Rigsby Posted September 19, 2005 Report Share Posted September 19, 2005 Hi guys, this is only my 2nd post, the first was on the Audi forum. I have gone from ordering a MKV GTI to an Audi 2.0 TDI S-line. It was only this week that i have gone back to the Golf, the simple reason was the enjoyment factor when driving it. The interior of the Golf is the main issue i have with the car and thats why after getting in the Audi i was sold instantly. I went to a new VW dealer on Sunday and tried the manual and DSG versions and now i cant decide! My orginal spec was for a manual but the DSG was far better than i imagined. I'm going back on Thurs of this week to place my order, the sales guy has told me he will show me what the DSG 'can really do' then he's letting myself and the fiancee take both versions for a couple of hours to decide. We will be going for the Blue Graphite with leather and cd/armrest. Not sure about 18's the 17's look good to me and the ride is nice. I'll let you know how i get on. Sorry about the long message Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted September 19, 2005 Report Share Posted September 19, 2005 Welcome!! Your message is not too long!! You should look at some of mine! (Even if you don't read them). DSG is truly the best of both worlds as you'll discover when you test drive one. It takes time to get used to it and the flexibility of it. I'm going to search for some stuff I have already written here at TSN on my opinions about DSG and post again here...So hang on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason_s Posted September 19, 2005 Report Share Posted September 19, 2005 had the same issues with my choice. it was between the lotus elise 111R and the gti (the gti put the bigger smile on my face, explain that one!!) then it was the colour. i changed my mind between the red and the steel grey several times. Then it was the dsg/manual... loved both but the paddles sold the dsg for me as well as my last car being auto. i hate clutch pumping in traffic jams, which im afraid to say are becoming more and more common. what ever you order youll love so dont worry too much. the car in any shape or form will excite the senses. ps havnt got my car yet...but i have a vivid imagination. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted September 19, 2005 Report Share Posted September 19, 2005 Rigsby....Jay has a VERY vivid imagination! It comes from spending too much time in his mate's builders van (Sorry, semi-private joke!). I'll get back to you soon on DSG....Honest guv! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted September 19, 2005 Report Share Posted September 19, 2005 Rigsby - As promised.... DSG vs Manual in the GTI: For anyone who is very skilled at 'conventional' manual stickshifting and who appreciates the enjoyment of getting it right as a fine art, the DSG will most likely be thought of as inferior and even a gimmick or merely an automatic with bells on. I'm not putting forward a case to say that the DSG is better than the Manual or vica versa....Ultimately it comes down to each driver's personal preference. The DSG integrates a very practical, though different, form of manual gear changing with an automatic on steroids. The automatic component consists of two modes: D-mode which shifts each gear at low revs thresholds and is consequently the most economical, and S-mode which only shifts gears at very high revs thresholds and is very sporty and impressive. Surely I don't need to describe the road/traffic conditions which any automatic is particularly suited to the benefit of the driver. While in either D or S modes, you can temporarily override the automatic transmission by using the paddleshifts, even going directly from 4th to 2nd by merely double clicking. If you don't use the paddles again for about 20 seconds the transmission will revert to automatic or you can hold the +/OFF paddle for 2 secs and she'll revert immediately. However, if you wish to remain in DSG's manual mode then nudge the floor stick sideways from D and you can then continue for as long as you like using either the paddles or tiptronic on the stick. I personally much prefer the paddles but each to their own and it's good there are choices. DSG offers quicker than human gear changes but the technique may not float your boat personally. I personally love the flexibility between all modes while driving and as an important consequence - the increased safety aspects (when in a 'tight spot'). Comparison of performance between Manual and DSG is perhaps marginal....You can argue til the cows come home about stats, but the person driving is a huge factor. As a driver of a DSG GTI I would advise anyone seriously considering ordering a GTI to test drive a DSG version rather than prejudging it. Like it or not, technology never stands still and the art of gearshifting is evolving. Fair enough if you still prefer the Manual version. It's a great car either way. If you do a search in this forum you'll find other info to help but a nice long test drive is best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silentandy Posted September 19, 2005 Report Share Posted September 19, 2005 I can only echo the comments of Robin about the test drive. When I ordered my GTI back in Feb I couldn't find a DSG GTI anywhere to test drive so I ordered manual not wanting to buy into something I haven't tried. Plus at the time paddles were