42 years old and my first Autobox- I was convinced by the tech ("real" gearboxes with electickery-controlled clutches, no slushmatic) as well as a (brief) test dive. What do other newbies think? I have only covered about 4000 Km in winter, and I'm very impressed with traction and move-offs on snow and ice, although I have winter tyres. It seems to do exactly what it says on the tin, albeit with a propensity to choose the highest ratio possible in "D"- It seems to shift 1... 2...6, and I find myself at 50Km/h in top gear very often. Changes are smooth, and I can always call on a lower gear with the paddles. "S" mode helps, but I find that it goes too far towards the opposite extreme.

Basically I'm happy with the 'box, although it's early days, but, although not regretting my choice, I wonder if my next car won't have the classic, manual arrangement instead (I miss the torque rush in-gear...).

Thoughts from other autobox virgins?

Maxbert

42 years old and my first Autobox- I was convinced by the tech ("real" gearboxes with electickery-controlled clutches, no slushmatic) as well as a (brief) test dive. What do other newbies think? I have only covered about 4000 Km in winter, and I'm very impressed with traction and move-offs on snow and ice, although I have winter tyres. It seems to do exactly what it says on the tin, albeit with a propensity to choose the highest ratio possible in "D"- It seems to shift 1... 2...6, and I find myself at 50Km/h in top gear very often. Changes are smooth, and I can always call on a lower gear with the paddles. "S" mode helps, but I find that it goes too far towards the opposite extreme.

Basically I'm happy with the 'box, although it's early days, but, although not regretting my choice, I wonder if my next car won't have the classic, manual arrangement instead (I miss the torque rush in-gear...).

Thoughts from other autobox virgins?

Maxbert

Hi - I have the same Superb as you, and I am an auto virgin! It does take a little while to get used to. The most annoying thing is when you slowly approach a junction and decide to pull out quickly.. it stays in second or third and hesitates, then suddenly shifts to first and the car wheelspins and shudders away.. those few second of hesitation can be scary. As for actual driving, sometimes I think it feels as though you are driving along (say in 5th) and you slightly press the accelerator - it feels strangely like driving a manual with a slipping clutch. Sort of a bit strange. I would not go back to a manual in this type of car, it has to be a double clutch auto imho. I'm trying to get my wife to buy a 4x4 auto Yeti, but she doesn't like the idea of an auto, I suppose it is all about personal preference, but day to day I think the DSG will win over many manual diehards if they gave it a long term test.

I have driven a few different automated manuals before the DSG in both trucks and vans (Transit) as well as a an uncountable number of conventional autos and the DSG combined with the diesel is ahead of them all. No hesitation at all, instant power, seamless shifts, it can't get better than that. The only issue I have is driving technique, I left foot brake in an auto and if you touch the brake pedal while moving the power cuts out. It is something that I experience while parking or reversing a trailer at low speed and I will have to get used to not doing it. Yes, it will hang on to the gear as low as possible but that is for economy reasons but under load like when towing goes back to 5th when the speed drops about 2 kph. Diesels and manual gearboxes are a pain to drive in the lower gears as 1st & 2nd are always too short and the DSG gets over this issue. I would think the conventional auto is going to die out as the manufacturers get these style of boxes into production over the next decade or so. I really cannot understand the resistance that seems to exist in Europe and the UK to auto boxes, who would want to sit in a traffic jam for long periods of time driving a manual? So no I am not an auto newbie, just a DSG newbie and can't say too much about them.

The DSG box has fuzzy logic, so it learns your driving style. Once you get used to the DSG box and it learns how you want to drive the box will be how you want it. Drive it gently and it learns to change early and will continue to do so. If you want it to hold a gear longer, use more throttle and will hold the gear longer. Driving a DSG box is simillar but not the same as a conventional auto, and also needs a totally different way of driving when you are used to a manual.

I've driven a few autos and managed to spend a weekend with a Superb Estate 170 CR DSG before ordering mine. I have to say that the DSG performed unlike any other auto box that I have experienced; smooth, refined and incredibly quick at changing (I've since read that it changes in 1/200th of a second...!!).

I really like the idea of the box learning my driving style... I'm going to try and get it to learn a more economical style, leaving me to select Sport mode or use the tiptronic aspect if I want to drive enthusiastically

The one thing that does stick in my mind is the hesitation when pulling away from junctions, or slowing to approach junctions and then pulling away, as per the original post, but I suppose this is something I'll get used to :(

That aside, I'm really looking forward to getting my Superb (has been on order since the end of Sept, current bw 5) and demonstrating the wonders of the DSG to my friends, colleagues and relatives who have already commented that I must be getting old... because only old people have autos... apparently

ppl putting down DSG are mostly ppl without experiences with DSG. Like virgins talking about sex.

