DSG - How free is it ??

[Moley RUFC]

For those with DSG how do you find the paddle shift? I know its meant to be ace but does it let you go to the red line before it changes up by itself?

Top Gear mag really slated it for its ''nanny'' like gear changes if you pushed the revs to high the car would take over

How would a 170 diesel DSG perform? Would the car change up automatically once you got to 5000 rpm

I suppose what i'm getting at, is my dream paddle shift car would let you blip down a couple of gears into a nice country bend then fire back up through the gears without the car thinking. ''No chance you english pig-dog, you aint wreckin my engine'' (said in spanish accent)

I'm will be looking at a 170 DSG either with the A3 oand maybe then the Leon (which will be out 2009-ish) and i really want to know whether its a good as it sounds

 

[Michael B]

Unfortunately the DSg doesnt come on the FR 170..

 

[Moley RUFC]

It will as of 2009 according to Droitwich Seat. I know the usual bollox talked by these guys, but i know one of the lads quite well and he's sure it will happen maybe when the leon gets a little facelift

 

[Ju.]

I have the DSG on my A3. I was sceptical before I test drove it as I never rated automatic cars. But I absolutely love it, even the wife loves it.
As for changing up, yes it will not let you over rev the engine and will change up at the redline whether your in manual or not, but surely that is a good thing!
Downshifting is great as it blips the throttle mid change.
Saying all that though the DSG is a bit of a marmite thing, most people love it but some absolutely hate it. I think a lot of it depends on the engine it's mated to as it will be set up differently to match the engine characteristics.

Julian

 

[jimbo_FRDSG]

Moley..... personally I wouldn't bother with anything those 3 muppets on Top Gear review, its time that programme was put out to grass, them and their silly pointless races every week which prove next to feck all. I gave up a while back when they slagged an Aston Martin for not cornering too well at 150 mph....aye yeah we all do that. If you are able to go at that speed you are on the autobahn and its feckin straight.

Anyway I digress. I have tried the paddles a few times but having been an automatic driver for 20 odd years its still strange to me to even change gear albeit I have had tiptronic boxes before. I would think its not the car being a nanny its protecting itself and your hard earned cash, why would you want to risk going beyond the redline and blowing something, anyway there's plenty of poke even before the red line.
I have to say this is by far the best automatic box I have ever driven, its response is instant and effortless. Mind you I have the FR TFSI and the mating of engine and gearbox is perfect. Its fantastically quick..... just have a root around youtube to see it at its best.

If the rumours are correct and Ferrari and Porsche are looking at fitting it to future models then it can't be bad.

Let's be honest its not F1 racing we are at here but a family hatchback with an F1 style paddleshift.....gimmick or not it is there and works, but I don't think we should be looking for too much from it.

I know what folk are saying about marmite but I think that's just still the attitude to automatic gearboxes and not the DSG. Those who don't like it probably hate auto boxes anyway.

If I were you I'd get one. They are the future

Jimbo

 

[Moley RUFC]

sounds good jimbo

 

[flakmunky]

Floor it and it will shift 500rpm past the red line - I guess that must be where the rev limiter kicks in on the MT? - no matter what 'mode' (Drive, Sport, Manual) you have selected... Which means the performance is always there if you want / need it...

Neat things are the way it anticipates what you are doing, e.g. accelerating, the change up is v. quick, braking the change down is v. quick... Only problem is if you 'fool' it by accelerating hard and then braking suddenly and trying to select a lower gear as it has to disengage the higher gear it predicted and engage the lower gear you have requested... But it is still as quick as a manual shift...

IMO, the best thing is the no loss of power when shifting because the 2 clutches are balanced so that as one disengages the other engages... But only if its predictions are right!

You won't be disappointed!

fM

@Jimbo - TG is no longer a motoring show, its a lads mag... Or at least thats the mindset I have when watching it... And then it makes sense. Sort of... I agree the format is now a bit tired.