A brief Affair

[DrivenToDistraction]

I took a bit of time to get with DSG when i got my Mk8.... it had some niggly things about it and I was going to get a DSG tune to delete some of them... but in the end I just got used to it.

Now I find driving the rest of the family manual cars a pain in the bum tbh, especially on long journeys.

DSG with all of the cruise/travel assist functions is simply amazing and takes the pain out of long journeys massively.

I'd not go back to manual now, well, not if an auto with travel assist was available.

I can understand that. My kids have long since flown the nest and there is only me in the car for over 90% of my journeys. And I only tend to go on long trips (over 100 miles) a few times a year. The rest of the time is spent bombing around local A and B roads (at legal speeds of course..).

One thing about the DSG that I have never raised before is how it pulls forward slowly when in a queue of traffic. It is probably me, but I always found it slightly awkward to control; there usually being a slight 'lurch' forward before smooth movement. Very subtle for sure, but still there. This is after the car is in auto-hold after applying the brake. I know it sounds strange because most say that moving around in slow traffic is one of the great benefits of the DSG box. I just didn't find it to be, as I can control how the car pulls away much more precisely using a combination of clutch and accelerator pedals.

A very small criticism I know, and one that many won't even relate to. Bottom line? If you like auto gearboxes then the DSG is state of the art, no question.

[Sharpe]

Very interesting to hear your similar short lived journey. Mine will hopefully be going in 10 days, not because I don’t like it - it’s a great all round car - but I just need something bigger.

The GTI was my first auto/DSG car. Before it I had a T6 transporter with a petrol engine and manual gearbox, before that a manual S3. I must say that as a lifetime manual gearbox user, I’m now a convert to DSG. Do miss the full control of a manual, and the DSG is a bit pulley when moving off from stationary in traffic. But DSG is just easy. I had a new work van - a sprinter with auto box in October 23. After a week with that I said my next car would be an auto.

Mine is most likely going to WBAC - they are offering 2k more than Audi are for PX. Although also been messaged through Facebook by Rev Competitions, who said they will happily take it for the same as WBAC are offering.

My new A5 has arrived, but got a trip to the Lake District next week so going to put the miles on the golf before it goes. Should get the new barge on the 31st, just before they double the 1st year VED rates

[WebRoP]

A platonic relationship that never blossomed into love! I am a manual gearbox fan at heart so learning to love the DSG in the 8.5 was always going to be difficult. I tried all combinations of drive modes and paddle shifting (over my 4 months of ownership), but the sense of fun I have enjoyed in some previous cars was somehow always lacking. We are all different I guess.

Perhaps I should have stayed with my manual 7.5 GTI (you can guess who has been saying that!), but things are always easy with hindsight. Going back to a 7.5 would have been a retrograde step – quite literally – so I have gone for the only ‘old school hot hatch’ that I could afford: a manual 2023 Focus ST, which I am very pleased with so far. I have only had it a couple of days, but a few pros and cons (mostly pros) are immediately apparent. If anyone is interested, I would be happy to elaborate.

I have enjoyed my time on this forum, which is one of the best I have been a member of. A refreshing lack of trolls and other undesirables! I may still pop in from time to time as I am still interested in things VAG.

That ST looks lovely. Nice choice. How does it compare performance wise to the Mk8.5 when you're driving it - is there much in it ?

[DrivenToDistraction]

That ST looks lovely. Nice choice. How does it compare performance wise to the Mk8.5 when you're driving it - is there much in it ?

Thanks. It just feels a lot more "urgent". It reminds me of the Civic Type R EP3 I had way back in 2003, and that is high praise. The throttle response seems better but I can't quantify that. The 0-60 would be similar I guess, but it feels quicker (after a down shift) from 40 to 60 when overtaking. But for me it's really about the overall dynamic of a slick manual gearbox, which suits my driving style better than a DSG.

Just looks like I will have to be keeping it for the next 10 years at least as hot hatch manual gearboxes are rapidly disappearing. I might be ready for an EV by then!

[DrivenToDistraction]

Very interesting to hear your similar short lived journey. Mine will hopefully be going in 10 days, not because I don’t like it - it’s a great all round car - but I just need something bigger.

The GTI was my first auto/DSG car. Before it I had a T6 transporter with a petrol engine and manual gearbox, before that a manual S3. I must say that as a lifetime manual gearbox user, I’m now a convert to DSG. Do miss the full control of a manual, and the DSG is a bit pulley when moving off from stationary in traffic. But DSG is just easy. I had a new work van - a sprinter with auto box in October 23. After a week with that I said my next car would be an auto.

Mine is most likely going to WBAC - they are offering 2k more than Audi are for PX. Although also been messaged through Facebook by Rev Competitions, who said they will happily take it for the same as WBAC are offering.

