Member Since: 05 Apr 2016
Location: Surrey
Posts: 47
Want a D3, should I risk an Auto?
Firstly, ok I admit defeat with the Landcruiser, yes it was reliable and worked well(only needed a wheel bearing and a battery) but it just wasn’t as nice to drive as an LR and I’ve gotten rid of it.
I’ve had an RRS before which unfortunately didn’t have the autobox fluid changed on it and left me with a £3k bill at 110k miles, so as the D3 is pretty much the same running gear, that particular issue is something I’d like to try and avoid happening twice.
Is the ZF 6 speed usually ok for longer mileage’s if it has had the fluids and filters changed?, or sooner or later do they all tend to go wrong?.
I’m ok with stuff like doing the lower arms, brakes, air suspension compressor etc myself (after a few L322s and an RRS I’m used to it) but an auto box is beyond my fairly basic mechanical abilities!.
I really want a Disco this time, I actually wanted one last time but the RRS came up for a good price.
My budget is £5k-£7.5k which I’m hoping will pick me up an HSE with 120k-140k miles on it, or would an SE with a manual box be a better bet?.
12th Apr 2018 8:27 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72775
Pays yer money and takes yer chance. Mine had a double flush at 80k, needed a TC at 140k and a gearbox rebuild at 160k. Then the engine packed up at 166k and she was scrapped.
Re manual gearbox, they need a clutch & DMF change every other month. OK slight exaduration, it’s ever 3 months.
12th Apr 2018 8:36 pm
Ja92mie
Member Since: 16 Sep 2014
Location: Newquay
Posts: 1259
I’ve got a manual and have had no problems only on 80k though.
12th Apr 2018 8:38 pm
HS66
Member Since: 05 Apr 2016
Location: Surrey
Posts: 47
Are manuals that bad on clutches?, the thing with them is although the clutch kits are fairly expensive it’s less of a specialist job than an autobox is and would work out cheaper to do.
The auto is undoubtably nicer to drive though.
In an ideal world I’d have gone for a D4 with the 8 speed but unfortunately did something stupid and blew my budget on an Italian Superbike .
12th Apr 2018 8:52 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72775
I might have been slightly OTT re when the clutches need changed, best wait for a manual driver to give a real-world picture.
PS like Ja92mie.
12th Apr 2018 8:54 pm
HS66
Member Since: 05 Apr 2016
Location: Surrey
Posts: 47
I gaththered that and thought you probably meant yearly .
The trouble with most of the manuals for sale is they’re nearly all low spec ones.
Ideally I want leather, nav, and Bluetooth, with the heated screen (I missed that so much on the Toyota!)
12th Apr 2018 9:02 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72775
That would put you at SE level. HSE manuals are like hens’ teeth, mainly coz a manual was a no cost option, so you were paying the extra for an auto box but getting a manual.
12th Apr 2018 9:06 pm
Grianaig
Member Since: 08 Jul 2014
Location: Tyne and Wear
Posts: 1286
I had a 2006 S D3 from new for eight years and 53k miles. It was manual and I loved it. Unfortunately LR dropped manual boxes when I replaced it with a new MY2014. Otherwise I would have gone again for a manual. Not a bit of bother with the manual box or clutch.2014 MY Discovery XS Indus Silver. Sadly gone. Second last LR of forty eight years continuous ownership.
12th Apr 2018 9:58 pm
Waylander11
Member Since: 21 Apr 2016
Location: Leicestershire
Posts: 519
58 plate auto with just over 170000 on the clock had the gearbox flushed but that’s it , was my car now swmbo’s driven every dayD3 in Buckingham blue now SWMBO's Mine D4 commercial
Xenon's fitted Timed climate
EGR Blanked Remapped
Remap Reversing Camera
gear box reset
updated Bluetooth
4x4 info
all done by Bodsy
Fridge fitted
Reversing camera fitted
thinking logically, the auto makes the connect between wheels and engine a "soft" link … so should stop wheel stress reaching the engine.
ought to be the safer option. but it is a LR vehicle.
12th Apr 2018 10:19 pm
Erea
Member Since: 19 Mar 2012
Location: Munster
Posts: 1509
I’ve a manual 2006 D3 290K KM. It needed a clutch at about 140K but has been perfect since. I tow a bit with it no issues just use low box reversing with a heavy load +2tons.
12th Apr 2018 10:43 pm
ruben D3 Decade
Member Since: 26 Sep 2006
Location: ASTURIAS
Posts: 2382
I disagree with the false clutch legend of manual gearbox....my D3, practically 280,000 km on the clock, all made by me since new in 2006 and not a single problem with my manual gearbox, the clutch is original. For me, unless you use it to tow or live with continuous traffic jams in a big city, the manual is the prettiest optionlost in translation!
12th Apr 2018 10:53 pm
galwaygreen
Member Since: 30 Oct 2011
Location: plymouth
Posts: 6525
At 65 years of age never driven an auto..so to spend 30 GRAND ON AD3 AUTO WAS A GAMBLE I WAS UNSURE OF
2 weeks in..best thing since sliced bread
12th Apr 2018 11:01 pm
Geoff at Drym
Member Since: 18 May 2015
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 584
I agree, I've always had manual boxes, but on the odd occasion that I've driven a large/heavy vehicle the auto box seemed more suitable.
When I tested my D3 I wasn't sure about it being auto. However, came back from test drive with a 10/10 grin factor. Now I absolutely love it. I'm also amazed at how very good it is off road.
I still enjoy a manual when I have a blast out in my MX5. I'm now in my 76th. year and not getting any older!!! 2007 Disco3 2.7 tdv6 SE
gvif with reversing camera
V8 brakes with new EPB module and shoes
Later D4 grille
Alive tuning remap
Mazda MX5
Ferguson ted20 tractor
Hyundai Getz 1.4 (wife's )
13th Apr 2018 10:39 am
HS66
Member Since: 05 Apr 2016
Location: Surrey
Posts: 47
To actually drive, it would be the auto for me in a D3/D4 without question, it’s more a case of which is more reliable, as some of them are getting to the point where putting a new autobox in would make the car beyond economical repair.
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OK slight exaduration, it’s ever 3 months. 
only on 80k though.
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