Hi All,

 

I have an order in for a vRS TDI Manual at the moment - pretty much the ONLY reason I went for the manual was because the DSG was listed on the website at 26K odd - which I thought was strange at the time.

 

Looking at teh website again today it's down for around 24k?!

 

Wondering if I should change the order (if that's even possible) - does anything have any experience of the vRS TDI with DSG? - I've heard a few rumblings that it hasn't worked out too well, but I really did fancy one when I first started looking :\

The vRS TDi DSG has a fuel penalty of ~5 mpg, compared to the manual one, IIRC it also puts it up one tax band.

 

As I've only had a DSG mated to a petrol engine I can't comment further. Other than I would have though the DSG box would be a perfect match for the diesel engine, most auto's seem to be anyway.

Have driven the diesel VRS with DSG for about 10 miles. I tried it in all of the 'Modes' and found it quite compliant and sort of wished I had gone for one on my order. Compared to the Fabia VRS I have I found the DSG to be much better, probably due to the software involved or maybe because it is only a six speed as opposed to the seven I currently have so was quite impressed.

However, it adds £1400 to the price of the car, takes the VED up to £125 from £30 (for the tdi) and the economy is not so good. So increases day to day running costs. Not sure what the GFV difference is though if buying on a PCP as if the residual is stronger, then perhaps that can be offset against the higher running cost.

Personally, despite having liked the DSG over the short drive I had, long term I do prefer to shift my own gears, but each to their own.

You can shift your own gears with a DSG just push the lever over to the side or use the paddles.

You can shift your own gears with a DSG just push the lever over to the side or use the paddles.

Yes you can drive it in manual mode or employ the paddles at any time. Having driven almost 50,000 miles in the Fabia I know this, but I just do not find it an involving drive with the DSG. As I said, each to their own, I just prefer a manual and would have had one if it were possible with the Fabia.

I will say though that the paddles on the Octy do have a nicer feel than those of the Fabia but are still too small for my liking.

Bigred, where abouts in Hampshire are you? Sparshatts at Botley have a VRS diesel DSG demo car if you want to try one.

Have driven the diesel VRS with DSG for about 10 miles. I tried it in all of the 'Modes' and found it quite compliant and sort of wished I had gone for one on my order. Compared to the Fabia VRS I have I found the DSG to be much better, probably due to the software involved or maybe because it is only a six speed as opposed to the seven I currently have so was quite impressed.

However, it adds £1400 to the price of the car, takes the VED up to £125 from £30 (for the tdi) and the economy is not so good. So increases day to day running costs. Not sure what the GFV difference is though if buying on a PCP as if the residual is stronger, then perhaps that can be offset against the higher running cost.

Personally, despite having liked the DSG over the short drive I had, long term I do prefer to shift my own gears, but each to their own.

Id echo the above. Im on my 2nd DSG car and whilst I do really like dual clutches it'll probably be my last.

It makes a pretty convincing stab at pretending to be a proper auto but the lack of a torque converter makes them a bit clunky and not particularly smooth, particularly at lower speeds.

In terms of general drivability overall I prefer the 6 speed wet clutch over the 7 dry but I'd in future begrudge paying a load of money for such technology for it to hurt fuel economy and emissions. Id rather save 1600 quid and swap cogs myself until such time DSG actually serves to improve performance (which despite its quick shifts I dont think it does really) with improved economy and emissions over its manual counterpart ill not be interested.

BMW have got it bang on with the new 8 speed ZF auto box, given autos are getting so good now I wonder how long VAG will keep pushing DSG.

Cant argue with that particular assessment, re BMW and others super sosphistated slush boxs.

Having tried to reverse up to a loaded and immobile trailer this week the dry DSG is plumb awful in respect of inching control.

Compared to a TC or manual dry clutch.

But tee hee

I blew away a wee twerp at the lights, in his souped-up super-low very-loud de-badged Honda Civic?.

He had come round the roundabout alongside me, blipping his throttle and jockying for pole position.

Simply perfectly anticipated the green and floored the pedal in Sport.

I backed off as I hit 60, he was well behind by then.

With my humble 1.6 diesel.

With traction control et al, an absolute no skills exercise.

PS 

Must repeat that excerise and log some figures.

Cant argue with that particular assessment, re BMW and others super sosphistated slush boxs.

Having tried to reverse up to a loaded and immobile trailer this week the dry DSG is plumb awful in respect of inching control.

Compared to a TC or manual dry clutch.

But tee hee

I blew away a wee twerp at the lights, in his souped-up super-low very-loud de-badged Honda Civic?.

He had come round the roundabout alongside me, blipping his throttle and jockying for pole position.

Simply perfectly anticipated the green and floored the pedal in Sport.

I backed off as I hit 60, he was well behind by then.

With my humble 1.6 diesel.

With traction control et al, an absolute no skills exercise.

PS

Must repeat that excerise and log some figures.

+1 on low speed moving, its dog awful at reversing up inclines and tight moves on steep slopes.

my driveway is v steep and i dont think i could reverse mine up it without cooking clutches.

My Dad has an M135i with the 8 speed box and it is phenominal, gearchanges are just like DSG with none of the poor control or jerkiness....slightly quicker than my poor old CR 170 too!

He had come round the roundabout alongside me, blipping his throttle and jockying for pole position.

Simply perfectly anticipated the green and floored the pedal in Sport.

I backed off as I hit 60, he was well behind by then.

With my humble 1.6 diesel.

With traction control et al, an absolute no skills exercise.

 

I had a similar experience with a Vectra 2.2 SRI when in my 2.0 PD140 DSG. This is what I love about the DSG. On paper the vectra is faster. But in real world conditions my DSG was considerably faster, much to his embarrassment.