I was tempted to go for a DSG given that a lot of the time I sit in traffic and having an auto would be great.

 

However I was put off by the fact that I would lose (on average) 5MPG and be in a high tax bracket, and have to fork over an extra £1500 approx for the privilege.

 

Plus i like the feeling of being in complete (as much as you can be with modern cars) control of the car.

True

I was tempted to go for a DSG given that a lot of the time I sit in traffic and having an auto would be great.

 

However I was put off by the fact that I would lose (on average) 5MPG and be in a high tax bracket, and have to fork over an extra £1500 approx for the privilege.

 

Plus i like the feeling of being in complete (as much as you can be with modern cars) control of the car.

and the rest... more like 10mpg difference.

 

Does not suit a diesel at all, Petrol is a good combination.

 

But lets get the flappy paddle thing sorted... the gear changes are near instant (compared to a normal auto) but there is a delay between activating a paddle and the gear actually changing.

 

Pulling away from standstill it's very quick, I've overcome the traction control plenty of times.

 

If you want a lazy drive or have a broken left leg then get a DSG only make sure the badge says TSI VRS and does not have a D in it anywhere.

Surely the argument for the DSG vs Manual is easily reduced to comfort vs cost?

DSG is more costly but makes your driving experience easier and more comfortable. I'd argue that 9 out of 10 journeys don't require any racing action (unless you live in Liverpool) so you won't come across the drawbacks of the DSG too often. So if you are happy to cough up the extra cash...

P.S. English isn't my first language either but the brake vs break thing annoys me too.

Surely the argument for the DSG vs Manual is easily reduced to comfort vs cost?

DSG is more costly but makes your driving experience easier and more comfortable. I'd argue that 9 out of 10 journeys don't require any racing action (unless you live in Liverpool) so you won't come across the drawbacks of the DSG too often. So if you are happy to cough up the extra cash...

You seem to imply that in a theoretical world where DSG and Manual have no price difference and nobody practices 'racing action', everybody would choose the DSG? I don't think that's the case and that your reduction works.

 

The manual/DSG provide a significantly different driving experience and as I said before, I think the choice would ultimately come down to personal preference. If you're looking for an easier and more hands-off driving experience, the DSG is a fantastical piece of engineering. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't pick DSG even if it cost the same. And I'm definitely sure that people with similar driving habits would still choose and like different things even if the element of cost or fuel efficiency is completely removed.

 I'd argue that 9 out of 10 journeys don't require any racing action (unless you live in Liverpool) 

 

What does that even mean?

Whenever I am unfortunate enough to have to go to Liverpool, I seem to come across a lot of boy racers wanting to be the first away from the lights. Can't say that this is based on any statistical evidence though.

As for the DSG, I think you are right. It is personal preference in the end.

Not experienced that particularly myself, but hey ho.

 

It's probably already been summed up, but choose whatever you like, nobody should have to justify their choice. They're both fine gearboxes.

I wonder why is only different in the 1.4 - weird.

Yeah sorry Andy, I was on about the 1.4 TSI, its saves fuel, emissions and £75 p.a. in road tax in the UK.

 

Regards

T

...or in the case of a company car, the lower emissions cancel out the extra cost of the DSG (in fact the DSG is £10 a year less in terms of tax payable).

To clarify, I shouldn't have said nose heavy. Just slightly heavier then manual. Was not apparent to me until I drove a manual.

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

To clarify, I shouldn't have said nose heavy. Just slightly heavier then manual. Was not apparent to me until I drove a manual.

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

Really, with respect 20 Kg, thats just the difference between a company car driver and a fit person.

 

Regards

T

You must be a very sensitive person if you can tell the difference of 20 kg from a car with more than 1200-1300 kg... Some of us may have had bigger lunches than that. 

and the rest... more like 10mpg difference.  Really?  Suspect driving style is responsible for at last some of that difference.

 

Does not suit a diesel at all, Petrol is a good combination.  Although I have a diesel with DSG I agree that the DSG is better matched to the petrol.

 

But lets get the flappy paddle thing sorted... the gear changes are near instant (compared to a normal auto) but there is a delay between activating a paddle and the gear actually changing.  I have driven 3 cars with DSG.  On one there was definitely a lag between using a paddle and the actual gear change happening; on the other two (one being mine) there was no lag.  So perhaps some cars have the lag and some don't?

 

Pulling away from standstill it's very quick, I've overcome the traction control plenty of times.  Surely this applies to manual & DG cars.

 

If you want a lazy drive or have a broken left leg then get a DSG only make sure the badge says TSI VRS and does not have a D in it anywhere.  The diesel+DSG is the best combo for my needs.  A manual diesel would be better for me than a petrol+DSG.

Comments above - all personal (other comments are available)

DSG are very reliable now and one of the best auto gearboxes available on the market today. I was really set on buying one this time around but finally decided stick with manual for the following observations. Personal choice.

