Zootop Posted February 17, 2009 Report Share Posted February 17, 2009 I'm still undecided on whether to buy a car with the DSG box or just stick with the manual. I love the idea of the DSG, but it it any fun ? How reliable are they ? I guess very expensive to fix out of warranty. I also think that they would be more desirable than a manual car in a few years time for selling on purposes. Any thoughts ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted February 17, 2009 Report Share Posted February 17, 2009 I had DSG in an Audi TT 3.2, and it was superb.. never had a problem with it, it changes gear quicker than a manual, and even blips the throttle between changes.. I would have it again without a shadow of doubt.. and driving around town in slow traffic is just a doddle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonC Posted February 17, 2009 Report Share Posted February 17, 2009 This topic's been covered many many times here, so would be worth trying a search in the archives Basically, other people's view on DSG v's manual is irrelevant to some extent, as it's all subjective and how it feels to you out there on the road in varying driving styles. IMO, it's beyond superb and I wouldn't have manual again. Taking one hand off the wheel to change gear in this day and age, to me, seems quite dated. There's nothing wrong whatsoever with manual, its purely down to what you like and how it makes you feel. Go test drive! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zootop Posted February 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2009 Yeah, sorry if its been covered before. Test driving isn't really an option for me living out in the sticks and the short notice nature of my work hence trying to use other people's experience to help me make a decision. It does sound like DSG is the way I will go. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonC Posted February 17, 2009 Report Share Posted February 17, 2009 No worries; it's a complex subject and one that will get covered again and again. You going to buy the car without test driving first? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Man Posted February 17, 2009 Report Share Posted February 17, 2009 As a long time lurker and now member of TS, I too can concur that this subject has been discussed to death......and everyone seems to have an opinion.I personally love my DSG equiped Audi A3.....so much so that when the time comes to change I will definitely specify the DSG box on my next car......that said it does have it`s little quirks and you almost have to relearn/adapt(for want of a better term) your driving style to get the most from the system.I`v covered 42k trouble free miles in 3 1/2 years....neither the car or the gear-box have missed a beat....absolutely no problems to report and as far as I can see very few people have had reliability issues with the system......but there are plenty of members out there that just did`t like the DSG system.....so for every positive post like mine there`ll be another saying they hated it or missed the tactile involvement/enjoyment of changing gears manually.......but what ever you do you have to request a long test drive.....but if I`am honest however long the test drive, it wont be long enough to learn how to get the most from the dsg box.......and if you`v ever driven a standard Auto equiped car before....put that experience to one side....DSG is different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sternocleidomastoid Posted February 17, 2009 Report Share Posted February 17, 2009 I tried a DSG GTI before buying mine and decided to go with a manual. The VAG DSG is a superb gear box and is definitely quicker in most situations, but I simply find the manual more fun. Depressing the clutch and using a stick to shift is all part of the driving experience that I love so much. As Jon said Zootop ideally you should test drive both 'cause there isn't really a right or wrong answer here, it all comes down to personal preference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuprabob Posted February 17, 2009 Report Share Posted February 17, 2009 I can't add much more than what has been said already but I would never buy a DSG car without driving it. It's like marmite you either love it or hate it and to get the best out of it you need to alter your driving style to accomodate some of the quirks. For me DSG is just brilliant and I hate auto cars :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zootop Posted February 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2009 Thanks for the replies. I would love to test drive the cars but I've always found car showrooms quite intimidating places and just never felt comfortable. I'm not difficult to please and there are so many positive reviews about the mark 5, dsg and manual, I think seeing as Im in my 30's now that the dsg will suit me just fine haha, I hope ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muppetboy Posted February 17, 2009 Report Share Posted February 17, 2009 I've got a manual, never even tried a DSG but so wish I had - you know just in case! I would have still probably gone for the manual when I bought it 3 years ago but these days I'd probably be more open to DSG! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Man Posted February 17, 2009 Report Share Posted February 17, 2009 (edited) Thanks for the replies. I would love to test drive the cars but I've always found car showrooms quite intimidating places and just never felt comfortable. I'm not difficult to please and there are so many positive reviews about the mark 5, dsg and manual, I think seeing as Im in my 30's now that the dsg will suit me just fine haha, I hope ! I love the DSG system.....but you must get a test drive.....as it does have it`s quirks and you WILL need to adapt your driving style.....I personally found it easy to adapt....but othes did`t and regreted opting for the DGS box.....For example...when in Auto mode and your slowing down as you approach a roundabout the gear-box will stay in the highest gear for as long as possible....if you don`t come to a halt and can see a gap in the traffic and you then boot it to enter the roundabout the gearbox gets confused and will drop 2 gears virtually instantaneously and you will just shoot forward with a startling jolt.....you need to adapt your driving style to deal with situations like this.....either stay in auto and very...and I do mean very gently increase the throttle or flick it into manual mode to select the required gear....this all takes practice...but you do learn and you will adapt and it will become second nature.I enjoyed this learning process...others did`t...... In auto mode...95-99% of the time the gearbox is super smooth and the changes are seamless...but it is`t intelligent like we are and it can`t predict with 100% certainty whether you`ll want 1st or 2`nd or even 3rd at a junction....it does`t know if your going to stop...it does`t know if you will filter slowly into traffic and then accelerate and it WILL get it wrong in situations like these ,which can be a little alarming at the time.....but trust me practice makes perfect.....but you MUST get a test drive or this system may end up being an expensive mistake for you.I love it...but I can`t stress it enough....Never buy a DSG equipped car without a test drive......and one final point.....it`s fookin fantastic when pressing on in manual mode:grin:....and trust me it really does bring a smile to you face.......and in auto mode it`s effortless when crawling along in traffic and it really does ease the strain of a commute through traffic. Edited February 17, 2009 by Mr Man Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Man Posted February 17, 2009 Report Share Posted February 17, 2009 Of course all of my last post is meaningless if you just keep it in manual mode all of the time...in which case your making all the decisions and you select the required gear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarmac_Terrorist Posted February 17, 2009 Report Share Posted February 17, 2009 I have driven both DSG and manual GTI's and also a DSG A3, although admittedly not covered that many miles with DSG. I only use my car occasionally at weekends and covers very few miles. With this in mind and also that Mrs TT wasn't keen on the idea of DSG I decided to go for manual. I firmly believe that for me I made the right decision. The DSG box has to be learnt how to be driven properly and covering such few miles I really don't think I would have got to know it well enough. I also like to feel 'involved' and 'interact' with the car. DSG does take a little 'something' away for me. It can't be denied that accelleration feels very linear and impressive with DSG smooth changes. Something to bear in mind, under normal style driving conditions and in 'auto' mode, DSG does tend to hang on to the revs for longer than I would choose to in a manual. This could lead to poorer fuel consumption in town / urban driving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwoSheds Posted February 18, 2009 Report Share Posted February 18, 2009 ....I thought DSG gives you better fuel consumption on 'Urban' work ? Never owned a manual GTI though so can't confirm the reality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoopy Posted February 20, 2009 Report Share Posted February 20, 2009 I average 3mpg less in the DSG GTI compared to the manual. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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