Auto Disco

[Roddy]

Lads,
I'm in the market to change my disco, and was toying with the idea of an auto. Does anyone have experience with towing with an auto? I have a 23' caravan which the 200 deals with ok, but I think the 300 auto would be much more civilised. I am told it has a higher output than the manual to make up for the losses in the auto box? Any problems to look out for with this box? Any answers much appreciated. Cheers, Roddy.:cargos:

[laalmarra]

HAve a look here there recent threads whichmay hold the answer until some of the caravanners log on :D

http://www.landrovernet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24515&highlight=auto

http://www.landrovernet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=25689&highlight= auto
http://www.landrovernet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26640&highlight=auto

[Roger Whittle]

I can't advise on Disco's with an auto box, even though I'm after one myself, but I have towed a whole raft of heavy trailers with automatic gearboxes in a variety of cars. My current 1.8 Astra is a fine little tug and I honestly wouldn't tow with anthing but an auto. You just keep pushing the throttle open until the rig starts to move and you never have to worry about burning anything out. I reckon the thing you need to look at is the brakes - can they stop the brute?

[si_guru]

Look here (http://www.landrovernet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26238).

[seehatch]

I used to get 26 on average from my previous TD5 GS. manual. I now get around 21 from my TD5 Es Auto. It`s certainly not what landrover claim to get!
Just returned from a round trip of 550 mls. Mostly Dual & Motorway.
Averaged 27ml pg. Probably reasonable for Auto. My 21mpg average was around town. I must admit I`m spoilt now with auto & cruise control.
I wouldn`t go back to manual.
As for off road ability it`s just a capable if not more so.
If you can accept the slightly lower fuel figures it`s definately the one to go for!

[cole]

Hi

I wouldn't change my auto for a manual. Just went off roading rescently and i found it performed better than the 110 defender on the same route. As for towing even better, smooth drive all the way.

[Dave109]

Hi all
Just ( well month ago ) traded my 300tdi manual for a td5 auto ( Discovery).
Of course it's a different engine with electric everything but the smooth power delivery and cruise are great. Have not had it long enough to work out fuel consumption but is probably comperable to the 300tdi and the ride is far better. Very happy ( at the moment :p )

Dave 109

Ser iii ffr 109
td5 disco

[laalmarra]

Hi all
Just ( well month ago ) traded my 300tdi manual for a td5 auto ( Discovery).
Of course it's a different engine with electric everything but the smooth power delivery and cruise are great. Have not had it long enough to work out fuel consumption but is probably comperable to the 300tdi and the ride is far better. Very happy ( at the moment :p )

Dave 109

Ser iii ffr 109
td5 disco


Well done fella ;)

[Dew1911]

Well I have the RR Auto and it tows perfectly, the gearbox seems to like towing. Everything from my Grandparents 24' caravan to a rented trailer to help my G/F move (when yuo're the only one with a 3 tonne off roader, it's always in demand.)

[discojim]

I changed my 200 manual Disco for a 300 TDI Auto. It was the best move I made. I pull a 19 foot twin axle caravan and you wouldnt even know it was there. Even pulling away is so smooth. I also use it to pull an ifor williams trailer which from time to time is 3.5 ton. If you have test driven an auto and like it go for it......

[bushy]

Ive got a td5 xs auto and think its great at towing the caravan,it seems a lot better than my old m reg 3ootdi 110 defender was at pulling it and a lot smoother .The mpg is a lot worse than with the td5 discovery i used to have but that was a manual I couldn't tell you the difference between the td5 manual and the td5 auto at towing because i never had a tow bar fitted to the td5 manual.The downside i have found between the td5 auto and the manual is the fuel consumption

[manthing]

bushy, if you never got the chance to tow with the manwell, the TD5 would deffo look a bit hungry when towing..

[graham]

Most things have been said, I have auto TD5 find it great for towing and off road. ;)