Auto Or Manual ????

Hey, just looking for a bit of advice on whether to go for an auto or manual workhorse.. First Disco was a manual, latest one a TDV6 Auto, but am looking to get my hands on a 'workhorse' for towing an 8m / 2T mobile climbing wall. Been looking at a **** load of discos for the last few weeks, something around 100k or less '98-02ish' but not sure to go for auto or manual..
Have spoken to several bods and got contrasting answers.. some say definately manual - more control / less fuel consump.. others swear by the auto - no burnt out clutches / smoother towing..
Some of these views were coming from garages obviously looking for a sale , others from those with personal experience !!
Have only towed myself with a manual in the past but would appreciate any info / views from you guys...

Cheers

Kev:drum:

auto it will give you complete control of vehicle when reversing or delicate manouvres,on the open road it dosent matter which but after towing with both auto definately

Early TD5 autos have a problem with the std spec Torque Converter, the later cars were improved.

Bearing that in mind I would say if you go for 98 to 2001 then go manual. If you can go 2002 to 2004 then going auto is a reliable and desirable towing option.

even so ,still more problems with r380 and dual mass flywheel

jamesmartin said:

even so ,still more problems with r380 and dual mass flywheel

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I'm not so sure James. Changing the TC for the uprated Ashcrofts one means splitting the bellhousing away from the engine block, plus the cost of the new TC plus it's exchange cost is roughly the same as a clutch kit and DMF.

i never used ashcroft t/c i allways just bought strengthened drive plate from my auto parts co,about £70,the biggest issue has been oneway clutch that ive found

jamesmartin said:

i never used ashcroft t/c i allways just bought strengthened drive plate from my auto parts co,about £70,the biggest issue has been oneway clutch that ive found

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For me the biggest issue has always related to the TC for two reasons:

1. The triangular flex plate fastened to the flywheel has never been a problem for me, but the drive plate which is welded to the TC itself has been a problem on a number of occasions - it breaks away from the TC weld;

2. The std TC has a stall speed of 2600 to 2800rpm which is far too high for a diesel auto. The Ashcroft TC has a stall speed of 2200 to 2400rpm plus it has a much more substantial driveplate. The upshot of this is that the engine and gearbox feel much more homogeneous and the car just drives much better altogether.


The later cars have a different TC and work much better as a result.

Cheers
Dave

id still rather have early auto than manual ,would prefer later if price allowed if it was me,

Cheers guys, will keep an eye out for 02/03 auto with reasonable miles/price..

Kevwana said:

Cheers guys, will keep an eye out for 02/03 auto with reasonable miles/price..

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Hi Ive got a 52 reg facelifted Td5 manual that I am thinking of selling. And I will not be far from you as I stay just outside Falkirk.
It's done 109k and I've owned it for nearly 5 years.

Cheers
Graeme

Pitcaig said:

Hi Ive got a 52 reg facelifted Td5 manual that I am thinking of selling. And I will not be far from you as I stay just outside Falkirk.
It's done 109k and I've owned it for nearly 5 years.

Cheers
Graeme

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Hey Graeme, I'm just along the road in Tilly, drop us a mail ([email protected]) with some more info/pics/price, possibly looking for auto but will check it out..
Kev

Hi Kev

i'm nightshift all weekend so it will be monday or tuesday before I can get you some upto date photo's.
Just to give you an idea, but I'm sure I will forget something

It's a Td5 XS i had it remaped by JE Engineering. Lamp guards front and rear, 18" alloys all with good tread, Cruise control, ipod connection, Qt services diff guards front and rear, Tow bar, heavy duty steering bars, LR spot lights.Decat downpipe, EGR bypassed, new front discs and EBC pads.

I will also have available for sale lots of accesories and spares to be sold as well.
5X 16" alloys with MT tyres, A Nannocom, Air suspension Compressor, air Bags, Height sensor, air pipe, Front radius arm bushes, Front discs, front pads X2, Sparewheel bike rack, Towbar bike rack, roof cross bars, 1X16" alloy no tyre,K&N panel filterX2, rubber mats and more I can't remember will have to have a good look in the garage.

Cheers
Graeme

Ps forgot to say have a look on www.slroc.co.uk and join the club

I agree, auto is better. I have a manual

True though, early td5 auto was ****, all revs and no acceleration!

That said I think the td5 manual clutch has a horrible feeling, can never get used to it.

If I was going to buy a workhorse, I'd buy the early car and factor in the cost of bringing the transmission up to spec.

Cheers

Mr Noisy said:

I agree, auto is better. I have a manual

True though, early td5 auto was ****, all revs and no acceleration!

That said I think the td5 manual clutch has a horrible feeling, can never get used to it.

If I was going to buy a workhorse, I'd buy the early car and factor in the cost of bringing the transmission up to spec.

Cheers

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I'd completely agree with that. Plus a remap. Then you'll have the best of all worlds in terms of a D2 towing vehicle.

Pitcaig said:

Hi Kev

i'm nightshift all weekend so it will be monday or tuesday before I can get you some upto date photo's.
Just to give you an idea, but I'm sure I will forget something

It's a Td5 XS i had it remaped by JE Engineering. Lamp guards front and rear, 18" alloys all with good tread, Cruise control, ipod connection, Qt services diff guards front and rear, Tow bar, heavy duty steering bars, LR spot lights.Decat downpipe, EGR bypassed, new front discs and EBC pads.

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Hey Graeme.. no probs, can just pop over and have a look when convenient if you like, as I said am just along the road, heading over to knockhill in a bit for a gander at the motor show, think SLROC have got a stand up there this weekend. but can come have a look whenever suits. Any ideas how much you're looking for ??
Cheers Kev

Kevwana said:

Hey Graeme, I'm just along the road in Tilly, drop us a mail ([email protected]) with some more info/pics/price, possibly looking for auto but will check it out..
Kev

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Hi Kev

Did you get my e-mail with the photo's?

Pitcaig said:

Hi Kev

Did you get my e-mail with the photo's?

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:boink:???

Hi Pitcaig
Sorry to burst in on your thread but would be interested in some of the parts you are possibly selling. Can you list prices etc , thank yu
Johnny.1953

johnny.1953 said:

Hi Pitcaig
Sorry to burst in on your thread but would be interested in some of the parts you are possibly selling. Can you list prices etc , thank yu
Johnny.1953

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Hi
I will keep a hold of the parts just now untill I sell the car, might do a deal with the new owner.
But if you let me know what you might want i'll give you an idea of a price.
Send me a pm or e-mail [email protected]

Cheers
Graeme

Hey Graeme, sorry bud wasn't ignoring..well not on purpose, been away on a course for the last week, sporadic int access... Got your pics thanks, looks nice and clean !!,
Have managed to pic up an older auto, as they took my vectra in as trade, would have liked a newer model but limited funds meant no such luck...
Cheers for sending the pics through anyway, good luck with the sale..

Kev