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Author Topic: Dsg or normal manual  (Read 2632 times)

Offline Mazz2750

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Dsg or normal manual
« on: April 23, 2016, 07:49:28 pm »
Looking to buy a gti for in the region of 5 grand very soon...should I go for a dsg or normal manual...also what should I look out for when buying a car with 80k+ on the clock...thanks for helping

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Offline slix

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Re: Dsg or normal manual
« Reply #1 on: April 24, 2016, 10:52:10 am »
Try and get a dsg under 50k miles as if they do get problems they start to arise at around 60/70k. And they are not cheap to fix. Just read up on dsg mechatronic problems.

Manual makes you feel more at one with the car but once you start tuning it then it will eat through clutches quicker etc.

Also I doubt you would find a dsg with low milage for 5k. So probably best to stick with manual.
« Last Edit: April 24, 2016, 10:53:44 am by slix »
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Offline RetroRaz

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Re: Dsg or normal manual
« Reply #2 on: April 24, 2016, 10:55:29 am »
If you get a dsg make sure its haf a dsg service every 40k miles

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Offline Nasir

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Re: Dsg or normal manual
« Reply #3 on: April 24, 2016, 11:10:47 am »
Please search, it's been covered multiple times.
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Offline irish_ram

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Re: Dsg or normal manual
« Reply #4 on: April 24, 2016, 11:23:24 am »
Looking to buy a gti for in the region of 5 grand very soon...should I go for a dsg or normal manual...also what should I look out for when buying a car with 80k+ on the clock...thanks for helping

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No one can answer the DSG or Manual questions as you cannot really compare. I was manual up until I got my Eddy and was no doubt it had to be DSG when drove one, it ticks all my boxes and sounds lovely. However if you like the aspects of a manual then you will not get that from a DSG so you are best to test drive a GTI with both and you will instantly know.

Also as above needs servicing every 40k, mine is not on 80k and having it's 2nd service next week but have had no issues with it at all

Offline Mazz2750

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Re: Dsg or normal manual
« Reply #5 on: April 24, 2016, 11:40:25 am »
Thanks for all the replys...how much are you looking at for servicing the dsg gear box...also my buget will only get me a dsg with around 90k minium on the clock...so I'm wondering whether to get a manual with a little lower mileage ?

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Offline irish_ram

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Re: Dsg or normal manual
« Reply #6 on: April 24, 2016, 11:46:32 am »
Thanks for all the replys...how much are you looking at for servicing the dsg gear box...also my buget will only get me a dsg with around 90k minium on the clock...so I'm wondering whether to get a manual with a little lower mileage ?

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Current DSG Service at VW is £179 but can be slightly cheaper or dearer if using a VAG specialist. Getting mine done by a VAG specialist for £168

Offline sub39h

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Re: Dsg or normal manual
« Reply #7 on: April 24, 2016, 05:55:54 pm »
There is literally no way of answering that question for you. Drive them both and see which one you prefer. Personally I think that DSG is an absolute no brainer - all the involvement when you want it, and works like a traditional automatic in traffic. Plus it's quicker, and supposedly gives better fuel mileage (but I doubt there's much in it). There are some people who need the extra pedal and a manual shift to feel more involved though.

Mechatronics problems are not too common except on the very earliest cars and on a batch around MY08 (MY08 was subject to a recall). Either way make sure all gear changes are smooth and it accelerates smoothly in all gears. It's possible to repair Mechatronics units these days, but it'll set you back £250 for the refurbishment, nearly £200 for the fluid change afterwards, and labour for removal and reinstallation. Make sure the DSG has been serviced every 4 years/40k miles.

My DSG is on 97k now and has started to develop a fault which we think is a clutch pack failure, however these are very uncommon and I've just gotten unlucky it seems.
« Last Edit: April 24, 2016, 08:58:34 pm by sub39h »
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Offline markjj

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Re: Dsg or normal manual
« Reply #8 on: April 25, 2016, 06:59:23 pm »
A couple  years ago I brought an 06 dsg Gti. Drove great on the test run as I was testing on mainly motorway and Aroads. However I noticed after I'd brought the car that once Upto temperature if I was In traffic after around 5-10 mins the car would start jumping into when lifting foot off the brake. It made me look like a learner driver as the car jolted forward and kangarooed,  all smoothness had gone, once cooled down it was fine again ... I had found a receipt in the documents for new clutch packs which led me to believe it was the Mecca unit. I px,d the car for a manual. Don't let this put you off as I loved the dsg while I had it for a month or so and would buy another. Just give it a proper test. Get it Upto full temperature and find some traffic. Or in first gear along a quiet road brake off and on repeatedly over stretch and see how it behaves, it may well be fine. But worth to check.

Offline pudding

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Re: Dsg or normal manual
« Reply #9 on: April 26, 2016, 09:37:55 am »
I've got a manual now but wish I'd gone for DSG in all honesty.  Trouble is, the manual I bought had everything else I was looking for and was a good price, so couldn't turn it down for the sake of the gearbox.   

Having said that, I've driven a few DSGs and they can be quirky.  Don't let the maintenance costs put you off.  The technology is well worth it imo and fun.  Manuals are cheaper on the maintenance front but if you uprate the clutch, they can get tiring on the knee in heavy traffic, which is where autos come into their own!


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Offline mac456

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Re: Dsg or normal manual
« Reply #10 on: April 26, 2016, 04:53:22 pm »
If you dont worry much, get a DSG box.

Mines been fine with 97K on the clock, 05 plate.... (Touches wood   :signLOL:)