over the last few months the auto box owners have said how crap the clutch is at failing on manual versions to the auto i have noticed lately that there has been quite a few g/box problems and failures whith auto transmisions so wich is the best then manual box or auto rainy-city
xs

Current SD 2011MY is my 3rd FL2 Auto.
I had driven Rav 4's for some time but an Auto was needed for medical reasons, it had to be diesel/auto and in 2008 LR was was best option.
Current SD is brilliant, torque/power for overtaking and fuel consumption regularly over 40 mpg.
All have done lots of off road at rallies where I often drive full 42+ miles of forrest roads either with timkeeper ahead of rally or as closing car following last car.
Would not consider manual even if it were an option for me. 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.

Difficult one that.
Mine is a manual; the clutch doesn't fail, the DMF however does, causing clutch slip.
I had the clutch/DMF replaced at 26k miles and was begining to think i wished i'd bought an auto.
Until i heard of auto's having problems.

In any event, it's all not good from L/R. I feel as if i'm going to dig deep into my pockets now it's out of warranty. Another member of the failed FL2 clutch/DMF club, twice.

I've not driven an autobox for years, as my company cars have all been manual to get the lowest CO for income tax purposes. When we bought the second hand Freelander our choice was 2009 Auto GS or GS newer manual or the same age higher spec manual. We went the auto route and to be honest it's the nicest driving thing I've used in a long while. What sold it to us was the fact that round here when the snow comes the roads block up and a 5 mile run can take an hour ( Yesterday it did!) so an auto is ideal. In practice it has proved great for every task thrown at it and after a bit of coaching at the LRE I use the Command Shift for nipping around town when necessary. I'm not hung up about being in "control" and I don't "enjoy" driving as much a I used to so Auto every time on this car. 2009 GS Auto Zermatt Silver - Sold June 21 after 10 years of ownership

2016 Subaru Outback SE 2.0 diesel SE Premium Lineartronic Sold 2024 after 8 years and 80k miles . Best Car I ever owned !

2023 Toyota Hilux invincible X 2.8 Auto .

I can understand about members having concerns about the auto box but the amount of auto boxes that you here have failed is a lot less than the amount of manuals you here about with various problems, gear linkage, sixth gear lock out and the DMF clutch problems?

Mines an auto and every-time I have a loan, normally a manual one ( had them for weeks on end ) I do miss my auto.
The auto is refined and swift and grunts away from the lights, so much better than changing from 1st to 2nd in a manual halfway across a junction or large roundabout due to the gearing.
Auto model does use more fuel but on a run very little in it but must say the auto compliments the car a 100%

Oldgeezer +1 Couldn't have put it better.

Another vote for the auto here. The 6 ratios are nicely spaced and it makes acceleration quicker and smoother than a manual IMO. The only drawback is the slight hesitation when making quick getaways onto busy roundabouts, but after a bit of practice it isn't a problem. Cheers,
Raz
FL1 TD4 GS Auto 2001 Silver
FL2 TD4 Auto 2007 Black
FL2 XS SD4 Auto 2012 Fuji White

oldgeezer wrote:

Mines an auto and every-time I have a loan, normally a manual one ( had them for weeks on end ) I do miss my auto.
The auto is refined and swift and grunts away from the lights, so much better than changing from 1st to 2nd in a manual halfway across a junction or large roundabout due to the gearing.
Auto model does use more fuel but on a run very little in it but must say the auto compliments the car a 100%

People are scared about auto's because of their more complex structure.
But since the '50s, when they first appeared, their construction doesn't changed a lot. Instead they matured and improved a lot.
Also people are scared about the fact that modern ones are not purely mechanical as in the past and they are controlled by electronics.
But few people know that even with the electronics of the box damaged or taken out completely, the box still runs. It would run in a so called "emergency" mode, a purely mechanical one, in third gear. Who is daring can try pulling the F2 fuse from the engine fuse box and will see. (I did it for fun and curiosity, but if you do it, you'll do it on your own risk... )

The Doctor wrote:

I agree about the gearing on the manual. Because 1st is only good for getting you going it is irritating so if in a hurry I use sand mode which makes a difference.

taztastic wrote:

As for auto users, if you want to loose the hesitation, come off the brake early, let it creep and it will take off quickly, the brakes cut the throttle and the gearbox knows your using them.

Thanks Taz, that is the wife's main gripe with the auto

Except Defender all models used at land Rover Experience are AUTO. They cope better than manual in difficult conditions. 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.

I hold it on the handbrake too, if needed, but I suspect it may not be wise.
If I come straight off the brakes there is a gentle kick? Maybe the haldex going into 4wd then it goes, let it roll and it doesn't kick and off it goes, as it does if held on the handbrake.
The auto has a brain, you have to know how to play it.

We're you in Scotland this week, not much snow around, -7 in Elgin this morning, was seriously impressed with the heated screen and ptc.

druand wrote:

Except Defender all models used at land Rover Experience are AUTO. They cope better than manual in difficult conditions.