DSG vS Manual need advice ?

jayunot777

I am looking at few gti golfs only thing putting me off is dsg gearbox.. i am not a big fan of automatic gearboxes as i always drove manual..

are these gearboxes good and do they give any problems compared to manual gearboxes ?

jayunot777

years between 06-08/. I havnt drove one . just wonder do they cause problems. i am just used to driving manual over the years.. theres few seat leon FRs with the same gearbox.

whippet

When I bought my GTI back in '07 (how I miss it now) .. I never even considered the Auto, I had test driven the Manual and was in the process of getting an order in with the dealer, when he said 'have you even driven the DSG' .. so I took one out for a spin and the manual wasn't even in the game afterwards.

I did 50k miles on the DSG without a glitch

JoeA3

OSI wrote: »

Shifts are ridiculously quick, and a DSG GTI will eat a manual all day long.

It's a good gearbox but l think that's overstating it just a tad.

tossy

JoeA3 wrote: »

It's a good gearbox but l think that's overstating it just a tad.

Agree,i hate when people use terms like 'eat' when talking about the difference between cars,you would need a difference of around 300bhp between the two before you can use terms like 'eat'

Leonard Hofstadter

I'd still prefer the manual, not least because it will be a lot more reliable, personally myself.

Part of the thrill of driving a car like a GTI is having to change the gears yourself (in my opinion).

I'm sure the DSG is a fraction faster, but, with 200 bhp, the manual is hardly what you'd call slow either.

JoeA3

OSI wrote: »

Nearly half a second quicker on the quarter mile than a manual driven by a professional drifter:

http://youtu.be/X4HpD5K6Qws

Lol, so Chinese Stig can get me off the line a fraction of a second quicker then, that qualifies as "eat"?!

For me it's down to personal preference. I've driven both extensively and while I think the DSG is a lovely box, its still an "auto" to me, too playstation for my liking. I can see why people like it though so each to their own.

OP, I really wouldn't be overly concerned about the reliability either. If the car is well maintained overall, then it's likely the gearbox was maintained properly too. There's a lot of rough MKV GTI's out there now though, be warned.

Chris_Heilong

JoeA3 wrote: »

Lol, so Chinese Stig can get me off the line a fraction of a second quicker then, that qualifies as "eat"?!

For me it's down to personal preference. I've driven both extensively and while I think the DSG is a lovely box, its still an "auto" to me, too playstation for my liking. I can see why people like it though so each to their own. OP, I really wouldn't be overly concerned about the reliability either.

Those guys are not Chinese, they are Japanese and that so called stig is the guy that put drifting on the map for the whole world, People are afraid of new things and thats what any hesitation would be in choosing a DSG over a manual IMO.

JoeA3

OSI wrote: »

Nice bit of racial profiling there. I can guarantee you wouldn't shift anywhere net the rate he does so the gulf would be larger still.

Oops, apologies for offending the pc police, it was my poor attempt at Clarkson-esque humour.

You drive a with car an electronic throttle, servo boosted brakes, and more electronics than you can count that can't be turned off. To say the DSG makes it playstation like is a bit of a stretch.

Who are you telling. Electronics are absolutely taking over. In the MK7 I don't even need to take the keys out of my pocket to open the door and start the car up. The "handbrake" no longer exists, the car does all that tedious parking brake stuff for me The lights, wipers, etc, etc, all come on when required. I love my electronics and gadgets as much as the next man... BUT!! I still enjoy driving a manual box, the sensation of changing gears, using the clutch when I choose to do so and so on. When stuck in traffic I occasionally think it would be a joy to not have to be using the clutch... but at all other times, a car like this is best with a manual box. IMO of course.

Supergurrier

DSG is an amazing gearbox just needs more servicing its actually mechanically stronger and can handle more torque than the manual by a good bit.

Supercar technology gearbox in a hot hatch.

Leonard Hofstadter

I don't care what kind of technology the DSG has - as of yet no amount of technology can replace the feelgood factor associated with changing gears in a good manual.

Using a manual gearbox can be a pleasure (if it has a slick shifting box and a decently weighted clutch), I don't derive any pleasure from using keep fit windows or adjusting a seat manually, there is no benefit to such things other than cost.

That's why we still have manual gearboxes, but a lot of other things are electric.

By the way, a mechanical throttle is that little bit more satisfying, drive by wire does not have the same throttle response as the old fashioned accelerator cable, but on a petrol engine at least, the difference is so small that only total pedants would notice.

I personally despise electronic parking brakes - even though VW's automatic hill hold is so good that I could live without a 'proper' old fashioned hand break even a manual model, I'd still prefer that added bit of control that one gets from having a mechanical parking brake. Even with VW's (admittedly excellent) system, it's simply easier to pull away from hills with the old fashioned parking brake - if you know what you're doing of course. Also it's easier to do a smooth take off with the old fashioned parking brake. Plus, proper hand brakes cost less and are far less likely to go wrong.

JoeA3

captainspeed wrote: »

I personally despise electronic parking brakes - even though VW's automatic hill hold is so good that I could live without a 'proper' old fashioned hand break even a manual model, I'd still prefer that added bit of control that one gets from having a mechanical parking brake. Even with VW's (admittedly excellent) system, it's simply easier to pull away from hills with the old fashioned parking brake - if you know what you're doing of course. Also it's easier to do a smooth take off with the old fashioned parking brake. Plus, proper hand brakes cost less and are far less likely to go wrong.