My new A5 has arrived, but got a trip to the Lake District next week so going to put the miles on the golf before it goes. Should get the new barge on the 31st, just before they double the 1st year VED rates

Interesting story. The A5 is a sound choice in the circumstances. Hope you get it registered in time to avoid the new tax!

One suggestion: Have you tried plugging your GTI reg and mileage into Motorway? I have found that their initial offer can be higher than WBAC and the selling process is actually very smooth. Also, you usually get more than the initial estimate when it comes to the actual 'auction' a few days later. A few years ago, car forum members were saying negative things about WBAC (especially regarding their nit-picking inspection process) but things may have changed.

Good luck with the changeover.

[WebRoP]

Very interesting to hear your similar short lived journey. Mine will hopefully be going in 10 days, not because I don’t like it - it’s a great all round car - but I just need something bigger.

The GTI was my first auto/DSG car. Before it I had a T6 transporter with a petrol engine and manual gearbox, before that a manual S3. I must say that as a lifetime manual gearbox user, I’m now a convert to DSG. Do miss the full control of a manual, and the DSG is a bit pulley when moving off from stationary in traffic. But DSG is just easy. I had a new work van - a sprinter with auto box in October 23. After a week with that I said my next car would be an auto.

Mine is most likely going to WBAC - they are offering 2k more than Audi are for PX. Although also been messaged through Facebook by Rev Competitions, who said they will happily take it for the same as WBAC are offering.

My new A5 has arrived, but got a trip to the Lake District next week so going to put the miles on the golf before it goes. Should get the new barge on the 31st, just before they double the 1st year VED rates

Interesting story. The A5 is a sound choice in the circumstances. Hope you get it registered in time to avoid the new tax!

One suggestion: Have you tried plugging your GTI reg and mileage into Motorway? I have found that their initial offer can be higher than WBAC and the selling process is actually very smooth. Also, you usually get more than the initial estimate when it comes to the actual 'auction' a few days later. A few years ago, car forum members were saying negative things about WBAC (especially regarding their nit-picking inspection process) but things may have changed.

Good luck with the changeover.

My brother sold his 7.5 performance to Motorway, he was very impressed by the whole process.

[WebRoP]

That ST looks lovely. Nice choice. How does it compare performance wise to the Mk8.5 when you're driving it - is there much in it ?

Thanks. It just feels a lot more "urgent". It reminds me of the Civic Type R EP3 I had way back in 2003, and that is high praise. The throttle response seems better but I can't quantify that. The 0-60 would be similar I guess, but it feels quicker (after a down shift) from 40 to 60 when overtaking. But for me it's really about the overall dynamic of a slick manual gearbox, which suits my driving style better than a DSG.

Just looks like I will have to be keeping it for the next 10 years at least as hot hatch manual gearboxes are rapidly disappearing. I might be ready for an EV by then!

Yeah you do right, i won't be going electric anytime soon... i'm aiming at owning the likley last ICE GTI for some time to come..

interesting re performance, they have near identical 0-60 times, but i suspect the GTI might edge with the DSG but again who cares, that's nonsense really in real world. Focus has slightly more power and torque but weighs over 100kg more. Either way, both cracking cars imo. You'll really enjoy it i'm sure. Fast Fords are usually very good.   

[fredgroves]

Just looks like I will have to be keeping it for the next 10 years at least as hot hatch manual gearboxes are rapidly disappearing.

I could be wrong, but with the end of the Focus this year I think thats already happened...

No I30N, Focus ST, Fiesta ST, Polo GTI, Civic Type R...

Remaining are all autos - Golf, S3, Skoda VRS, BMW 135i, Merc A...

[SRGTD]

My brother sold his 7.5 performance to Motorway, he was very impressed by the whole process.

There’s also been good feedback on other forums of the Carwow process, so another one to consider for anyone thinking of selling a car.

[SRGTD]

Just looks like I will have to be keeping it for the next 10 years at least as hot hatch manual gearboxes are rapidly disappearing.

I could be wrong, but with the end of the Focus this year I think thats already happened...

No I30N, Focus ST, Fiesta ST, Polo GTI, Civic Type R...

Remaining are all autos - Golf, S3, Skoda VRS, BMW 135i, Merc A...

There never was a manual version of the current shape Polo GTI for the UK market, although the launch marketing blurb said a manual version was to follow a few months after the DSG-only launch. It never happened though. Some other overseas markets did get a manual version. I think there may be 1 UK owner of a current shape Polo GTI with manual transmission over on the Polo forum, but I’m assuming their car is non-UK spec and imported.

The DSG version of the Polo GTI still being built though - VW haven’t killed it off yet!