ricky
Member Since: 15 Jun 2014
Location: shropshire
Posts: 19
  
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| Is the manual any more reliable than the auto box |
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After having two disco 3's over the years both Autos brought with 100k + mileage on, one thing i seem to have problems with is the auto box the problems seem to plague me and get very expensive with the auto. I was getting to the stage where I was thinking enough is enough I will get a normal car, but I cant face doing it I just love the disco 3- Its one really weird relationship.
so the question is Is the manual box more reliable particularly over 100k?
does the manual suit the car?
better MPG?
all the best 
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 16th Sep 2014 10:27 pm |
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Bodsy
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Member Since: 06 Nov 2006
Location: In the Clubhouse
Posts: 21361
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I've driven both the manual and the auto. IMHO the d3 is more suited to the auto than the manual.
The manual clutch can be problematic with the DMF as well, but the actual gearbox is pretty robust apart from the circlip holding the gear linkage. Bodsys Brake Bible
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| 16th Sep 2014 10:38 pm |
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Biffysun
Member Since: 09 Jul 2011
Location: Central
Posts: 1790
  
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Perhaps slightly better mpg(didn't think fuel economy featured big in D3 ownership  ) but I will admit that if I were to buy another (unlikely as this D3 will probably see me out  ) I would have an auto! and mine is a manual  I liked the 'more in control' factor of a manual but to be honest the auto box is more suited to the D3 and having driven a 'proper remapped' one there is no contest IMO 8)
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| 16th Sep 2014 10:42 pm |
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pagoda
Member Since: 13 Aug 2009
Location: Not London Anymore (or the US for that matter)
Posts: 1929
  
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I don't think there are any problems with the auto box at all. I certainly haven't read about it being unreliable. It was few of the few things on my D3 that worked perfectly. The D4 8 speed box is outstanding. PAGODA
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| 17th Sep 2014 6:25 am |
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jonnybgud
Member Since: 18 Dec 2013
Location: Leicestershire
Posts: 397
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Love the manual in my D3, but if I bought another I think I would go down the lazy stick route... changing or flushing the oil in the autoboxes seems to be the key to a longer happier life
Mines done 103k and clutch/gearbox are still good, I dropped the oil out the box at 100k and to be honest, what came out didnt look bad at all. Since having it remapped its been brought to life, I dont find myself changing gear half as much as it pulls so much better from low down revs
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Last edited by jonnybgud on 17th Sep 2014 10:23 am. Edited 2 times in total
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| 17th Sep 2014 6:59 am |
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discoteca
Member Since: 08 Mar 2010
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 1477
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Had a D3 manual and loved it but there is no doubt in my mind that the auto (d4) that I now have suits the car better even though inherently I don't like autos. If I were doing it again with a D3 I'd now go auto.
Manuals hold their value less well so make sure that is reflected in the purchase price if you go down that route.
I suspect that you are just as likely to have clutch or DMF issues with a manual as you are to have other issues with an auto. I think the clutch is best described as only just up to the job and at worst fragile. MPG difference between the two is not as much as you might think.
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| 17th Sep 2014 7:21 am |
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Bobs
Member Since: 29 Oct 2013
Location: Manchester
Posts: 2330
 
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Had both in a short period and after the manual I find the auto really good to drive....
I have never had an auto in my 30 years of driving so its certainly a new experience .... 
Its very relaxing and is very smooth so I for one think the auto is better ... D4 Front upgrade/cut back wings n things 'taking a long time but getting there'.
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| 17th Sep 2014 7:42 am |
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Woolmeister
Member Since: 26 Mar 2007
Location: Chandler's Ford
Posts: 3464
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You won't get a definitive answer from us here; It's all down to personal choice.
I've driven both and I would say that the unmapped manual feels more spritely even than a BAS mapped auto. I found the auto turgid and disengaging to drive, though obviously quite a bit smoother.
Most problems with the manuals - clutch and DMF - are largely down to driving style. If you drive about with your foot on the clutch all day long - and hold 2.7 tons of metal on the clutch on hills - you have to expect problems. If you just cruise up and down the motorways in 6th gear then your clutch is going to last longer. I think autos are more resilient to lazy driving styles than manuals. Apart from some initial problems with my clutch (LR fitted a bad batch of clutches to a certain VIN range) mine still seems to be going strong at 112k miles.
That said, I'm seeing more and more issues with auto boxes on this forum than I have in the 7 or so years I've been here (to be expected as they get older).
I think the thing to be learned is that do not believe the LR bull  about their gearboxes being "sealed for life". Nothing mechanical is ever "sealed for life" and frequent oil changes/flushes will only prolong the life of both ZF boxes on these cars. LR recommend manual box oil changes at 150k miles which is just about long enough for the vehicle to be out of warranty .
This is about 100k miles too long, IMO. I think Geoff was recommending that autos should be flushed far more regularly than the LR service schedule recommends, too.
Try both.
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| 17th Sep 2014 9:07 am |
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Barn1e
D3 Decade
Member Since: 28 Aug 2006
Location: Mid-sussex
Posts: 2021
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Personal choice I drive 140 miles each day on M25 in stop/start/slow/stop traffic, so wanted to avoid manual gear change - I have the auto D3. I also drive SWMBO MX5 on A/B roads and would only ever want a manual. 2005, TDV6 S, Auto, 190k miles, owned from new, V8 Brake Upgrade, Nancom Evo, RLD protector, BAS EGR blanking & Remap, separate ATF cooler, changing all the fluids ahead of time.
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| 17th Sep 2014 11:58 am |
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TheOneAndOnlyNikolaus
Member Since: 13 Jul 2008
Location: Vienna
Posts: 140
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actually I think the Auto box is more reliable than a manual box if you change the Transmission Oil regular and early (don't wait until you have a problem). Guess using the Auto box in manual mode while in racing mood might also not help longevity....
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| 17th Sep 2014 1:14 pm |
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ricky
Member Since: 15 Jun 2014
Location: shropshire
Posts: 19
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thanks for all the input, might give the auto one last chance, if I see a nice manual might not be able to resist trying it
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| 18th Sep 2014 8:09 pm |
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Discoed
Member Since: 16 Jun 2010
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 1020
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Manual box is fine - the clutch is the weakness but if you are careful then it's fine - I have 50k trouble free miles from my clutch (whilst I have had the D3) now on 100k.
I understand why some people prefer an auto but for me having a manual box is all part of the fun of driving
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| 18th Sep 2014 8:56 pm |
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hgrimmett
Member Since: 11 Oct 2009
Location: Bledlow
Posts: 901
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138k and counting on original clutch & flywheel... but the stick flops about a bit which makes gear changing a bit of a random guess.... -------------------------------------------------------------------
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| 18th Sep 2014 9:06 pm |
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ruben
D3 Decade
Member Since: 26 Sep 2006
Location: ASTURIAS
Posts: 2429
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here 225.000 km now....and with original clutch & flywheel too...!! no problems at all !!! D3 in MANUAL is a good car ...seriously lost in translation!
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| 19th Sep 2014 2:16 pm |
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zinke
Member Since: 22 Feb 2014
Location: Scunthorpe
Posts: 584
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152, 000 miles on the original clutch and flywheel. Still feels good but will probably fail tomorrow now ive said that! lol.
Manual is a great car if your not a lazy driver but you do end up changing gear a lot around town and in heavy traffic. Also depends how good your clutch control is, if you end up reving the engine a lot then probably not the best box for you, if you can set off at tickover every time then it should last well.
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| 19th Sep 2014 2:30 pm |
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