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

[Daz Auto]

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!

+1 but...

I have a DSG on my Mk6 GTD. I'm fairly certain my next car will be a manual Mk7.5 GTI.

My needs have changed. I have gone from 20k+ miles a year, to less than 10k a year. Most of my driving will be bumpy B roads. Having owned a DSG, I know that a manual GTI will meet my current needs better. DCC is also a must for the roads I will be driving.

[Xrayrapid]

I agree that the manual suits the spirit of the GTI more.  I was impressed by the DSG (even more by the BMW 8spd) but it didn't 'feel' right to me for a smallish, lightish hot hatch.  Do what feels right for you, though (obviously)

[Hawaii-Five-O]

The DSG box is an amazing piece of kit but I know many folks don't 'get on with it'.

When my work habits change I'll go back to manual but until then it's DSG all the way!! Don't know how I'd cope without it driving in hellish commuter traffic going into Manchester 

[2014GTi]

I'm getting my first DSG in my Golf R.
Currently have manual in my GTI PP.

[wigit]

I was always anti DSG, we now have two DSG cars and a convert given rented R is DSG and BMW will be DCT

Don't agree the it suits the GTI as it runs out of puff lower down the rev range, on the R you have to work it to get the best out of it, always felt the manual was more fun in the bigger turbo car, however, also more easy to get caught with you pants down off boost.

Test drives do not do them justice, took me about 2 months to really grasp it and I now use manual most of the time but then use D/S as needs be

They are different but find the 'its not a proper drivers car or engaging' argument a bit yawn yawn and not true its engaging in a different way

I think a lot boils down to the daily grind you endure, I miss a manual for 5% if at all but DSG just suits my daily grind

I thing DSG does score in the way it integrates in with the ACC

[Daz Auto]

I was always anti DSG...

They are different but find the 'its not a proper drivers car or engaging' argument a bit yawn yawn and not true its engaging in a different way

I think a lot boils down to the daily grind you endure, I miss a manual for 5% if at all but DSG just suits my daily grind

I thing DSG does score in the way it integrates in with the ACC

+1

DSG is good for 95% of my driving. However, I miss the manual for control when overtaking. Paddles are ok, but I have to say it, 'just not as engaging!'

My wife has ACC on her A3 with S-tronic. Really good for her commute.

Here is something to consider - on paper DSG is faster 0-60. However, that is using launch control. Not a feature that is practical to use every day. In gear acceleration should be the same, but my DSG has a mind of it's own sometimes.

In my opinion - it is very much a case of horses for courses. For short journeys on B roads - I think manual. For long journeys and lots of traffic - I think auto would be easier to live with.

Here is an interesting question - can you consider yourself a driving enthusiast with an automatic car?

... lights touch paper... stands back 

[mcmaddy]

You can be a driving enthusiast in any car with any gearbox! Just because some people have a manual, red, 3 door gti doesn't make them any more an enthusiast than anyone else. It's a personal choice but neither is right or wrong.

[mjh_056]

Never had automatic before and was really in the manual camp and only relented as wife does drive the car and she has used one previously and nagged me into it.

Would never go back to manual unless had to as its the perfect selection for the typical UK drive, particularly in combination with the auto hold, takes all the strain out of the journey.

The gearbox is pretty slick and seamless and only when in D do you sometimes get caught out on a pull away where a manual would never let you down. But have got quite adept at moving the stick between D and S to driving conditions so them times are rare.

Paddles do give you that additional element of control where road allows and it can add to the experience though would say the DSG in Sport is not shabby either and hardly lets you down.

For me most journeys, 90% even are much like everyone else as we move along in the flow of traffic and for that alone the DSG wins out easily and for the other 10% you have the paddles which though not same as manual do the job pretty damn well for when want greater control.

Its amazing tech, far better than ever imagined, its seamless nature genuinely surprised me.

[dubber36]

I only find that a drive needs to be "engaging" when pressing on at 8 tenths or above. Even out here in the sticks, common sense takes over and that rarely happens. DSG does such a good job of doing what it does, I see little need for a manual gearbox anymore.

That's my view on it. For anyone to make an informed decision, they need to have a decent experience of driving both cars. Half an hour in a demo or the opinions of others may not make the correct decision for you.

[Eccie]

I've had my DSG GTi for almost 12 months now, came from a manual Mk5 GTi. Its a great box 95% of the time and suits my driving very well, I would struggle go back to a manual.

I have to admit I can count on one hand the number of times I've used S mode, I use D mode and flip the paddles when needed. As others have said combined with ACC its a winning combination for me.

I just think it gives you more options than the manual box, It can be a great auto or a pretty good manual when you learn how to use it.