v70 D5 auto v's manual - driving impressions ?

[40t]

If anyone's owned both, I'd be interested to know how the manual drives.

Given the relaxed nature of the car, I accept it's probably better suited to the auto, but is the manual pleasant to use? I've a tendency to alternate between buying auto and manual cars, probably because I've become bored with the former: would I regret it after a while if I changed my excellent auto V70 for one?

For the most part I've found manual diesels less appealing than petrol - the noise is usually uninspiring so there's no satisfaction in hanging on to a gear - but I'd imagine this might not be the case with the D5, in the higher gears at least - perhaps not so much in the lower gears, but at least it would avoid the auto induced slurring noise in those ratios.

Many thanks in anticipation.

'08 D5

[apersson850]

I've not driven a car exactly like mine with manual gearbox. I do agree with your feeling that the automatic suits it well.
Mine is an XC70 D5 (230 hp/470 Nm).

[GrahamBrown1]

I’ve had both, currently all auto at the min. Auto wins for me. Nothing wrong with the manual but I feel the auto just makes it a nicer drive.

[40t]

Thank you Apersson. On the question of noise (auto or otherwise), there seems to be quite a disparity between those who find it attractive at all speeds and those who don't (e.g. High Peak Autos on YouTube, when he tests an early p.3 like mine and expresses surprise that some like it).

I wonder whether those in the former camp have the later version? I understand the twin turbos helped and that it also had different engine mounts? Oddly, mine sounds excellent from lower speeds, a lovely soft noise, but only on hot summer days - it can't be replicated in less warm weather, even after a long run. It otherwise sounds its best in the upper ratios.

[40t]

Thank you Graham. Do you recall, were first and second tall ratios or was it a question of getting through the lower gears quickly? And, if they were tall, did the noise encourage making full use of them?

[100K+]

I run a manual 2015MY V70 D5. It can run all day across country, never exceed 2000 RPM. yet still make rapid progress. In 4th you can exceed 70MPH and not hit the rev limiter. Where to me manual works over auto is economy. Keep the revs under 2000 (i stick to 65mph) and only the small turbo runs. At these speeds I can return 55mpg on runs from North east to Lincolnshire.
I also run a V60 Phev (auto) and have to say I don't hate the auto as much as I thought I would.
Cheers Bob

[40t]

Thanks Bob, it sounds then as though it's geared the same as the auto in top. I wonder why they didn't go all out and set it 400 rpm lower at 70. Perhaps for towing. What about the noise in the lower gears - does it encourage hanging on to them or changing up quickly?

[griston64]

I have a 2012 V70 D5 facelift and think the autobox suits the car very well. It's much more of a motorway cruiser than a town runabout anyway

I never use the manual option but sometimes dabble with sport mode

Not sure the exact ratio but I think there were miles more autos than manuals so you will have more choice of colour and spec etc with an auto

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by 40t

Thank you Apersson. On the question of noise (auto or otherwise), there seems to be quite a disparity between those who find it attractive at all speeds and those who don't (e.g. High Peak Autos on YouTube, when he tests an early p.3 like mine and expresses surprise that some like it).

I wonder whether those in the former camp have the later version? I understand the twin turbos helped and that it also had different engine mounts? Oddly, mine sounds excellent from lower speeds, a lovely soft noise, but only on hot summer days - it can't be replicated in less warm weather, even after a long run. It otherwise sounds its best in the upper ratios.

I wouldn't really take much heed of High Peak. If its not a Range Rover or some other top end car, then he's not that interested and always goes back to the negatives (or what he thinks are negatives). He didn't like the older shape XC90 either, but there's plenty of them with over 200,000 miles for sale, despite them sounding agricultural... he mentioned the sound the engine made on multiple occasions in his review on the XC90. His 5 litre petrol Range Rover won't get to 200k, that is pretty much guaranteed. It would be doing well if it made it to half that.

5 cylinder engines are imbalanced from the factory, refinement isn't their strong point (hence why people call them noisy or agricultural). They're never going to be as smooth as a V6, but they weren't designed to be. I like the 5 cylinder grunt sound, but its not for everyone.

I think auto suits these cars better. It adds to the comfort, in my opinion.

[Tatsfield]

Originally Posted by Kev0607

5 cylinder engines are imbalanced from the factory, refinement isn't their strong point (hence why people call them noisy or agricultural). They're never going to be as smooth as a V6, but they weren't designed to be. I like the 5 cylinder grunt sound, but its not for everyone.

Totally agree that the 5 cylinder growl is addictive. I have the Polestar option taking it to 230 bhp and an insane toque output and when the pedal is floored and the autobox holds off up-changes, the sound is brutal. Quite unlike the staid image of the elderly person's furniture van that other road users see!