerate faster, wich at off-road can have an advantage as well...In a time of chimpanzees, I was a penguin. www.m-release.com
10th Jun 2006 5:56 pm
Jads777
Member Since: 03 Sep 2005
Location: Channel Islands
Posts: 697
<If>
Sorry Penguin; I don't agree. When I attended LRE the instructors preference was for autos for ease of off-roading and I tend to agree. I guess its a case of personal preference though and everyone will have their own opinion.
<Advantage>
A manual might accelerate faster in a road test but the car is thrashed to achieve these results. In normal road use an auto is generally quicker; just floor the throttle or lift to change up at the appropriate moment. A British car mag carried out a test in relation to this a few years ago to prove the point.
I am, however, a fan of autos and totally biased! My recomendation to anyone would be to test both thoroughly and get whichever one they preferred.
P.S. Can't get the hang of these 'quote' thingies!!!
10th Jun 2006 8:10 pm
Jads777
Member Since: 03 Sep 2005
Location: Channel Islands
Posts: 697
P.P.S. I can't spell either!
10th Jun 2006 8:11 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72787
Its a real pain, no snell checker! End up cutting & pasting from Word!
10th Jun 2006 8:22 pm
Penguin
Member Since: 02 Dec 2005
Location: A fun place
Posts: 485
Jads777 wrote:
<If>
Sorry Penguin; I don't agree. When I attended LRE the instructors preference was for autos for ease of off-roading and I tend to agree. I guess its a case of personal preference though and everyone will have their own opinion.
Sure they say that, it's more expensive and so more proffit
And, yes it IS easier off-road if you have zero experience...
Just like the DIII in general, if you have zero experience it's a great 4x4, if you have, it is often a pain in the a...
Jads777 wrote:
<Advantage>
A manual might accelerate faster in a road test but the car is thrashed to achieve these results. In normal road use an auto is generally quicker; just floor the throttle or lift to change up at the appropriate moment. A British car mag carried out a test in relation to this a few years ago to prove the point.
Love to take you on to that Drove a manual and Auto DIII, and I can accelerate faster with the manualIn a time of chimpanzees, I was a penguin. www.m-release.com
10th Jun 2006 8:51 pm
Jads777
Member Since: 03 Sep 2005
Location: Channel Islands
Posts: 697
But how do you know that you were faster?
10th Jun 2006 9:03 pm
Penguin
Member Since: 02 Dec 2005
Location: A fun place
Posts: 485
Same road, same conditions...
Feeling.. no I did not time it...In a time of chimpanzees, I was a penguin. www.m-release.com
10th Jun 2006 9:13 pm
Jads777
Member Since: 03 Sep 2005
Location: Channel Islands
Posts: 697
Always interesting to compare notes. As I said before, each to his own
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
) and it's excellent. Mpg not that good (25ish with gentle driving) but car still new & needs a few thousand miles to loosen up. For me was definately the one to go for.
Drove a manual and Auto DIII, and I can accelerate faster with the manual
