LEON Cupra ST manual V DSG
Discussion
Seriously considering a Cupra ST as next car but undecided on Manual or DSG.
Obvious benefits of DSG are 4WD and slightly quicker 0-60 and launch control (not that it would ever be used lol).
Manual is slightly cheaper, slightly slower and FWD - but it has 3 pedals and a stick which is pretty much what I've used for the last 30 years.....
The last DSG I drove was about 12 years ago in a Scirocco around the 'Ring.
I didn't like that in 'manual' it still wanted to change up/down mid corner - and it didn't feel much better on the road over the weekend too.
So questions are:
1 - manual, what's the torque steer etc. like with the newer electronic diffs etc.
2 - DSG, have they improved over the last 12 years and what are they like in traffic in auto?
3 - Will I get bored of 'flappy paddles' after a couple of weeks and wish I'd got the manual.
Thanks
Obvious benefits of DSG are 4WD and slightly quicker 0-60 and launch control (not that it would ever be used lol).
Manual is slightly cheaper, slightly slower and FWD - but it has 3 pedals and a stick which is pretty much what I've used for the last 30 years.....
The last DSG I drove was about 12 years ago in a Scirocco around the 'Ring.
I didn't like that in 'manual' it still wanted to change up/down mid corner - and it didn't feel much better on the road over the weekend too.
So questions are:
1 - manual, what's the torque steer etc. like with the newer electronic diffs etc.
2 - DSG, have they improved over the last 12 years and what are they like in traffic in auto?
3 - Will I get bored of 'flappy paddles' after a couple of weeks and wish I'd got the manual.
Thanks
I have a 66-plate 290 ST DSG Black. The 6-speed gearbox is fine when pootling around. It's sometimes a little lazy to step off, especially when cold, but not disconcertingly so.
I do find the down changes a little abrupt when combined with the Stop/Start (dependant on driving mode) when coasting to a halt. Quite often it goes down from 3rd > 2nd, then cuts out when nearly at a stop, but if you're back on the throttle before it comes to a complete halt, it'll drop into 1st and then pull away quite fiercely. Easily avoided by configuring your own mode in 'individual' or just deactivating the Stop/Start.
The only other comment re:gearbox is that I don't think there is enough of a gap in terms of characteristics between Sport and Cupra. The former hangs on to gears nearly as long as the latter, which feels like a missed opportunity to have more of an intermediate mode that didn't require the paddles to accomplish manually.
But overall, if you're not 'on it' I think it's a relaxing and swift set up. There's nothing major about the drivetrain that I find obstructive or annoying to the point of detracting from the car.
Bigger gripes are horrific wheel hop (fixed with a engine mount insert), the way it hunts cambers and a sense of 'looseness' from the front end. It doesn't have anywhere near the ability of something like a Mk3 Megane to put it's power down. It needs a firm hand to drive, and unlike others I don't find that adds to its character. It's also really, really boomy due to tyre noise.
Overall, it's a good car but not a great one. The 4Drive I used to have was a much better proposition in terms of power delivery and all weather pace.
I do find the down changes a little abrupt when combined with the Stop/Start (dependant on driving mode) when coasting to a halt. Quite often it goes down from 3rd > 2nd, then cuts out when nearly at a stop, but if you're back on the throttle before it comes to a complete halt, it'll drop into 1st and then pull away quite fiercely. Easily avoided by configuring your own mode in 'individual' or just deactivating the Stop/Start.
The only other comment re:gearbox is that I don't think there is enough of a gap in terms of characteristics between Sport and Cupra. The former hangs on to gears nearly as long as the latter, which feels like a missed opportunity to have more of an intermediate mode that didn't require the paddles to accomplish manually.
But overall, if you're not 'on it' I think it's a relaxing and swift set up. There's nothing major about the drivetrain that I find obstructive or annoying to the point of detracting from the car.
Bigger gripes are horrific wheel hop (fixed with a engine mount insert), the way it hunts cambers and a sense of 'looseness' from the front end. It doesn't have anywhere near the ability of something like a Mk3 Megane to put it's power down. It needs a firm hand to drive, and unlike others I don't find that adds to its character. It's also really, really boomy due to tyre noise.
Overall, it's a good car but not a great one. The 4Drive I used to have was a much better proposition in terms of power delivery and all weather pace.
Spidersleg said:
6 speed and 7 speed are very different in their power delivery. Also in cupra mode holding on in the gears is very different between 6 and 7 speed.
Manuals have chocolate clutches so factor that into your price. 20k miles and a clutch needed is not unheard of.
Thanks for the reply.Manuals have chocolate clutches so factor that into your price. 20k miles and a clutch needed is not unheard of.
Might give the manual a miss - not replacing clutches every 18 month!
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