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[Andy B]

Fluid flywheel does absorb energy .... but only when its working and "slipping" once it "locks up" it becomes as efficient as a standard gearbox. "Lock-up" on my omega is around 45 mph under "light footed" driving conditions ... if you concentrate it almost feels like an extra gear change.

As to more trouble ...  mines done 155,000 and so far no problems.... there are many other AR35s out there with the same or more miles  and its never had (and never will need) a clutch change, a master cylinder change, a slave cylinder change etc etc etc   

mine does the same at 45mph light footed...i used to think that was the box going into top gear 

It probably was, though it will lock-up in 3rd as well as in 4th

[terry paget]

Also an epicyclic has more gears in mesh than a synchromesh box, resulting in greater power loss. But, shucks, who cares? I read on this site of auto box problems so have always shunned them. I wonder now if I am making a big mistake. As said, clutch changes, slave cylinder failures, could be a thing of the past. I have read that smartly nipping away is impossible on autos, but I guess cars vary.

[Andy B]

....
 could be a thing of the past.  ....

You know it makes sense 

[omega2018]

2.6 puts our 132kw at 6000rpm, 3.2 puts out 160kw at 6000rpm
so if you put a 3.2 into a 2.6 car you will have 21% more power than before.

top speed manual gearbox on 2.6 diff is 3mph more than auto 2.6.  i expect the acceleration is a lot better 2.6 man v 2.6 auto because you have an extra gear. i also expect fuel economy will be better  on 3.2 manual v 3.2 auto, even with the 2.6 diff.  fuel consumption on 2.6 auto is 10% worse than 2.6 man (urban)

[05omegav6]

Keeping the 2.6 diff will make it quicker off the line, but at a price... at 70 it will be pulling an extra 500rpm... which will mean increased consumption, noise and wear...

Your choice, but choose carefully

[Entwood]

Also an epicyclic has more gears in mesh than a synchromesh box, resulting in greater power loss. But, shucks, who cares? I read on this site of auto box problems so have always shunned them. I wonder now if I am making a big mistake. As said, clutch changes, slave cylinder failures, could be a thing of the past. I have read that smartly nipping away is impossible on autos, but I guess cars vary.

May I humbly suggest a ride in a 3.2 auto with sports mode selected and the right foot "planted" (road conditions allowing of course) ... I have a strong feeling you might be very, very surprised ...    (lots of chavs in pocket rockets who lose the traffic light grande prix are   )

[YZ250]

..........
 I have read that smartly nipping away is impossible on autos, but I guess cars vary.

For the past few years bmw auto's have been quicker to 60mph AND more economical than their manual equivalent. 
Shows how things change over the years. 

To the OP:
Go for the 3.2 and nick your dad's auto box, you know you want to. 

[zirk]

I would go 3.2 Manual all day long, but thats just me, always have preferred Manuals over Auto's, having said that the the AR35 is a good box and is well suited in a 3.2 Omega if you can afford the fuel in heavy traffic.

But driving at an average speed of around 9mph in London Traffic is a no brainier for me.

I drive a couple of 3.2 Manuals, but I really do miss my 3.0 Manual MV6, far better engines for economy and can be brought to 3.2 power spec and beyond very easy.

[tigers_gonads]

Will you lot stop talking about manual 3.2's 

I've been trying to get mine sorted for the last month with no piggin luck 

[Andy B]

....

But driving at an average speed of around 9mph in London Traffic is a no brainier for me.
 ....

city driving = auto surely ..... 

[tigers_gonads]

....

But driving at an average speed of around 9mph in London Traffic is a no brainier for me.
 ....

city driving = auto surely ..... 

Auto's / town work are nice if somebody else is paying the fuel bill 

[Andy B]

.....


Auto's / town work are nice if somebody else is paying the fuel bill 

but do you buy a 3.2 V6 for fuel economy? My diesel isn't much different from my 3.0 Omega economy wise ..... but hardly unexpected for a 2300kg permanent 4 wheel drive

[Entwood]

.....


Auto's / town work are nice if somebody else is paying the fuel bill 

but do you buy a 3.2 V6 for fuel economy? My diesel isn't much different from my 3.0 Omega economy wise ..... but hardly unexpected for a 2300kg permanent 4 wheel drive

But your fuel spend at the moment is precisely zero ... which is way better than mine even on LPG .. but then again .. I can actually drive mine .. 

(sorry .... couldn't resist it !!    )

[Andy B]

....
But your fuel spend at the moment is precisely zero ... which is way better than mine even on LPG .. but then again .. I can actually drive mine .. 

(sorry .... couldn't resist it !!    )

That fact has been mentioned ...... so far, the current tank of diesel has lasted nearly two months! 

[Nick W]

Also an epicyclic has more gears in mesh than a synchromesh box, resulting in greater power loss. But, shucks, who cares? I read on this site of auto box problems so have always shunned them. I wonder now if I am making a big mistake. As said, clutch changes, slave cylinder failures, could be a thing of the past. I have read that smartly nipping away is impossible on autos, but I guess cars vary.

Auto box problems depend on the gearbox - the 4L30 fitted to an Omega isn't a problem until really high mileages when it is just worn out; this is borne out by the ready and cheap availability of good used gearboxes. Other boxes aren't as good; the four speed auto fitted to nineties BMWs from is pretty poor, trans failures are also common on E-class Mercs and used ones have always commanded a premium.


As for reliability and performance, just go to a dragstrip: most successful and all big power(and a 500bhp smallblock is a just decent street/strip motor!) will be running autos for durability and drivability reasons. 


Personally I would prefer a manual, but the 3.0l auto is such a well-judged combination that I would happily buy another. Smaller engines(not to mention small engines) are and always have been terrible.