I drive a 1.6 diesel DSG at work and hate the gearbox. It's really laggy when trying to pull out of a junction quickly and suddenly drops down causing a short surge in power. Is this just because of the engine it's coupled with or is the same on all cars? I fancy a 280 superb (with a lottery win) but I'd be put off with it only comming with a DSG box.

They are supposed to adapt to your driving style , you can have them mapped along with the engine , much better hangs onto gears and not in top at 30 mph

I've posted about this before and split opinion but I really don't like the VAG DSG.

 

Obviously this is purely personal opinion and experience and I've never driven the DSG with over about 140bhp but I really don't rate the DSG gearbox.  But I'd also say that all autos I've driven with small engines were pretty terrible (I can think of a few family members cars / hire cars that were awful - 1.4i astra auto for example).  I used to have a Volvo 850 T5 auto (225bhp) and whilst thirsty and slightly stupid that was fine and currently run a X3 Auto (190bhp) which has an 8 speed ZF which is lovely although a bit dumb when driving hard unless you use the paddles.

 

I've driven a number of cars petrol and diesel with the DSG and it's really good when you've got your foot down, but imho not as "fun" as a manual, and it's jerky and dull witted in traffic where you actually want the smoothness of the auto.  Having had lift in a Golf R estate I'd say that it's not just cause the cars I've driven were down on power (the owner agreed it was jerky).

 

The other comment I would make is it's always seemed the DSG is far better suited to the petrol engines than the diesels I've driven as it's felt like it was targeting the wrong rev range.

 

When we were changing our MK3 Octavia vRS TDI (manual) we seriously considered the Audi S3 but I couldn't have had it in the DSG, even if it was quicker as imho it's not as involving.  However we ended up looking at either the X3 or a Volvo XC60 (swmbo put her foot down) as I spend a lot of time doing either long journeys or bad stop start traffic and whilst for that type of car I wanted an auto I couldn't deal with the DSG where as the 8 speed ZF in the X3 is silky smooth.

 

As always you may be better asking in the relevant superb forum and trying to get a test drive in the car, or at least one close to the spec you're looking at but for me the DSG only nature of the Octavia vRS 4x4, Passat 2.0 BiTDI and the Golf R Estate knocked them out of the running immediately.

Edited 29 December, 20169 yr by gullyg

All the DSG boxes I've used have been good, I didnt find it a tiny be hesitant at times but I also thought it got better when you get the hang of it. That said the ZF 8 speed Gullyg mentioned is on another level, seriously impressive even after a quick spin I felt very comfortable with it. My mate (whos car it is) rates it big time, even with track use. 

I wonder how many get into top gear on these 8-10 speed autos and for how long they stay there........or any gear for that matter

I drive a 1.6 diesel DSG at work and hate the gearbox. It's really laggy when trying to pull out of a junction quickly and suddenly drops down causing a short surge in power. Is this just because of the engine it's coupled with or is the same on all cars? I fancy a 280 superb (with a lottery win) but I'd be put off with it only comming with a DSG box.

CR or PD?

 

I think the DSG box is not the issue in this respect, rather the engine it is mated to and it's characteristics and associated torque available.

 

My PD DSG pulls fine in 2nd on roundabouts, both large and small and at very low speed, but my Saab 9-3 Manual CR was useless in 2nd at islands.

 

And I know I find it easier and quicker to change down to 1st with a DSG than I would with a manual box, when necessary.

Edited 30 December, 20169 yr by Tilt

Cr mate

I have the 1.6 CR with the 7 speed DSG and if I am at a junction where you have to 'floor it' when a gap appears or you'll be there another 5 minutes I just flick the lever to S and keep the right pedal down. There is no real lag and the engine revs smoothly up through the gears, once I'm up with the speed of the traffic I flick the lever back to D.  

My wife had a 2014 Octavia 1.6 TDI DSG and to be quite honest I found the engine and gearbox worked great together. OK, it's not the quickest but for everyday driving perfectly quick enough and very smooth and economical.

Maybe the problem is your other car is a remapped vRS which is obviously much quicker and far more responsive. You need to arrange a test drive in a 280 Superb.

My wife had a 2014 Octavia 1.6 TDI DSG and to be quite honest I found the engine and gearbox worked great together. OK, it's not the quickest but for everyday driving perfectly quick enough and very smooth and economical.

Maybe the problem is your other car is a remapped vRS which is obviously much quicker and far more responsive. You need to arrange a test drive in a 280 Superb.

If a 280 is too pricey, try a Leon Cupra 280 / 290 mit DSG. Plenty of torque from 1200 rpm upwards, & as responsive as you like.

 

We've had 4 2.0 TSi's with 6-speed DSG's & SWMBO's Octy 2 FL, (mapped to 261 ps) was a joy to drive, from plodding around in traffic to scooting away from stop-lights.

 

I've driven a 1.2 TSi Polo with a 7-speed DSG recently & that wasn't quick, but still fun to drive, so you don't need big power & torque to enjoy a DSG.

 

Diesels might be a little different, a 150 ps Superb 3 was pleasant, but the 190 ps lump in a Superb & a Tiguan seemed to be underpowered & not a good match to the transmission.

 

We're looking to replace our EOS soon & a DSG is a must, all the involvement that you might want &/or a relaxed drive when all you want is to get there without any fuss.

 

DC