Do you miss the clutch?

[greydiesel]

Hi all, I am considering the purchase of a MkV R32. I think I would have done it already, but I am concerned I will miss the clutch and gearshift after some time. I like the DSG, but wonder if I will still like it after the novelty has worn off. What are your opinions of the transmission after having used it for some time? I currently have a Mustang and love the short shifter, it is my favorite part of the car.

[HRISTIN]

and love the short shifter, it is my favorite part of the car.
It also bumps up fun to drive factor 10 times. That's why I still drive my GTI.

[Da Argentinean]

I do!

[- Jeremy -]

Eh... Maybe sometimes just in freeway driving and around town. But I definitely don't miss it on the track or mountain roads. It's faster and you can maintain more control of the balance of the car without fucking up a shift or braking.

That said, I'm still planning on picking up a Caterham for the track, so I guess that means I do miss the clutch... But not really ;)

- Jeremy -

[greydiesel]

Those Caterhams are amazing. That is, I think, the direction I am headed as well. I keep trying to buy a car with great performance that I can also use as a daily driver, but probably more rewarding to just buy a track car and a daily driver (maybe even a truck).

Anyhow, thanks for the advice. It looks like my suspicions about the tranny are true.

[keviiiiin]

sometimes i really do. and the days when i'm stuck in traffic (most days) i really don't.

[bazzle]

Ive had many performance vehicles with manual trans.
My current R32 DSG does not make me see the need for a clutch at all.

So, no I dont miss the clutch.:thumbsup:

ALso dont base your own opinions on a few negatives on an internet forum:iono:

Bazzle

[WakeHead]

I don't miss the clutch at all. I think DSG is great. However, I still daily drive a GTI VR6 5 speed. So I still use a manual more than I drive the DSG.

Even if offered with a manual, I still probably would have gotten the DSG. It fits the character of the car and has such good performance and flexibility. Trying the latest and greatest after 20+ years of driving manual isn't a bad thing.

[wastegate76]

I don't miss the clutch, use it everyday ;)

[Renegade]

I don't miss the clutch, use it everyday ;)




Damn straight!!!

[TurboGTI5]

I don't miss the clutch, use it everyday ;)

How do you have a manual R32?

DSG is cool but manual is more fun

[blu32]

How do you have a manual R32?

DSG is cool but manual is more fun

You can get manual R32s here in Australia (where the post came from).

Personally, I went with the manual because that was my preference (still is) but there are plenty of people with DSGs who are very happy with them.

As DSG is the only choice in the US with an R32 then it really is a question of "do you like the car" I guess.

[Phontsolo]

Although the DSG is cool... I'd prefer a manual...

[mikey]

I have the 87 GTI if I miss the clutch.

[atombomb33]

To the OP, just ask yourself this question. If the car was offered in a manual and DSG, which would you choose? That might help you get a feel for how much the third pedal means to you.

I have found over the 14 months of owning my R32 that I miss the clutch. It's part of the reason that I'm looking to get something else that has a clutch. DSG is great, it just turns out it's not the right transmission for me. You live and learn.

[greydiesel]

if I had a choice, I would have to test drive them both before I could really know, but I suspect very strongly that I would choose the manual. Why VW does not offer a manual in the states is beyond me. They always seem to assume the US market requires different products than other markets, which is not the case.

I found a R32 in my area with a custom built turbo. It produces 400hp at the flywheel. The price is decent because they cant find a buyer. Can the DSG handle that much power?

[PhantomX]

I love the DSG, when I want it to act like a manual I can, the shifts are crisp and quick and I don't have to remember to downshift in manual mode. I've owned a lot of manuals and the traffic in Tampa can really suck so I really don't miss it. I came from a 5spd car when I got this one. Honestly if the Auto sucks (like some GM's and Fords I won't mention) then having a manual is a must, but the DSG is such a good trans that it doesn't make me miss the 3rd pedal...

