Hi folks
I know this is a silly question, but had no luck asking in the DS forum.
Here goes
Am possibly looking to switch to a DS manual, and wondered if any folks know of the manual box on the DS is weak like the freelander 2. Rubbish reverse ratio ect.
Plan to drag my 1500kg tin tent around the country.
I know the auto is the best but the manuals are soo much cheaper at the moment.
Many thanks

How fast do you want to reverse at?

Richard FL2 07 TD4 GS Auto
Ex 02 TD4 Auto

Hi,
biased as have a manual FL2 but the manual box is Not weak anyway

Clutch hydraulics (slave cylinder) can cause probs as its then a new clutch but nothing wrong with the box

Just had a couple of trips with our tintent and it tows a dream and reversing up our drive I have the clutch fully up so experienced no ratio probs either

believe the epoke and DS are the same 6 speed box.

 .
my first ever FL2 and I did keep it longer than most other cars!
But its now gone way up Norf

seagull1 wrote:

How fast do you want to reverse at?

Richard

Having towed for years with a manual and now having an auto I wouldn't go back. Landrover - turning owners into mechanics since 1948

2014 Orkney grey Freelander SD4 GS.
2004 Zambezi silver Discovery 2 Td5 (Gone)
1963 Surf blue Morris Mini Minor Super de Luxe (my little toy)

Yea I know- however the DS manual is about 4K cheaper at the moment.

Is that the 2wd version of the DS? Landrover - turning owners into mechanics since 1948

2014 Orkney grey Freelander SD4 GS.
2004 Zambezi silver Discovery 2 Td5 (Gone)
1963 Surf blue Morris Mini Minor Super de Luxe (my little toy)

£12k for manual fwd

I am surprised that anyone thinks that the FL2 has a weak gearbox, I have been hanging around here for a long time and don't recall many failed manual gearboxes. The rear differentials can fail but this is common to the auto, and seems to be fairly random - some last 50K, some are fine at 180k. The front transfer box is also known to fail, again common with the auto - then again change the oil and she will last a lot longer.

The DS has Haldex 5 the FL2 has either Haldex 3 or 4 depending on the age, properly serviced all should give long service.

The FL2 and DS have 2 tonne capacity so 1,500kg is well within it's capability - have personally towed 3-4 times that for short distances.

Clutches on the other hand are really down to driving style, personally destroyed the clutch in a FL1 in 15,000 miles and didn't have a towbar fitted. The next lasted 80,000 miles - same car.

If you are genuinely bothered about reversing frying the clutch, then for goodness sake spend £250 and fit a motor mover to the caravan - you will NEVER go back to messing about reversing or the awful arguments it causes when you arrive onsite and SWMBO guides you into the next county. Tangiers Orange - gone, missing her
Replaced by Ewok what a mistake - now a happy Disco Sport owner

The price difference is more due to the fact then that its a 2wd rather than 4wd. I'd spend the extra money, over several years it's not so much, to have the vehicle landrover intended and the capability which comes with it..

My previous Discovery was a manual but its low ratio transfer box meant you could crawl in reverse without straining the clutch too much. It still needed 2 dual mass flywheels and clutch kits in the 135000 miles I had it.

Good call on the motormover as well, there are sites where we simply couldn't have got our twin axle onto without them. Landrover - turning owners into mechanics since 1948

2014 Orkney grey Freelander SD4 GS.
2004 Zambezi silver Discovery 2 Td5 (Gone)
1963 Surf blue Morris Mini Minor Super de Luxe (my little toy)

The one I have seen is £12k and is the 4WD model.

As Bob says , towing a tin tent is work for an auto , 12k would get you a decent late Fl2 Sd4 , that would be my choice over a manual Ds anyday . I've got Ds with the 2.2Sd4 engine and autobox and wouldn't go back to a manual now , I would have another Sd4 Fl2 though

Mark 2009 FL2 TD4 SE (Sadly gone)
2007 FL2 TD4 GS (The wifes , gone after 8 great years)
2012 FL2 SD4 SPORT LE(Gone and missing it)
2015 DISCOVERY SPORT 2.2SD4 HSE (Now gone)
2014 Ford Bmax 1.0 ecoboost ( Gone but what next )
2014 Ford Focus 2.0tdci Zetec S (Gone,but what a car)
2020 Ford Fiesta ActiveX 1.0 Ecoboost
2024 Skoda Kodiaq 1.5 Tsi SEL

Hi,
Take it out for a long test drive of at least an hour and then decide if you like it

there is nothing wrong with the manual gearbox and they tow absolutely fine, are autos easier, Yes.

you just have to decide if its what you want, do you like it, will it do what you want and is it in your budget,
there is no Right answer, everyone has there own priorities,
just how many miles will you do, how many will be towing the tintent and how many of those will be going backwards

If you like the deal then its a good deal

and buy a 1ft of floor board for going up any curbs to go with the mover

 .
my first ever FL2 and I did keep it longer than most other cars!
But its now gone way up Norf