To DSG or not DSG that is the question

[udp53]

So I currently own a MK1 Leon and have been very happy with it but am currently looking to replace it with a Mk2. I have found what looks like a bargain but it's 2.0TDI Diesel DSG. I've never owned an Auto or a Diesel before. What are people's opinions? Is this a more expensive option to maintain going forwards? How may miles does a DSG box do on Average and are they expensive to replace (presumably yes) Are general servicing costs for this any different to a manual Leon, and finally are they as fun to drive as a manual.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[kezFR07]

Manual all the way dsg is borin and something else to go wrong

 

[predo]

Manual all the way dsg is borin and something else to go wrong

says probably person who never owned DSG let alone automatic gearbox car...

as for the question itself - go for it, once you've tried DSG you will never want to go back.

Is it expensive to replace? yes
Does it break any more then any other component on the car? no
Is it fun to drive? yes

I'm not that sure about 2.0tdi, depends what miles you do etc but DSG all the way.

also there aren't any real bargains in life. If something is cheap it is for a reason so keep that in mind...

 

[warren_cox]

If I did more city based stop/start miles I could see myself warming to it, but the cars I have driven with it seem to want to over-rule you within a very short space of taking manual control.

If its a commuter tool I see it's value completely. As a purist driver tool, whilst I see the benefit of having both hands on the wheel all of the time, it's just a bit too 'interfering' for me. If DSG allowed total manual control (maybe the new ones do), I would find it more tolerable. Until then manual for me.

 

[Nath.]

I've had a couple of hire cars for a few days at a time that were DSG, a Jetta and a Golf both with the 105PS diesel engine. They were both good fun and very good on the fuel.

What they are like to live with for a long tome I don't know but to me if it's fun at first I don't see why it won't be fun 3 years later.

Go and test drive it and see if you like it. I don't see people on here posting up with DSG probels all the time, in fact if you do a search, most of the DSG threads are the same questions as this one.

Give it a go and see.

 

[GainfulShrimp]

I love my DSG. It's the TFSI petrol but I reckon the diesel should be fun too. The only thing missing in the diesel DSG is the flappy paddles on the steering wheel (the new common rail diesel DSG FR should have those, but it'll cost ya!). To be honest, I only got the petrol because the DSG wasn't available with the more powerful diesel engines at the time.

Took me a while to train my left foot not to go for the clutch when approaching traffic lights etc, but quickly got used to it.

I too felt a bit like the DSG 'interferes' a bit when I first drove it, but you soon get used to how to make it obey. The 'S' setting is a hoot, too - makes a fun drive quite thrilling. Do should definitely give it a go before dismissing it.

 

[Hurdy]

Ooooohh, you don't usually see these threads on the Seat forum, It is usually the VW and Audi forums.

The DSG is a very good transmission. You only have to look at all the other manufacturers to know it is a good step forward.....Bugatti, Porsche, Mitsubishi, BMW....all have jumped on to the DSG bandwagon.

I have had 3 cars with DSG (two of them Diesels!) and don't regret any of them. The fact that they make the car faster point to point and you can still have fun doing it was a winner for me

These "old skool" manual boxes aren't all they are cracked up to be

*runs for cover*

 

[warren_cox]

These "old skool" manual boxes aren't all they are cracked up to be

*runs for cover*

Manual gearbox: Less weight, driver talent required
DSG: More weight, made for the limp wristed, bone idle or generally incompetent



Only joking, it's a bloody trick system, and can change and launch far better than I can! I need all the practice I can get.

 

[benskin07]

I had a S-tronic (DSG) in my old 2.0tfsi A3. And loved driving it. When im in the market for a new car i will 100% go for a DSG over manual. Test drive and see how you get on. Plus i loved sports mode on it! But it did take a few days to get use to it.

 

[Hurdy]

Manual gearbox: Less weight, driver talent required
DSG: More weight, made for the limp wristed, bone idle or generally incompetent



Only joking, it's a bloody trick system, and can change and launch far better than I can! I need all the practice I can get.

I knew someone would bite

 

[SteveTDCi]

I had DSG but got bored with it, its good in traffic but can be very jerky, bog down when pulling away and completly hopeless in the ice. Would I have another ..... nope it just wasn't for me oh and in diesel form it is not a tru manual. MPG was worse than the manual car too. But just because i didn't like it doesn't mean you won't try one but make sure you get a long demo. Oh and i thought an new replacement box was around 4k. Make sure that the car you look has had its DSG service at 40k, if not budget £180 for it.

 

[Bedlam]

I had DSG but got bored with it, its good in traffic but can be very jerky, bog down when pulling away and completly hopeless in the ice.

Would you care to elaborate on the "hopelessness in ice", particularly as winter is coming and it will be my first using a DSG box in the cold North!!!!!!

 

[Chuy]

I love DSG, i tried it on my brother's VW GLI and it is really fun to drive.

Also with the DSG you would get the Launch Control which is AMAZING!

Why don't you go for a test drive?

 

[Hurdy]

I had DSG but got bored with it, its good in traffic but can be very jerky, bog down when pulling away and completly hopeless in the ice.

Never noticed this and I've had 3 DSG's!

I too live in the relative cold of Yorkshire.

 

[Martin_DSG]

I love DSG, i tried it on my brother's VW GLI and it is really fun to drive.

Also with the DSG you would get the Launch Control which is AMAZING!

Why don't you go for a test drive?

Launch control? am i missing something in my DSG?

 

[SteveTDCi]

I thought launch control was only on the petrol.

With the snow & ice it was hopless, the wheels just spun even putting it in manual it wouldn't let you change up to a higher gear it would only pull away in first when sometimes you wanted to be in second or third, i even struggled to get up a small incline.

 

[Bedlam]

I thought launch control was only on the petrol.

With the snow & ice it was hopless, the wheels just spun even putting it in manual it wouldn't let you change up to a higher gear it would only pull away in first when sometimes you wanted to be in second or third, i even struggled to get up a small incline.

Even with Traction Control turned off? - as recommended in handbook for deep snow/slippery surfaces

Launch Control - see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgEK17Ffslk or
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpHsaQkkAJU&NR=1 which I may try later

There are almost just too many options to remember with DSG but what fun it is

 

[SteveTDCi]

even with ESP off, the gearbox won't let you bounce of the redline in the diesel and won't let you change into a different gear ie higher than normal.

 

[GainfulShrimp]

You can change into a higher gear so long as this won't result in (potentially damaging) over-revving. It's a decent safety feature IMHO.

 

[predo]

i think changing into higher gear could stall it rather then over-rev... did you mean that?