extra so it would have added £2k to the cost. Last week I finally tried out DSG and have to say I loved it. I didn't always feel like I was totally in control like you do with a manual but I'm sure this is something that comes to you when you've driven it for long enough. I was so impressed I'm seriously thinking of making the change over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rigsby Posted September 19, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2005 Thanks for that When i drove the DSG I only used D mode and that was very impressive, so i'm looking forward to using S and the paddles! No doubt the sales guy will be 'showing his skills' on the test drive. I was told it will take 10 weeks for delivery, does this sound about right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OzGTI Posted September 20, 2005 Report Share Posted September 20, 2005 Risby, Can only echo what Red and Alan say. You should drive the DSG version - and spend a bit of time in it. I was a hard nut manual user - until DSG. It works as a manual when you want to drive like that but as an auto when your cruising. If anything imo it is more compromised as an auto than it is as a manual. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted September 20, 2005 Report Share Posted September 20, 2005 Rigsby - My first DSG drive was a Mk5 TDI which, great car that it is, doesn't have the excitement of the GTI and feature for feature isn't such good value for money except for fuel consumption - But I'm a PetrolHead I've discovered! The TDI in DSG was still VERY impressive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted September 20, 2005 Report Share Posted September 20, 2005 [ QUOTE ] I didn't always feel like I was totally in control like you do with a manual but I'm sure this is something that comes to you when you've driven it for long enough. I was so impressed I'm seriously thinking of making the change over. [/ QUOTE ] ....After only 1,800 miles (since August 6th - I remember that date more easily than some people's birthdays!) I am now beginning to feel MORE in control because I can change gear with the paddles whatever the mode and that means hands can stay on the wheel and only fingers get used plus it's very fast. No clutch footwork needed either. There sometimes feels as if there is a delay but that's only in your mind and it's quicker than a manual stickshift change. You have only to ask yourself why F1 drivers use paddles. For the first 1,000 miles I ran her in by only using D-mode (well 95%), then added S-mode as appropriate and am only now using manual more. This way I learnt how the car feels and behaves step by step. Otherwise you may be trying to learn juggling with too many balls to begin with. Andy - That change over sounds mighty expensive! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhiteHArtMart Posted September 20, 2005 Report Share Posted September 20, 2005 DSG totally won me over - if I had gone manual something in the back of my mind would have been wondering if I would have enjoyed the car more with the DSG! Oh and Rigsby - great choice of colour for your proposed GTI! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simonl Posted September 20, 2005 Report Share Posted September 20, 2005 Rigsby... dude , don't get the 2.0TDI over the GTI, you will regret it. FYI, I've sold a 3.2V6 A3 Quattro to buy the GTI, A 2.0TDI Vs a GTI is a no brainer surely! Also, go for a DSG, it's the future, and a phenominal piece of engineering! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted September 20, 2005 Report Share Posted September 20, 2005 Hi LeMan....Slight confusion there methinks and possibly my doing....I was only referring to the VeeDub 2.0TDI as being my first drive in a DSG equipped car and how good the DSG was even in a TDI. I don't think Rigsby is only considering the GTI now and wonders about DSG or not. With all our raving about DSG I expect he knows what us lot think! Cheers Not long for you now I think. I often see Stuart at the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simonl Posted September 20, 2005 Report Share Posted September 20, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Not long for you now I think. I often see Stuart at the moment. [/ QUOTE ] Just waiting for a confirmed build date! fingers crossed (week 42). Did you get a choice of reg's Red. I did on my new 3 series, but not on my A3! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted September 20, 2005 Report Share Posted September 20, 2005 I was going to be given a choice of about 3 standard Dorchester area plates: HD/HF/HG or similar but then spotted my VW plate as a special at extra cost - No regrets for me, always getting good comments and smiles and gives my beloved GTI her own identity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted September 20, 2005 Report Share Posted September 20, 2005 DSG vs Manual.. MMmmmm a tricky subject. I have DSG on my Sportback with the same engine as in the Golf GTI and its very good. However it does take away the last 10/15% of enjoyment or should I say skill in driving. It can be annoying to modulate in slippery conditions, where you might blend / slip the clutch to get a good getaway with DSG its almost all on or off. Not a problem most of the time but a problem at times none the less. Also the issue of the jump when you have to suddenly engage D and press the accelerator