sam in france
Member Since: 03 Mar 2014
Location: Col du Corbier
Posts: 13
  
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| Which gearbox auto or manual |
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Hi All
I am looking into getting a disco 3
Can anyone one advise about which gearbox to go for manual or auto
I was looking at the manual but a friend has told me they have problems so now I don't know what to do
I am hoping that with the experience on this site somebody may be able to let me know the pros and cons of each
Thank You
Sam
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 4th Mar 2014 12:08 pm |
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Woolmeister
Member Since: 26 Mar 2007
Location: Chandler's Ford
Posts: 3459
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It's all down to personal preference, really. You need to drive both and make your own mind up. I drive a manual at the moment but my next Dn will be an auto.
I'm not aware of any particular problems with the manual. The auto box is hardly without faults. 
The clutch might need replacing on higher mileage examples but I'm yet to get to that point after 102k miles.
Steve 2021 BMW iX3 Premier Edition in Carbon Black ⚡️🔌
2019 Škoda Kodiaq 2.0 Tdi 190 DSG Sportline in Quartz Grey. Excellent vehicle. Gone.
2017 Discovery Sport HSE Auto in Carpathian Grey and Ebony Leather. Modern JLR Junk. Gone.
2007 Discovery 3 TDV6 S Manual in Zermatt Silver with Ebony Cloth (143k) Gone, but now patrolling the Asia section of the West Midlands Safari Park!
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| 4th Mar 2014 12:15 pm |
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Mr Kington
Member Since: 12 Dec 2011
Location: Scottish Borders
Posts: 1552
 
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very few manuals made, speaks volumes. it is a big heavy car, auto for me. if you desperately want to change gear then flick it to the left !  James favourite hobby is writing in the third person.
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| 4th Mar 2014 1:41 pm |
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chalky
Member Since: 22 Aug 2008
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 3145
 
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I was in the same situation as you are now almost 5 years ago And made the decision to go manual, my driving is mostly Motorway but when I get stuck in traffic or drive in central London the constant up down and in and out of gear is a constant pain !
There's no arguing that the Manual is more economical but if I could choose again I'd certainly go Auto.
I've had no problems what so fever in 80K miles so they can't be that problematic ? Only dead fish go with the Flow !
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| 4th Mar 2014 1:54 pm |
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euangibson
Member Since: 24 Dec 2010
Location: Borders
Posts: 11027
  
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I still miss my manual box......
As advised,I don't know of too many problems with a clutch that's not been abused.My clutch was replaced just before I bought it and the reason was "driver abuse" so get it checked.
I regularly got an (indicated) 34 mpg on a run,so I would guess if you're doing regular motorway miles that might be a consideration.
I'm out in the boonies,so town start/stop driving wasn't an issue,but if I was,I would recommend an auto.
Just my view having had both  "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool,than to speak out and remove all doubt" ?.....what rubbish...
Locking rear E-diff
RLD spare wheel protector & sump guard
Extended roof rails
Series 111 mudflaps
Black side tubes,grill and vents
Timed climate remote
Hids4u interior lights
D4 Firenze my2012 HSE
D3 Java 2005 SE manual (sold,sadly,thanks for the memories)
1966 '88 Series 2a....still starts in the morning better than I do...
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| 4th Mar 2014 2:07 pm |
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justin trevett
Member Since: 23 Jun 2013
Location: Bracknell
Posts: 79
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I also went for a manual and get an indicated 34mpg on run. 1997 BMW R1100GS
2007 Disco 3
LML Star 125 2t
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| 4th Mar 2014 7:33 pm |
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mickdundee
Member Since: 06 Feb 2011
Location: Somewhere between the Moon & NY city
Posts: 302
 
