MT vs DSG survey

[Dubya]

Yeah windmagnet, those are basically my feelings too. From this day forward I will always prefer a DSG type gearbox over manual and both of them heavily over an auto. I can't stand autos, but I love the DSG for all the reasons you mentioned and more

Nonetheless, I am yet to read any reasons why the DSG provides a superior driving experience to the manual.

I have read justifications for DSG such as:

- dual-clutch autos are used in F1 (but Coreying says they retain the clutch for launch);

- dual-clutch autos are used in Ferraris etc;

- DSG makes a nice sound between gear changes;

- DSG offers gear changes that are quicker by a degree (that is of little moment on the road).

But I have not read how doing less (by surrendering control of the clutch to a CPU) enhances the driving experience.

Easier, sure. Sounds great, if you say so. Technological tour de force , no doubt. Used on race tracks (so are slicks etc etc).

But a more engaging and enjoyable driving experience?

How exactly? If I knew that I might be convinced to switch.

Speaking of which, I thought Coreying might have put in his two cents worth about the Monty Hall Dilemma in General Discussion. I am sure his views, being those of, if I understand correctly, a self-proclaimed "logician", would be valued and carry some weight.

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newforum/upload/showthread.php?t=42135

[jayjay]

i think i my experience of driving and being driven in an automated clutch car (family has a 118 tsi 7sp and the first get smg m3 respectively), i've found that there's a greater level of control over the gearshifts as opposed to an automatic.

and whilst i'm religiously a manual driver ( i like mind mapping the mechanism as i shift ), had i wanted to drive fast around a race track, and lacked the coordination to heel-toe, aggresively launch etc, a gearbox like the dsg or smg would be a lot more consistent and most probably faster than i could shift myself.

[trueman]

Totally off topic of the original thread!!
They always end up with the MT proponents beating their chest.

[Dubya]

Totally off topic of the original thread!!
They always end up with the MT proponents beating their chest.

Or asking inconvenient questions like those above and, for instance:

Doesn't DSG put you one step closer to being a passenger?

[nicandlance]

Isn't DSG just for people that like a manual but don't know how to drive one????
Ouch!

[Swallowtail]

LOL... Nic, stop stirring.

If the R36 had been available in manual I probably would have got it with a manual. However now that I have the DSG I love it.

[OilBurna]

I'd love a manual but driving in stop start traffic at a crawl is not much fun after a while, just need to do the paddle shift conversion...

[Frankenstrat]

Totally off topic of the original thread!!
They always end up with the MT proponents beating their chest.

I certainly don't beat my chest about my choice of transmission, nor do I seek to refute the arguments of proponents of DSG transmission. I drive a manual because I want to. I have no feelings of superiority simply because I have a clutch pedal in my car.

[Corey_R]

I certainly don't beat my chest about my choice of transmission, nor do I seek to refute the arguments of proponents of DSG transmission. I drive a manual because I want to. I have no feelings of superiority simply because I have a clutch pedal in my car.

+1
Nice post

[Dubya]

I certainly don't beat my chest about my choice of transmission, nor do I seek to refute the arguments of proponents of DSG transmission. I drive a manual because I want to. I have no feelings of superiority simply because I have a clutch pedal in my car.

I have not seen any examples of chest-beating by MT drivers either - just a few probing questions to find out how DSG adds to the driving experience, if at all.

If it doesn't, the convenience of an auto-shift would appear to be the main benefit.

However, as I enjoy using the clutch and so see surrendering control of the clutch as more of a deprivation than a benefit, I wouldn't part with $2,500 to lose the clutch. But I am interested to know if there is a gain in driving enjoyment in real-world conditions in addition to the convenience factor as there may be something else I need to take into account when next faced with this decision.

[balkanac]

In my experience i liked driving the DSG for about 30 mins. after that it became boring just like a conventional auto. And with the issues i have heard/read i'd never buy one. it seems like VW is dropping the ball alltogether (118TSI breaking pistons, Water pupm noise on the same engine, Golf R tuned down for AUS etc)

[freddyt]

Or asking inconvenient questions like those above and, for instance:

Doesn't DSG put you one step closer to being a passenger?

Yeah I will be snoozing when driving my dsg GTI whenever it comes!!!
Dubyuk will never be happy until evryone agrees he is GOD

[Dubya]

I saw this in Mark V:

OK - missus is reporting occasional strange behaviour where, ie on hot days >35°C, the DSG seems to be occasionally very reluctant to downshift,

I have the same problem when my missus drives our manual too!

There certainly seem to be vastly more issues, many relating to driveability, on this forum with DSG than with the good ol' clutch and stickshift . . .

[freddyt]

Isn't DSG just for people that like a manual but don't know how to drive one????
Ouch!

My infatuation with NIC is over.............................

[Dubya]

Yeah I will be snoozing when driving my dsg GTI whenever it comes!!!

I'll see to it that you won't.

Dubyuk (sic) will never be happy until evryone agrees he is GOD

Oh newbie of little faith...