Hi everyone, 

 

I'm about to order a new octavia vrs 245 challenge and can't decide between manual or dsg version. I've read that the dsg in the 245 can be a bit slow to react and clunky? Can anyone help me out? 

 

Thanks 

Welcome.

Go drive a 245 manual and DSG maybe and see what you like. 

As to slow to react and clunky, i think not.

If you don't get the DSG then you'll regret it.

It is possible to set different modes to make the experience even better.

DSG all the way for me. Far better if you commute and sit in traffic. Also find it more enjoyable when "going for it"; the way it slots home gears in quick succession is addictive and you can keep both hands on the wheel. The other benefit now it gets the 7 speed is an additional gear Vs the manual for cruising fast A roads or motorways.

Edited 2 February, 20197 yr by ahenners

Cheers guys, dsg it is then. 

The DSG in the 245 is anything but slow and clunky. It's relaxed in Drive, eager in Sport and responsive in Manual. You have to adapt to driving an auto instead of a manual but that is true of any auto, you can't expect it to be psychic you have to understand how it interprets your behaviour to get the best from it. 

 

The only setting I avoid is eco as the way it re engages the gear after coasting is annoying, it causes the car to lurch a bit. 

Manual all day and night, if YOU want to drive it.

^^^Real drivers need 3 pedals not paddles.  Left leg exercise!

All these challenging corners to take at 60 mph in the UK....

My vRS 245 (normal MY19 production edition) is DSG and whilst the overall driving experience isn't a manual, its an octavia brisk practical family barge. I don't regret getting DSG for a second living in the South of England with its traffic levels. You just adjust your driving style accordingly. The dsg is very smooth and refined as to slow to react, firstly its an auto (despite what anyone else will say) and it can't read your mind, normal mode for me has a little bit too much delay (but apparently thrashing it in this mode it learns your driving style) but for me sport mode fixes that and for me is better round town at slower speeds.

This is my first ever auto car before any of the stick wagglers start - 30 plus years of driving them just fine thanks and time for a change! If you've sat in a traffic queue for the Northbound blackwall tunnel like I used to have to regularly do with a manual car, you'd also get an auto

To be quite honest I don't get those wanting the Octavia to be the ultimate driving machine given where the car is aimed lol but each to their own, if you want a manual you have your reasons but for ultimate driving I'd have something else but I'm not in the market for this sort of car currently. Irrespective its a dam fine car and the boot space just makes it that bit better over its sister Golf and Leon cousins without needing to resort to buying an estate in all three models.

DSG all the way.  Use the paddles if you want to feel involved and don't worry about the 'performance implications'; DSG and any-person on the planet can change gear quicker than the Stig and a manual.  If you also have Adaptive Cruise Control then the DSG will also make longer drives and/or being stuck in jams that little more relaxing.  

 

This is my second DSG equipped Skoda with an 8 year gap of using 6spd manuals.  I don't know what I was thinking! 

 

 

Yep i agree dsg everytime.  Esp with traffic everywhere these days.  I have had 3 dsg's since 2008 and would never go back to manual now lol

I used to be a died in the wool stick shift man having driven them for 43 of the 44 years since I passed my test, but I will seriously consider DSG next time IF the manual mode is sensible (push forward to down shift and pull back to up shift).

Most people use the paddles rather than the up and down shift on the dsg gear lever

HTF do you know that?   'Most people!' 

1 hour ago, Adrian55555 said:

Most people use the paddles rather than the up and down shift on the dsg gear lever

Even if that is true, why have the stick operating in a counter intuitive manner (for some)?

 

When decelerating weight transfers forward so it seems to me more logical that changing down should be a forward movement, and vice versa when accelerating. If it's good enough for Ferrari...

 

Of course some people like it the way Skoda have it at the moment (as we're all different), so why not make it a user setting on the infotainment - with a message on the Maxidot at startup as a reminder (useful when driving someone else's car)?

I went to DSG nearly 15 years ago and I wouldn't go back to a manual box now, they're so refined and they make for an easy drive.

 

The only time you might get an issue is when it's snowing or lying snow, in which case get some winter tyres, which I did when I had a 1.8TSi and they transformed the car in all but the deepest of snow & winter conditions.

 

On my 4th DSG car now & love it. 

I agree with many of the comments in relation to the DSG Vs manual saga. Learning an auto like any other, it's not clunky, people often complain of the 1st/2nd gear lurch but learning, anticipating or sport modes cures that. Having also lived in the south east and still go back there a recent bridge crossing had my left foot thanking me for having DSG.

I switched from manual to DSG (more so because the spec I wanted I could only find with DSG). I enjoy the manual shift aspect but generally find myself in normal, driving a bit slower and relaxed. Would I go back to manual, probably not.............unless my 6 numbers come up.

