Is your Mk6 a DSG or manual?

[ParaBul]

... my crystal ball says in a decade all non manual cars will be.

Not saying you're wrong, but I'm not sure the torque converter will ever disappear completely. To me, there are some applications for which the traditional slushbox is ideal, such as towing a boat out of water, low speed manoeuvring (e.g. parking caravans) and serious off-road work (rough and/or steep tracks).

But I do agree that, in vehicles that won't be used in those situations, the traditional auto could easily be displaced by a DSG.

[SilvrFoxX]

I can't argue, blame the crystal ball

[Tobes_WIR35]

I have said this before, it is the price of progress. If you like hi tech and the benefits it provides then appreciate the risk associated with it. Look at the 380s they are the most advanced airliners on the planet yet the tech glitches. Doesn't mean you get up in arms a go look for a prop plane to Europe.

Hit the nail on the head.

[ParaBul]

Anyway, comparing the reported ratio of sales of gearboxes (have people been saying that only 10% are traditional manual?) with the poll results, it seems that manuals are disproportionately over-represented here.

Is that because a large number of the traditional manuals are purchased by the type of enthusiast who inhabits discussion forums?

[Candyman]

Is your Mk6 a DSG or manual?

Small sample sizes usually throw up unexpected results

I believe someone suggested the large number of manual drivers are in the forums because manual drivers sit on keyboards a lot

Maybe DSG drivers are at the Service Centre and don't have time to post

Who knows, whatever you drive, enjoy it

[Diesel_vert]

Overall, Australia is similar to the North American and Japanese market in terms of their gearbox preference, which is to say, the opposite of UK and European preferences.


Fundamentally, I think the concept of a double clutch gearbox is a good engineering solution (it's not perfect but it has fewer compromises, so it comes closer than most) and overall, technically superior to a manual gearbox as a whole.

However, it's current implementation is not without its faults, especially in regards to reliability and driveability - particularly the piss poor shift programming (written by the engineers, of course) in some vehicles. There is much room for improvement and I expect future iterations to be far superior than current offerings.

The traditional torque converter automatic, as typified by the latest ZF 8-speed auto, is also on the makings of a comeback through significant efficiency gains - analogous to the renaissance of today's petrol engine (via small-displacement, direct-injection, turbocharger, low-viscosity lubricant & clever ECU management technologies, amongst others). People kept saying diesel was the death knell of petrol.

In the big scheme of things, the efficiency gains of today's DI petrol and CR diesel engines are also giving the combustion engine, as a whole, a new lease of life - simultaneously delaying the introduction of pure electric/hydrogen vehicles onto the marketplace. People kept saying electric/hydrogen was the death knell of the combustion engine. In the long term, yes - but not in the short/medium term.

The automatic gearbox, whether it be in the form of a single clutch, dual clutch, CVT (development spurred on by Japanese manufacturers in particular) or torque converter, will continue to take marketshare away from the manual gearbox, in all vehicle segments. Is it the death knell of the manual gearbox? Perhaps in the distant future, when I suspect the gearbox offering will be largely academic, but in the short/medium term? I'm not certain. A lot can (and will) happen between now and then.

But for now, the manual gearbox isn't dead yet - so in the meantime, Long May You Reign!

[Machine]

And reign I shall. Today I enjoyed my manual AWD R immensely in the pouring rain at Lakeside Park. Full-on track day with BMW club. 1:07 best. Had a ball!

[Allegiance]

Is your Mk6 a DSG or manual?

I have said this before, it is the price of progress. If you like hi tech and the benefits it provides then appreciate the risk associated with it. Look at the 380s they are the most advanced airliners on the planet yet the tech glitches. Doesn't mean you get up in arms a go look for a prop plane to Europe.

The DSG is a great gearbox and I would suggest the failure rate is low, we hear about it here because this is where folk turn to complain. As for comparison it is personal preference. Would I have a dual clutch again.. Damn straight and my crystal ball says in a decade all non manual cars will be.

I'm sure if an A380 stalled mid flight and fell out of the sky, you wouldn't have the same feeling. It's not like every DSG style gearbox has issues like VW. If every one of them did then it's a different story. VW got it wrong, others got it right.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[Tobes_WIR35]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but VW group were one of the first, if not the first manufacturer to fit dual clutch gearbox to a mass produced vehicle. So even the current DSGs are more or less still one of the first of this kind around. The other manufacturers have had the advantage of basically copying and improving on the VW group's innovation.

I have no doubt the DSG will improve with every model. And to be honest, the problems are vastly overstated on this forum.

You hear nothing from the millions of satisfied VW/Audi drivers who have not had any problems.

The only "complaint" I have is that it could be a bit smoother at low speeds, but I am pretty sure most of these issues could be overcome by refining the code behind the mechatronics, which some aftermarket tuners have already done. The question could be asked why VW hasn't done this, and I'd say the answer would probably be largely political.

[Ryan_R]

The problems are mainly one type of gearbox, the dry-clutch low power rated DQ200

[magellan]

Anyway, comparing the reported ratio of sales of gearboxes (have people been saying that only 10% are traditional manual?) with the poll results, it seems that manuals are disproportionately over-represented here.

Is that because a large number of the traditional manuals are purchased by the type of enthusiast who inhabits discussion forums?

Lets face it, manual drivers know they are in the minority. When they see a poll like this they all get on it and vote, hence the discrepancy in the result.

[Tom87]

who said others got it right?

has anyone seen the complaints generated by ford's or fiat/alfa's slow shifting units?

They are considered slow, indecisive and clunky.

VW's DSG is still the fastest thinking and fastest shifting dual clutch on the market.

[AdamD]

Guys, any antagonistic / provocative / offensive comments, trolling, baiting or namecalling, I'll hand out infractions and close the thread.

[SilvrFoxX]

I'm sure if an A380 stalled mid flight and fell out of the sky, you wouldn't have the same feeling. It's not like every DSG style gearbox has issues like VW. If every one of them did then it's a different story. VW got it wrong, others got it right.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Not quite the same comparison, as I pointed out there are tech glitches with A380 and it does inconvenience the owners and passengers. People still climb back on board regardless because it is a faster and more comfortable flight. Just because the Gearbox fails on a car doesn't means it blows up and everyone perishes.. As it has been said many of the other dual clutch units have their problems and are not as good, VW just has the longest track record, I have heard that some other companies are actually wanting to purchase the design rights.

You have to admit that the technology is rapidly overcoming the benefits of a manual, fuel efficiency, shift changes, power delivery and passenger comfort. Sure the purists like the involvement and the control freaks feel satisfied but the manual days are numbered, not just from a technological stand point but the generations of new drivers coming through now are electing to only get their license in auto form.

[magellan]

A manual gearbox is becoming an anti-theft device.