Tiguan TDI Manual or Auto ?

[rosslm]

I'm considering a Tiguan purchase, however because of the traditional auto transmission not (DSG) loosing out to the manual in fuel consumption. Can any current users give some recommendations from there experience so far.

Is the manual to much work for 80% City and 20% highway driving, is the manual just as easy to live with or would you cop the increased fuel consumption and go for the auto? Thanks

[Arctra]

I'm considering a Tiguan purchase, however because of the traditional auto transmission not (DSG) loosing out to the manual in fuel consumption. Can any current users give some recommendations from there experience so far.

Is the manual to much work for 80% City and 20% highway driving, is the manual just as easy to live with or would you cop the increased fuel consumption and go for the auto? Thanks

I went with the auto and it's the best move I could have made IMO. It's the first auto I've ever owned, and what a difference it makes with easy driving in traffic! That, together with the auto-hold brakes, auto lights, auto wipers, etc makes driving life VERY easy. And the auto box is silky smooth. For the small difference in fuel consumption, I'd say it's worth going for the BIG difference in ease of driving with the auto box.

Like you I do mostly town driving, but I went on the NSW forum meet the other weekend which was a good mix of highway and uphill/downhill twisties, and the auto box did very well. I guess the only thing I missed was being able to use the engine for compression braking down the steep slopes. The auto box did it, but the manual would have been a bit better. Not enough difference for me to wish I'd gone with anything other than the auto though.

As I understand it, if you intend doing hard work like towing a caravan, the auto box is a better option too.

Hope that helps.

[Sanman]

I would have paid extra for the DSG, as it gives all the benefits of a manual with the laziness of an auto. But DSG is not available on the Tiguan, so I thought that I was getting something inferior with the conventional auto. Now I have the auto, I'm impressed at how well it works - on a diesel it upshifts before I would, and it downshifts all by itself. The only thing that would drive me to getting a manual is cost. And with city driving, I'm auto all the way.

[DieselTig]

I would have paid extra for the DSG, as it gives all the benefits of a manual with the laziness of an auto. But DSG is not available on the Tiguan, so I thought that I was getting something inferior with the conventional auto. Now I have the auto, I'm impressed at how well it works - on a diesel it upshifts before I would, and it downshifts all by itself. The only thing that would drive me to getting a manual is cost. And with city driving, I'm auto all the way.

I guess auto is very convenient and since I started working in the city I bought an auto xtrail and now ordered auto tiguan. I dont think I will go back to manual. On the subject of DSG, is nice to have where it gives you a sporty feel but if you get to do work on the sand it will overheat. I have heard this from some technical people and owners of Audi. Just my 2 cents worth.

[NZTiguan]

Auto all the way and frankly I'd be surprised from what I've read in the real World if you would beat it for fuel economy too. I know the manual is theoretically better on fuel but you'd have to be a darn good driver imo.

Cheers

[clip]

I've had a few autos, but every time I buy a new car with an auto it's not long before I'm wishing it was a manual. So I bought a manual Tig this time.

But I don't live in Sydney and after spending a week down there a few weeks ago, the auto would be nice for that stop start traffic that seems the norm down there now, but other than that it's manual all the way for me.

IF the Tig came with DSG I might have been swayed, but maybe not too - I drove a mates R32 for a couple of days and while it was quite good, it's still not a manual.

The Tig manual is very nice box, not quite as good as a Toyota Camry box, but not bad. It's typical VW, which for some reason reminds me of every other VW manual I've driven. There's something about the feel of them and how they suck the gear lever into gear just as you get past the half way point. If I was blindfolded and put in a range of 100 different cars, I reckon I'd be able to pick every VW just from the gear change.

I'd forget about fuel economy between the two. The difference would be negligible. Buy what you enjoy driving. Everything is a compromise, it's just deciding on what will give you more joy overall - for me, that's a manual.

[Pullstarter]

I've had a few autos, but every time I buy a new car with an auto it's not long before I'm wishing it was a manual. So I bought a manual Tig this time.

But I don't live in Sydney and after spending a week down there a few weeks ago, the auto would be nice for that stop start traffic that seems the norm down there now, but other than that it's manual all the way for me.

IF the Tig came with DSG I might have been swayed, but maybe not too - I drove a mates R32 for a couple of days and while it was quite good, it's still not a manual.

The Tig manual is very nice box, not quite as good as a Toyota Camry box, but not bad. It's typical VW, which for some reason reminds me of every other VW manual I've driven. There's something about the feel of them and how they suck the gear lever into gear just as you get past the half way point. If I was blindfolded and put in a range of 100 different cars, I reckon I'd be able to pick every VW just from the gear change.

I'd forget about fuel economy between the two. The difference would be negligible. Buy what you enjoy driving. Everything is a compromise, it's just deciding on what will give you more joy overall - for me, that's a manual.

x2..............