 

DSG compared to Manual, shift.

 

- purchase price, +1550 EUR

- higher emissions CO2, +400 (next band up)

- harder to park (manual is very quick to move around compared to the auto stick)

- more electronics to fail (chatter on motorway, wrong gear is low revs etc.) 

- heavier due to gearbox

- lower petrol consumption

- higher wear of tyres (Skoda garage expert)

- costly revision & maintenance at 80,000 Kms

- takes time to relearn not to drive and risk of slamming break in emergency stop 

- driver modes (Sport, Eco, Individual) less effective than on the manual (Sport revs to high - I'm told)

- driver no longer in control and making decisions, car does it for you, sometimes when you don't want too.

 

Main reasons for me, after a quick DSG test drive, were.

- less interaction with the car, loss of feeling and definitely lacking fun ( man I like to dance on those peddles )

- didn't get the rally driver shift feeling that I expected in Manual mode.

- the change may be quick but just don't like the auto shift sound and feeling. mmmmm, ,,,,,,mmmmmm

I've had my DSG for three months and it's fantastic, I don't think I'll go back to a manual. The thing that worries me from this post is the "costly revision & maintenance at 80,000kms". Can anyone tell me what this entails and the cost please?

I believe the wet clutch DSG needs an oil change - I assume at 80k?

Edited 6 February, 201412 yr by philhoward

It's an oil change at 60k km and it's not that costly. Come on people, we've all bought a not so cheap car... I think we can all handle £100 in expenses every 60k, right?

Some people (and I'm not going to knock them for it) calculate costs down to the last £/€ when choosing a car - and if they stick to a budget it can be the difference between one car and another.  A guy I know was looking at a VW Tiguan - he got an A4 Avant quattro instead for less overall by doing his sums over the long term.

 

Slight diversion though - apoligies!

Wet clutch is every 40k miles - the 7 speed DSG doesn't require anything, it's a sealed unit.

Clutch packs can go, also the mechatronics can pack up. Both expensive repairs...the latter is new gearbox time i believe.

Agreed, but those don't come under maintenance.

 

PS: The mechatronic unit can be replaced without getting a whole new gearbox.

Edited 6 February, 201412 yr by TudorM

Some people (and I'm not going to knock them for it) calculate costs down to the last £/€ when choosing a car - and if they stick to a budget it can be the difference between one car and another. A guy I know was looking at a VW Tiguan - he got an A4 Avant quattro instead for less overall by doing his sums over the long term.

Slight diversion though - apoligies!

That's a risky game to play though. If £100 makes the difference between one car and another you haven't got much room for error. There's stuff that you can't really predict. Tyre wear, stone chips or accidentally breaking things.

Edited 6 February, 201412 yr by bichti

If going that close on number crunching, mpg figures must be a nightmare...especially if they are 1% worse than the manufacturers simulated EU figures 

Agreed, but those don't come under maintenance.

PS: The mechatronic unit can be replaced without getting a whole new gearbox.

No fair enough. Is it new gearbox time if the clutch packs go on a 7 speed being a sealed unit or are the clutch packs accessible?

Also thought the mechatronics was built into the box but interesting to know it can be replaced; pricey stuff out of warranty all the same.

Dont get me wrong its not like clutch/gearbox failure on a manual version is going to come cheap but ought to be significantly less than replacing a DSG.

That said both the DSGs ive had (one 7 speed dry and one 6 speed wet) have been good as gold mechanically and suspect nowadays problems or failures occuring are just pure bad luck.

That's a risky game to play though. If £100 makes the difference between one car and another you haven't got much room for error. There's stuff that you can't really predict. Tyre wear, stone chips or accidentally breaking things.

From my old work days (Engineering) and the fact that I'm married to an accountant I work everything down to the very last penny, then I went for back to back test drives in differing models, I then had to come home and revise all my figures because of the smooth way that 1.4 DSG TSI drives, I wasn't being without it & having revised the figures guess what.  An Elegance worked out better for us.

 

Now obviously, I can't publise those figures or even resubmit them to the wife due to a sudden loss of data (which will occure as soon as said info is requested) however, this I can tell you, the bean counters in life may end up with more money than me in their retirement but, there is no way they'll have anything near the same amount of happy memories as I.

 

Nuff said

 

Regards

T

From my old work days (Engineering) and the fact that I'm married to an accountant I work everything down to the very last penny, then I went for back to back test drives in differing models, I then had to come home and revise all my figures because of the smooth way that 1.4 DSG TSI drives, I wasn't being without it & having revised the figures guess what.  An Elegance worked out better for us.

 

 

My background is engineering as well (marine) and I'm married to a financial analyst, but working everything out to the last penny....life is just too short for that.  For me, the Elegance was just the "right" car, and 8 months on my judgement was proved very sound!

Edited 6 February, 201412 yr by Timoctav