MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: micosb on February 27, 2013, 03:30:42 pm

Title: DSG or Manual?
Post by: micosb on February 27, 2013, 03:30:42 pm
Whats anyones thoughts on DSG or Manual. Always preferred a Manual but heard alot of good reviews of the DSG??  :driver:
Title: Re: DSG or Manual?
Post by: PSW on February 27, 2013, 03:39:07 pm
Use the search button mate


Plenty plenty posts on it   :popcornsoda:
Title: Re: DSG or Manual?
Post by: alexmccabe on February 27, 2013, 03:54:32 pm
I'd never get DSG. Ok the gear changes are quicker, but you don't have the satisfaction of doing it yourself. I dislike Auto vehicles anyway.
Title: Re: DSG or Manual?
Post by: PSW on February 27, 2013, 04:03:56 pm
I'd never get DSG. Ok the gear changes are quicker, but you don't have the satisfaction of doing it yourself. I dislike Auto vehicles anyway.
thought that myself till I bought and brought  :grin:  mine back from Edinburgh

Totally changed my view on autos
But dsg is miles different than a "auto" car
If you don't try it you'll never know
But you'll be missing out big time  :popcornsoda:
Title: Re: DSG or Manual?
Post by: alexmccabe on February 27, 2013, 04:06:55 pm
Hmm maybe. I drive a semi-auto mercedes van, and it just ignores my gear change requests a lot of the time. So frustrating. Before that it was a fully auto-merc that had no idea what gear it should be in. I've had awful experiences. Even driving an auto car in the US was horrible.

If I get the chance to try out DSG I will see what it is all about, but I think I will much prefer the whole body movement required in a manual. Feels like you have more influence over the car.
Title: Re: DSG or Manual?
Post by: Waynevr6 on February 27, 2013, 04:12:33 pm
I agree totally with PSW, I never liked automatic cars but the dsg is something completely different.

I would suggest trying one as I did and ended up buying the car
Title: Re: DSG or Manual?
Post by: PSW on February 27, 2013, 04:15:05 pm
and so....... The manual / dsg debate has started again

Round 1  :popcornsoda:
Title: Re: DSG or Manual?
Post by: Kiwi on February 27, 2013, 04:16:29 pm
 :popcornsoda:
Title: Re: DSG or Manual?
Post by: alexmccabe on February 27, 2013, 04:22:40 pm
and so....... The manual / dsg debate has started again

Round 1  :popcornsoda:

Haha, I've had my say. You never know, I may be swayed if I ever drive one...
Title: Re: DSG or Manual?
Post by: RedRobin on February 27, 2013, 04:24:44 pm
.
I wish I had £1 for each time I've explained that DSG is a far cry from other "automatics" and that you can drive in M-mode, use the paddle shifters and Think Manual! Far more precise and reliable control than any conventional manual transmission. Of course if you only stay in D-mode it becomes a boring automatic. D-mode is useful for traffic crawls and cruising smoothly around town.

The only way to decide is to keep an open mind and get a long test drive in a DSG.
Title: Re: DSG or Manual?
Post by: karl210 on February 27, 2013, 04:25:12 pm
After always having manual cars and reading reviews about dsg I was open to the idea. Anyway I got a good deal on a dsg car and I love it. Yeah there is the fact if it does go wrong it will cost a lot to fix but from what ive read they go early on in thiwr life and the problem is sorted.i absoloutly love it after buying paddle extensions. There is the odd time when it changes a gear when you dont want it to, but when your giving it the besns you will have it in manual anyway. If I was you I would have any, they both have thier pris and cons so look for a nice car and get it if its either manual or dsg, you will be happy with either
Title: Re: DSG or Manual?
Post by: Tortaruga on February 27, 2013, 04:44:38 pm
Manual with a shortshift conversion is VERY nice.

DSG is VERY nice according to most who have it (I've never tried so can't opine).

The only problem I possibly foresee with DSG is that your left leg may become, at best, withered; at worst, gangrenous and drop off. :scared:
Title: Re: DSG or Manual?
Post by: Kalpsn2000 on February 27, 2013, 04:54:57 pm
I'd never get DSG. Ok the gear changes are quicker, but you don't have the satisfaction of doing it yourself. I dislike Auto vehicles anyway.

