Our next (Mk II) Octy must be an auto, and I had more or less decided to go for the 2.0 TDi diesel DSG until I drove the combo in a Seat Altea - not very impressive. It was slow to pull away, then very peaky delivery before it changed up too early. If the Octy's the same, I'm not sure I could live with it for 10 years (which is how long I intend to keep it).

So I'm thinking about the 2.0 FSI petrol auto. Obviously far less economical, but a more powerful engine and a slushbox convertor should give a more refined ride (which is very important to me). Also, most of our Octy driving is long distance, so if the slushbox has a lock-up (has it?) consumption shouldn't be that bad.

But I haven't seen a single comment so far on the Octy II 2.0 auto. Has anyone experience of it? How smooth is it compared to the 2.0 TDi DSG? What sort of real-world economy can one expect (reading that the diesel DSG knocks economy back by 6 mpg doesn't instil confidence in that variant).

Views, please.

The diesels only comes with DSG, the Slushbox only comes in the petrols.

I've got the 2.0l but in a manual, but my mum has the 1.9 with the DSG but either diesel has a big punch that if you want to use slowly you need to be light with the accelerator. The slow pull away is typical with the engine and due to the tubo not kicking in until 2000 rpm and I although I know what you mean by it being slow, once the car is moving it's fine. The Sport mode in the selector should sort out the quick change and there is always the self shift part as well if you want to hang on for a bit more. The ride will depend on how you push the car and although it takes a little time, once you get used to how it goes you will be fine.

If you are bothered by the power, the Diesel on the whole would beat the petrol as the petrol cannot compete with the diesels pull.

Thanks Roo - I knew it was petrol slushbox or diesel DSG and your impressions are similar to mine. Just don't know if I could live with the DSG hesitation then rush of power. There's certainly plenty of oomph with the diesel, but I'm looking for some smoothness.

I do recall reading a few weeks ago someone from VW/Audi saying they'd never offer the DSG in the US because drivers there are used to the surge of power you get with a torque convertor pulling away - the DSG is just too like a manual. Know what he meant.

Still waiting to hear from anyone who actually drives a 2.0 FSI petrol auto - perhaps they don't actually make them!

The Audi TT is sold in the USA with the DSG gearbox. However, there are very, very few diesel cars in the USA because gas (petrol) is still much cheaper ($2.30 per gallon = 1.30 pounds sterling per gallon). Most US cars get very poor mpg compared with European cars and are generally of "older" design and efficiency - but what most people want here are low revving engines with bags of horsepower to overcome the traditional drag of automatics. I must admit it makes for nice and easy lazy driving but as the suspension set-ups are geared for comfort and softness rather than roadholding then that is probably a good thing!

I am returning to UK this Autumn and tried many auto cars when last in the UK to decide what car to order for my return. Traditional autos are fine with high power engines (think V6 2.5 litre minimum) where the reduced power is less noticeable, however mpg suffers horribly!

After trying many, many cars I ended up ordering a 2.0 TDI Octy with DSG gearbox. I test drove it for a long time and found that I quickly adapted to the power feed, the DSG gearbox certainly helped because it was obviously tuned to match the output characteristics of the engine. I would think that a manual would require a bit more getting used to. I must admit that I am no longer a 'boy racer' but value quick acceleration to overtake in the 50-70mph range - the 2,0 TDI engine certainly has that and I did not notice any delay in the power when I wanted it. I guess at lower speeds when the engine is "off" its torque peak then there might be a slight hesitation but if there was then I seemed to adapt to accomodate the difference without thinking mush about it. Now, this might say more about my driving than the car but I guess everyone has their own style. I also plan to keep the car for 10+ years, I just can't understand how anyone can sell a perfectly good car after 3 years and accept a 50% loss of value - unless you had bought a Daewoo of course!!

Just don't know if I could live with the DSG hesitation then rush of power. There's certainly plenty of oomph with the diesel' date=' but I'm looking for some smoothness.

[/quote']

I get that with the manual. I don't own an Auto. It's the fact that the turbo does not kick in until 2000 rpm that causes the hesitation not the gearbox.

I just got a DSG 2.0TDi and that initial hesitation is "interesting". I previously had an auto Honda Accord 2.0 petrol (old shape). The initial hesitation is worse, but as soon as it starts to go, it is far faster, even to 30mph. It just feels as if you aren't going to start going. Then its a kick in the back. Same in tiptronic mode. I guess its a diesel thing, and as roo says, turbo not yet doing anything.

I only find the hesitation to be a problem when I want to make a quick exit from a junction, or onto a roundabout - in those 'I can just squeeze in if I'm quick' moments. It is annoying, but no worse than the diesel Superb (manual) that I had before - as said above, it's because the turbo isn't on boost. You do get used to it, and the rest of the DSG more than makes up for it. I'd choose DSG over conventional auto any day because (and these are just my opinions before the war starts!):

1. You don't lose any power, and acceleration is probably better than a manual because it changes gear more quickly than you can

2. You don't lose anything like the fuel economy that you would if you bought a conventional auto

3. I think it changes gear more smoothly than a conventional auto - many times I only know it's changed because the gear number changes and the revs drop!

4. If you're in the mood, you can take over and have a real manual gearbox, with proper engine braking, something that tiptronic autos can never achieve.

