This should start a chat..Auto or Manual ?

I am looking for an early ( around 97/98 ) 300Tdi discovery 7seater.

I have asked a few people around where I live, some have discoverys some say they know someone who knows someone who has a discovery and they all come up with different ideas on manual or auto.

Some say the manual has gearbox problems, others say the manual is better in the snow/ice

I will probably only do around 5-8k mile a year mainly on roads with the family and BIG dog. My driving is probably a fair mix of motorway and normal town roads.

Any help would be appreciated as this purchase has got to last me a few years and I want to make the 'right' decision

diesel/manual... v8 auto... simples

As its a tdi i should imagine manual then...

I have owned both, current car is an auto tdi. As i dont do much off road,and car is mainly for caravan & trailer towing , i prefer the auto over the manual. No difference in speed, economy a little lower round town, no difference on motorway once overdrive is locked in (50 mph ish), horses for courses, it was the best car i could find for me money, being a jap import model. happy hunting !

D1SCO said:

I have owned both, current car is an auto tdi. As i dont do much off road,and car is mainly for caravan & trailer towing , i prefer the auto over the manual. No difference in speed, economy a little lower round town, no difference on motorway once overdrive is locked in (50 mph ish), horses for courses, it was the best car i could find for me money, being a jap import model. happy hunting !

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lazy git ... plus autos r **** fer towing imho

I'd rather have an auto if i towed a lot...but i am a lazy git. Manual for off-road..just feel more in control.

nathan5346 said:

lazy git ... plus autos r **** fer towing imho

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Really?, tows my 1850kg twin axle van no problem. And yes, i am lazy

Yes really, good fer u, yes i know .... 1850kgs van... wot van is it?

nathan5346 said:

Yes really, good fer u, yes i know .... 1850kgs van... wot van is it?

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You reelin me in yet ?
Swift Conqueror 630

That's it manuals feel more in control of road, but in truth no difference if fact you have better control with an auto, but you don't feel it as it's smoother.

discool said:

That's it manuals feel more in control of road, but in truth no difference if fact you have better control with an auto, but you don't feel it as it's smoother.

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I know..but i'm a control freak...

Plus with 3 pedals i can use my dick for braking.

D1SCO said:

You reelin me in yet ?
Swift Conqueror 630

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Me? never just avin a laff , nice big vans the 630'2... u sure about the weight?............................. im a caravan dealer so fink before u speak


Seriously iv had quite a few 4x4 l/r's petrols n diesels autos n manuals n slitty's the same and i can honestly say without a doubt the best 4x4 x far for towing caravans (speshuly the big vans) has got to be.........



































My 1995 2.8 lwb pajero :behind sofa:

One of these 'mates that knows about these things' said automatics always for Discovery's as there something with the manual gearbox and nylon brushers? I know nothing much about cars as most people here, still learning a lot so no idea really!

I'm getting an automatic though as I'm lazy and because I drive around in wellies a lot which means its hard with the clutch sometimes.

storm99 said:

I know..but i'm a control freak...

Plus with 3 pedals i can use my dick for braking.

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snigger

I reckon hes gone to check the weights of the 630

Thanks for all the informative and funny answers.

I know its always personal and I doubt whether I will be towing things so the real decision will be on 'what can go wrong'

The only answer that mentioned this was a repeat of what someone else said about the manual gearbox that they are not as reliable as the manual.

...so

which on balance is more reliable manual/auto and if they do blow up which is more expensive to fix..

cheers

smallzoo said:

Thanks for all the informative and funny answers.

I know its always personal and I doubt whether I will be towing things so the real decision will be on 'what can go wrong'

The only answer that mentioned this was a repeat of what someone else said about the manual gearbox that they are not as reliable as the manual.

...so

which on balance is more reliable manual/auto and if they do blow up which is more expensive to fix..

cheers

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Personally id rather have to fork out fer a manual box than an auto... my auto cost £1000 + vat but i got away with the vat.

You will do two or three clutch changes before an auto box packs up so what's that cost, you will be very unlucky if an auto packs up. Then there's slave and master cylinder to go wrong

discool said:

You will do two or three clutch changes before an auto box packs up so what's that cost, you will be very unlucky if an auto packs up. Then there's slave and master cylinder to go wrong

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Thats a bit of a sweeping statement it realy depends on how its driver treats the clutch, the disco ive recently got has only had one replacment clutch in nearly 230,000 miles and its done some serious towing, pulling boats out (45 footers, large fishing boats) 10 wheel cement mixer lorrys ect, on the other hand ive replaced clutches at 30,000 miles on normal cars cos the driver cant use the clutch properly.

nathan5346 said:

I reckon hes gone to check the weights of the 630

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1830 kg mtmlpttmm whatever weight, where do you work in the 'shed trade?
I had a pajero,great car, BUT foooooookin thirsty bastid.