First MK5 GTi - DSG or Manual?

[OEM+ DUB]

As said above, DSG really does give the best of both worlds.  Convienience on the drag to work and around town in traffic, flick the paddles for instant manual overide for hooning around backstreets when taking shortcuts and knock the lever across for spirited cross country drives.  I love mine and this is coming from experience of a long line of manual VW's (Golf MkI and MkII 8 and 16 valves, MkIII VR6, Golf 4Motion, Passat 1.8T's, etc.).  It copes with all situations well making the GTI a true all rounder in my opinion.

However, the advice to try both (preferably back to back) before deciding is invaluable!

[RedRobin]

As said above, DSG really does give the best of both worlds.  Convienience on the drag to work and around town in traffic, flick the paddles for instant manual overide for hooning around backstreets when taking shortcuts and knock the lever across for spirited cross country drives.  I love mine and this is coming from experience of a long line of manual VW's (Golf MkI and MkII 8 and 16 valves, MkIII VR6, Golf 4Motion, Passat 1.8T's, etc.).  It copes with all situations well making the GTI a true all rounder in my opinion.

However, the advice to try both (preferably back to back) before deciding is invaluable!

....Oi !! You've written almost word for word what I was going to write 

DSG is the best of both worlds. It takes time to become natural and fluid with all the combinations but worth sticking with it. Also, long paddle extensions solve an occasional reach problem and just feel so much better to use. I've now done 92k miles on DSG and will always have a car with it or its equivalent. I drive it in manual mode 95% of the time and I 'think manual' and shift accordingly. What's not to like?

[Yetizone]

Thanks for the info folks - very much appreciated.

I guess this question must have come up quite often, so sincere apologies if its a repetitive topic for you guys. I tend to keep cars a long time so I want to make the right choice, hence the post.

Having always owned a manual I'm really intrigued by the DSG box and it appeals due to the fact that most of the driving I do is now town based, with the odd cross country blast.

I have occasional access to a DSG equipped car (Skoda Oktavia TDi) and very good to drive it is too. The only thing I've ever found to be annoying is that its not as intuitive or as quick to engage reverse gear or drive and switch between both when reverse parallel parking in tight spot - but that's probably due to inexperience and unfamiliarity on my behalf!

Good advice about trying to drive both manual and DSG back to back if it can be arranged. 

[RedRobin]

Good advice about trying to drive both manual and DSG back to back if it can be arranged. 

....I did exactly that - Firstly a Mk5 Golf 2.0 TDI with DSG and then immediately followed by a manual GTI. I was so taken by the DSG that I ordered the TDI. But then I woke up in a cold sweat the next morning and changed my order to a DSG GTI and I still enjoy every mile nearly 6 years later. I had to then lock Captain Sensible in the garden shed to stop hearing his screaming.