Morning all

Considering entering the fold again and after a bit of advice.

I previously had a TD4 manual on a 10 plate and had issues with clutch/DMf. Luckily this was covered under warranty after a bit of an argument.

Anyway looking at a 12 month old car probably td4 as money constraints. So do I go Auto or Manual? Answers on a post card please.

Cheers mark

Only you can decide, go and test drive them back to back

This thread will no doubt kick off the old chestnut of which is best, in reality, the 'best' option for you is the one that you prefer.
Me. personally, I prefer the auto option.

It depends on what you need it for and where you will drive it.

The SD4 has more power but only comes as an auto for MY 13 onwards. However, it is probably best for towing.

If you are mostly driving in town or on country roads the manual will give considerably better fuel comsupmtion. Having had both I have found that the SD4 auto is quite thirsty around the lanes of Herefodshire but on motorways and towing it is about the same as my old TD4 manual. GONE - '07 TD4 GS manual Zermatt Silver
LONG GONE - '55 Norton Dominator 99 SS cafe racer

Thanks guys for your quick replies.

The car will not be used for towing, maybe the occasional time. Main usage will be as an everyday car with mild off road use, fishing, shooting dogs etc.

My concerns are with the clutch and DMf in the manual, fuel Eco wise are they both massively different in the real world?

you're gonna be shooting dogs???

Everyday car suggests town use and traffic. Automatic's best for that. As has been said, it's down to personal preference. I gladly accept a bit more fuel usage for the convenience and enjoyment of auto transmission and diesel power. The two were meant for each other, I feel.

Also, of course, I've only got two feet! Ours - 2008 Stornoway Grey HSE Auto
Tricia's - 2006 Royal Blue Beetle Cabriolet Auto
Mine - 2014 Vespa GTS 300 Super Sport Matt Black
Ours - 2007 White Bailey Pageant Champagne

Nick, grab your flack jacket

The number of Clutch/DMF issues that you see on here are a tiny proportion of vehicles sold, is is established that it does seem to be a weakness, I wouldn't go as far as saying it was a barrier to purchase.
As for real world mpg, again such an emotive subject and one that has a bearing on how you personally drive the car, if you're a press on style of driver, then possibly the figures will be closer together as I imagine you would use lower gears more, if you tootle around then the Auto may be worse, over the course of a tank full there probably isn't much to seperate them.

I use my car daily, short journeys these days around the NW, average around 32, never really gone below 30, I don't hang around but neither do I drive it like I stole it, mines a SD4 auto

rjc1944 wrote:

Everyday car suggests town use and traffic. Automatic's best for that. As has been said, it's down to personal preference. I gladly accept a bit more fuel usage for the convenience and enjoyment of auto transmission and diesel power. The two were meant for each other, I feel.

Also, of course, I've only got two feet!

As above

Hi, I've had both manual and auto. It does come down to personal preference, but i have to say the SD4 auto is fantastic and as a towcar it is by far the best I have had. 2011 XS SD4, Indus Silver (Getting to love it more and more)
2012 HSE Manual, Santorini Black (Loved it and did not want to let it go)
2011 Honda CRV EX IDTEC (Gone and never really loved)
2007 HONDA CRV CDT-I Exec (Gone and really missed)

I would recommend an auto as the only sensible choice. Converted to auto some years ago and cannot fathom why people would want a manual.

I have had seriously fast cars, Defender Auto, may smaller autos, RR auto Discovery auto, I have a FL1 auto and a FL2 SD4 auto.

Never could work out why people prefer manual........just saying.

But, as said, your personal preference, test both and then decide.

I have a manual and prefer it over autos, 2012 TD4 and average 45mpg, 50+ if I drive lightly and about 35 if I hoon it around moderately.

I've got a TD4 auto and wouldn't go back to a manual again. I get 35 averaged out over the last 18 months. Can increase it to 38 on a long cruising run. Just steady with the right foot but not slow either. 12MY 61plate FL2 TD4 auto GS Orkney Grey Roof spoiler full size spare

Gone 07 Dodge Caliber 1.8 black
51 Nissan Primera
K Isuzu Trooper 3.1 SWB Citation

Iliacus wrote:

It depends on what you need it for and where you will drive it.

The SD4 has more power but only comes as an auto for MY 13 onwards. However, it is probably best for towing.

If you are mostly driving in town or on country roads the manual will give considerably better fuel comsupmtion. Having had both I have found that the SD4 auto is quite thirsty around the lanes of Herefodshire but on motorways and towing it is about the same as my old TD4 manual.

At the official Land Rover Experience all vehicles used on course (except Defender) are auto. Having been at Dunkeld twice , the first time in snow and ice, the instructors put us through some very tough tests. general opinion, a manual would not do this.
Current SD4 GS is 4th FL2 Auto. (Only really my 3rd as 2nd was rejected) All FL2's (3) Gone
2011 Mercedes C180 CGI Gone
FL2 GS Auto SD with heated leather, factory tints, alloy spare and a few other bits.

Wish I'd gone for an auto.
Yes, it does use more fuel, but as the O/P says, there are dmf/clutch problems.
I've had two complete dmf/clutch parts in 60k miles. There is no wear on the friction plate whatsoever, the dmf caused clutch slip in both cases. First time it was fixed under warranty, but the second time I had to pay for it myself. A dealer will charge at least £1300, but by procuring the parts myself and using an Indy, the total cost was £700.
Nevertheless, the dmf aint fit for purpose and L/R still claim the money back from their supplier for those that fail under warranty. Another member of the failed FL2 clutch/DMF club, twice.