Any thoughts on the new VW Golf GTI with the DSG gearbox vs. an automatic MCS?

We've got an '06 MCSa on order and are really looking forward to it, but I recently drove a GTI and man that thing was a blast. Wondering what other people's impressions are.

 

Although I'm not a big fan of it, the DSG transmission is technically a manual with electronic controls. Your MINI transmission is traditional torque converter slushbox with some hand controls added. No way it will react as quickly as the DSG. In general, the new GTI is getting rave reviews. I don't think of it as a direct competitor to the MINI, but damn close.

 

DSG is great...

everything else about the car is a snooze!

 

[ MotoringFile Review: The MKV GTI (w/DSG) ]

The short answer is yes the DSG is miles better than the slush-box in the MCSa but it's a bit of a pig compared to the handling of the MINI.

 

GTI is more effortless and refined, MINI is more raw and direct, encourages you to work it - and is thus more involving even with its inferior transmission.

as to the steptronic: once you figure out its foibles, it changes very quickly (in M), but unlike the DSG you have to work with it on its own terms. sometimes I love it and sometimes I think of changing back to a manual.

in the GTI, I felt like I might as well of been sitting in a car the size of a passat - nice to have that extra space but bye bye go-cart feel.

enjoy the MINI!

 

I don't know, I really like the new 2.0T FSI powerplant (in the A3 anyways, haven't seen an '06 GTI on the lots yet). On paper they just need to put it on a little bigger diet, restyle it (preferably away from the influence of 3 year old Toyotas and Hondas), give it a proper sport suspension, the option for a 6 speed traditional manual (DSG is really nice but I still like to work the clutch personally, even if its slower), and an LSD and they might have had me.

As it is now, there's no chance I'd consider one over an MCS unless I had little ones or a bunch of cargo I needed cart around in the backseat/trunk on a regular basis.

 

The GTI is a Minivan... and just as inspired.

I like the old GTI and older volkswagens much better. This car has some nice features and upgrades from the past but i find volkswagens new cars to be so bland and not special at all. They just cant take anything all the way and take the risks to make the car really something.

The engines are nice in many ways and the DSG is a cool technology although i would still prefer a traditional manual

 

I don't know . . . I saw a GTI in france and it looked pretty mean, like very low and flat to the ground, big (OEM) rims and tyres, ready for business, if a bit derivative of the type R.

then when I saw it here, its rear seemed to sit a foot higher than the front - not so attractive. well made interior though, gotta love those plaid seats!

 

I too think the DSG gearbox is great. Although there is one big problem with it. You have to get a VW or an Audi to get it. I believe you'll be happy with the MINI. A great car no matter what gearbox it has.

Chuck

 

GTI with DSG might be a good commuter. plenty of cargo space too.

 

I test drove the manual GTI the other day just for fun, I liked the low end torque (basically, the pull you feel is the same from 2000 rpm to around 5000 rpm). I have also test driven an MCS manual and if I recall correctly I needed to shift at fairly high rpm's. Both cars are fun to drive, but ended up buying neither, going with the MC instead.

 

The new GTI is great- if you want to chip it you can get 250 or so horsepower for about 500 bucks! The DSG is fantastic, too. I tried it out and liked it almost as much as a real manual.

 

And what isn't?

 

Thast because you saw the REAL car in France, not the watered down garbage we get here....

If your looking to go foreign and not get a MINI, get a new Si, its probably one of the best all around cars i have ever driven!

 

I'd really have to say neither. I drove my friends new GTi the other day and was thinking "I would never buy this car." He had the DSG and while zippy and quick for an auto, it was still just an auto though, or IMO no where near as fun as a stick. I'm not trying to turn your opinion, b/c I don't know ur situation, but I have talked a couple people in my area that were getting a MINI into getting a stick. When they ended up getting it (a liquid yellow MCSc) they thanked me up the wall. They aren't elderly but they are in their mid sixties, and the wife didn't know, and had never learned how to drive a stick. I offerred to teach her which was a blast (teaching someone old enough to be my Grandma how to drive a car), she really caught on faster than some of my x-girlfriends, that's probably b/c she didn't have her mind stuck on the stud who was teaching her... They ordered a stick and they absolutely LOVE i,t she tells me everytime I see her how much more fun it is than a automatic, and how I'm such a nice young man to help her do that and save a grand.

I'm just saying if you can learn to drive a stick than that's the best route, fuel econ wise too, but if there is some in-lying important factors contributing to the non-stick car than I say do what you feel comfortable with, but like the other's have said the DSG will out perform a MINI auto any day. But if ur looking for performance why are you getting an auto?

Just something to reflect on.

The most important thing is GET WHAT U WANT! Don't do it just to please me, or others, do it to please u.

Mikey

 

Sorry, but the DSG has been proven to be faster than a manual. I've always preferred a real manual, but if you're getting an auto-box, that's the best there is.

By the way, did anybody see the GTI commercial airing during the opening ceremonies? "Sometimes my fast doesn't get along with my girlfriend" My new sig

 

No I'd really say Ferrari's auto-box is the best there is. I'm just saying that if you want performance/fun auto is not the way to go.

Mikey

 

a true test would be an MCS (manual) against the DSG. Until then ur not comparing apples and apples like others have stated the two transmissions just aren't comparable performance wise.

 

I just saw one in the flesh yesterday and you are right - what has happened to the styling on the new GTI!! The previous gen was a beauty - very stylish. The new one looks like a Jetta with no bum.

 

I have read the pop mechanics on the DSG and it is impressive but I would rather eat my food than take it interveneously, if I wanted only fast I would have kept my motorcycle and sold my bikes....... shifting (IMO) is the big part of the "sport" ..... that is why they limit technology in a lot of sports..... it ruins the game. that being said....my xterra is automatic...... for me no joy in shifting there.

 

Went and saw a GTI yesterday...... That baby's so ugly it's Mama wouldn't give it no milk