On ‎02‎/‎02‎/‎2019 at 14:21, Gherkin said:

Cheers guys, dsg it is then. 

Although I drive the original 245 manual hatch when I purchased back in August 2017 the road tax band was £200 for first year and now pay £140 per year. However my car emits 150gm co2 but new modelis over 150 which means you would pay £515 first year road tax then £140 thereafter. Because the 7 speed DSG produces well under 150 co2 it will mean road tax first year will be £205 then £140. So I would advise getting the Auto for once, which will please NOAIM.

Just now, shyVRS245 said:

Although I drive the original 245 manual hatch when I purchased back in August 2017 the road tax band was £200 for first year and now pay £140 per year. However my car emits 150gm co2 but new modelis over 150 which means you would pay £515 first year road tax then £140 thereafter. Because the 7 speed DSG produces well under 150 co2 it will mean road tax first year will be £205 then £140. So I would advise getting the Auto for once, which will please NOAIM.

Irrespective of it being cheaper I don't pay for my road tax lol so that's not remotely the deal breaker for others in a similar position on pch.

2 hours ago, PetrolDave said:

Even if that is true, why have the stick operating in a counter intuitive manner (for some)?

 

When decelerating weight transfers forward so it seems to me more logical that changing down should be a forward movement, and vice versa when accelerating. If it's good enough for Ferrari...

 

Of course some people like it the way Skoda have it at the moment (as we're all different), so why not make it a user setting on the infotainment - with a message on the Maxidot at startup as a reminder (useful when driving someone else's car)?

When I drove a Ferrari 430 on a track day I only used the paddles which seemed more natural anyway. And ultimately faster as I could concentrate on my braking points.

1 hour ago, shyVRS245 said:

Although I drive the original 245 manual hatch when I purchased back in August 2017 the road tax band was £200 for first year and now pay £140 per year. However my car emits 150gm co2 but new modelis over 150 which means you would pay £515 first year road tax then £140 thereafter. Because the 7 speed DSG produces well under 150 co2 it will mean road tax first year will be £205 then £140. So I would advise getting the Auto for once, which will please NOAIM.

Thats going to change next year.Most auto's are and always have been less economical and will emit more co2 when the wltp co2 emissions are used from next year. So get one now if you want one. There's now two DC auto's and two manuals between us outside. If you want to just laze it along, then auto. If you want to fully drive the car, manual. I prefer manual MOST of the time, its just a better experience. And those flappy paddle things are just not the same, awkward ****ing things. Rather just leave it in auto, what is the point? The worse thing about auto is the lack of engine braking, you will go through a more brakes. 

Edited 4 February, 20197 yr by teescom09

2 minutes ago, teescom09 said:

Thats going to change next year.Most auto's are and always have been less economical and will emit more co2 when the wltp co2 emissions are used from next year. So get one now if you want one. Theres now two DC auto's and two manuals between us outside. If you want to just laze it along then along, then auto. If you want to drive the car, manual. I prefer manual MOST of the time. And those flappy paddle things are just not the same, awkward ****ing things. The worse thing about auto is the lack of engine braking, you will go through a more brakes. 

Agree about the brakes mine always last forever because only use them when absolutely need to. Use gearbox and engine braking and lifting to save fuel also. The combined figure for my car Skoda claim is 42.8mpg but the 7 speed DSG is 44mpg I think, however on the drive home today I managed 42.8mpg, impressive for a 336bhp car in February, unless someone with a DSG can do better I would be very surprised.

That was NEDC bull**** figures and meaningless. I take some back. Skoda now have the VRS at slightly better on the DSG than the manual at 39.2 v 38.2 ish, which is similar to GTi Golf, they have changed it already in a few weeks.  That has changed in the last few days! Looks like they are already changing parameters to suit wltp as 39 mpg average is possible but not an average for most, I would say about 2mpg sneaked out of the system. The VRs was a realistic 37 mpg a few weeks ago. Here we go again!

 

Not as bad as diesel, gone from 64 to 50 !!!

 

The emissions used from next year are 164 grms DSG to 168 manual.  they used to claim in the low 150's and currently still do. Mind you they have more parameters they have also to meet and getting harder each year. 

Edited 4 February, 20197 yr by teescom09

30 minutes ago, teescom09 said:

Thats going to change next year.Most auto's are and always have been less economical and will emit more co2 when the wltp co2 emissions are used from next year.

 

5 minutes ago, teescom09 said:

The emissions used from next year are 164 grms DSG to 168 manual.  

 

So the auto doesn't emit more co2 than the manual equivalent then? 

1 minute ago, ahenners said:

 

 

So the auto doesn't emit more co2 than the manual equivalent then? 

No not now, somehow they have magically switched it around if the web site is correct "this week" Although it doesn't seem to work properly but I think thats what it now says.