Do you actually use the DSG, or is it always in automatic mode?

[iiezii]

It is true that mastering the efficient use of DSG is an experience that entails some experimentation and learning. But once this is achieved, it offers a rewarding driving experience which cannot really be directly compared to that which a clutch manual offers.

For me, the option of "D", "S" or "M" is the way to go. As I have said in previous posts, the DSG is smarter than me in selecting the right gear that suits a myriad of variables, but if I choose, I can take over. So it can be a leisurely urban car or an enthusiastic drivers' car.

+1

I've had my R DSG for 4 days now, and 2,200ish km later I can agree to the above statement.
I did Mt Hotham, Mt Buller, Kinglake, Great Ocean Road and Great Alpine Road...
DSG+ACC in every combination.

You choose what's right for you in that situation.

I was always a "manual person", thought i'd never like this DSG thing, but it's actually very adaptable.

[Ryan_R]

Did you find it hard to change via the paddles while steering around those tight bends? I'm looking to get some paddle extensions when the AUD increases a bit again. Also I can't believe they charge $50 to ship such tiny things here, when I've purchased other small packages from the US with free or minimal shipping charges.

[AdamD]

I would use manual mode a whole lot more if it didn't seem to ignore every other 3rd->4th shift I signal... for some reason the upshift paddle just seems hesitant to register that shift for me, almost like the switch is faulty. Seems fine for every other gear though.

Oh, and when I drive in manual mode, my oil temp tends to skyrocket. Maybe that has more to do with the fact I'm holding onto gears quite a bit longer.

[Candyman]

Should never be changing in a corner, always before, same in manual

Lifting off torque and power mid corner isn't wise

[Ryan_R]

Well yeah, I know that, sometimes I shift up near the end of the corner when straightening out (when not in any hurry) and I miss the paddle so I just go for the shifter in the centre console.

One annoyance (reminded of this from Adam's post) is when you go to shift up near redline, but it shifts by itself and and then processes your shift afterwards, so that you effectively skip a gear.

[Candyman]

Redline in the Golf just isn't necessary though because of the torque and power curve.

[Ryan_R]

"near redline" (besides it's fun)

The delay between me pressing the right paddle and it being processed occasionally results in that problem. Sometimes it's bang on, other times there's a delay big enough you can hear Clarkson ranting away in your head

[DoggieHowser]

Nissan like Ferrari uses a fixed position paddle shifter. The premise is that you shouldn't shift gears while turning. But with the seamlessness of a DSG shift, some drivers have found they can shave off time on a track if you shift mid corner. I've even seen a mod for the GTR which swaps the paddles so they turn with the wheel.

That said, it's not for all cars. I've never realized how slow the old sequential manual shifters on older cars were. On a 2007 Superleggera, even on a straight road, you can feel a slight disconnect when the gears change and for that split second, the traction is missing. And when it engages again, it's quite brutal. And the car can sorta lose its composure. Even on the straights. I'd imagine you would never want to shift gears mid-corner with that car.

[AdamD]

That said, it's not for all cars. I've never realized how slow the old sequential manual shifters on older cars were. On a 2007 Superleggera, even on a straight road, you can feel a slight disconnect when the gears change and for that split second, the traction is missing. And when it engages again, it's quite brutal. And the car can sorta lose its composure. Even on the straights. I'd imagine you would never want to shift gears mid-corner with that car.

With the slower-shifting exotics (particularly the AWD ones like the Gallardo e-gear), that's a favourite trick to get them sideways at higher speeds - plant it and upshift mid-corner. You'd have to have big kahunas to do that though!

[Ryan_R]

Or an equally big airstrip