MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: T6 SUR on April 10, 2013, 04:00:00 pm

Title: Dsg vs Manual - help make my mind up
Post by: T6 SUR on April 10, 2013, 04:00:00 pm
So found a mk5 i like but its DSG.

 

Am going to test drive it but i am sure many of you have driven a dsg for a while now and wonder what you all think?

 

Is the DSG better than a manual or is it merely a better deal if your doing long communtes?

 

Have you got bored of the dsg and prefer to go back to a more involved manual?

 

Any opinions welcome.

 

Thanks

Tony



Title: Re: Dsg vs Manual - help make my mind up
Post by: tigerj360 on April 10, 2013, 04:11:14 pm
Was in the same boat as you not to long ago mate, decided to go for the DSG after a test drive and have never looked back!

It drives superb and really does change gear as quick as lightning!

This is my personal opinion and im sure others will disagree but i dont think you will regret it!  :happy2:
Title: Re: Dsg vs Manual - help make my mind up
Post by: berg on April 10, 2013, 04:12:53 pm
i went manual and enjoy it but i think in hindisght would have loved dsg if had gone for it.

try both, but lets be honest dsg is the future - if you get an rs3 or a45 amg next you will defo have dsg anyway  :happy2:
Title: Re: Dsg vs Manual - help make my mind up
Post by: xjay1337 on April 10, 2013, 04:16:38 pm
Why don't you try both, and make your own mind up?
After all it would be you who has to buy the car and live with is.... seems better than asking on a forum tbh.
Title: Re: Dsg vs Manual - help make my mind up
Post by: Janner_Sy on April 10, 2013, 04:18:03 pm
pretty conclusive thread on it here

http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,24508.0.html (http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,24508.0.html)
Title: Re: Dsg vs Manual - help make my mind up
Post by: tigerj360 on April 10, 2013, 04:31:27 pm
Why don't you try both, and make your own mind up?
After all it would be you who has to buy the car and live with is.... seems better than asking on a forum tbh.

This. Overall!
Title: Re: Dsg vs Manual - help make my mind up
Post by: warby on April 10, 2013, 04:37:32 pm
I drove 2 manuals, loved them and set my heart on owning one when my then car was off finance. When i came to buy there was only 1 on the Island which was the dsg 5 door in red (Initially it was going to be a black 3dr manual) and fell in love with the dsg.

Personally I'd never go back as its got the comfort of an auto for daily with the fun factor of a manual but with racecar gears / flappy paddles  :smiley:

Oh and the dsg 'fart' is far too addictive, so much so i had to buy an exhaust to amplify it a bit  :laugh:

Edit: I'd drive both though, some people wont like it.  :happy2:
Title: Re: Dsg vs Manual - help make my mind up
Post by: T6 SUR on April 10, 2013, 04:41:40 pm
Why don't you try both, and make your own mind up?
After all it would be you who has to buy the car and live with is.... seems better than asking on a forum tbh.

thats pretty obvious really, but whats the harm in asking others who have experience of what a dsg car is like to gain some views on it?
Title: Re: Dsg vs Manual - help make my mind up
Post by: T6 SUR on April 10, 2013, 04:44:12 pm
pretty conclusive thread on it here

http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,24508.0.html (http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,24508.0.html)
thanks i will give this a read!
Title: Re: Dsg vs Manual - help make my mind up
Post by: wagonboy on April 10, 2013, 04:45:45 pm
So found a mk5 i like but its DSG.

 

Am going to test drive it but i am sure many of you have driven a dsg for a while now and wonder what you all think?

 

Is the DSG better than a manual or is it merely a better deal if your doing long communtes?

Another vote for DSG, I've had my ED30 for nearly 5 years now and its been brilliant, all standard (no mods ) but still gives me a thrill
when i'm behind the wheel  :driver: Enjoy whichever you decide.
 

Have you got bored of the dsg and prefer to go back to a more involved manual?

 

Any opinions welcome.

 

Thanks

Tony




Title: Re: Re: Dsg vs Manual - help make my mind up
Post by: RetroRaz on April 10, 2013, 04:51:04 pm
If only tdi's had dsg gearboxes.