[gotshotgun]

you can't go by others opinions on this question, it's 100% personal preference. i have a 6mt gti and love the stick shift, i had an smg m3 which was fun but i did regret not getting the manual version back then, also my gf has a dsg gli and its nice, but still an auto...

[TurboGTI5]

Do you guys think that the dsg is more fun on a chipped gti or r32?

[gottiR32]

Truth be told, the 08.:R (no matter where its from) is a manual. But thats a different argument for later. I have driven both and autos with and without the trip. I think DSG is PIMP. It will shift faster then any human and It's so fun. When you dont feel up to shifting you dont have to and throw it in D, you wanna mess around? You have Sport and M mode, the kick pedal downshifter and launch control. VW did a good job with this car and threw in a great tranny.

[A1Drewski]

I miss my clutch pedal. I love the rest of the car, but there is really something special about moving through a gated shifter.

[Trevinboy]

No offense dude, but this question has been asked and answered, no need to beat a dead horse, but if you must know my opinion, I do NOT miss the clutch, DSG is the best invention since pussy (can I say that here?).

[RABBIT07]

DSG is the best invention since pussy.

I agree. I don't miss manual trans.

[Mr645]

My 08 R32 is my first car without a clutch, and likely will be my last. The DSG is nice sometimes, but I like to drive and the DSG automatic takes most of the fun away. Leave automatics to Buick and for Toyota Camary and Avalon. Oh, and minivans. For cars that have potential to have fun with? At least give us the choice

[gottiR32]

My 08 R32 is my first car without a clutch, and likely will be my last. The DSG is nice sometimes, but I like to drive and the DSG automatic takes most of the fun away. Leave automatics to Buick and for Toyota Camary and Avalon. Oh, and minivans. For cans that have potential to have fun with? At least give us the choice

:laughabove::thumbdown:

[treedub]

My R has two clutches.

[gottiR32]

i hope so, really if you include the clutches in the haldex unit theres more. The R is not a automatic BTW Mr645

[Blitzen]

Hi all, I am considering the purchase of a MkV R32. I think I would have done it already, but I am concerned I will miss the clutch and gearshift after some time. I like the DSG, but wonder if I will still like it after the novelty has worn off. What are your opinions of the transmission after having used it for some time? I currently have a Mustang and love the short shifter, it is my favorite part of the car.

I don't miss the clutch at all (here in NJ with all the traffic and stop and go and all the crazy drivers around me)

[Eilig]

Nope...

If I want a clutch I drive the Porsche...

[gottiR32]

Nope...

If I want a clutch I drive the Porsche...

:bellyroll:Sweet

[cvandenhaute]

Sometimes no, sometimes yes. I come from a '07 Miata that had the sweetest shifter I ever tried. Compared to that visceral feel, I sometimes miss it.

Quite surprisingly, I realized that the DSG becomes really really fun on "S" mode with the paddle shifters on a winding road, and that was precisely right there I was expecting to miss the manual, at the contrary, the DSG shows itself extremely fast and well mated to a very active driving style.

On my regular commute at the contrary, I totally stopped to use the manual mode, which I find boring and not intuitive in these conditions.

BTW there was a very good article regarding all non-manual trannies in Winding Road last month, basically tried to find why a manual was always better then any other system for spirited driving...

[gottiR32]

BTW there was a very good article regarding all non-manual trannies in Winding Road last month, basically tried to find why a manual was always better then any other system for spirited driving...

...just like the .:R!

[GTI Mx5]

Two Pedals= steering; Three Pedals= driving. Nuff sed.

[gottiR32]

Two Pedals= steering; Three Pedals= driving. Nuff sed.

Three pedals = slower shifting then DSG

[juttsvw]

I'll have to say that I really do miss shifting. However, DSG is a very easy to drive car for my wife to drive if needed and is very nice in traffic. The past 2 cars that I have had were DSG and I am sure that I will always have one in the family.

