300TDi - manual or automatic?

[Ben]

I'm currently sorting out the best thing to do with my 90. I need to have more forward facing seats than the 2 I have, so I'm toying up between a 110 and a Disco.

Now, I can get much more for my money with a Disco (and I really liked my TD5 Series 2 when I had it), so I'm really tempted. However, I've seen quite a few diesel automatics for the right sort of money.
How do these work off road - do you just lock it into 1st / 2nd and drop it into low box and go for it?

Cheers

Ben

[muddyweb]

My opinion is that Autos are supreme off-road.

Total control over power delivery, smooth and effective.

Don't believe anyone who says they have no engine braking... they do.  It isn't quite the same as a manual, but it is there.

I'll never go back to a manual for an off-roader.

[thermidorthelobster]

That surprises me.  I've mostly preferred manual gearboxes with diesels, because otherwise the gearbox tends to drive the engine further up the rev range than I'd like.  You also lose a bit of economy of course, and there's more to go wrong.  I prefer manual boxes on this type of vehicle.

However, I do agree with Tim that autos are lovely to drive off-road.

David

[muddyweb]

Yes... just a qualifier... I'm a V8 man ;-)

I've used a 300tdi Auto off road, and it was pretty good too....  but it wasn't a V8 ;-)

As for there being more to go wrong... hmm...   in other circumstances I'd agree, but with the manual gearboxes LR have produced I'm not sure that is true.

As well as that, because the auto power delivery is smoother there is less strain on other transmission components too.

[Thrasher]

Lets see ..... I have :

1 x Discovery V8i 4.6 V8 AUTO - Offroad? AWESOME - you have to learn the hard way how to drop 3 tons of heavy metal off a drop with an auto .. and the trick is left foot braking to lock up the torque convertor - master this and there's no heart in your mouth moment (however - I like the adrenalin rush... <giggle>)

1 x Freelander V6 2.5 STEPTRONIC - Offroad? MILES AHEAD of the manual I borrowed - it was AWFUL offroad, the auto variant is years ahead - keeping drive to wheels and enabling the fancy traction system s to work independently of the numpty on the clutch ;-)

1 x Range Rover Vouge 4.4 STEPTRONIC - Offroad? STUNNING. I don't know how to to start describing this box offroad - it has so much more control than either of the above ...  drive one - you'll understand ;-)

P.S. Piglet has trashed a gearbox .. at 120,000 miles ... that's not bad considering he has the WRONG engine up front and weighs so much - and the failure could have happened to anyone.

[Jake]

It would appear that an auto box is 'good' off road.
I've only been doing this for a while but now i'm seriously tempted to fit an auto box.
I like the fact that you always have drive but the engine braking bit scared me. but after reading what some of you have writen i'm thinking of giving it a go!
Luckily a mate of mine wants to change his auto disco box for a manual. I have a LT77 man box and he has a 1998 disco 50th Tdi 300 series.
Anyone know if we could swop easyly?

[robbie]

A few months ago I too was in  the same dilemma. I had seen Disco but it was Auto. I wasnt sure how it would perform off road but bought it anyway.

Boy am I glad, it is soooooooo simple to drive off road and puts just the right amount of power where you need it. I seem to have less wheel spins and consequently more grip........ I love it  :D

Oh, and this is a 300TDi too, just passed the 100,000 miles and off to Yorskhire Dales tomorrow and I cant wait :)

Go for it!!!

[robbie]

Oh, and engine braking is fine, different than a manual but it is definately there, lock it in 1 before descending and it works fine. There is a small delay which is a bit worrying at first but you soon get used to it :)

[Jake]

cheers for the tip Robbie
 :D

[Colin 009]

Just have to add to the Auto fan club, :lol:  its fun watching the faces of passengers as you start down a drop  :twisted:  and roll quickly at first then the engine braking kicks in and you gently descend.  8)

[robbie]

That is evil, scaring your passengers!!!!

Good fun though init  :twisted:

[Bush Tucker Man]

Before buying mine I tried a Tdi auto ('M' plated)  belong to one of our Sisters.
The response on it was absolutely awful & almost required an egg-timer.

The subsequent thought of having to pull out into the traffic flow in a Tdi auto put me right off the idea.
Manuals for me, please with a diesel.

I've tried the 3.9V8 Discovery with an auto & that was fine

[Jim-Willy]

I run a 90 300TDI with a ZF 4speed auto, cos i kept the defender transfer box it picks up much better than my Dads Disco auto, it tops out at 75-80 on the miotorway but you can't have everything.

[landyman Ash]

I run two different landies, a disco auto and my offroader is auto.

The 300tdi auto disco is a but gutless less in some aspects.  I use it to pull my hybrid which with trailer, is 2.5 tonne and it pulls it fine.  It just lacks the initial pull.  If you need to pull away from a round about sharpish, forget it!!!!  

However, my hybrid is auto, always will be and always will.  For serious off roading the auto is better then anything.  You'll break less, get better changes when climbing etc etc.

My Hybrid is V8 but its going TDi and STAYING auto.  If this is your day car if you can deal with the slight lag of the turbo and auto box combined you'll be fine.  If your a speed demon, stay manual!