Sent From My Samsung S3
Title: Re: Dsg vs Manual - help make my mind up
Post by: ConeKiller on April 10, 2013, 04:52:01 pm
DSG every time! Great for traffic and poodling around, amazing for fast driving!
Title: Re: Dsg vs Manual - help make my mind up
Post by: fransnz on April 10, 2013, 04:57:13 pm
I'm DSG all the way. It changes so quick and smooth.
But drive both and see what you like.  :driver:
Title: Re: Dsg vs Manual - help make my mind up
Post by: stu_no_1 on April 10, 2013, 05:02:53 pm
DSG for me plus u dont need to upgrade clutch when you remap
Title: Re: Dsg vs Manual - help make my mind up
Post by: MC71 on April 10, 2013, 05:12:12 pm
ETTO. Some for one, some for the other. Find out for yourself! You'll rule in one or maybe rule out another.

My last was a DSG, bloody great gearbox too. This one is a manual, went for a test drive in it and and had forgotten just how much fun a manual box is and how much more I felt in connection with the car. Saying that, my next one will be another DSG, go figure.

 :happy2:
Title: Re: Dsg vs Manual - help make my mind up
Post by: Tortaruga on April 10, 2013, 05:25:20 pm
Modern Life is Rubbish :laugh:

Title: Re: Dsg vs Manual - help make my mind up
Post by: skard on April 10, 2013, 05:49:54 pm
If only tdi's had dsg gearboxes.

Sent From My Samsung S3

They do
Title: Re: Re: Re: Dsg vs Manual - help make my mind up
Post by: RetroRaz on April 10, 2013, 05:52:06 pm
If only tdi's had dsg gearboxes.

Sent From My Samsung S3

They do

(AUTOTRADER'ING NOW!)

thought only gtis had them

Sent From My Samsung S3
Title: Re: Dsg vs Manual - help make my mind up
Post by: warby on April 10, 2013, 06:09:39 pm
If only tdi's had dsg gearboxes.

Sent From My Samsung S3

They do

(AUTOTRADER'ING NOW!)

thought only gtis had them

Sent From My Samsung S3

They do but none I've seen over here had flappy paddles :)
Title: Re: Dsg vs Manual - help make my mind up
Post by: Rampage on April 10, 2013, 06:35:51 pm
I drove 2 manuals, loved them and set my heart on owning one when my then car was off finance. When i came to buy there was only 1 on the Island which was the dsg 5 door in red (Initially it was going to be a black 3dr manual) and fell in love with the dsg.

Personally I'd never go back as its got the comfort of an auto for daily with the fun factor of a manual but with racecar gears / flappy paddles  :smiley:

Oh and the dsg 'fart' is far too addictive, so much so i had to buy an exhaust to amplify it a bit  :laugh:

Edit: I'd drive both though, some people wont like it.  :happy2:


^^^^ This

Had a manual GTI before, loved it. Then got a DSG Ed30... it took a while to get used to it but when you do its fantastic! Best of both worlds... auto when in traffic or chilled morning commute. Into manual mode for some fun  :laugh:     

You'll get addicted to the DSG Fart too. Have to agree, a nice non-res exhaust really does make a difference and brings back the feeling of being connected with the car.

I don't think I'd ever go back to manual to be honest. Not in London anyway!!!
Title: Re: Dsg vs Manual - help make my mind up
Post by: Xizor on April 10, 2013, 11:01:50 pm
Be careful, I was seduced by the flappy paddles and bought a DSG Ed30.

Seemed great at first and it's definitely faster than the manual. But, and it's a big BUT, it's so boring and un-involving! In the end I just used to put it in D (for dull) and drove it like that. Sorry to all you DSG lovers, but it's just not 'real' driving.

Get a manual and don't be seduced like I was.  :confused:
Title: Re: Dsg vs Manual - help make my mind up
Post by: daboynov on April 11, 2013, 05:42:23 am
dsg is a cracking bit of kit grate for town driving and good for race car feel smoother changes etc but very costly if not been serviced regularly eg oil/filter changes on the box. manual is grate for all the real drivers but when u toy with motors maps etc u need to sepnt the cash on the right kit.
Title: Re: Dsg vs Manual - help make my mind up
Post by: T6 SUR on April 11, 2013, 09:46:55 am
cheers for all the comments guys, reckon i am still swaying towards a manual, but wont hurt to test drive a DSG and see what i think.
Title: Re: Dsg vs Manual - help make my mind up
Post by: robdf2 on April 11, 2013, 01:19:31 pm
Im in the same boat as you mate

I want to get a scirocco R , my local dealer only had a GT TSI in stock at the time in DSG so i took it for a blast and have to say i was sooooooo dissapointed.
My biggest fear was realised straight away , that its like driving a go cart , jerky pull offs , very hard to pull away smoothly , with a manual you can control how slow or how quick you want to pull away.