before the clutch catches up, a lurch forward is not good. It doesn't happen often but it is something that you have to learn to drive around. Also the keeness with which it wants to kick down a couple of gears just for a slight press on the motorway can be annoying at times when you just want to use the engines torque. But there are many good points. It makes the car far more relaxing to drive in stop start situations and around town. You can have two hands on the wheel and concentrate more on the road ahead than you would normally. The more relaxing style in drive I think also provides even better fuel economy that you might normally have. Press on acceleration from lights can be smooth for you and passengers as the DSG smoothly goes up the gears with the minimum of fuss. Sport is hardly ever used its for maximum attack only really or good for going down lots of narrow down hill roads to help with engine braking. Otherwise in todays day to day driving its just too much. When you want to really play on the back roads the paddles come into their own but never ultimatly give you the control of the car that you need or want IMO. You can't just touch the redline before you brake for a corner, it will shift up then requiring a quick shift down again to be in the right gear coming out from the bend. It is a great gearbox be in no doubt about that and for many is exactly what we all need in ever more conjested roads. But if it wasn't for the fact mine is a company car and the C02s are much lower on the DSG than the A3 Quattro, it would have been Quattro all the way. 200 BHP through the front wheels is always going to struggle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rigsby Posted September 20, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2005 Hi Leman, i'm 100% sure about the GTI now. I do love the build of the Audi but the Golf is the one for me. I really cant wait till Thurs so i can drive it again! Then i'll have 10 weeks to wait Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simonl Posted September 20, 2005 Report Share Posted September 20, 2005 Rigsby, don't be afraid the thrash the pants off the fecker, i ALWAYS do! The salesmen give you reespect if you do! Stick it in manual and then give it plenty with the paddles! then you can appreciate the nice little F1 style engine pops between gears Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted September 20, 2005 Report Share Posted September 20, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Hi Leman, i'm 100% sure about the GTI now. I do love the build of the Audi but the Golf is the one for me. I really cant wait till Thurs so i can drive it again! Then i'll have 10 weeks to wait [/ QUOTE ] ....Oh No!! Nurse!! Nurse!....We got yet another emergency! At least 10-12 weeks of special care. Make sure we have enough GTI brochures for under his pillow so he can sleep at night - It worked on Andy. Don't whatever you do, put him in the bed next to Jay - He's got a very high GTIis fever at the moment and is hallucinating from his vivid imagination and experiences in that builder's white van. Your main carer will be Nurse Addiction and your Night Nurse will be Miss Obsession.....Enjoy your stay! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spankit Posted September 20, 2005 Report Share Posted September 20, 2005 Rigsby, as Leman says its there to be spanked. Try sport mode as well, the salesmen take the demos home after work and spank them silly anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted September 20, 2005 Report Share Posted September 20, 2005 ....And who better to spank your GTI than mister spankit himself!! Hi there spankit wed wobin here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silentandy Posted September 20, 2005 Report Share Posted September 20, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Rigsby, as Leman says its there to be spanked. Try sport mode as well, the salesmen take the demos home after work and spank them silly anyway. [/ QUOTE ] Hence the reason why I would never buy an ex demo performance car! Shockingly when I took my DSG test drive the other week the stealer told me it was actually a customer's car who couldn't pick it up yet so agreed he could use it for demos until then! The stealer didn't mind me spanking it either. That's one very trusting customer he has. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rigsby Posted September 20, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2005 I will try and put it through its paces but i'll back off long before the car does! Has anyone got any pics of Blue graphite with 18's? The demo car is Blue graphite with 17's, it would be nice to see how it looks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simonl Posted September 20, 2005 Report Share Posted September 20, 2005 defo get 18"s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhiteHArtMart Posted September 20, 2005 Report Share Posted September 20, 2005 Agree with LeMan there - I would wouldn't I after ordering one!! My local dealer had a Blue Graphite with 18s that I took out when their demonstrator was not available. The 18s look lovely on all colours and imo they really do suit this colour really well! Felt the ride quality was still good - although I guess that is all down to personal opinion! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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