RS - manual or DSG?

[Damo105]

Hi All,

I'm about to order an RS 147 wagon, with sunroof, MDI and privacy glass, and am tortured on whether to go manual or DSG.

I've always been a manual driver, and never considered an auto until now. I mostly do city driving in traffic, and yes at times wish I had an auto, but I've always favoured the control of a manual.

There's lots of posts on here about DSGs, so I get how good they are. The test drive was in a DSG, and while I think it would take some getting used to, I can see its potential.

Haven't found much info on here about manuals, so would be keen to hear from owners who have one.

I know the DSG is faster, but the marginal difference between the 2 doesn't matter to me. My main concern is the lack of multi function wheel on the manual, and resale.

The DSG would be $65 more a month to lease, which pushes it over my budget slightly. If I go the DSG I'd probably delete the sunroof to keep it closer to budget. And I love sunroofs!

My partner would prefer DSG, and doesn't give a rats ring about sunroofs, but it's my car and my decision.

So I'm looking for opinions, especially from manual owners.

Cheers!

[bobski]

I've got a TSI Wagon with DSG. I'm quite happy with it. However, the manual would be fun. On a tristy road, the involvement just isn't there as much with the DSG (especially given the quietness and smoothness of the shifting). If it was MY car only, I would have got the manual But the other half doesn't like them either.

[Antiplastix]

Call me a ludite, but until I loose a leg or an arm I ll stick with a manual. I drove the DSG and was impressed, but the horror storys about failures, limp homes and the extra servicing (because of the wet clutches) swayed me. The manual change is nice and slick and due to the torque, you dont find yourself changing gears as much.

[zach]

if I were to get RS then i'd get manual though depends on driving conditions

[spellbound]

The dealer gave me 24 hours in a dsg demo , must admit it was stunning out on the open road , but around town i found it a bit hesitant in its changes , maybe thats just city traffic doing its thing as it does to any auto .

Lost my bottle in the end and stuck to manual , after 16k its a nice smooth box with efortless changes , and you do have that sense of connection when pushing on in rural driving .

Hard choice to make .

[Jake02]

It's a hard decision because both gearboxes are arguably the some of best in the business. I'm gonna say get a manual because its such a lovely gearbox and I believe you're a better driver with a manual (you have to be so much more aware of what's going on when driving) and I'm still unsure of the DSG's reliability. That also means you get a sunroof (not that that'd matter me so much).

[K1W1]

I have a manual vRS and there is no way I would describe the gearbox as "arguably the best in business". The downshifts particularly from 5-4 and 3-2 are somewhat vague and it's really easy to end up in 6th instead of 4th for example. I think the vRS manuals really need the Audi spacers or whatever installed if you drive an S3 and a vRS you will notice that the two transmissions may have well been built on different planets as far as their feel and general tightness is concerned. Drive a Mazda MX5 and you will think the Skoda gearbox is 30 years behind the times. From what I gather the required spacers are inexpensive and easy to install and I'll get around to it one day.

You put one thing in your post;

My partner would prefer DSG, and doesn't give a rats ring about sunroofs, but it's my car and my decision

No it's not your decision buy a manual car with a sunroof at your peril. Be warned.

Overall I'm reasonably happy with the manual it's a nice little gearbox without being outstanding in any way and for general driving performs well it's only when you push things a bit I find that the vagueness annoys me. One thing that could be an issue for somebody brought up on Japanese cars is the clutch. European clutches have a fairly long throw unlike Japanese ones that engage much closer to the floor. In my experience a lot of women particularly don't like driving with European clutches if they have been used to Japanese ones.

[zach]

I have a manual vRS and there is no way I would describe the gearbox as "arguably the best in business". The downshifts particularly from 5-4 and 3-2 are somewhat vague and it's really easy to end up in 6th instead of 4th for example. I think the vRS manuals really need the Audi spacers or whatever installed if you drive an S3 and a vRS you will notice that the two transmissions may have well been built on different planets as far as their feel and general tightness is concerned. Drive a Mazda MX5 and you will think the Skoda gearbox is 30 years behind the times. From what I gather the required spacers are inexpensive and easy to install and I'll get around to it one day.

You put one thing in your post;



No it's not your decision buy a manual car with a sunroof at your peril. Be warned.

Overall I'm reasonably happy with the manual it's a nice little gearbox without being outstanding in any way and for general driving performs well it's only when you push things a bit I find that the vagueness annoys me. One thing that could be an issue for somebody brought up on Japanese cars is the clutch. European clutches have a fairly long throw unlike Japanese ones that engage much closer to the floor. In my experience a lot of women particularly don't like driving with European clutches if they have been used to Japanese ones.

I do agree wuth above. My test drive of the manual was a little disappointing both with shift feel and clutch take up

[Jake02]

I do agree wuth above. My test drive of the manual was a little disappointing both with shift feel and clutch take up

Of course there are better manuals out there but the only ones I've experienced are the Audi ones and the Mini ones (they're seriously excellent).

[BlackOctaviaRS]

Meh, I'm a lazy driver, hence choosing DSG for both cars - I'll drive in manual mode when the mode suits

[K1W1]

Of course there are better manuals out there but the only ones I've experienced are the Audi ones and the Mini ones (they're seriously excellent).

I thought you said Skoda gearboxes were the best in the business?

[Jake02]

I thought you said Skoda gearboxes were the best in the business?

I said some of the best, which doesn't imply that I think that they ARE the best, rather close to the best. It's also a matter of opinion wouldn't you agree? Good.

Is my grammar ok!? Great!

[woofy]

I have had 3 mazda gearboxs and they were as notchy and sometimes difficult as hell, they get better over time. One was very similar to the MX-5 one. I actually prefer the Skoda manual one, it seems a shorter throw, and not so hard to change gears.

[Damo105]

Thanks for all the feedback.

Manual it is. Lease paperwork will be submitted tomorrow. Now begins the 5 month wait!

I'm used to European clutches, my current daily drive is a manual Peugeot 207, and their gearboxes aren't anything great, so the VAG box should be a lot nicer. I've had a few other euro's before this, all manual, and my old 306 S16 had a clutch like a truck!

My weekend drive is an Alfa 105 coupe with a temperamental 2nd gear synchro, so the Skoda box will be a doddle compared to that!

[MarksVRS]

With the lazy mountain of diesel torque I wouldn't have it any other way. Always been a manual driver anyway, even in my VY Commodore V6 which I had to order and wait for. In that case it worked out better for resale, as P platers all over Sydney were looking for the S model witha a manual gearbox.

IMHO the vRS manual gearbox is direct, short enough throw and good ratios. Not sure if ratios differ for diesel though.