TBH the gearbox in the Gt was pants , not smooth at all and a few times it couldnt make its mind up what gear it wanted to be in so some delay.

Any way test drove the R a week later and have to say total different drive in the gearbox , smooth as you like no hesitation , still the go cart pull away but maybe getting used to the throttle position will be better?

but this is the part i hate , i got into my manual Cupra after and had a lazy drive home , didnt feel i could do that in the DSG :(

Bear in mind my test drives were only about 45 mins each so maybe not a conclusive test but i really wanted to like DSG !
Title: Re: Dsg vs Manual - help make my mind up
Post by: Kalpsn2000 on April 11, 2013, 01:42:29 pm
Im in the same boat as you mate

I want to get a scirocco R , my local dealer only had a GT TSI in stock at the time in DSG so i took it for a blast and have to say i was sooooooo dissapointed.
My biggest fear was realised straight away , that its like driving a go cart , jerky pull offs , very hard to pull away smoothly , with a manual you can control how slow or how quick you want to pull away.

TBH the gearbox in the Gt was pants , not smooth at all and a few times it couldnt make its mind up what gear it wanted to be in so some delay.

Any way test drove the R a week later and have to say total different drive in the gearbox , smooth as you like no hesitation , still the go cart pull away but maybe getting used to the throttle position will be better?

but this is the part i hate , i got into my manual Cupra after and had a lazy drive home , didnt feel i could do that in the DSG :(

Bear in mind my test drives were only about 45 mins each so maybe not a conclusive test but i really wanted to like DSG !

Jerky pull offs usually means there is something wrong with the box.

You can have the laziest drive of your life in D mode if you want :grin:

I have DSG and love it but do sometimes feel there is a slight lack of involvement. I think the DSG remap would help so might look in to that.
Title: Re: Dsg vs Manual - help make my mind up
Post by: JoeDarKa on April 11, 2013, 04:18:55 pm
If only tdi's had dsg gearboxes.

Sent From My Samsung S3

They do

(AUTOTRADER'ING NOW!)

thought only gtis had them

Sent From My Samsung S3

They do but none I've seen over here had flappy paddles :)

Just change the steering wheel i think!
Title: Re: Dsg vs Manual - help make my mind up
Post by: bushypad on April 11, 2013, 04:20:11 pm
DSG all day i had a similar problem
Before buying so glad i went with DSG. Quicker smoother gear changes, good for traffic and the dsg fart is addictive. Add a milltek tbe to the mix and its even better. And with a dsg box you dont have to worry about uprating the clutch if you decide on a remap. Also id recommend mapping the dsg box too!
Title: Re: Dsg vs Manual - help make my mind up
Post by: F4TTYS_GTI on April 11, 2013, 04:22:37 pm
manual for me  :happy2:
Title: Re: Dsg vs Manual - help make my mind up
Post by: Xizor on April 11, 2013, 04:38:53 pm
My biggest fear was realised straight away , that its like driving a go cart , jerky pull offs , very hard to pull away smoothly , with a manual you can control how slow or how quick you want to pull away.

Exactly the problem I had with the DSG. It took me about a month to get used to applying just the right throttle for a smooth pull away. And even then I didn't feel I was in control of the car. At traffic lights it felt like I would ram the car in front if I gave it too much right foot. Ended up getting left behind on many occasions!
With a clutch you are in complete control all the time.

Sold the Ed30 after 3 months and bought a manual Cupra R. Happy again now! :happy2:

Title: Re: Dsg vs Manual - help make my mind up
Post by: adamm on April 11, 2013, 05:13:55 pm
DSG all the time if possible.

People moaning about jerky pull offs and not being able to control it at lights....you need to treat it like a dsg and not a manual.

Title: Re: Dsg vs Manual - help make my mind up
Post by: robdf2 on April 11, 2013, 07:50:57 pm
Need to correct that for you mate
"treat it as an automatic" when pulling away the DSG part doesnt come into it until the gear moves from first to second
its the automatic pulling away trait i didnt like , and even worse when passengers are in the car , you just see their heads hit the headrests

as i said perhaps if you get used to the throttle you might be able to make it smoother.
Title: Re: Dsg vs Manual - help make my mind up
Post by: stu_no_1 on April 13, 2013, 05:23:23 pm
If u lift your foot off the brake it creeps forward then ease on the accelerator and if its really jerky no matter what probably needs dsg reset or new mechatronics unit ££££
Title: Re: Dsg vs Manual - help make my mind up
Post by: Tank on April 13, 2013, 05:36:47 pm
I love my DSG... Until it snows, then i don't move :/