[Sharkie]

I've had a few autos, but every time I buy a new car with an auto it's not long before I'm wishing it was a manual. So I bought a manual Tig this time.

But I don't live in Sydney and after spending a week down there a few weeks ago, the auto would be nice for that stop start traffic that seems the norm down there now, but other than that it's manual all the way for me.

IF the Tig came with DSG I might have been swayed, but maybe not too - I drove a mates R32 for a couple of days and while it was quite good, it's still not a manual.

The Tig manual is very nice box, not quite as good as a Toyota Camry box, but not bad. It's typical VW, which for some reason reminds me of every other VW manual I've driven. There's something about the feel of them and how they suck the gear lever into gear just as you get past the half way point. If I was blindfolded and put in a range of 100 different cars, I reckon I'd be able to pick every VW just from the gear change.

I'd forget about fuel economy between the two. The difference would be negligible. Buy what you enjoy driving. Everything is a compromise, it's just deciding on what will give you more joy overall - for me, that's a manual.

x3

I can't live with a DSG either ..... that lag when you want to pull off is enough to drive me nuts ....

[rosslm]

Auto for city manual for the bush

Thanks for the input, looks as though auto is most popular, I should have clarified the usage more. In terms of time in the car it would be city 90% country 10% or in distance traveled city 60% and country 40%. Looks like no change out of 50K with the auto a bit expensive, I might have to wait for drive away deals. Thanks

[High-Fidelity]

I went for the manual. I prefer it to an auto for a number of reasons, mostly already covered by other posters.

It was lots of fun along the Great Ocean Road on Sunday. Punted the Tiguan along there at a reasonable clip and it didn't miss a beat. I was comfortably taking corners at about 50% above the advisory signs and it felt like it could stretch that out to double of many of the signs.

Bit more body roll than my 206GTi and obviously a fair bit slower, but still lots of fun. From home to Warnambool via the Great Ocean Road and back home inland via Highway 1 with a couple of detours thrown in here and there was almost 700km and even with the spirited squirts along the GOR the Tiguan still averaged 6.3 l/100km for the trip. Still felt reasonably refreshed after the drive as well.

Ben.

[Tigga1]

I would have paid extra for the DSG, as it gives all the benefits of a manual with the laziness of an auto. But DSG is not available on the Tiguan, so I thought that I was getting something inferior with the conventional auto. Now I have the auto, I'm impressed at how well it works - on a diesel it upshifts before I would, and it downshifts all by itself. The only thing that would drive me to getting a manual is cost. And with city driving, I'm auto all the way.

I've got the auto, and previously had a DSG Golf 2.0TDI.
With the newly installed Torgue Arm insert, the car drives more like a DSG it seems, holds gears better and longer, and feels more direct.

Would have bought a manual, but at the time there was no 'affordable' stock, the ones on the way were too optioned up for my budget.

cheers

[DJY]

I'm lovin my auto!
Admittedly I bought a 147 - which only came in auto...
but even if they had a manual - I was keen for my first auto.

Loved my selespeed in my Alfa 147 - manual gearbox with electronic clutch - which was the closest I had ever come to an auto...

Auto Hold is great! If only you didn't have to push it every time you started the car! I'd love it to be auto on!

[Sharkie]

DSG soonish on Tiguans ?

Been shopping for another VW addition to the family lately .....

The Multivan now comes in DSG only .... FWD and AWD (4Motion) .... and for the 1st time its the 7spd DSG, rated at 600NM ....

Previously this gbox was for the longitidunal engines (Q5 etc) only, however in the new Multivan its mated to the 103kw TDI in transverse form.

So a DSG for the Tiguan may be coming up at the MY11 release .... this is pure speculation on my part but now for the 1st time a real possibility.

[team_v]

Been shopping for another VW addition to the family lately .....

The Multivan now comes in DSG only .... FWD and AWD (4Motion) .... and for the 1st time its the 7spd DSG, rated at 600NM ....

Previously this gbox was for the longitidunal engines (Q5 etc) only, however in the new Multivan its mated to the 103kw TDI in transverse form.

So a DSG for the Tiguan may be coming up at the MY11 release .... this is pure speculation on my part but now for the 1st time a real possibility.

MY11 only has interior/option upgrades.
The facelift/engine change is expected for the MY12 models now just so you know.

Would be interesting to see how a DSG would go in the Tig as the slushbox felt quite clunky, hence i went manual.

[borbor1313]

I have a auto. It is a excellent auto,very smooth,I cant pick the gear changes. 6 speed as well I think.
Ultimately it just comes down to how you want to drive your car fro the majority of the time. If you want to be first away at the lights every time then maybe a manual will suit your style more ( I dont think its any faster though).Like others have said little to no difference in economy IMO.