seanlandy said:

Having only just joined the forum, I have been of the mind set that I should get myself a 200 tdi, which fits my budget. However, I just missed out on the bidding for a k plate manual, but the chap, who I happen to know coincidentally, also has an auto on an L plate in better condition and 12 mths mot. Initially, i didn't consider it but he, having had both, swears by it. Having read many a post there just seems no obvious winner as regards choosing one over the other. The draw would seem to be the 12 months mot and the fact I know the chap will have looked after it.....but an auto. I have never had one so just not sure. A test drive and some objective (if that's possible ) would be welcome, in advance of a test drive. Cheers

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discomania said:

The question that needs to be asked here is what will YOU use it for? If you want a Disco just as a car and will use it 95% of the time on roads and even some light off roading, then the auto is great.

I have a Disco and a 90 both manual, I would have the Disco as an auto because of what it's mainly used for. It does get used as it should but hard off roading isn't part of the remit. The 90 is more likely to be doing heavy towing etc... and I would rather not have a torque converter boiling away.

Also, the manuals are a lot cheaper to fix, a fully rebuilt exchange manual is about £500. Try doubling that for an auto.

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Steve2a said:

I've had both, currently on a 97 EDC Auto and it is much much nicer to drive than the manual, smoother and quicker.

Also it seems the gearbox has been kinder over the years to the various engine mounts and bushes as there is hardly any backlash making progress very smoothly, the manual however was like driving a giant pendulum.

One thing about the auto though is that if you do very short trips like me you will be looking at the low 20's mpg, on a longer run I have seen 33-34 sitting at 65mph

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discool said:

Real time fuel consumption on a D1, now I never saw that on the options list, yours must be the only D1 to have it.

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storm99 said:

Autos are for Iranian shoplifters.

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