But overall i am glad i went for it.
Title: Re: Dsg vs Manual - help make my mind up
Post by: dmac1969 on April 14, 2013, 12:36:57 pm
I had an Ed35 DSG for a week as a loan car and I hated it , I just couldnt get used to it at all , and having had a proper torque converter auto in the past a DSG in auto mode is nowhere near as smooth. manual for me I'm afraid.
Title: Re: Dsg vs Manual - help make my mind up
Post by: RobboGTI on April 14, 2013, 01:02:33 pm
I don't understand the DSG haters here. Obviously if you drive a manual you will be more biased and convince yourself you are right.
All I have to say is I always hated auto but DSG is technically a manual gearbox and must admit when I drive it does feel manual apart from the use of a clutch.
I have NEVER had any problems with mine and it is lovely and smooth pulling away.
Title: Re: Dsg vs Manual - help make my mind up
Post by: mad_pete on April 14, 2013, 01:46:57 pm
I've never had problems pulling away. Had 3 DSGs and 4 or so autos. If it's jerky it's faulty.
Title: Re: Dsg vs Manual - help make my mind up
Post by: Kalpsn2000 on April 14, 2013, 04:22:46 pm
Yeah not understanding the issues with lack of smooth pull away's :confused:
Title: Re: Dsg vs Manual - help make my mind up
Post by: RobboGTI on April 15, 2013, 09:13:51 am
Also think of the fun people have of track with a sequential gearbox! Closest your gonna get to it in a standard car.
DSG is fun. End of.

DSG and a regular AUTO are two different things completely
Title: Re: Dsg vs Manual - help make my mind up
Post by: Xizor on April 15, 2013, 12:22:10 pm
Also think of the fun people have of track with a sequential gearbox! Closest your gonna get to it in a standard car.
DSG is fun. End of.

DSG and a regular AUTO are two different things completely

I'm sorry, you're entitled to your opinion, but this is wrong on so many levels!

DSG's are:

End of - Driver involvement/skill in gear changes.
End of - Smooth, predictable, controlled pull off's.
End of - Revving the engine then dropping the clutch for tyre burning fun.
End of - Neck snapping gear change drama.
End of - Changing down from 4th to 2nd, etc.
End of - The use of your left leg.
End of - Driving FUN!

Mine went back to VW with jerky pull off's and they said there was nothing wrong with it. Get used to it they said!

Glad to see the back of mine  :evilgrin:
Title: Re: Dsg vs Manual - help make my mind up
Post by: robdf2 on April 15, 2013, 01:11:41 pm
Also think of the fun people have of track with a sequential gearbox! Closest your gonna get to it in a standard car.
DSG is fun. End of.

DSG and a regular AUTO are two different things completely

Sounds like your trying hard to convince your self you have made the right choice?
They may be well suited to a track.
The pull aways i was refering to were its like an on off switch no inbetween which you get with a manual.

I would love for someone to take me out in a DSG and not have my neck lurching evrytime they pull away

But the 2 DSG cars i test drove both had that same feeling
Some other bits were good but first impressions last
i really really wanted to like it , but its just not for me
im not a DSG hater , at least i tried out the product before making a choice  :happy2:
Title: Re: Dsg vs Manual - help make my mind up
Post by: tigerj360 on April 15, 2013, 03:08:47 pm
Also think of the fun people have of track with a sequential gearbox! Closest your gonna get to it in a standard car.
DSG is fun. End of.

DSG and a regular AUTO are two different things completely

I'm sorry, you're entitled to your opinion, but this is wrong on so many levels!

DSG's are:

End of - Revving the engine then dropping the clutch for tyre burning fun.


Im not sure how you were driving yours if you couldn't get some tyre burn from your DSG box   :laugh:
Title: Re: Dsg vs Manual - help make my mind up
Post by: Kalpsn2000 on April 15, 2013, 05:10:49 pm
Also think of the fun people have of track with a sequential gearbox! Closest your gonna get to it in a standard car.
DSG is fun. End of.

DSG and a regular AUTO are two different things completely

Sounds like your trying hard to convince your self you have made the right choice?
They may be well suited to a track.
The pull aways i was refering to were its like an on off switch no inbetween which you get with a manual.

