IMHO maximum distance in auto as a yard stick to flying SE's is a slippery slope.
It is always easier to lose height than gain distance. A nearer field you can guarantee making is a far better option than chancing a distant field that you might make ( unless of course the distant field is the only option! Although the way things are going here that will turn into an airmanship discussion).
Few people die falling 6-8 feet. All die falling a couple of thousand. As an ex FI I'd insist a ppl could enter auto well,and make a reasonable job of the flare. Throttle control in a real auto is not required so why overload a ppl before they're able. The reality is that in a real auto 99.9% would mess up the flare and do the aircraft some damage.