Golf mk7 gtd dsg or manual?

[fredgroves]

I've had 2 manual GTD's and do 20k per year, mainly A roads and motorway. I use ACC a lot, an awful lot.

Its a piece of cake to drive in manual because the torque is so large.

I avoided DSG because on the Mk7 it was less fuel economical/more CO2/more BIK(!!)

On my current Mk7.5, I avoided DSG because it was more expensive.

Benefits of DSG for me would be:

1) ACC can go right down to 0 mph and back up again - it does work just fine on a manual box, but this would be better - £2k better? Probably not for me even though I don't care about "driving a car" - I love automation.

2) If I drove a lot in heavy traffic an automatic box is definitely better. The few times I slog into cities, I wish I had a DSG but its not that often I do that.

If you are looking at buying a 2nd hand GTD, bear in mind that these things are mainly used by business mile munchers like me (or you probably). From new they are quite reliable IMHO, but buying a 2nd hand one and running it 25k pa.... I think DSG could well become an expensive problem. I wouldn't want to own one getting into the 100k on the clock mark...

I'd also avoid DCC on a 2nd hand one if you are going to mile munch.

[Yusee]

It’s where the miles are done that are important. 3k in peak hour city driving- dsg, 25k motorway- take your pick

[GTD1414]

I'm on 20k a year, previously had a mk7 manual, now on a mk7.5 DSG.

Wouldn't look at manual again now, its a completelty different car IMO, effortless to drive anywhere.

[fredgroves]

Interesting everyone is saying DSG. I've had a mk7 GTD and I've got a mk7.5 GTD now, both manual. Due for a change later this year so am considering a mk8 GTD, but cannot decide DSG or manual.

Obviously nobody has seen a Mk8 GTD yet, but I suspect it will be DSG only - to get the emissions down in WLTP testing.

Manual boxes going forward are going to be a rare thing.

Its also going to be adblu slurping for sure.

[rajb]

I do love a manual and yes it is more engaging etc however as others have stated it really depends on your driving style and what you do most of your mileage doing. I sit in traffic a lot on the M6 and in towns/cities, etc so the DSG (and previous DCT, SMG, auto's) have always been much better than riding the clutch.

Do think that with the improvements in technology though that the modern day auto/DSG/DCT are pretty good and can be enjoyable too.

[dubber36]

AdBlue isn't too much of a hardship. It's no different to filling up the screenwash. If you are doing long, steady trips, it won't be all that often either. My T6 Caravelle needs about 1 litre per 1000 miles, so about 2 fills per year.

[Jim_mk7.5]

If I was doing that mileage, with that type of roads, in a GTD then there would be no consideration of a manual but that's just my opinion.

[ar899]

I get the benefits of DSG but one thing I would miss would be the golf ball gear knob

[rajb]

I get the benefits of DSG but one thing I would miss would be the golf ball gear knob

Glue one onto the top of the DSG knob 

[dean5125]

I get the benefits of DSG but one thing I would miss would be the golf ball gear knob

Glue one onto the top of the DSG knob 

I'm actually shocked no one has done an aftermarket replacement along those lines yet!!

Maybe you can keep an actual golf ball in your cup holder and play with it with your redundant hand if you go DSG?!?!