I had a DSG Passat CC 2.0TFSI for a week and loved it, bought the Octavia diesel DSG based on that week.

 

What a mistake, diesel + DSG = awful.

 

If you've got a fully functioning left leg then don't do it.  Yes, it's good for stop/start traffic but that's it.... If you only buy a car based on driving in heavy traffic then go buy a 1.2 Octavia, why buy a VRS?

 

Sport mode is a total waste of time in the DSG, the shift points are all over the place.

 

Flappy paddles do change gear but not exactly when you pull them, can sometimes take a second.

 

Not suited to a diesel engine at all.

 

Petrol is fantastic though!

Edited 14 December, 201312 yr by Sheldon.Cooper

I had a DSG Passat CC 2.0TFSI for a week and loved it, bought the Octavia diesel DSG based on that week.

 

What a mistake, diesel + DSG = awful.

 

If you've got a fully functioning left leg then don't do it.  Yes, it's good for stop/start traffic but that's it.... If you only buy a car based on driving in heavy traffic then go buy a 1.2 Octavia, why buy a VRS?

 

Sport mode is a total waste of time in the DSG, the shift points are all over the place.

 

Flappy paddles do change gear but not exactly when you pull them, can sometimes take a second.

 

Not suited to a diesel engine at all.

 

Petrol is fantastic though!

I agree that the Sports mode is useless with the diesel engine - holds the gears to far too high revs.  However, Sports mode is excellent for holding a lower gear when driving down a steep hill.

 

In my car there is never any discernible lag between a touch on a paddle and the resulting gear change.

 

I agree that the DSG is better matched to a petrol engine; but I disagree that it is "awful" with the diesel. It is just necessary to recognise the (in my view, minor) shortcomings and drive in a manner to minimise them.  I don't regret buying my vRS CR DSG and will probably consider buying diesel+DSG again for my next car.  I say 'probably' as I intend to keep the current car for, at least, another 4 years or so and who knows what my circumstances and requirements will be then.

I'm currently in a Blackline DSG. I've ordered a manual vRS now. I drive my car now and whilst the gearbox is awesome, I do feel a bit detached. The DSG option on the new car adds about £30 a month to the payment, more road tax and less mpg. Head says no but heart is starting to think should I change my order,

Sorry it's manual for me . Feel more in control ALL the time and no junction hesitation.

Sorry it's manual for me . Feel more in control ALL the time and no junction hesitation.

Or unexpected down shifts when going down hill etc.

I agree i would opt for manual but to be honest it's like car choice of any kind, fully personal and down to what you want and need?

DSG/S-Tronic are excellent but do limit your control that said they are a million miles away from old autos and provide an excellent alternative to manual.

I test drove both DSG (diesel) and manual (petrol) VRS's. I really liked the DSG and was impressed by the speed and smoothness of the gearchanges. It was also fun using the beagle-ears for semi-manual changes.

 

The only (non-financial) thing which put me off of DSG and made me choose manual was the reduced ability to control traction in low gears. On a damp road I needed to pull out of a junction into busy traffic, and the DSG box just span the wheels. My only option was to come off of the acceleratior and pull out slowly before straightening the car up an flooring it. A manual box would have allowed me to balance the clutch an accelerator much faster and not get bogged down with spinning wheels so easily. It was a small thing, but it occurred during a short test drive and was enough to put me off.

I test drove both DSG (diesel) and manual (petrol) VRS's. I really liked the DSG and was impressed by the speed and smoothness of the gearchanges. It was also fun using the beagle-ears for semi-manual changes.

 

The only (non-financial) thing which put me off of DSG and made me choose manual was the reduced ability to control traction in low gears. On a damp road I needed to pull out of a junction into busy traffic, and the DSG box just span the wheels. My only option was to come off of the acceleratior and pull out slowly before straightening the car up an flooring it. A manual box would have allowed me to balance the clutch an accelerator much faster and not get bogged down with spinning wheels so easily. It was a small thing, but it occurred during a short test drive and was enough to put me off.

Yeah, but far safer and under control!!

Crikey you must of floored it

The best way is to test both types even if you have to travel. The semi autos are great and some will love them, some will still love manuals

I had a Seat Leon 2.0 ltr tdi dsg for 4 years and had my Octavia for 3. Never use paddles, as my fingers are too short to reach easily!. Always use in manual mode except in heavy traffic. Would never buy a manual car again, but it`s down to personal preferences.

Edited 3 January, 201412 yr by teebee

For what is worth...

I currently drive a Scirocco Tdi 170 DSG and have done for 18 months. I have to regularly do battle with the M25 so it was for me at least a no brainer to opt for the auto box.

It shifts smoothly, behaves impeccably and of course you have the option to either shift like a manual or play with the flappy paddles. Agreed it knocks a tiny amount off the performance and economy and bumps the road tax a little but it's hardly a massive penalty.

When it came to buying my new Octavia Tdi 184, I didn't even think about it, DSG all the way.

For what is worth...

I currently drive a Scirocco Tdi 170 DSG and have done for 18 months. I have to regularly do battle with the M25 so it was for me at least a no brainer to opt for the auto box.

It shifts smoothly, behaves impeccably and of course you have the option to either shift like a manual or play with the flappy paddles. Agreed it knocks a tiny amount off the performance and economy and bumps the road tax a little but it's hardly a massive penalty.

When it came to buying my new Octavia Tdi 184, I didn't even think about it, DSG all the way.

Does sitting in M25 scenario justify the extra expense and give you a payback, other than weakening left leg muscles!!

For what is worth...

I currently drive a Scirocco Tdi 170 DSG and have done for 18 months. I have to regularly do battle with the M25 so it was for me at least a no brainer to opt for the auto box.

It shifts smoothly, behaves impeccably and of course you have the option to either shift like a manual or play with the flappy paddles. Agreed it knocks a tiny amount off the performance and economy and bumps the road tax a little but it's hardly a massive penalty.

When it came to buying my new Octavia Tdi 184, I didn't even think about it, DSG all the way.

Worst scenario for you: "If you don't use it you loose it!" (Leg will fall off on M25) However , you will have strong finger tips!! ( To pick it up)

 

Cheers,

Keith

I should have also mentioned that my dear wife has a really bad hip making driving a manual not impossible but painful so I thought it best in case we needed to car swap etc.

I can recall a journey back from work about two years ago, 4.5 hours to do just over 30 miles and that was in a manual Mondeo, I swore at that time that things had to change!

I'm a big fan of the DSG, I've driven autos quite a bit in the past few years and it's the best I've come across although the one in my wife's Qashqai is pretty decent unlike her previous car, a Peugeot 206cc which was dreadful.

I'm also fairly fortunate in that the extra expense was probably bottom of the pile when it came to considerations. :-)

And I walk with a slight limp but that may be as you rightly point out Keith, weakening leg muscles. ;-)