Manual or DSG

[jb747]

Can't see why you couldn't put an R32 or GTI steering wheel into an EOS. That would give you the paddle shifts, plus a beautiful wheel.

I thought long and hard about the gearbox when I was deciding on what to buy. Over the years, we've had about 90% manuals, but some cars just work best with an auto box. Of course, the DSG isn't really a auto gearbox, nor it is a manual....

I test drove manuals and DSG, and came to the conclusion that in an R32 or a diesel, the DSG wins hands down. In a non turbo petrol, I'd take the manual, and in a turbo petrol toss a coin. We bought the DSG, and just love it.

[davemoore]

DSG every time, regardless of what type of driving IMHO.

[CatonaPC©]

I have had a Golf 2.0TDi with DSG and fell in love with it. The DSG is especially brilliantly matched to the diesel engine with all that beautiful torque.

Now, I have the EOS with the DSG also in the 2.0TDi and it is even better. The EOS diesel engine and general build quality is a quantum leap above my golf (2005 GenV) and the DSG makes life sooooo good.... the point being that the DSG allows you to have as much or little control as you like whenever you desire.

In traffic, with the Diesel (cannot speak for the petrol), the DSG will allow you to roll quietly along in the traffic up quite a gradient at idle without any problems, then you are away and picking any gaps you need with minimal effort. When you get into the back streets, you can use manual mode (would love the paddles) and become a speed demon.... then back into auto in the traffic. On the open road, the DSG is brilliant - economical, on the ball and never faults....

I must say, however, that the way you use your right foot is distinctly different to a normal auto in that it learns your style, and prefers a gentle change in intent... it is very good at interpreting your intent as long as you are consistent and will reward your consistency with a version of ESP that is not related to traction control..... the issue here is that you will not master it on a few short test drives but I guarantee you will learn to love it and never go back..... especially if you combine it with the creamy torque and economy of the diesel..... soooo quiet in the EOS it is unbelievable.... and driving with the top off lends itself to the cruisy attitude that the DSG offers should you so desire....

This sums it up beautifully. I love driving a manual car, but my wife preferred an auto. The DSG slots in nicely between our individual needs. My initial feeling was to use the manual mode, but I no longer feel it is necessary. The DSG always seems to know the right gear to be in. It shifts down when it needs to, unlike regular autos that only shift down after you've gone past the corner!

With the 2.0 TDI, the the DSG and torque of the diesel compliment each other well. You never get the impression you're in the wrong gear.

I've only had my car for two weeks now, and I can tell you, the DSG has won this manual aficionado over. If this is the way of the future, then the manual gearbox and clutch days are numbered.

[STV4SYT]

The only time i use DSG now is for streets with a lot of speed humps (generally lock in into 3rd) engine braking, and when i decide to fang it.

i too quickly learned to trust what it does and in 99% of my driving never need to touch anything other than D.

This is also the first car i have EVER owned or driven regularly that doesn't have the 3 pedals and stick shift too.

I gave it go as my last car (LR Freelander) had a very heavy clutch and it was a pain in bumper to bumper traffic of which i was doing a lot at the time.

[leasaunce]

Can't see why you couldn't put an R32 or GTI steering wheel into an EOS. That would give you the paddle shifts, plus a beautiful wheel.

you sure can! 100% been done before. not sure how much it would cost though.

I've driven a Jetta with DSG. it was awesome! shifts super quick! in normal driving mode its so smooth, feels nearly like a CVT.

[Guest212]

Jets, that is scary... I am currently in the process of getting a GTi, and I am seriously considering going manual instead of DSG as I plan to keep the car for more than 5 years (extent of any warranty).

Go the manual.

DSG is awesome. It really is.

When it works.

[Russ59]

I'd have to agree x2 for manual especially if your planning on keeping it long term, as YOM just said the DSG is brilliant but when it plays up (which there have been quite a few posts about recently) it can be a real pain in the ar$e and dangerous as YOM has just described in a recent thread. My first test drive of a GT Sport TDI was a DSG and although I was very impressed with the performance and smooth gear changes I vowed I would never buy another automatic (albeit that the DSG is not really an auto but it still works on a similar principle) I have had a few autos over the years and as technology and electronics are becoming a lot more predominant within the operation so too are unpredictable occurrences with their behaviour, some of which can be quite dangerous and for the unsuspecting driver, pretty hair raising. I would suggest that you drive both DSG and manual and then take into consideration how long you plan to keep it. Personally I went with the manual in the GT because I am planning on keeping the car long term and do not want the burden of an expensive overhaul on a fairly high tech transmission system in years to come. That's my 2 cents worth anyway, in the end the decision is yours.