Just my thoughts of course

I bought the 2.0FSi auto, and collected it 3 weeks (1400 miles) ago. I am very happy with it. My main reason not to go for the diesel with DSG was the noise - the petrol is so much quieter. Gear changes are smooth as you like, and performance excellent.

However:

Am struggling to match the published mpg figures even when driving very carefully. Have averaged 31.4mpg, and it's all on the open road. Just what you have to do to get the 44mpg extra-urban they claim, I don't know. To be fair, I have been using the ordinary (95) unleaded for the most part, but I did put in a full tank of the super (98) unleaded for 6p more a litre and didn't notice any improvement at all.

Any tips welcome!

newboy - Thanks for the response. How is the pickup from stationary? Gentle or kick upthe a**e? One of my problems withthe DSG (as many have noted) is that it's sluggish until the turbo kicks in. I'm quite keen on quietness and smoothness, so am having qualms about the DSG. Any other views?

Newboy from what I know you are not allowed to put 95 in your fsi. The new fsi requires the quality 98 or higer petrol.

Pick up from stationary seems pretty smooth to me

Newboy from what I know you are not allowed to put 95 in your fsi. The new fsi requires the quality 98 or higer petrol.

Thanks raz

Inside the petrol cap flap it does say Use 98 unleaded, but in the manual it says you can use 95 without doing any harm - just a small drop in performance.

My dealer said it makes no difference whatsoever - but then, what do they know?

When I did put in 98 super unleaded, I noticed no improvement in either performance or economy, so have reverted to 95.

I really hope I am not doing the car any harm. On the other hand I will be pretty hacked off if it turns out I have to buy the 6p/litre more expensive petrol for the rest of time. This was not pointed out at any stage in the selling process, and if I had known, I would definitely have chosen the Diesel (it was a borderline decision as it was)

I would really appreciate an authoritative answer if anyone out there knows the facts.

Thanks raz

Inside the petrol cap flap it does say Use 98 unleaded' date=' but in the manual it says you can use 95 without doing any harm - just a small drop in performance.

My dealer said it makes no difference whatsoever - but then, what do they know?

When I did put in 98 super unleaded, I noticed no improvement in either performance or economy, so have reverted to 95.

I really hope I am not doing the car any harm. On the other hand I will be pretty hacked off if it turns out I have to buy the 6p/litre more expensive petrol for the rest of time. This was not pointed out at any stage in the selling process, and if I had known, I would definitely have chosen the Diesel (it was a borderline decision as it was)

I would really appreciate an authoritative answer if anyone out there knows the facts.[/quote']

Local dealers AND the Good Book both say 95 is okay. I can''t even find any 98 - even Shell Optimax is only 97. Mine goes well on this, but not enough to worry about unless driving flat out everywhere.

I've heard stories about cars having to be de-coked after 40K when using 95 :eek:

I've heard stories about cars having to be de-coked after 40K when using 95 :eek:

On my mileage I'd still be in warranty. If that happened I'd go back to 97 or else wonder if the car was worth keeping.

I bought the 2.0FSi auto' date=' and collected it 3 weeks (1400 miles) ago. I am very happy with it. My main reason not to go for the diesel with DSG was the noise - the petrol is so much quieter. Gear changes are smooth as you like, and performance excellent.

However:

Am struggling to match the published mpg figures even when driving very carefully. Have averaged 31.4mpg, and it's all on the open road. Just what you have to do to get the 44mpg extra-urban they claim, I don't know. To be fair, I have been using the ordinary (95) unleaded for the most part, but I did put in a full tank of the super (98) unleaded for 6p more a litre and didn't notice any improvement at all.

Any tips welcome![/quote']

10 weeks old 9500 Miles best return 39.6 on a 200 mile run. typical run 34-36 mpg.

Once bedded in i think you'll see the same.

I run super when i can and find that typically its better to the tune of 10%

Sorry just realisedmine not auto

2.0fsi Elegence Corrida Red ESP Maxidot Light Thingy

10 weeks old 9500 Miles best return 39.6 on a 200 mile run. typical run 34-36 mpg.

That's alot of miles, How long do you keep your cars for?

I got 2.0fsi auto and am returning 34-36 mpg ,smooth gear change and accelerates VERY nicely thank you 8 weeks old and 7500 miles to the good. Also just put optimax in but as a company car dont worry about cost , although still sends a shudder to think I would be paying

That's alot of miles, How long do you keep your cars for?

Last two company vehicles 1.6 Avensis 106k 3 years old

1.6 Zafita 110k 3 years old

Currently in our fleet we have a 1.8T Bora with 112k on clock with 7 months left on a 3 year lease.

Company car policy all to c**k though if i was office based and had the car as a perk rather than a tool of the trade. I would have a better choice although over a 4 year rather than a 3 year lease.

When I picked my Octy i was quoted for the 2.0fsi with absolutley everything inc leather, zenons, sports suspension and over a 4yr/50,000 lease came in

Proberbly still works out cheaper than buying your own and claiming for mileage?

Proberbly still works out cheaper than buying your own and claiming for mileage?

Too right if only for peace mind. My gripe is that those who have less mileage to do have more choice.

On saying that though I would not swap my Octy for any other car under 20k

2.0FSI Elegence ESP Maxidot and Light Thingy