What you're describing is more turbo lag than a transmission issue. The DS does not have a true transfer case for the low range 4x4 modes so they are using an extra low 1st gear in the transmission that is not used while you are in standard drive modes. When you are using regular drive modes you are really starting off in 2nd gear, not 1st which makes the turbo lag a little more noticeable and pronounced.

 

I have read that this was an issue with the 2.2 engine, but not with the 2.0 - does that gel with those who have concerns?

I am using the same ZF gearbox, or at least the 8-spd version of the basically same box, in a 5 series and I have not been aware that the DS box in the ones I have test driven is sluggish in comparison (as long as not in eco mode). And I am very fussy about such things and only a recent convert to auto at all, having preferred manual because of this very kind of issue with auto's of old.

My main perception of the auto box in the DS is no perception at all - it just does what it should do, which is the biggest compliment I can give to an auto box.

My wife (new to auto's - she rarely drives mine), did perceive the issue described, so perhaps I already just know how to drive this ZF box. In that case, the answer is tickle the throttle, or even jus let it creep and as soon as the car starts to move you can start feeding in the power - and this is over a very short period - 0.25 sec perhaps.

I assume that this is not being compounded by stop-start technology issues? - I always turn that off as I rarely come to a 100% standstill and when I do it's off for seconds only so in most cases it saves me nothing and is annoying.

 

Mine had the dreaded hesitancy from a standing start, which is a "nuisance" as I have to pull out onto a main road with very poor visibility to my right. Bit of a disappointment for a car with 240bhp and 500Nm, once moving she goes like a startled rat, but still not a good idea. So as part of a DPF fix the guys did an upgrade to 300bhp, now I can't verify what the power increase is but it is very noticeable. Upside is that the lag has completely gone, shockingly so as you can hear the fronts scuffing - not spinning, but certainly a chirrup as you plant the foot into the carpet on full right lock, not careful and the rear will step out.
Now the worry, either the LR engineers are complete idiots or they have been told to limit things from a standstill to protect the transmission. The D240 doesn't have the Haldex as it can't handle 500Nm of torque, I guess I am going to find out if the GKN system also needs the kid gloves treatment.
Being honest the extra power in the beginning was fun, the lack of hesitancy is going to be a lifesaver, but plant your foot down and she feels a bit like an old Ford Escort Turbo with torque steer despite being in 4WD, and it's 30 years since I had the rear step out like she will now.

 

8<
So as part of a DPF fix the guys did an upgrade to 300bhp......
8<

Andy, may one enquire who your 'guys' are please? As you live in my neck o' the woods, they may come in handy post warranty wise.

 

the auto box in mine is almost perfect, you sound like you are driving a freelender auto - which is sh1t

 

Mine gives no issues at all, some Evoques had gearbox problems but not heard of them with the DS.
Tim

 

Tommo

Loads of posts on forum regarding this, do a search to view, I have had the car 9 months and you do get used to it even though you shouldn't have to.

 

One of the main features that gets consistently brilliant scores from all the independent reviews of the DS is the 'fantastic' 9 speed auto! I have never read a review that didn't like it.

 

One of the main features that gets consistently brilliant scores from all the independent reviews of the DS is the 'fantastic' 9 speed auto! I have never read a review that didn't like it.

Unfortunately in the US, several reputable car reviewing magazines and sites have problems with DS' transmission.

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2015/09/land-rover-discovery-sport-review/index.htm
http://www.motortrend.com/cars/land-rover/discovery-sport/2015/
http://www.cars.com/land-rover/discovery-sport/2016/expert-reviews/

I personally think DS' transmission is fine -> once you get used to it. However for the expert reviewers, as the guy from Consumer Reports, they "expect more".

 

the US reviews, and problems with the drive, are most likely petrol engine, and not the transmission, as mentioned in a few reviews that I read.

 

Your driving style will adjust to the slight lag ... try being less aggressive with the throttle pedal as you set off

 

Yeah - me - also used to merc 7-speed (her indoors has a 2014 SLK). 2-3 seconds is a bit long - it just feels that way when heavy things are heading towards you! Still, I find I use the paddles to get it down into the gear I know it's going to need ahead of time rather than wait for it to get up, have a coffee, put some socks on, and then decide it's ready to do what I asked...

 

One of the main features that gets consistently brilliant scores from all the independent reviews of the DS is the 'fantastic' 9 speed auto! I have never read a review that didn't like it.

