Disco manual gearbox or automatic gearbox for civilised overland expedition?

Hallo everyone,<br />
I am going overland soon to Marocco for a couple of weeks but later to Asia and South America (2014 and 2016).<br />
I have decided on a Disco TDI late model (could still be pursuaded for a TD5 but want it as uncomplicated as possible - i am not an experienced mechanic myself) but undecided about to get a manual gearbox or automatic gearbox for overland expedition.<br />
I will not do "hard core" offroad with 30 degrees inclines etc (unless I absolutely have to do it to get from A to B). I am more taking it easy expedition looking at the sights etc.<br />
But in case it breaks down assume manual is easier to fix?<br />
<br />
Any ideas and thoughts most welcome. Thank you in advance

Kmadsen68 said:

Hallo everyone,<br />
I am going overland soon to Marocco for a couple of weeks but later to Asia and South America (2014 and 2016).<br />
I have decided on a Disco TDI late model (could still be pursuaded for a TD5 but want it as uncomplicated as possible - i am not an experienced mechanic myself) but undecided about to get a manual gearbox or automatic gearbox for overland expedition.<br />
I will not do "hard core" offroad with 30 degrees inclines etc (unless I absolutely have to do it to get from A to B). I am more taking it easy expedition looking at the sights etc.<br />
But in case it breaks down assume manual is easier to fix?<br />
<br />
Any ideas and thoughts most welcome. Thank you in advance

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I took a 1998 TDi 300 auto Disco to Morocco for a tour that lasted 8000kms and was completely faultless. I averaged 33mpg throughout the trip.

i have had both manual and auto TDI's and found them both great but looking at getting another disco in the near future and possibly another auto as i found my last auto slightly better on fuel, found the auto was great on long motoway runs inc towing a trailer aswell.

Sounds like tha auto is the better choice. Have also read the late 300 TDI automatic gearbox was very good

Kmadsen68 said:

Sounds like tha auto is the better choice. Have also read the late 300 TDI automatic gearbox was very good

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wasnt different from earlier one edc makes the difference,allways check oil colour blackish means its on its way out ,brownish it hasnt been serviced,should be clean red

To be fair both are/were reliable.As James says the auto fluid colour is key to the auto reliability.(I have only once had to change a 300TDi autobox,and it was horribly abused before it died)
The manual box is not the nicest unit to use, but if it drives well enough and its drain plug is not a total Christmas tree of metal sticking to the magnet then you should be OK.
The condition of the rest of the car is more important,many have been cheaply with poor quality parts,which tend not to last very long.Which is a shame - both 200 and 300TDI's are VERY reliable and capable of huge amounts of work with basic,but decent maintenance.
In general more so than anything before or after them.
Mine has 190,000m on it and I have no intention of parting with it,I cant find anything that will do the work for the money or peace of mind.

Sounds like automatic gearbox is the way to go

Seems to me that getting a ZF autobox repaired in some quiet corner of Asia or S America will be an interesting experience. Also if it is necessary to have a replacement gearbox air freighted out I would of thought a manual box would be easier and cheaper. And of course if the battery or starter fails a manual box vehicle can be bump started, unlike an auto box.