Would I regret going for a manual Golf R?
Discussion
Mine is a manual. I wanted an R estate, but I've driven and disliked so many DSG cars in the past that I'm just not going to bother anymore, I just don't get on with them at all. I even hated the ZF in the M235i. As a drivers car, why would you remove one level of interaction?
As is always the case with this question, it comes down 100% to personal preference. You need to drive both, because no one can give you the "right" answer.
As is always the case with this question, it comes down 100% to personal preference. You need to drive both, because no one can give you the "right" answer.
Same DSG in my Skoda Superb. My first auto and I love it. Maybe not as engaging as a manual but with the paddles I can pretty much drive it like one if I wish. Changes are just fantastic.
Great fun to stick it into Sport at the lights and just put your foot down without having to worry about the gear changes. I've surprised a few when I've been in the mood .....
Great fun to stick it into Sport at the lights and just put your foot down without having to worry about the gear changes. I've surprised a few when I've been in the mood .....
I've done 18k miles in a manual Golf R which has been in race mode 98% of the time and it's been great. 1/3 of the mileage has been crawling in London traffic, 1/3rd on the M4/M40 and the rest blasting around country roads and it's excellent for all three scenarios! Whilst DSG is no doubt great you won't regret it.
My last car was a Freelander 2 which had an auto simply because for that kind of vehicle it made sense.
My current car is a Golf 7 albeit just a 2.0 TDi and I went for the DSG and honestly I love it as it's effortless.
I like the idea of the paddles but in all honestly I think I've used them half a dozen times in 9 months.
I'd say it's as much about where and how far you're driving as the traditional "drivers want a manual" mentality - I do a 45 mile daily commute and I simply cba with a manual for stop start with the odd straight bit between roundabouts and junctions.
My current car is a Golf 7 albeit just a 2.0 TDi and I went for the DSG and honestly I love it as it's effortless.
I like the idea of the paddles but in all honestly I think I've used them half a dozen times in 9 months.
I'd say it's as much about where and how far you're driving as the traditional "drivers want a manual" mentality - I do a 45 mile daily commute and I simply cba with a manual for stop start with the odd straight bit between roundabouts and junctions.
va1o said:
I don't think I'd have any kind of performance car without a DSG type gearbox, but I guess it comes down to personal preference!
This sort of comment makes the baby Jesus cry 
I don't understand how any sane person would actively desire the compromise of a 'sports' car but have it with an automatic gearbox. It's a four-wheeled oxymoron.
The DSG box is great however I do sometimes yearn for a manual in mine.
If you often drive in traffic and/or want the best level of performance from the car - DSG.
If you want the most out of a Sunday drive - manual.
On a Sunday, I wish I had a manual. Every other day, I'm glad I have the DSG.
If you often drive in traffic and/or want the best level of performance from the car - DSG.
If you want the most out of a Sunday drive - manual.
On a Sunday, I wish I had a manual. Every other day, I'm glad I have the DSG.
Mr Sandman said:
va1o said:
I don't think I'd have any kind of performance car without a DSG type gearbox, but I guess it comes down to personal preference!
This sort of comment makes the baby Jesus cry I don't understand how any sane person would actively desire the compromise of a 'sports' car but have it with an automatic gearbox. It's a four-wheeled oxymoron.
DSG boxes are very very good but slightly disengaging and boring as I find when driving a 'sporting' car quickly.
I would have thought that you have to test drive both and make your mind up from there.
Parents have a car with DSG and having driven it a decent number of times, I still dislike it immensely and would go nuts having to use it on a daily basis. Possibly a software thing and maybe improved by paddles, so the Golf R could well be different, but I really found it irritating, way beyond the undoubted good bits.
Parents have a car with DSG and having driven it a decent number of times, I still dislike it immensely and would go nuts having to use it on a daily basis. Possibly a software thing and maybe improved by paddles, so the Golf R could well be different, but I really found it irritating, way beyond the undoubted good bits.
Cyder said:
Mr Sandman said:
va1o said:
I don't think I'd have any kind of performance car without a DSG type gearbox, but I guess it comes down to personal preference!
This sort of comment makes the baby Jesus cry I don't understand how any sane person would actively desire the compromise of a 'sports' car but have it with an automatic gearbox. It's a four-wheeled oxymoron.
DSG boxes are very very good but slightly disengaging and boring as I find when driving a 'sporting' car quickly.
Everyone's needs are different but we should be thankful that the auto 'boxes are now at least good enough to offer a reasonable level of interaction so that they can be specc'd by drivers who want/need the ease of an automatic but don't want to compromise from an interaction perspective.
Is the manual in the MK7 an improvement over the appalling MK5 / MK6?
Manual Golf gearboxes have always been horrible. Notchy, recalcitrant when cold and hate being rushed.
If Golf manuals had the rifle bolt precision and feel of the Civic Type R's, then I'd agree, get the manual, but it's awful. DSG is a godsend!
Manual Golf gearboxes have always been horrible. Notchy, recalcitrant when cold and hate being rushed.
If Golf manuals had the rifle bolt precision and feel of the Civic Type R's, then I'd agree, get the manual, but it's awful. DSG is a godsend!
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