To DSG or not to DSG?

[ExV8]

I am about to order a new Golf GTi, but the transmission choice is doing my head in.

My current daily drive in and out of the Melbourne CBD is an auto, but up until 1 week ago I had a manual 'toy' that was the weekend car and also set up for the track.

For a variety of reasons, I now need 2 cars to do the one job - daily drive and toy.

I am getting an MY12 so that I can turn the ESP off, but I'm just not sure about DSG and the track. Thoughts?

Also, I haven't sampled a manual GTi yet.

BTW, I did an auto to manual conversion on the toy and I will NEVER do that again.

---------- Post added at 12:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:04 PM ----------

Oops - I mean 1 car to do 2 jobs!

[AdamD]

I'd personally suggest you go the DSG - I find it's the perfect combination of daily drive transmission and fun thrash shifter. My GTI's my first ever non-manual car, but it's a revelation. I also spend a good 50% of my driving time in manual mode, and shift exclusively with the paddles. The only thing I miss is occasional clutch work and heel-toeing.

Have a read of this thread for a ton of opinions: http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/foru...eit-41977.html

[brimway]

Agree with AdamD coments. DSG offers the more options than a clutch manual or a torque converter auto. Even better if you fit extended paddles, I can highly recommend the S2T performance paddles.

[gareth_oau]

There is no doubt that a DSG is quicker to 100 - if thats important to you.

There is also a big advantage in not having to operate a clutch in peak-hour, stop start traffic - if thats important to you.

i believe that the DSGs can be less than smooth on take-off during the same peak hour traffic.

If the above arent one way or another, important to you, then, in my personal view, you would get a lot more personal enjoyment and satisfaction from shifting a manual, assuming you can do it without kangarooing all the time.


And with the money you save from buying a manual, you can buy the after-market short-shifter that the GTI would need, and you can buy your self a playstation, so you can press buttons till your heart's content!

[gavs]

i believe that the DSGs can be less than smooth on take-off during the same peak hour traffic.

This is a common misconception introduced by the media because all the press vehicles haven't had time to lean the shift patterns etc that apply to your driving style. You want it smooth at the lights in peak hour? Drive it that way and the dsg computer learns that. YOu want it rough and jerky, then boot it off at every set of lights you can and then it will respond accordingly. To ensure your learned driving style is remembered, if you want to boot it along, drive in S or manual so you don't confuse the computer, simple as that

[entice]

DSG = pop pop from exhaust under power
Manual = none of that

I purchased mine with DSG...
The aural orgasm was enough to sway me

But my mk 1 mx5 is my manual toy!

[joel0407]

Do it.

I've come from a manual WRX to a DSG Yeti. I gotta say I prefer the 6 speed Yeti over the 7 speed Tiguan.

Happy Days

[Martin]

I absolutley love the DSG, smooth (seemless most of the time) and fast
Clam when I have the parents in the car, agressive when I'm booting it
Manual/Sport/Drive options - all work exceptionally well
Very easy to drive and more time with hands on the steering wheel

Will never buy an automatic (with torque converter) or manual again - has to be dual clutch

[Tom87]

The manual GTI is nice and no effort at all to drive but getting a GTI with DSG transforms the car into something just that little bit special.

[Frazza]

This is always a tough one and i'm one of those people who used to bag DSG's, call them AUTO's and say stuff like "It's not a real drivers gearbox", "If you want to be part of the driving experience get a manual" and all that stuff because i only ever drove manuals and i drove a DSG once ages ago to the shops and didn't think it was that good.

However, the modern DSG gearbox is bloody awesome, it transforms the car and really is a joy to drive in any conditions, yes you do need to learn to drive it differently same as you would in a manual car but the DSG gives you the option to either sludge around in "D" or spirited driving in "M" or "S", if you get a manual is always a manual you have no choice.

Most of all the modern day super and hyper cars are now using DSG type transmission, race cars use paddle shift transmission where the clutch is only used to take off so don't feel like you are getting a lesser car for choosing a DSG, each transmission has it's place and each are just as good as the other, it all comes down to your driving preference.

I say go the DSG