Ok, So I had a manual tdi VRS on order from April. When I ordered it, the new CRD wasn't able to be ordered so was just ordered as a vrs estate tdi.

My car arrived thursday and is due for picking up on saturday when today (friday, 1pm) I get a phone call from the dealer. They have ordered the DSG, not the manual one!!! Arrrggghhh. I am given 2 options:

1. Wait for a manual one which will take 1-2 weeks )there is one in the UK similar spec but they will need to fit parking sensors and put dark film on the windows for sunset glass.

2. Take the DSG, with 25% off the cost of the box.

So anyway, I have the afternnon off and would love to have a quick test of the new CRD engine so IO went down the dealers to see what the DSG was like. (see below) after driving it, I wasn't sure about it, bu couldn't decide if my misgivings were because of the auto box and my style of driving or the new CRD engine. Therefore, I took out a manual CRD, then back into the DSG for descision time.......

See below...

Edited 11 July, 200817 yr by busterboyuk

Only test drove a few miles but here is my impression..

1. More refined. Very quite when driving, a little diesel rattle at rest but no where near the old PD engine.

2. Not quite as exciting. The old PD kick which appeared at approx 2000 revs has gone, replaced with a much smoother power surge. However, this means that the lag in 1st is not quite as noticable now.

3. Easier in the wet. When I drove today the roads were still a little damp ( a little like when I drove the old PD engine). Not once did I experience wheelspin or traction lights coming on when seeting off in high revs.

So overall, much more refined, a little less exciting but easier to get the power onto the tarmac. Do i prefer it..... Yes, jus about. There isnt a lot in it and you could argue if you want refinement why not buy the petrol engine but as an overall package I think it will be easier to live with day to day.

First off, I wouldn't have ordinarily ordered a DSG VRS. What's the point? It should all be about driving and taking gear changes out of it removes half the fun.......doesn't it?

So first drive in the DSG .... not good. Continually over/under revving, not doing what I wanted it too, too much lag from foot down to power out. Then I tried the manual CRD and went back to the auto to give it one more go.

Brilliant!!!!

What I had been doing is trying to replicate the old PD engine kick in this new CRD. It isnt there! When I realised this and adopted my driving style. This new DSG is great. Easy to trundle along very nicely, no way you will get the old wheels spinning in a bit of the wet stuff, smooth (almost unnoticeable gear change) and all pleasent. Stick in sport mode, climbs up the rev range quickly, super quick change and your away. The kickdown fetaure allows you to override all the safe stuff and would probably get some spinny stuff going on and is great. The engine sound is smooth and I had a great big smile on my face now. Fuel economy is down by less than 1mpg and road tax is the same for the estate as the manual (one up in the hatchback).

SO what did I decide?

I went for the DSG, after haggling down another 25% (ie£550). As some of you may know I haggled down the price of the base car so overall, I have got a new CRD DSG VRS estate with vrs upgrade pack, maxidot, rear parking sensors and sunset glass for £18K. Next years apprentice? Maybe not, but overall v happy! Plus, I reckon I am the only CRD DSG owner in the UK from 4pm tommorrow!!!!!!!

Edited 11 July, 200817 yr by busterboyuk

Sounds like you got a good deal, seemed to work well in your favour!!

Enjoy your new car!!!

That's a good price.

I definitely wouldn't pay full price for a DSG transmission , but with 50% off I'd be very tempted.

Nice one

Good for you - ENJOY

thats half the fun with the pd's - lighting those tyres up

Sounds good and DSG for half price has to be something of a bargain.

It would be good if you kept us updated with fuel consumption so that we could compare to PD figures.

Welcome to the world of DSG

Go for the DSG.

Retrofit parking sensors are not the same as the factory fit, and dont fully interface with the canbus. The sunset glass is far better than any window tint, and the DSG box can be used in full manual mode if you want.

Thanks mannyo

Im preety certain I have made the right choice now. Looking frward to some ultra quick "manual" changes, countdown 7 hours!!!

Photos when you get it please

thats half the fun with the pd's - lighting those tyres up

I'm sure with torque of 350 Nm you can still smoke the fronts

I'm sure with torque of 350 Nm you can still smoke the fronts

Probably will be able to excite by slipping the clutch a little :)

Does the DSG have paddles? or is it still auto/tiptronic only? :confused:

still auto/tiptronic..but great fun