- driving around in D is pretty relaxing though you have to learn not to press too hard as it will kick down. very easy (and tempting) to go too fast!
But unless you are driving in rigger boots or 16 eyelet Doc Martins, the kickdown button switch is very easy to feel. So with 'normal' footwear, you must have very poor throttle control if you can't work out that you have just pressed the kickdown button.
OK, if you are new to the world of auto gearboxes, it might take a little getting used to, and needing to 'remap the brain' not to mash the pedal hard into the floor boards.
- sports mode holds the gears for ages, perhaps a little too long.
Erm, that is EXACTLY what sport mode is for (RTFM).
It is specifically designed to obtain maximum performance from the engine, therefore will delay changes until just below the red line.
So sport mode should NOT be used during the running in period.
- manual is very quick and works well doing what i want. agree is it less tactile an experience, but can't argue it is a lot smoother than my gearchanges and it'll never get lost amongst 6 gears which is what I've done before on other 6 geared cars.
You'll be in for a shock then, especially if you 'paddle down' and also hit the kickdown - that really confuses the DSG, and you end up with a couple of seconds of zero drive, even with full throttle - whilst the box tries to work out which cog to select.
- the "creep" at low speeds can be a little slow to engage. i notice this especially when parking. the car has rolled fwds or backwards a little when i was actually expecting the gearbox to hold the car on an incline. - this can be unsettling!
The initial engaging of 1st and reverse should never take more than about half a second.
Though if you are caught 'napping' say at traffic lights in neutral, and suddenly notice cars infront have disapeared on green, it does
feel like an eternity to engage 1st and pick up the drive. :embarassed:
Re the 'rolling' forwards and backwards - NO manual gearbox (which the DSG is, albeit electronically controlled) with conventional gear 'cogs' is designed to stop rolling on inclines - that is what the handbrake and footbrake is for. VWs can be equiped with an optional 'hill hold control' - but that has nothing to do with the DSG - but is merely an electronic method of applying the rear brakes.
- the DSG does look better and better for impressing your mates. the gear stick looks nicer and feels nicer and flappy paddles always a nice touch. good weight to the paddles too.
Agreed.
