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DSG vs Manual stats


silentandy
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I have tried both, and think DSG is very good, but I did find it a little "clinical" a bit like playing GT on PS2. I was ready to order a manual car, but decided to take a look at a Focus ST before placing my order. Point being whilst I think DSG is brilliant, I would still prefer the driver involvement you get using a manual box. The other benefit of the manual is that I understand it has greater tuning potential, as it has higher torque tolerance than the DSG box. I also wondered what the reliability of DSG is like as I have read a few threads of people complaining about gremlins with the DSG box. Im sure that if this failed outside of warranty, the repair bill would be scary.

Im not knocking DSG because the technology is great, and it is the best you can buy, (dont even bother trying the BMW SMG !!) but there will be some who still prefer a manual box.

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I've never had an auto box and my DSG is not here yet, but I can see why manuals will be preferred by some. But surely the DSG is the future? No real racing driver (by this I mean F1, touring car etc) uses a manual box anymore, they all have steering wheel or semi-auto gear boxes don't they ?

It seems the best of both worlds (mostly) and with BMW, Porche and others rapidly following suit I think the days of the basic manual box are numbered....

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Yes, but racing drivers have there sequential manual gearboxes (circa 100k) rebuilt every 250 miles.....

Also if you listen to them in interviews, Martin Brundle being pretty outspoken on the matter, a lot of them seem to prefer the days when cars did not have Traction Control, Launch Control, Stability control, etc.... ie its simply the man getting the best out of the machinery, not the machinery optimising itself.

Im not slating DSG, i fully understand why it would suit some people, I just find a manual more involving.

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[ QUOTE ]

o real racing driver (by this I mean F1, touring car etc) uses a manual box anymore, they all have steering wheel or semi-auto gear boxes don't they ?

[/ QUOTE ]

Indeed, and that's why today's racing is not as exciting as it used to be. That was real driving. A man and his machine. Today its a man, a strategy, computers, milliseconds, blah blah blah.

But you are right, DSG is the future of autoboxes. I tried both, and the DSG is the best auto box (cause its not really an auto?) I have ever tried. Hence I chose a manual. cool.gif

I have always thought auto boxes should be standard on all cars, and manual should be the option. Automatics are easier to drive, better in town, better in motorway, better in traffic. Everything. I always wanted an autoatic, but I'll take the plunge next time...

DB

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Having driven both DSG and Manual I really don't think that anyone can say that one is "better" than the other....It's all about which the individual driver has a preference for to suit their driving style and car's use. There are pluses and minuses with each system. I very much enjoy a Manual for having fun but not in heavy traffic or town. I have come to find that I also prefer the DSG S-mode in particular when I need both hands on the wheel and lots of power in a tricky situation. Engine braking is non-existent even when shifting down at high revs and so that part of Manual driving is totally lost anyway.

I don't agree with Martin Brundle at all - Good spectator racing comes from tight competition between drivers and their cars and if the all the cars have similar technology then it doesn't matter what that technology is. How can you knock real safety features! It's like saying that unless you are wearing just a woolly jumper and hob nailed boots to climb The Matterhorn then you are not really a climber if wearing all the modern gear! Absolute bollox!

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I agree with Robin each to there own.

I went with the manual for a few reasons, one was price the other as i will own this car i hope for 10+ years and as an engineer who grow up with family in motortrade and spent all his childhood/youth helping out in the garages the complex design of the DSG box and the future costs of any repairs to its mecanical or electronics including two clutches was a concern for me.

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James, have you driven DSG for longer than a 1 hour test drive? I think you would find it's better than you currently think. I know a couple of hardened Manual users with Competition Licences who are well impressed. But as I said before, each to their own and one isn't better than the other.

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In normal driving on the road a manual would really struggle to keep up with a DSG. Partly if you are on a country road you can give almost 100% concentration to the road and not what gear you are in and is it going to be the right one, plus two hands on the wheel etc. etc.

I love manuals don't get me wrong but DSG is much better suited to the roads we drive on today. How often can you really put your foot down and enjoy a journey, not much I think will be the answer. But when its busy and all you need to do is relax and let the car take the strain DSG does it all for you and saves you petrol over a manual, now that has to be good with todays Petrol prices.

Plus when you get to the country lanes the DSG is great to play with, yes you loose the last degree of control and driver enjoyment and that for some will be too much to lose. But as I say in normal day to day driving DSG is the way to go IMO. 169144-ok.gif

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