Member Since: 08 Feb 2010
Location: Skoatland
Posts: 912
Mrs mik had a D3 Metropolis for 4+ yrs with the 6-speed box. New 8-speed in her D4 is FAR superior and changes very smoothly.
I find it can still get confused and need help however. If you have the cruise set at 80 (in Germany) and you have to slow - selecting 8th manually before hitting resume avoids a completely unnecessary downshift - there is loads of torque to haul you back up to speed.
Also - when approaching a steep hill at 20-30mph, I use the paddle to select a lower ratio prior to the climb - otherwise it tries to haul you up, realises it needs a lower gear, then changes down jerkily and fires you skywards.
Not perfect then, but a big improvement. And how can you fault the 007-esque rise from the centre console too.... 2012 D4 HSE for her
2014 Evora S SportsRacer for him
3rd Jan 2015 3:03 am
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
The 8-speed software was refined in late 2013 and shed some of its early idiosyncrasies.
It is a very good gearbox.
Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
Member Since: 09 Mar 2007
Location: hants
Posts: 2144
Having owned and driven both my observations are :
Yes the 8 speed is 'smoother' but the 6 speed is hardly rough
The 8 speed can be difficult to pull away smoothly and has had hesitation and 'scalded cat' downshift issues (although this may be rectified on newer my's)
8 speed more economical and relaxed motorway tool
Dial just nonesensical marketing exercise, it will be gone, the stick will return but be prepared for a change in the manual configuration you will be pushing forward to drop down the gearbox as on the new RRS, not great in IMHO
I have had several 8's and 6's I am currently in an ex Glynne 59 D4 GS and can honestly say it's my favorite along with an 11 XS I had
Drive them both and make your decision the 8 will probably hold value a little better but don't be put of trying a well priced 6Illegitimi Non Carborundum
3rd Jan 2015 11:32 am
Gilpin
Member Since: 17 Dec 2014
Location: Cumbria - the Lake District
Posts: 9
The 8 speed, together with the additional improvements that came at the same time transform a very good vehicle into something wonderful to drive anywhere! It's worth persevering to find the right one.
3rd Jan 2015 11:51 am
fat bloke
Member Since: 07 Aug 2006
Location: OXFORD
Posts: 1255
6 sp manual to 8 auto all i can say is brilliant ,pulls effortless out excellerate my old manual no difference in mpg yet either
3rd Jan 2015 3:09 pm
gensetsteve
Member Since: 01 Jan 2014
Location: hampshire
Posts: 340
Have they cured the antifreeze in the gearbox problem with the 8 speed and also the bush which breaks down on some year 2010 models. 8 speed seems to be alot of cogs in a small case anybody done a few hundred thousand miles with this box.D4
3rd Jan 2015 3:48 pm
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
The cooling system is no longer shared with the radiator, the bushings have been redesigned, the maximum torque is considerably enhanced and you would be surprised how few moving parts are in the 8 speed design - there are only 4 planetary gear sets in the box plus 3 clutches and 2 brakes. Compared to the SVR the 8-speed has an easy life in the D4.
Change oil early, change oil often.
Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
Member Since: 01 Jan 2014
Location: hampshire
Posts: 340
Result all round then I prefer the idea of keeping engine cooling and gearbox seperate. May be more expensive but a large oil cooler is also a good place to store some extra fluid about time they got something right. I fully agree about changing oil early, oil is cheap gears are expensive.D4
3rd Jan 2015 5:09 pm
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
Even JLR are getting the message regarding the transmission oil. Whilst they persist with the 'lifetime' fill nonsense they have acknowledged that 'severe duty' on the gearbox would require an oil change at just 30k.
Who knows what 'severe duty' is on a car that is already a tonne heavier than most ZF8 gearboxes experience, before any towing and off-road duty is accounted for. Still, it is good to see someone at JLR is moving the service schedule out of fantasy land.
Regarding the oil, the transmission oil pump on the ZF8 is a chain driven beast.
Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
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