GTI owners that would have choice again: buy manual or DSG?

[Jan DR]

Hi,

I am about to order a GTI clubsport. But the classic question comes: manual or DSG..

Owners who have a MkVII, what would you do if you would order a new one?


Thanks for sharing your opinion!
Jan

[AntGTD]

Its a personal choice, that said i prefer manual 

[Jackie Treehorn]

Either are good options for all sorts of reasons

But I bought a manual, and would buy a manual again.

My thoughts: I don't live in a city so feel I don't need an auto.  2 friends have auto's 1 with a GTI PP the other with a A250 AMG.  They both like it but neither enjoy driving in the same way I do, they like nice cars but don't seem to get the thrill of driving like me, as I want to drive to Spain, french Alps, Nordschleife and don't mind the keep fit gearbox at all.  While they like the laziness of it and don't often use the paddles.

I also don't think the DSG is light or efficient compared to the PDK in the Porsche,  which improves on its manual alternative in performance and economy.  So not only are you adding weight with the DSG, but also worse mpg and worse Co2.  The next gen will hopefully be on par with the 8 speed in the BMW which is a great gearbox I think, but the DSG we have in the Mk7 seems imo a little long in the tooth.

[gtiaps]

Its a personal choice, that said i prefer manual 

I 2nd that Ant my mates got a DSG but not only a die hard manual fan I found the DSG on the Gti I test drove takes away the excitement yeah you can punch it to get the kick down but nothing compares to a quick double clutch or singular drop a cog n away ya go... 

[Mark V GTD]

Surely the point with DSG is you don't need to "punch it to get kick-down" as you have control of the gears via the paddles or manual mode on the shifter...

[CraigW]

I think these automatic boxes are so good nowadays that I'm pretty sure that whatever I get next will be an auto. Never had one before but ready want to try it for a few years.

[gtiaps]

Surely the point with DSG is you don't need to "punch it to get kick-down" as you have control of the gears via the paddles or manual mode on the shifter...

Yeah I know you've got the levers but it's easier to punch the pedal lol

[Brenbo]

Was going to get an auto DSG for my next car, but living in Cornwall with lots of B roads I found myself getting another manual.   

[Watts]

Hi Jan, with respect but it is a pointless question. Only you can decide how to spend your money. Both gearboxes have their positives and negatives and you'll get them all covered no doubt in this thread. Good luck or veel geluk!

[dfsGTD]

As the last poster says it personal preference but my thinking was as I intend to keep the car for years the manual would be cheaper to fix if anything goes wrong. I still see DSG as new technology 😳