No manual GTI was the dealbreaker

[Corey_R]

I'm not saying for a moment that DSG with paddle shifters won't be FASTER when hustling along - I'm saying it won't be as FUN when not trying to drive flat out (ie most of the time).

And the DSGs I have driven can get confused in stop start traffic making for jerky progress. Maybe the Polo GTi will be programmed better for crawling along.

I don't mind doing lots of shifts so a manual in traffic has never bothered me

The DSG gets confused by the drivers input to the throttle...
Once you've had the car for a while, many drivers (particularly traditional manual drivers rather than traditional auto drivers) can adapt and learn how much throttle is needed for a particular situation, and the DSG adapts somewhat too.

Therefore you can still enjoy smoothness when not driving flat out, and be faster when driving flat out.

It's also my experience (at least with the 6sp DSG in a MKV Golf GTI and MK6 Golf R) that updated ECU giving more torque down low can provide a smoother DSG experience too.

[kaanage]

Maybe mine never adapts properly because I'm not its normal driver.

[RoknRob]

Corey was suggesting that (mainly), it's the driver that needs to adapt to the DSG. Once used to it, your daily crawl can be a smooth experience. I hope... In fact, I'm counting on it!!!
The only time I hate my manual is during the daily crawl... and my left hip ain't so pleased with it either, anymore! (Yes, yes, Middle Age is just around the corner, RoknRob...)

[Mi16 Man]

.....Just curious as to how many of you decided not to get the GTI for this reason (or am I the only stubborn one out there), and for the GTI owners, would you have gone for the manual if it was an option?

I am driving a Mk6 Golf GTI manual for this exact reason. Plus, the Golf was only $42K driveaway versus 1yr++ wait for a specced up $37.5K Polo GTi (CW 5dr).

[mfl]

I am driving a Mk6 Golf GTI manual for this exact reason. Plus, the Golf was only $42K driveaway versus 1yr++ wait for a specced up $37.5K Polo GTi (CW 5dr).

+1 , I ruled a few cars, because no manual available.

[kaanage]

Corey was suggesting that (mainly), it's the driver that needs to adapt to the DSG. Once used to it, your daily crawl can be a smooth experience. I hope... In fact, I'm counting on it!!!

Well, I have been adapting to it and it is GENERALLY smooth but when you need to do something it deems a little odd (like tramping on the gas to stop that fuçkwit from cutting in to the 1.25 carlength space between you and the next car) it can shift in a contrary manner. The other situation that quite a few people have found the DSG not behaving well is when trying to accelerate hard to turn out from a turn lane if creeping up and momentarily stopping just prior - it can pause in a frustrating (and sometimes dangerous) manner before engaging drive.

[Corey_R]

Yeah... don't stop! And if you MUST stop, then wait until the next available gap.

This is what I mean by you adapting. If you're coming to the corner and you've looked and a gap will be there to merge, then slow down a bit earlier so that you don't have to completely stop and so that you can already have some load on the engine when it is time to accelerate out into the lane. If the situation prevents you from doing that, then come to a complete stop, and wait until the next break in traffic where you can turn into the left lane safely. Remember also that if you are stopped that you can tap the accelerator while your brake is still engaged to "pre-engage" the clutches and accelerate off quicker with less delay. Additionally (at least with the Golf R) if you put the car into S or M then the idle jumps from 800 to 1300rpm so that the stand-still delay is reduced anyway.

[apples]

If I do get my car in time for the Vic Cruise, perhaps you GTI owners will swap cars with me for half of the cruise so I can see what I'm missing out on bahahahahahahaha

[blutopless2]

if you are experiencing jerkiness from a standstill or surges at low speed then get the dsg looked at... most likely it is at fault and not the driver... unless you are on and off the go pedal then of course it will get confused.
while I think the dsg is ok i would prefer a manual. My wife is the same.

[pologti18t]

Strangely I had no problems with the DSG when I did test drives in a Polo GTI (i have always had manuals). I drove it like an automatic car, which essentially it is. It's "brain" certainly isn't any smarter than the better torque converter auto boxes out there.

If you go stompting on the throttle in an auto car the gearbox will go ballistic thumping through gears. SMoothness with the throttle will reward you.

I also couldn't sense the near-death delay people spoke of. Came to a T intersection on a hill. Came to a stop. Break in traffic, foot off brake (i didn't use the handbrake) and onto throttle. Car takes off smoothly with no more delay than letting the clutch out in a manual car.
I even tried reverse parking with no issues.

The only thing that annoyed me was when the DSG was in "S" it seemed to hold onto gears for far too long even if you came off the throtte. Too hyperactive except when you are really fanging it up a mountain pass.