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I actually searched & waited for a manual. I prefer the feel & control you have with a manual.
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| 4th Mar 2014 9:09 pm |
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MikeyRules
Member Since: 07 Dec 2013
Location: South of the city
Posts: 230
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Autos are for old people with bad knees and arthritis who don't like driving!  It's better to burn out, than fade away...
_____________________
57 plate in Java Black/black leather, manual D3.
D4 surround & Garmin Nuvi 1490tv with reverse Cam & HD Mechanic
Added: Cruise/Audio controls/SMD reverse lights/Side tubes/rear tints & Blinds/chrome pack/Narpy torch/BAS Tuned & EGR's blanked
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| 4th Mar 2014 9:15 pm |
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sam in france
Member Since: 03 Mar 2014
Location: Col du Corbier
Posts: 13
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Thank you for all the info
I am meeting my friend for dinner tonight and will grill him about what he told my wife, he does have experience in the Land Rover trade
I am thinking manual because all the autos I have ever owned have been very greedy on fuel
I also live in the French Alps, we are situated at 1250 metres up a mountain,
I am looking at the disco because of the extra seating, at the moment we have a VW T5 caravelle 4 motion, 9 seats and a VW T4 syncro, this has gone wrong fuel pump issues so we are looking at getting rid of that and the old Mercedes ML and replacing them with a Disco with the 7 seats
My wife and I run a Ski Chalet and are looking for a vehicle that will be a good for us and can help with moving our customers around if needed
How practical are the extra seats in the back
Thanks again
Sam
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| 5th Mar 2014 9:57 am |
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NioElva
Member Since: 14 Dec 2012
Location: Kungsbacka (Gothenburg)
Posts: 115
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The rear seats (seat 6+7) are big enough for adults. They have 3 Point seat belts too.
Another plus is that the D3 comes with Webasto diesel heters. Discovery 3 SE, TDV6 2005, Manual gearbox, Maya Gold with flat black vinyl, Locking rear E-diff, 7 seats
Mods:
*Front Runner roof rack with 42 inch LED bar
*Overfinch steering wheel
*D4 Cubby fridge
*Raised air intake
*Tinted rear windows
*D4 2014 rear lights
*Melvill & Moon seat covers
*LED interior lights
*Hawkeye Always in the boot
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| 5th Mar 2014 10:09 am |
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chalky
Member Since: 22 Aug 2008
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 3145
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MikeyRules wrote:Autos are for old people with bad knees and arthritis who don't like driving!
I was going to say that but refrained Only dead fish go with the Flow !
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| 5th Mar 2014 10:14 am |
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armalites
Member Since: 17 Aug 2013
Location: Herefordshire
Posts: 1918
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Given the description of what you will be using the vehicle for I would say an Auto would be a better option. Auto can be greedy on fuel but I think that is often because people tend to drive them in a different way to a manual. The temptation to put the pedal in the carpet because it's so easy.
If I was driving up and down a mountain with 7 people and luggage I would get an Auto every time.
Autos can be very good for creeping over slippery surfaces too as you can move so slowly.
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| 5th Mar 2014 10:35 am |
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Woolmeister
Member Since: 26 Mar 2007
Location: Chandler's Ford
Posts: 3459
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sam in france wrote:
I also live in the French Alps, we are situated at 1250 metres up a mountain,
Sam,
Probably a more important factor in your buying decision - regardless of whether you choose an auto or a manual - is if all the glow plugs work.
Lots of forum members have been on ski trip to the Alps only to find that the sub-zero winter temperatures have highlighted failed glow plugs on their cars, leaving them stranded and unable to start.
Ideally, you need to test them on whichever car you buy. I would say that you really want a full working set if you plan to use your D3 throughout the winters there. You can test them quite easily if you have a digital multimeter.
There is a thread on here about testing your glow plugs. Will edit my post when I find it.
Steve 2021 BMW iX3 Premier Edition in Carbon Black ⚡️🔌
2019 Škoda Kodiaq 2.0 Tdi 190 DSG Sportline in Quartz Grey. Excellent vehicle. Gone.
2017 Discovery Sport HSE Auto in Carpathian Grey and Ebony Leather. Modern JLR Junk. Gone.
2007 Discovery 3 TDV6 S Manual in Zermatt Silver with Ebony Cloth (143k) Gone, but now patrolling the Asia section of the West Midlands Safari Park!
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| 5th Mar 2014 11:24 am |
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Hairy Dan
Member Since: 19 Jan 2011
Location: Co. Durham
Posts: 12319
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MikeyRules wrote:Autos are for old people with bad knees and arthritis
Hoi  I resemble that remark   Cheers Ian
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Discoless
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| 5th Mar 2014 2:29 pm |
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