Just makes you wonder if the reviewers actually drove the car or just regurgitated the brochureware.

 

Quite the opposite. As far as I'm concerned it's as good as if not better than any other auto box I've ever had and that includes those from BMW, Mercedes, Audi and Porsche.

 

In my opinion auto box is brilliant except for pulling away quickly from a standstill, I think the issue is that car stops and starts in 2nd gear and when you press the accelerator hard it is in wrong gear for fast getaway. As I said before you get used to pressing accelerator lightly to get moving and judging the gaps you can pull into at roundabouts etc..

 

I have to wonder if the people happy with the box are more tolerant than I of the poor and slow selection process, or never experienced a better system, or if some people's boxes are worse than others.

 

Yes, I experience the same issue. It is very annoying. It up-shifts so quickly than needed & I often hear the higher gear engine sound! And downshifting is very slow! I have to kick down every time :-(
Like everyone says, I may get used to it & live with this nuisance eventually.

 

Yes, I experience the same issue. It is very annoying. It up-shifts so quickly than needed & I often hear the higher gear engine sound! And downshifting is very slow! I have to kick down every time :-(
Like everyone says, I may get used to it & live with this nuisance eventually.

Are you using the car in Eco mode as your description of the gearbox behaviour fits that very well. In normal mode its very easy to control the gear changes with pressure on the accelerator allowing it to change up or down as and when you want it.My most recent auto before the DS is a Golf Gti with DSG and that behaved very similarly to the DS.
Tim

 

Maybe im too fussy.

It surely cant be too much to ask for it to be in first by default from a standing start though can it? Using the paddles is a good shout as a workaround but should you be expected to take over because you cant trust the car to be in the right gear to pull out on a busy road?

As I say, I could be expecting too much but for a £40k+ car I'm a little disappointed

 

Hi Tommo

I have faced same kind of very slow gear change but only when the temperature is 20 Celsius degrees below zero.

On warmer conditions my gearbox is working like a dream

 

Try sand mode to see what the DS is capable of setting off

 

Yes, I experience the same issue. It is very annoying. It up-shifts so quickly than needed & I often hear the higher gear engine sound! And downshifting is very slow! I have to kick down every time :-(
Like everyone says, I may get used to it & live with this nuisance eventually.

Are you using the car in Eco mode as your description of the gearbox behaviour fits that very well. In normal mode its very easy to control the gear changes with pressure on the accelerator allowing it to change up or down as and when you want it.My most recent auto before the DS is a Golf Gti with DSG and that behaved very similarly to the DS.
Tim

Hi Tim, I drive in normal mode. I have now learned to change down. It doesn't change automatically on its own whenever needed. If this is the case all the time, I rather prefer to drive the manual transmission car

I face the exact problem as written in the following review.
http://www.autoblog.com/2015/07/23/2015-land-rover-discovery-sport-review/

 

Couldn't agree more, going for an overtake the other month and as soon as you put the foot down it should just go but no, its like the DS is having a think about what it should do. "mmmm what gear am I in..... do I need to go down a gear..... yes lets do that....." then 2 seconds later you get a burst of power and speed.

It was getting so bad I took it back to the dealership who did some checks on it and found that one of the 3 computers was out of synch.
After fixing it the lag is not as bad as it was but certainly not perfect.

I face the exact problem as written in the following review.
http://www.autoblog.com/2015/07/23/2015 ... rt-review/

yup, the review sums up the problem well.

 

Hi Guys
I'm new here, but have been looking around for an explanation for this issue.
I'm completely with Tommo on this.
Have driven other automatics, predominately BMW.
For a premium brand it is a terrible gearbox I think. I have tried all driving modes and I find normal non-Eco to be the least painful. It's my wife's car and she loves it, so that's that.
We also suffer from the B-pillar rattle.

 

Are the ones complaining of lag from standstill driving the 2.2 engine model with 6 speed box or the later 2.0 Ingenium engine with 9 speed box?

My current Freelander has the 180 BHP 2.2 engine with 6 speed box and definately suffers from it but the DS's that I have driven twice now with 2.0 litre Ingeniums and 9 speed box were definitely much better but not quite perfect. Try launching in sport mode, it seems to improve it slightly.

 

All the DS'S have the 9 speed auto, 2.2d and 2.0d.