How do you cope from manual to DSG?

[the dude]

Hi all.
Currently looking at getting a MK5, as my MK3 has pretty much packed up on me, the one I have seen has DSG gears, how have you all found going from a manual to a DSG gearbox? Do you find it ok, or does your left foot feel a bit lost?

[Hurdy]

I took to the DSG like a duck to water. It is a great box (i've had 3 DSG cars already )

I do like to drop back into a manual every now and then, if only to remember how antiquated they are

*ducks and hides from manual owner comments*

Now I've had the DSG box mapped it really is an F1 box for the road

[RedRobin]

....

It's no different than the first feelings you get driving any new car until you become familiar.

There's loads written about DSG (S-tronic in Audi's). Just DON'T think of it as an automatic! When in M-mode (Manual) think manual and shift gears at exactly the same times as you usually do.

I haven't time right now to write more......There's a learning curve but it's only because of getting used to so many optional combinations before it all flows naturally.

Hope this helps!

[R32UK]

Tried it.. didnt like it. but that was only a short test drive, where i think the focus is on the box a little too much as opposed to driving.

I think like with everything you have to give it a fair test run which usually involves I would say atleast 6 months of ownership. Unfortunately Im not that patient nor did i think it warranted the £1k premium... but wouldnt rule one out in future just to give it a try

[Jkctr]

I came from a CTR with (arguably) one of the best gearboxes going. I love the DSG and, although i miss the feel of a perfect change every now and again, i dont miss manual.

[Ed30DSG]

I'm a die hard manual driver, but took the 'risk' of buying a DGS car as I knew I had to spend more than a few hours getting used to its characteristics.

I've had my car for just over 5 weeks now and I'm still not fully acclimatised!

At first I thought I'd made a big mistake;
When in D mode, the box wanted to change up into 6th at practically any speed, so when I wanted to accelerate I'd be in completely the wrong gear and I'd have to use kickdown which was usually more acceleration than I actually wanted, so I'd lift off and it would immediately change up!

When in S mode the car refused to change gear, so on slowish roundabouts I'd be sitting at 5-6k rpm tootling round - must've looked like an idiot!

I was just about to give up when I thought I'd give manual mode (via then paddles) a go - aha, that's what all the fuss is about! So much better, holds the gear for you, but still drops down when you brake so you're pretty much always in the right gear, but crucially, YOU decide when you want it to change up. Gear changes seem quicker too.

Still getting used to the rather small paddles, but they do fall to hand if you drive at 1/4 to 3 position on the wheel.

I'm still learning its capabilities, but the more I get used to it, the more I like it.

HTH.

[RedRobin]

At first I thought I'd made a big mistake;
When in D mode, the box wanted to change up into 6th at practically any speed, so when I wanted to accelerate I'd be in completely the wrong gear and I'd have to use kickdown which was usually more acceleration than I actually wanted, so I'd lift off and it would immediately change up!

When in S mode the car refused to change gear, so on slowish roundabouts I'd be sitting at 5-6k rpm tootling round - must've looked like an idiot!

....Let me try and help you with this.

Think of D-mode as the DSG doing its utmost to give you maximum economy by it shifting gears to keep the revs down. It's also very useful and stress-free when in traffic crawls etc or around town at 30 mph.

Think of S-mode as Sports mode as the DSG does its utmost to hang on to each gear until it reaches its optimum highest revs. It also works as you reduce speed and it comes down the box.

M-mode is, as you are now discovering, the DSG equivalent of 'conventional' manual.

Now, this is where it gets interesting: At any time you are in D or S you can override it with the paddles (or nudge floor stick) to be in whichever gear you want. If you've stayed in one gear for about 30 seconds without change, it reverts back automatically to where it was (D or S). Or you can switch to M and carry on. There's lots more ways of mixing up the options and it becomes very good fun and you can't bugger your clutch (unless you are Hurdy! ).

[Hurdy]

Still getting used to the rather small paddles, but they do fall to hand if you drive at 1/4 to 3 position on the wheel.

In that case you need something like these. They make it even easier to use in manual.

[Jkctr]

You can also hold the pedal to revert it back to 'automatic' 

[Steve30]

  Hi There , Ive had two gear box mk5 GTI's, and two DSG's . Its brilliant once you get to know the tricks bloody excllent. Just get it with DSG fantastic piece of enginering (amazing) I wouldn't be with out now enjoy Steve Edt30 DSG.