I was thinking the same just before I started looking for my GTI, until my old man got a TDI DSG and after a few times driving it I completely changed my mind (its not like a normal auto)
and decided I needed a DSG GTI :happy2:

But at the end of the day its ETTO as some still prefer a manual.
Title: Re: DSG or Manual?
Post by: Redemption on February 27, 2013, 04:59:05 pm
DSG. Well worth a test drive and far better than any normal automatic. A while back I had the displeasure of driving a new Astra 1.6 auto whilst my old Leon FR was in the dealers. The Astra had a bloody awful box, horrible to drive and unreactive and slow. DSG is light years ahead.
Title: Re: DSG or Manual?
Post by: skard on February 27, 2013, 05:00:24 pm
Hmmm I wonder how a manual R32 would compare to a DSG ED30 for instance.... :popcornsoda:


 :P
Title: Re: DSG or Manual?
Post by: micosb on February 27, 2013, 05:13:43 pm
R32 manual is 0-60 in 6.5s and Edition 30 DSG is 6.6s. I have test drove the DSG and thought the gear change was brilliant but is it a proper drivers car??? Thanks for the feed back.
Title: Re: DSG or Manual?
Post by: RedRobin on February 27, 2013, 05:29:20 pm

I have test drove the DSG and thought the gear change was brilliant but is it a proper drivers car??? Thanks for the feed back.


....And how do you define "a proper driver's car"? A 1930's Brooklands Bentley perhaps?
Title: Re: DSG or Manual?
Post by: alackofspeed on February 27, 2013, 05:49:28 pm
My opinion - DSG for the daily, manual for track / fun cars. Bought my DSG GTI on a whim, and think it's great at what it does - I'd have another.
Title: Re: DSG or Manual?
Post by: micosb on February 27, 2013, 05:52:10 pm
I was referring to the gearbox, It's still technically an automatic. Im not against the DSG just wondering what is everyones thoughts, still undecided.....
Title: Re: DSG or Manual?
Post by: MC71 on February 27, 2013, 05:57:16 pm
Both have their merits, try both and then decide.

If your planning on upping the power (torque) then the DSG car may save you having to fork out for a new uprated clutch in the future. Oh and Launch Control is a laugh too on a DSG, in my manual I have to make do with "driver skill"  :laugh:

Title: Re: DSG or Manual?
Post by: micosb on February 27, 2013, 06:08:30 pm
You cant beat a good old bit of 'driver skill' haha  :driver:
Title: Re: DSG or Manual?
Post by: Tortaruga on February 27, 2013, 06:14:27 pm
^^^MC has more than most-he's ex BTCC... :laugh:
Title: Re: DSG or Manual?
Post by: GrayMK5GTI on February 27, 2013, 06:21:26 pm
If I was going to buy a car with the intention of tuning it, I'd go DSG knowing it can take the power  :happy2:

However, I read Honest John in the Telegraph motoring section and he gets soooo many complaints of DSG's going wrong or being hesitant  :scared: which puts me off a bit.

I'm beginning to read on the forum of more & more DSG drivers saying they miss changing gear with a manual (RichWig for example  :wink:)

Some love it, some don't basically  :grin:
Title: Re: DSG or Manual?
Post by: MC71 on February 27, 2013, 06:30:07 pm
^^^MC has more than most-he's ex BTCC... :laugh:

 :signLOL: :signLOL:

Next track day, you get to ride shotgun so you can appreciate my awesomeness in a straight line (still having trouble with those pesky bendy bits though).

 :happy2:
Title: Re: DSG or Manual?
Post by: RedRobin on February 27, 2013, 07:14:58 pm

I was referring to the gearbox, It's still technically an automatic. Im not against the DSG just wondering what is everyones thoughts, still undecided.....


....The fact that insurance companies only have two choices to categorise it puts it into the Automatic category.

In reality it is the best of both Manual and Automatic worlds.

But the only way you can decide is to arrange a loooong test drive in a DSG - You will either love or prefer a conventional Manual.
Title: Re: DSG or Manual?
Post by: Black9 on February 27, 2013, 08:02:08 pm
I've owned both. Can't say I prefer a specific one. Drive both and see which u prefer
Title: Re: DSG or Manual?
Post by: flashp on February 27, 2013, 08:13:14 pm
I have DSG and love it. I like manuals and wouldn't own a traditional auto but these are in another league. Can also drive it as a sequential. Jason Plato rated it also! Drive before you buy!!!!
Title: Re: DSG or Manual?
Post by: prp74 on February 27, 2013, 08:33:13 pm
I have a manual GTI and a dsg tdi and love both. Before buying the GTI I did read about dsg problems etc, but that's like any car you buy. When ever I change the GTI, I'd probably go for a dsg.

As many have suggested try before you buy. Which ever you go for, the gti is a cracking car.

Title: Re: DSG or Manual?
Post by: phicksy on February 27, 2013, 08:41:01 pm
I went for a DSG and it's a great stress free daily driver.  However, I came from a ep3 Civic type R which I thoroughly enjoyed a spirited drive in and that's just something I don't get with the DSG GTI. Infact, I rarely ever just pop out for a little drive and I put it largely down to the gearbox.  If I had my time again, I'd probably go for a manual in the hope it would be a bit more engaging. I'm sure some of it's down to the frantic nature of the Type R vs the more linear power curve of the GTI though.