I'd have been in total agreement with you until recently but I've changed my mind. The electronic parking brake in the mk7 Golf is simply brilliant. I never need to touch it. It engages/disengages by itself when it should do and its so smooth in doing so that you don't even realise its doing it. You can still try a handbrake turn if you want - pull sharply on the button while moving and it'll kick in! Haven't dare try it myself yet
Of course, the more this becomes common place in new cars, the even less skilled drivers will become. No need to practice hill starts!

Leonard Hofstadter

JoeA3 wrote: »

I'd have been in total agreement with you until recently but I've changed my mind. The electronic parking brake in the mk7 Golf is simply brilliant. I never need to touch it. It engages/disengages by itself when it should do and its so smooth in doing so that you don't even realise its doing it. You can still try a handbrake turn if you want - pull sharply on the button while moving and it'll kick in! Haven't dare try it myself yet
Of course, the more this becomes common place in new cars, the even less skilled drivers will become. No need to practice hill starts!

Drove a Passat diesel last weekend with it. It is really good, but it's still not as smooth as a traditional parking brake for hill starts. Perhaps it's because I'm used to it, but I much prefer pulling away from a hill with a proper parking brake. It's a little bit of a pain trying to release the parking brake just after starting - even when you touch the brake pedal it doesn't always want to release itself.

It is a lot better than the system found in a Toyota Avensis, though, and on the flat and even on moderate inclines it works very well - it is very handy that all you need to do when you come to a complete stop it apply the brakes and knowing that the electronics will do the rest.

jayunot777

Only sold a passat 2007 with a handbrake button.. it was a nightmare to live with never again.. thanks for the info on the dsg gearboxes fellas

tossy

jayunot777 wrote: »

Only sold a passat 2007 with a handbrake button.. it was a nightmare to live with never again.. thanks for the info on the dsg gearboxes fellas

Phew that saves you starting a thread on handbrake buttons so

mickdw

captainspeed wrote: »

It's a little bit of a pain trying to release the parking brake just after starting - even when you touch the brake pedal it doesn't always want to release itself.

.

There is no need to ever release the parking brake manually. If you are doing, you are defeating the whole purpose of the system.

jayunot777

tossy wrote: »

Phew that saves you starting a thread on handbrake buttons so

i am kinda amateur when it comes to cars sorry

tossy

jayunot777 wrote: »

i am kinda amateur when it comes to cars sorry

Most of us here are amatuers dude.

Vote 4 Pedro

I owned a 2006 for 2 years and then a 2008 for two years, both DSG's and loved them, never gave any problems at all, still have a DSG but not a Golf,
I would have no worries recommending the DSG

unkel

JoeA3 wrote: »

It's a good gearbox but l think that's overstating it just a tad.

I don't think it's overstating it. Compare the official figures and there's not much between them. I think OSI is making the point that in the real world the DSG is always making the official acceleration figure

And only a VW professional test driver can make the official acceleration figure for the manual. And while doing that he is wrecking the clutch

Manuals (with a clutch pedal) are a thing of the past lads, it is not the way forward...

Ferrari stopped making manuals years ago. All Ferraris are now automatic...

thecomedian

The DSG is the best auto I've driven. Very quick and smooth. Always chooses the correct gear. Sport mode or the paddles are good for driving fast.

I'd probably prefer a manual but the DSG in a high powered car is a great drive also.

guerito

OP test drive both manual and DSG and see what you think. If the car's been looked after then as long as you maintain it yourself you shouldn't have any issues. I have a DSG GTI with paddle shift, I'd always driven manuals and didn't like autos, but when I took both out for a spin there was no comparison. I couldn't even remember what the manual was like afterwards. Shifts are so quick you don't even notice them which is great for everyday things like pulling out into a gap in traffic. And there's no delay waiting for a kickdown - you'll either have paddles or a manual mode, so just blip it down a split second before you want to go and you're set. All personal preference of course, YMMV

antodeco

My next car is going to probably be a DSG box. Was originally going with a TTS, but due to kids getting bigger, going for either an A4 or a Q3. I want it to have all the electronic bells and whistles they can fit into it. Then, to keep me on my toes, I'll drive the 100% manual, throttle cable, battery only powering the starter and lights, mini 1275gt.

Auto and technology to keep the daily drive easier, and basic pure car and engine for the weekends!

OREGATO

Funny this thread popped up as I've been looking at GTi's and VRS's and the whole DSG Vs. manual debate.

In terms of the DSG, if they do go wrong (which, judging from some forums I've read in the past, they do) how much are they to fix?

It does seem like the best option for being lazy and also having fun when wanted.

Focus_sligo

For me, has to be the dsg with flappy paddles. The little exhaust blip when flat shifting sounds unreal. There's also launch control on the dsg box, but i never figured how to use it

The only VAG I would buy is the golf gti with the bells and whistles

JJJJNR

how reliable would a 100k dsg gear box be, going to look at a car this weekend, i presume the oil it uses is fully synth weight 75w-140? anyone know how much oil it takes, car has a full s.h. so presume if its not clearly stated its been changed at least once its best to walk away.

Chimaera

JJJJNR wrote: »

how reliable would a 100k dsg gear box be, going to look at a car this weekend, i presume the oil it uses is fully synth weight 75w-140? anyone know how much oil it takes, car has a full s.h. so presume if its not clearly stated its been changed at least once its best to walk away.

Depends on how it's been maintained. It needs a fluid change religiously every 60000 km. The fluid is specific to them too.