Discovery auto or manual

[BarryB_5039906]

Hi there

I am about to change my towcar and would like some advice. I currently own a Discovery 3, towing a Coachman Laser and I shall be buying a new Discovery 3 (no comments on that please), but I have always had manuals and the dealer suggested I look at the auto box. I have had a test drive and it feels different but I am sure I could get used to it. I was wondering what other Disco owners think about the automatic for towing and what is the fuel consumption like compared to the manual. At the moment I get about 22.5mpg when towing and around 26 to 29 mpg for going to work. Many thanks in advance. Happy travels BarryB

 

[Dustydog]

Barry

All your answers are on the previous thread, Automatic or manual.

Cheers

Alan

 

[JTQ]

I tested both over 60 miles towing first the manual then immediately after the auto.

The end result was an easy decision even for a lifelong manual enthusiast, its simply more refined. Also I found the engine tone of the manual was not sufficiently dominant for the change points to come as naturally as all previous vehicles. After four years and a number of oportunities to retry the manual I am very much convinced I made the right choice in the auto.

Turning to fuel consumption; the auto cant be as fuel efficient so if you chose an auto with todays engine spec then it would cost more in fuel that a manual of the same engine spec.

How much is wholely dependant on you journey profile; if this entails start stopping and through gear usage the penalty will be greater than if its free running journeys. This could be as bad as 20% but that would be my expectations for an in city useage pattern. Typically I think 10% is nearer most peoples usage. Towing I am now getting an average of 21.6, with a 1900kg van on longish runs with no headwind. Good days its been up to 23.5, bad days down to 19. I previously had a lighter but squarer van and with that things were a tan worse.

I cant give you an usable solo figure as its extremely rare I do any free running solo trips other than of about 20 miles. On the few long runs I have done in fours years it has kissed 30, but for the local use its been nearer 25, Hope this helps, the auto is a fantastic tow car. John

 

[lyn_5041588]

I have towed with manual and auto we are towing with auto at the moment are van is a elddis 505 and i would'nt go back to manual,auto makes towing much more relaxed I'm sure you would get used to it

 

[RogerP]

Lyn , are you towing your Elddis 505 with a Disco 3? Only we have a Avante Club 505 which I think is similar?

I've just changed my Freelander 2 for a Disco 3 and not yet towed with it and would be interested on your view.

 

[JTQ]

RogerP,

It should have absolutely no problems with a van of 5.9 m body and under 1400 kg.

I am pulling 1900kg with 6.3 m body also on a single axle and it handles that well. However the LOA of the van is 7.9 M and with the Disco I had to uncouple to exit one French site, the turn was just too tight!

John

 

[Wendy-Norfolk]

We also tow our 1900kg twin axle 'van with the Disco 3, and it tows like a dream. We would not contemplate changing to a manual.

 

[lyn_5041588]

no i tow with discovery 2 it is an absolutly brilliant tow vechical,people can knock them as much as they like but i wouldn't change it,and apparently discovery 3 is better.

 

[ed1]

hello all we tow with a discovery 3, (this is our second one) and both have been manual. i dont like automatic cars. so i cant comment on the auto version, but ours tows a compass 524 which is 6.2 long and just over 1400kg...and does it with ease...i dont feel i need an auto to do the job...but as i said never had one...dont want one..it is in the end down to personal choice...which ever you choose i think you will like what youve got..regards ED