Golf GTI DSG?

[Mannginger]

Hey folks

Am considering getting a Golf GTI. I'm US based and they have a lovely looking Cornflower blue special edition over here called "Rabbit" looks like a good mix of capable car and looks.

One thing I'm interested in is opinions on the DSG in a car like the GTI? I guess it's on the cusp of being pointless in the GTI (maybe making more sense in the R) however I may have to drive into New York a fair bit and the idea of sitting in traffic like that in the manual doesn't appeal that much!

Has anyone driven both? Is the manual that much better than the DSG at this trim / power level? Not going to be buying for a couple of months and don't yet have my US licence so can't just hop into a dealer for a test drive, hence picking away at the forums!

Cheers in advance

Phil

[dibblecorse]

Hi

We have a Scirocco with the 2.0 TSFI engine and the DSG gearbox and do a mixture of London and out of town driving, the gearbox is great, works well on the paddles if you want to play and is responsive when in full auto, plus you can select Sports Auto and it all gets a little sharper, its no rocketship but the box is really well suited to the car in my opinion, having driven both the DSG and the manual it all comes down to what you like and 'better' is very subjective.

Having been to NY and seen the traffic, I'd take the DSG every day of the week over the manual .....

[DaveZed]

My major gripe with my wife's 2011 Mk6 Golf GTi DSG is the way the 'box is programmed. It's seamless, fast and effective, but in standard mode it attempts to change up to higher gears way too soon for my liking, and is in top gear within seconds of pulling away if you aren't nailing it. In sport mode it all just gets TOO frenetic much of the time for normal driving, holding on to lower gears too long, and changing down too soon. A mode halfway between those would have been good. As a result, I find myself putting it in manual and using the paddles whenever I drive it. If I bought one for myself, it would have to be a manual (if you can even still get them anymore, that is). That's my opinion, but I guess it depends on your preferences and how you drive it.

At this rate it seems i will have to keep my 330i and Z4 Coupe manuals until they die completely, as manual gearboxes rapidly seem to be going the way of the dodo.

[shtu]

Not -quite- the same, but a Mk7GTD with the DSG box has been an absolutely cracking combination in daily use. About my only criticism is that, sometimes, there's a bit of driveline shunt if reversing uphill while it decides what to do. Otherwise, no complaints.

If it's a car for day-to-day driving in heavy traffic, very hard to beat the combination of auto box and adaptive cruise control.

[mids]

shtu said:

If it's a car for day-to-day driving in heavy traffic, very hard to beat the combination of auto box and adaptive cruise control.

Agreed.

For a few months VW loaned me a manual GTD with ACC and that did not work well at all (messages on the screen telling you to change gear, lol). If you're interested in ACC the DSG is a must really.

[bones33]

I love my DSG and would not go back to a manual again for a daily.

Yes it has its faults as stated above but for traffic its just a dream.

[Mannginger]

Hey folks - just thought I'd come back and update this one. Having test driven the Rabbit and Golf R I've decided to go for the R with the DSG box. Slightly more capable all-weather performance (winter got down to -18 in NJ last year with a few snow days and seemingly last year was mild(!) and the DSG box just makes it easier for my laziness when I do go into New York

Thanks for all the input and I'm looking forward to picking up the new toy this weekend!

Phil

PS: My god but US insurance is expensive! My old GB270 was c$400/year, my best quote to have the R in NY for a couple of months until I move to Princeton is $2,500...for 6 months! :cough:

[Mannginger]

And here she is, just for completeness' sake!






Rushed pics as I spent most of the day seeing different houses and snapped them after grabbing a quick taco (had to get the car first of course)!

Initial impressions, very pleased I got the DSG, traffic back to NY was horrific and the DSG / suspension in auto/normal mode was a very relaxing combination especially over the GW Bridge (lower course closed so it really was awful).

Down some of the quieter roads around Princeton the car in Race mode was a totally different little thing and great fun. I'm going to have to learn that I don't need to lift off to change gear, that box on full whack is so impressive in how fast it changes. I'm a convert, especially in manual mode!

[Trophy Husband]

Nice hack OP, is that not an R? It is simple for me. Auto v manual is like knife and fork v chopsticks.
Where once you had 3 pedals, now you have 2. I love auto boxes.
Train your left foot to do the brakes and all is good with the world.
Enjoy.

[Mannginger]

Trophy Husband said:

Nice hack OP, is that not an R? It is simple for me. Auto v manual is like knife and fork v chopsticks.
Where once you had 3 pedals, now you have 2. I love auto boxes.
Train your left foot to do the brakes and all is good with the world.
Enjoy.

It is, I decided I needed the R after a test drive (and something, something, sensible decision 4 wheel drive, cold winters in NE US etc etc) but mainly the extra power and noise!

Tried left foot braking once on an earlier car, needed new nose. Will consider giving it a go again it in the right circumstances!

[DukeDickson]

mids said:

shtu said:

If it's a car for day-to-day driving in heavy traffic, very hard to beat the combination of auto box and adaptive cruise control.

Agreed.

For a few months VW loaned me a manual GTD with ACC and that did not work well at all (messages on the screen telling you to change gear, lol). If you're interested in ACC the DSG is a must really.

For balance, I don't have that many issues with manual & ACC, though the latter is equally good & bad, regardless of 'box.
I have occasional use of DSG in a cooking car and every time it puts me off royally. The principal may be brilliant, the practice is good & not good, but having had the pleasure of the greatest dogst manual possibly ever (not in any VW), I know what I'd rather be knowing on a daily basis, even though I do a decent annual schlep.