The one thing that does stick in my mind is the hesitation when pulling away from junctions, or slowing to approach junctions and then pulling away, as per the original post, but I suppose this is something I'll get used to :(

You do get used to it, I no longer give it a thought and no longer fit it an issue as your driving style seems to adapt to it.

Hi - I have the same Superb as you, and I am an auto virgin! It does take a little while to get used to. The most annoying thing is when you slowly approach a junction and decide to pull out quickly.. it stays in second or third and hesitates, then suddenly shifts to first and the car wheelspins and shudders away.. those few second of hesitation can be scary. As for actual driving, sometimes I think it feels as though you are driving along (say in 5th) and you slightly press the accelerator - it feels strangely like driving a manual with a slipping clutch. Sort of a bit strange. I would not go back to a manual in this type of car, it has to be a double clutch auto imho. I'm trying to get my wife to buy a 4x4 auto Yeti, but she doesn't like the idea of an auto, I suppose it is all about personal preference, but day to day I think the DSG will win over many manual diehards if they gave it a long term test.

Interesting... Mine changes down OK on approach to junctions / roundabouts (albeit a little later than I would like), staying in 2nd until I stop, when it changes into 1st... Move-offs are problem-free, but again my car was delivered early November, so between being gentle running-in, and the snow one month later my driving conditions have not been optimal, ro date...

FWIW Mrs. Maxbert hit me for a Yeti when we were at the dealers (Oooooh, that one looks nice, darling...) with much fluttering of eyelids / batting of eyelashes... She settled for a 2WD 5Sp Manual 110, although I was sceptical- it is a truly EXCELLENT car, far more confidence-inspiring on snow-covered roads than my Superb Estate. She also liked the auto, but it was only available in 140 HP 4x4 so (Bless, again...) she settled for the "lesser" version- Most impressed, and despite my misgivings, 110 HP is ample!

Maxbert

FWIW Mrs. Maxbert hit me for a Yeti when we were at the dealers (Oooooh, that one looks nice, darling...) with much fluttering of eyelids / batting of eyelashes... She settled for a 2WD 5Sp Manual 110, although I was sceptical- it is a truly EXCELLENT car, far more confidence-inspiring on snow-covered roads than my Superb Estate. She also liked the auto, but it was only available in 140 HP 4x4 so (Bless, again...) she settled for the "lesser" version- Most impressed, and despite my misgivings, 110 HP is ample!

Nice...! I couldn't even convince the Mrs to buy a Fabia, even with no VAT...! Seems she want's a Fiesta (can I say that on here, lol)

Hi Briskodians!

Since I'm a newbie on the DSG from manual shifting I had some experiences with my 1000 km tour lately. In normal highway driving no difference except when overtaking, both hands on the steering wheel, no coordination with the clutch, just..drive! It will take some time to overcome the natural reflex of down shifting during this maneuver. Have to keep an eye on my better half when she's driving...

In slippery (snowy!) weather I sometimes miss the control a conventional clutch gives you heading up (or starting in) a steep street. The electrical differential lock saved me there and took me away where several others were stuck.

In cold weather (like -25 to -30 degrees C) the DSG needs more revs to engage in reverse and drive. That make the moves of the car on a parking a lot less superb but still manageable. Automatic sport suspension in these temperatures. But it did start! The separate heating system from Webasto (with the remote control) is a blessing in this conditions. Just give it time to work and the car will start without a doubt. 15 minutes is all it takes. The real deal with this is that it can operate parallel with the cars ordinary system and this way shorten the warm up time.

Back to the DSG: another minor drawback is the that you have to nail it with the brakes standing in front of red lights, corners etc, that works smoother for me with a manual gearbox. But that is probably a thing to learn to deal with (going off to neutral in time maybe?).

All in all a good experience!

/Superbjoser

My own experience.

Superb 1.8 TSI 7-speed DSG, 23 months, 60.000 km, approx. 20% urban and 80% highway, 0 problems.

By the way, I live in Seville. Too hot (and humidity) in Summer, it's easy to be over 40 degrees (which means at midday on a highway thereal temperature is about 55). Approaching 0 celsius degrees in winter.

I'll recommend it to anyone who thinks about buying a VAG.

Just my two cents