I would love for someone to take me out in a DSG and not have my neck lurching evrytime they pull away

But the 2 DSG cars i test drove both had that same feeling
Some other bits were good but first impressions last
i really really wanted to like it , but its just not for me
im not a DSG hater , at least i tried out the product before making a choice  :happy2:

I could sort that for you. You can pull away smoothly in a DSG...you just have to be gentle on the throttle.
Title: Re: Dsg vs Manual - help make my mind up
Post by: mad_pete on April 15, 2013, 07:17:14 pm
I was going to join in but Instead I'll comment isn't about time in the thread Robin posted a picture ?
Title: Re: Dsg vs Manual - help make my mind up
Post by: RobboGTI on April 16, 2013, 10:03:44 am
For those that do have jerky pull offs there must be something wrong. Or are vw right about it and there is something wrong with my car for being smooth?

Oh and 2 clicks down in gear will still be as fast if not faster than manual still. I can change from 4th to 2nd just as fast.

I'm not knocking manual in no way because I have always preferred manual but spending time with dsg you get to know how to use it.

I'm not strictly DSG but where available I will get it on a car. If not I will still pick a manual over a regular auto.
Title: Re: Dsg vs Manual - help make my mind up
Post by: Tank on April 16, 2013, 11:01:54 am

I'm sorry, you're entitled to your opinion, but this is wrong on so many levels!

DSG's are:

End of - Driver involvement/skill in gear changes.
End of - Smooth, predictable, controlled pull off's.
End of - Revving the engine then dropping the clutch for tyre burning fun.
End of - Neck snapping gear change drama.
End of - Changing down from 4th to 2nd, etc.
End of - The use of your left leg.
End of - Driving FUN!

Mine went back to VW with jerky pull off's and they said there was nothing wrong with it. Get used to it they said!

Glad to see the back of mine  :evilgrin:

As this Xizor said " you're entitled to your opinion". So this is mine.

End of - Driver involvement/skill in gear changes.    Put it in M and use paddles.
End of - Smooth, predictable, controlled pull off's.    Just have some finesse with your foot and you will be fine
End of - Revving the engine then dropping the clutch for tyre burning fun.     Launch control
End of - Neck snapping gear change drama.     Let the power snap your neck
End of - Changing down from 4th to 2nd, etc.    Press left hand paddle twice
End of - The use of your left leg.     Left foot braking
End of - Driving FUN!     Really? If you cant have fun in a dsg, give up and buy a volvo estate
Title: Re: Dsg vs Manual - help make my mind up
Post by: Xizor on April 16, 2013, 04:09:20 pm



As this Xizor said " you're entitled to your opinion". So this is mine.

End of - Driver involvement/skill in gear changes.    Put it in M and use paddles.
End of - Smooth, predictable, controlled pull off's.    Just have some finesse with your foot and you will be fine
End of - Revving the engine then dropping the clutch for tyre burning fun.     Launch control
End of - Neck snapping gear change drama.     Let the power snap your neck
End of - Changing down from 4th to 2nd, etc.    Press left hand paddle twice
End of - The use of your left leg.     Left foot braking
End of - Driving FUN!     Really? If you cant have fun in a dsg, give up and buy a volvo estate

Sure, you're entitled to your opinion.
It's completely wrong though!!  :evilgrin:
Title: Re: Dsg vs Manual - help make my mind up
Post by: Tomm on April 16, 2013, 04:26:03 pm
i drive a gt tdi 140 dsg and dont think i would ever go back to a manual. How quick the gears change is just amazing! rush hours damn auto comes in handy and when you want a quick buzz drop it in s and let the fun begin.
Title: Re: Dsg vs Manual - help make my mind up
Post by: Saintsteve on April 16, 2013, 06:36:33 pm
Also think of the fun people have of track with a sequential gearbox! Closest your gonna get to it in a standard car.
DSG is fun. End of.

DSG and a regular AUTO are two different things completely

I'm sorry, you're entitled to your opinion, but this is wrong on so many levels!

DSG's are:

End of - Driver involvement/skill in gear changes.
End of - Smooth, predictable, controlled pull off's.
End of - Revving the engine then dropping the clutch for tyre burning fun.
End of - Neck snapping gear change drama.
End of - Changing down from 4th to 2nd, etc.
End of - The use of your left leg.
End of - Driving FUN!

Mine went back to VW with jerky pull off's and they said there was nothing wrong with it. Get used to it they said!

Glad to see the back of mine  :evilgrin:

Remap the DSG and the isn't becomes even more Wrong  :signLOL: