Engine Braking GTI w/Manual Tranny

[robbiecUS]

Question from across the pond, eagerly awating the U.S. release. How is the engine braking of the GTI with the manual transmission? My 2006 325i (E90, N52 3.0L) has AWESOME engine braking. My wife's 2006 A4 B7 2.0T has NO engine braking, its like driving a torque converter automatic. I realize that is a smaller engine in a heavier car, but I also believe that DI cars do not have the aggressive deceleration fuel shutoff of a port injected car. The BMW has 10.7:1 compression, which also contributes to the nice engine braking. I really enjoy the control, fuel savings, and brake wear reduction that the engine braking offers. Sorry to be so long winded!

[mullermn]

I thought modern advice was that engine braking was a bad thing as you're better off taking wear on comparatively cheap brake pads than on your gearbox?

[Geomets]

It's not only that. On a cruiser car manufacturers are putting heavy fly-wheel so that it can continue cruising even when you are lifting your foot from the acceleration pedal. The do that because they are pointing on lower fuel consumption on motor ways. On a specialized machine like the M3, they are putting light fly-wheels, a little heavier on the other straight-sixes but still light in comparison. These cars will have faster response on the acceleration pedal, but their fuel consumption will suffer as they cannot cruise while lifting off the gas. You'll learn to drive it a little differently to your BMW (lovely car, I'm feeling a little jealous now  )