What would you say is the more robust/reliable transmission for a car with circa 80-90k miles manual or auto ? I notice when looking at some of the adds a lot of the manual cars will say just had clutch and flywheel done so is this to be an expected bill with a manual ? I haven't had a manual for a good few years now but i have owned 2 bmw autos and my range rover ( 6 speed zf ) which were all at around 100k when i sold them, all cars gave me no transmission problems whatsoever.

So basically what I'm asking is when buying cars with higher millage (80-100k) are you better going for a manual or auto ? i suppose even if you do need to replace the clutch and flywheel its going to be a lot cheaper than an auto box rebuild right ? Range Rover Vogue 2006 4.4 AJV8 | Buckingham Blue | Parchment Leather | Supercharged Grill+Side Vents | CA02 HEY ( NOT 02 PLATE )

I prefer automatics in this case. If maintained properly they are gentler on the engine, last a lot longer than normal clutches etc. Apart from the TD6 GM box of course  MY 2010 5.0 SC Galway green and sand interior!!
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Can't see the point of a manual... all the car makers make cars easier to drive with electronics and gadgets that turn everything on and off for you, speech recognition etc etc and then they put a 6,7 or 8 speed box in it so you have to change gear all day long.......

I also think, on the whole, they live longer, better....  Pete
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There are certainly some poor transmissions of both types and, for one particular model, there might be a clear choice.

In GENERAL, I would say automatics have less problems, but are more expensive to fix when they do go wrong. Also, a poor driver can quickly ruin a manual transmission. It's a lot harder to damage an automatic unless it's willful abuse.

As for which to go for, I had my share of small four cylinder engine cars with 3 speed autos and I'd never want another one. Small engine, get a manual transmission. On a V8 with a sophisticated, modern 6,7 or 8-speed auto, I'd take that over a manual any day.

Also, some cars really fit one or the other: the FFRR really fits an automatic, a 911 RS3 would be more fun (but probably not faster) with a manual.

I have an automatic V8 Disco 1 and love the automatic every time I go off-roading and don't have to worry about a wading plug!

Good points above

But to add, my wife has a TDV6 D3 with a manual box which was her choice! My issue is the mass damped flywheel is SOOO damped it try’s to tear the clutch apart constantly! So there has to be a limit, & i think LR crept past it with this...

I go for auto’s all the way

All diesels and powerful petrol cars with manual transmissions have dual mass flywheels now and as Craig just said when they have done destroying your clutch they follow right behind at great expense , my wife's T5 practically had me in tears it was so expensive for what appeared to be a clutch plate and a springy disc of metal . So with regular oil changes it's automatics all the way for me and it is much harder to abuse an automatic  2008 MY Supercharged
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My cars are a mix between auto and manual and my view is it's not just the make and age of gearbox but, when buying secondhand, how it's been treated since new.

In that regard, I don't think you can separate between auto or manual but more like whether one has had its fluid changed regularly or the clutch treated properly.

In the case of a brand new purchase, then I'd probably say auto as I agree these DMF manual 'boxes can be problematic but, playing devils advocate here, that's down to the clutch and not strictly the gearbox itself.

Equally, a 'sealed for life' auto with high miles and its original bath water is going to be a potential money pit, too. Si. <This is my name.

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Haylands wrote:

Can't see the point of a manual... all the car makers make cars easier to drive with electronics and gadgets that turn everything on and off for you, speech recognition etc etc and then they put a 6,7 or 8 speed box in it so you have to change gear all day long.......

I also think, on the whole, they live longer, better....

 FF RR Vogue 2003 TD6

thanks for the input

So auto seems to be the sensible choice, thing is i really miss manuals and as good as autos may be nowadays i do enjoy driving a manual. Another thing is it really just depends on what comes up for sale manuals are pretty rare nowadays. I was just thinking when buying secondhand manual or auto you don't know how its been driven and manuals are cheaper to sort when they go wrong right ? what is the average cost of replacing clutch and dmf ? Range Rover Vogue 2006 4.4 AJV8 | Buckingham Blue | Parchment Leather | Supercharged Grill+Side Vents | CA02 HEY ( NOT 02 PLATE )

Absolutely. Most mechanics can repair a manual. For autos, the mechanic just takes it out and sends it to a specialist. (Well, except for Ebajema who fixes them himself! That's hard core.)

I had a manual Honda Accord Saloon. Although I was the second owner, it had been a special order as the saloons are almost NEVER equipped with a manual over here. Basically, I got the performance of the V6 with just the 4-cylinder. Also got the best mileage of all the non-hybrid Accords and laughed as Honda issued TWO recalls for my exact model while I owned it. Both were for the automatic transmission.

When buying used, it's always a case of what's available. Decide what you want and then wait/look for it. I agree manuals are a lot of full. However, it does depend on your commute. A manual in hours of stop-and-go crawling traffic is not fun. (Well, I guess it's not much fun in ANYTHING, but at lease an auto is easier on the legs.)

Simple question that has the biggest affect on the answer, well two really...

PWhat car?
Is it a proper auto we are talking about, FFRR MY06 facelift With TDV8 Alloys Zeros/ATR's
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