[fusiongt]

I actually know a number of people who drive a lot who now have shoulder and arm problems because they do have a manual. I know driving with a manual is fun, but I think as an everyday car it's not really necessary. When you're half asleep commuting to work, do you really want to have TOTAL control of your car? Not me, I rather just steer and drink coffee lol.

I think DSG is a great invention because it gives you the ability to just steer when you're stuck in traffic, driving near schools, and things like that... but you can also have great control of the car when you need to go fast or just want to have fun. It's my everyday car and weekend car :)

I have been thinking of ways for DSG to fulfill manual-lovers. This is probably a dumb idea but what if there was a third peddle, a stick, and paddles? There would be 3 modes - D (regular 'automatic' drive), S (what we have now as 'M' where we shift with paddles), then M (where driver gets full control with third paddle and true stick). The way this would work would be you would have to change from Park, Reverse, Drive, Sport, Manual like some American cars do (where its placed by the steering wheel). People who didn't want to drive in true manual could just change the gears up there, but if they did want to drive in true manual they would put the steering wheel shifter to "M" and then from there would gain control of the third peddle and stick.

Maybe silly but I imagine it could work and please both parties.

[gottiR32]

I actually know a number of people who drive a lot who now have shoulder and arm problems because they do have a manual. I know driving with a manual is fun, but I think as an everyday car it's not really necessary. When you're half asleep commuting to work, do you really want to have TOTAL control of your car? Not me, I rather just steer and drink coffee lol.

I think DSG is a great invention because it gives you the ability to just steer when you're stuck in traffic, driving near schools, and things like that... but you can also have great control of the car when you need to go fast or just want to have fun. It's my everyday car and weekend car :)

I have been thinking of ways for DSG to fulfill manual-lovers. This is probably a dumb idea but what if there was a third peddle, a stick, and paddles? There would be 3 modes - D (regular 'automatic' drive), S (what we have now as 'M' where we shift with paddles), then M (where driver gets full control with third paddle and true stick). The way this would work would be you would have to change from Park, Reverse, Drive, Sport, Manual like some American cars do (where its placed by the steering wheel). People who didn't want to drive in true manual could just change the gears up there, but if they did want to drive in true manual they would put the steering wheel shifter to "M" and then from there would gain control of the third peddle and stick.

Maybe silly but I imagine it could work and please both parties.

Well put for the most part, I agree about being stuck anywhere. As far as your idea, kinda neat in the mind but it would be a true pain. The DSG is an automated manual. The clutches are self contained if im correct and it would require some third clutch pack I would guess just to get that ball rollin. I think the bottom line is some people are ok with what they have and others will never be ok, period. :biggrin:

[Purg]

My left knee (which makes a click when I walk downstairs today) thanked me when I went with a DSG after 12 years of driving heavy clutched V8's.

I don't miss it. If I want to diddle with the gears, I stick it in manual mode. Majority of my driving is in moderate to heavy stop/start traffic. I'd hate to see the state of my knee if I didn't get my R32 a year ago.

[telaio]

No, I don't miss the clutch-pedal at all. I mean, this is 2009 and we're supposed to choose the gear-ratios manually?? What's next, should we also manipulate ignition timings and fuel-air mixes by hand?

[Mr645]

No, I don't miss the clutch-pedal at all. I mean, this is 2009 and we're supposed to choose the gear-ratios manually?? What's next, should we also manipulate ignition timings and fuel-air mixes by hand?

It's coming back, at least on sport bikes. Switches to choose from 2 or 3 ignition maps.

And for some other responses, shifting as fast as possible works great for drag racing, but not always the best way to drive during spirited driving. I also find the DSG gets sluggish at low RPM, which is a shame since the R32 motor has a fantastic wide power band

[that1r32]

the R32's DSG is truly amazing especially when the road gets twisty :thumbsup: but im not gonna lie when ever i drive my friends cars (04 S2000, 05 RSX-S :thumbup:) i can't help but find my self wishing it too be a manual but for everyday driving the sophisticated DSG system is sure to keep a smile on your face :happyanim: