Which is best for the FL2 TD4 driving experience - a manual shift or auto.

Ah ha, looks like I'm the only one who likes a manual box

Experience came from driving a jeep cherokee auto in the snow and having difficulty stopping going down a steep hill so I prefer a manual box for that reason. ______________________
2011 Full Fat RR 4.4 TDV8
2012 FL2 SD4 Auto HSE
2013 Kawasaki Versys 650

The only thing that puts me off the manual box is the drop in fuel economy. My manual TD4 consuption pretty well matched the claimed combined 37mpg, so I'm guessing the claimed 33mpg for the auto box is going to be pretty close to the reality. Not wanting to hijack the original thread, but are there any auto box users who use it mostly in CommandShift mode? If so, what sort of mpg can you get out of it?

37mpg

I only get 32mpg, and thats either around town or on a long run  ______________________
2011 Full Fat RR 4.4 TDV8
2012 FL2 SD4 Auto HSE
2013 Kawasaki Versys 650

If you are thinking in “off road”, the best way will be AUTO. You don’t have transfer gearbox, and your clutch is going to pay that. Auto Freelander 1, works pretty well for off road, and you can imagine on a FL2 can be superb!
The new comandshift gearbox is simply incredible!!! Yuri
(ARS) XE1UN, EA1HCZ

13 LR2 (FL2) HSE Lux SI4
Havana/Black
(Mexico)

08 LR2 (FL2) SE
Tambora/Black
(Mexico GONE)

05 DISCOVERY 3 G4 V8
Tangiers Orange/Black
(Spain)

13 RANGE ROVER SPORT HSE SDV6
Orkney Grey / Ebony (Black)
(Spain)

07 RANGE ROVER SPORT HSE TDV8
Java Black/Black
(Spain GONE)

02 DEFENDER 90 BLACK LE TD5
(Spain GONE)

09 VOLVO XC70 OCEAN RACE EDITION D5
Ocean Race Blue
(Spain)

Ladies and Gentlemen,

we live in the 21st Century! To get the bread/rolls from the bakery we use our car in the morning, to buy cigaretts, we use our car, to get the newspaper - we use our car - we are stuck in a traffic jam and the automatc transmission driver sits relaxed in his/her seat and enjoys the music from his/her audio system.
Joke aside, the TD4 diesel engine cries for an automatic transmission due to its high torque at relatively low rev's. Increase in fuel consumption is very low, if any. Off-road capabilities with an automatic increase due to the electronic link with the terrain reponse system. The resale value of an automatic is much more stable, as automatic transmission is very much in demand, and offers cannot match demand.
The only negative aspect is the price increase. But once this is overcome the joy never ends.

Yamaha-Fan

yamaha-fan wrote:

The only negative aspect is the price increase. But once this is overcome the joy never ends.
Yamaha-Fan

+100 !

we test drove an hse auto on saturday (Barretts, Canterbury) and never having had an auto i was mighty impressed. gear change so smooth and great response - we didnt try the manual mode. the salesman then took us on their "off road" course - two wheels on and two wheels off a steep concrete bank (bloody scary, the wife nearly had kittens), foot off brake down a steep incline. great fun and seriously competent. if they can do the right deal i hope to buy one

cuz wrote:

we test drove an hse auto on saturday (Barretts, Canterbury) and never having had an auto i was mighty impressed. gear change so smooth and great response - we didnt try the manual mode. the salesman then took us on their "off road" course - two wheels on and two wheels off a steep concrete bank (bloody scary, the wife nearly had kittens), foot off brake down a steep incline. great fun and seriously competent. if they can do the right deal i hope to buy one

If they can't do the deal, go somewhere else, then play each of them off, to get the deal.

You'll not regret the extra work when your a proud owner.

Good luck choosing your colour!!!!!

The Wistler White TD4,HSE with sunroof on order is an auto.In Australia Auto is only available,plus i need one to put in hand controls so can drive it with me being disabled.Will be looking forward to trying out this Commandshift as well.

I drove both and my plan was to purchase the Auto because the missus drives Auto only.

After driving both, I just found I enjoyed the Manual a lot more - it had a great gearbox and felt really good. So.....have purchased the Manual XS. Should be with me in Sept (plus over 3 years it was £800 cheaper over the auto).

Hi,
Some of this depends upon when you bought your car the auto was introduced later then the manual.

I guess, other like me only a had a choice of manual, but I'm happy with what I have

Paul;

WazKayani,

I guess thats one way to stop the missus driving it  ______________________
2011 Full Fat RR 4.4 TDV8
2012 FL2 SD4 Auto HSE
2013 Kawasaki Versys 650

I tried the manual version at the FL2 launch in UK last autumn. The long wait for the auto version to appear was annoying, but I am soooooo gald I waited. It's simply brilliant in terms of performance and smoothness. So far the 32 -33 mpg combined seems spot on! Life is not a dress rehearsal!

I've currently got the manual, but despite the problems I've had, it is a FANTASTIC motor.......however!!......as I have had the opportunity to get a 'buy back' and exchange my current car, I drove the auto....hmmmm not that impressed on the road with the auto in 'auto' mode, but great in command shift on the test drive, once i had got used to it. Pick up the replacement on 1st Sept, so give me a few days to settle in to both standard 'auto mode' and 'command shift' and I will give the full reply. I think for mundane driving, the 'auto standard' mode will be 100%, then if you need manual change for a 'sportier' drive the command shift will come into its own..........I hope

Will keep you posted...either way its better than the competition, this months 'WHAT CAR' mag voted best in category, even over the Honda. Said is was pricy but well worth the extra cash over the competition.