DSG OR NOT

[albertz33]

There were supposed to be known issues on DSG equipped GTI's after their warranty had run out, but that could have been down to abuse? Im not certain on this point, but im sure i read it somewhere, maybe on the MK5 forum.

[LCM]

To add my tuppenceworth I concur with all of the DSG boys previous posts to this - and I never thought I would ever say this as this is my first car that is not a true out and out manual.

I live in London and as you can imagine I cannot go anywhere for the first few miles without having the stop-start journey of heavy traffic. No the DSG is not a a true auto box but enduring heavy traffic is a breeze compared to a manual.

I was back home in Scotland over the festive period and took the Roc by the horns on some extremely winding mountain roads and the DSG either by paddle or lever is unbelievably smooth and uber quick. There have been posts on this forum comparing the speed of gear change between manual and DSG and I have to agree that it is physically impossible to change gear as quickly or as smoothly as the DSG will. No it is not a manual and never will be however throw your car into a bend at triple figure speeds in Sport (ACC) and S (DSG) and you will never look back.

I have also found that the paddles allow you to flick up into 6th when cruising to help on consumption when the DSG will keep you in 5th.

Best of both worlds in my opinion.

Roc On!!

[robrob]

No the DSG is not a a true auto box but enduring heavy traffic is a breeze compared to a manual.

But it is when you use it in that way...

[DavidH]

Yes, strictly speaking, it's an automatic, and no more a manual than a tiptronic box. It's just that it's basically an automated/robotised manual gearbox in architecture (sort of), that you can control manually (to some degree) by pressing buttons. Rather than a conventional torque converter auto. Doesn't really matter what we call it ,or it gets as silly as the 'hot hatch or sports car' thread.

It is an auto though. You're just pressing buttons, you're not moving anything mechanically/manually like in a manual. What it isn't is a torque converter automatic.

[albertz33]

DSG is for girls

[shooms]

DSG is for girls

^^^ What he said

[jonallen628]

DSG is for girls

^^^ What he said

I wondered how long the sensible debate would last!

[CTRnutter]

DSG is for girls

[robrob]

It is an auto though. You're just pressing buttons, you're not moving anything mechanically/manually like in a manual. What it isn't is a torque converter automatic.

I rest my case...

[rufus1111]

I took an extended test drive in a DSG (put about 1000 miles on the odometer). The gearbox is a technical marvel. I loved it. The shifts are fast, smooth, and the popping noise you get from the exhaust when changing up at high revs is awesome. I'm sure there are better electronic gearboxes out there, but I couldn't think of a way that it could be seriously improved.

But I ordered the manual.

I couldn't get over the fact that the DSG gearbox is just a very good auto. I found myself getting lazy and letting the car do the work for me. Even though it did an excellent job, I couldn't help thinking I was missing out on something. My conclusion was that while the DSG might make the car go fractionally quicker and be fractionally more economical, and be the most technically impressive gearbox I have seen, it adds nothing to (and maybe even detracts from) the actual driving experience. It's a very subjective matter - I just decided that I like to push cogs about with my hand.

[cole trickle]

Just to add to what Rufus siad. I picked up my manual rocco GT on Saturday and have absolutely no regrets in doing the changing myself. Loving it big time. Infact my only regret is no Dynaudio, but mine's an ex-demo so couldn't order it.

[FUNYOU]

Sorry I didn’t get back sooner.
I had exactly the same dilemma when ordering my car. I did see some bad reports on the DSG, but bearing in mind how many units have been shipped, on the whole it sounds fairly reliable. If it does go wrong, it can be very expensive to fix. £5,000 is one figure I heard. There are very few mechanics apart from main agents who can fix a problem, bear this in mind when you come to sell your car. It may be a selling point or have the adverse effect to a potential buyer, I personally would steer clear of a second hand out of warranty car with this system.

But then again, you should be buying the car to enjoy now! Round and round we go!?
Love my manual. It is the sweetest gearbox I have ever used, and stringing together a set of corners with a set of good shifts is amazing. A long journey though, or sitting in traffic, and I sometimes wish I had the DSG. Horses for courses.

Some links below.

http://www.tt-forum.co.uk/forum/viewtop ... &start=100
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/ ... tm?t=58098

[Kev]

In Feb 2008 they sold their 1 millionth DSG box. I think if there was something fundamentally wrong we'd have heard about a lot more cases.

[S8N]

DSG is for girls

Manual is for luddites who fear change

[albertz33]

ha ha luddite!!

DRL's??? the devils work i tells yee!