I think I don't like my gearbox

naughts4187 · Apr 3, 2015

So I've had my S3 for 3 weeks now and as much as I can appreciate it's incredibly quick, I really miss a proper manual box! Coming from a manual v6 into this, it feels unengaging & severely computerised.

Just been for a thrash around the back roads and I'm left slightly bored with the s-tronic. This S3 doesn't give me the same sense of raw-ness that the old 8P did all those years ago.
Has anyone had both boxes on an S3 yet? I'm seriously considering changing my re-order to a manual box and adding mag ride.

Jonno225 · Apr 3, 2015

It's a tough choice to choose between the manual and s-tronic for sure.
My 8P S3 was a manual but this time round I chose to go s-tronic for the new S3. I've had the car nearly 2 weeks now and done over 1500 miles. I have to say I love it...... The sound on up shifts is just awesome.

I also do lots of miles for work so being able to run it in pure auto mode is great. Just so effortless

That being said we also have a TTS which is a manual so have the best of both worlds.

Tough choice for you on the new car and what to spec. Both options are great.... Just go with your heart

sunscreemer · Apr 3, 2015

I was a total die hard manual gearbox fan. Then I drove a BMW with the 8AT. Then I bought one and now I reall don't want to go back to a manual. Have also test driven two S tronic equipped Audis. I know I'll not regret an S tronic equipped S3.

monopole · Apr 3, 2015

I can't actively consider a car right now without S-Tronic, I'm one of those guys that love it. And that's what the paddles are for when you want a little more control.

HawkeyeS3 · Apr 3, 2015

naughts4187 said:
So I've had my S3 for 3 weeks now and as much as I can appreciate it's incredibly quick, I really miss a proper manual box! Coming from a manual v6 into this, it feels unengaging & severely computerised.

Just been for a thrash around the back roads and I'm left slightly bored with the s-tronic. This S3 doesn't give me the same sense of raw-ness that the old 8P did all those years ago.
Has anyone had both boxes on an S3 yet? I'm seriously considering changing my re-order to a manual box and adding mag ride.

Funny I had the same feeling on my previous car (Evo X SST) for a few weeks. And then I started playing with the different drive modes, but more with the flappy paddles. I would agree with you that in "automatic" mode (doesn't matter whether it's dynamic, comfort or whatever), it gets rather boring. But slot the gear lever to the left to put her into manual then change up and down using the flappy paddles and it suddenly becomes an awesome bit of kit.

I've just been loaned a 1.4TFSI 6-speed manual whilst they fix my sick S3, and have to say the manual box is very good, nice short throws, very positive. But of the two, overall the S-tronic has it, much better in traffic jams, and in manual mode it's a hoot.

It takes a while to really get used to using the flappy paddles like being swapping down a couple of gears for a corner or keeping longer in one gear than another, but once mastered - its a hoot and the best thing about an S-Tronic is that you can play to your hearts content using the flappy paddles for fun, but for shopping trips and motorway cruising, you can't beat S-Tronic. Well IMO anyway!

Rob2k68 · Apr 3, 2015

I totally see where you're coming from on this. Had manual transmission all 30 years since passing my test and this is my first S-Tronic. Now after a month and 1200m I'm only just starting to get a feel for how the car works and therefore how to get the best out of it. I was frustrated at the push backward to engage sport mode and was mistakenly pushing forward to try and get D but was of course getting N so now know its a second push back for D. I find myself driving to work in D and driving home in M using the paddles. I think it'll take around 2k miles to fully master it. I have to say when driving my wife's car manual shifts now seem to take an age prob 0.5 seconds compared to 0.1. Give it a bit longer then test a manual and you prob won't go back. It is a lot of money tho so you need to be sure it's the right option for you.

Richy_C · Apr 3, 2015

I've stated before that I had the DSG in my old GTI and yes it makes for a comfortable cruiser but just zero involvement, also the auto box oil change at 40k was a wallet thumper and the junction stammer just ruins it for me.

It's a performance car, it should have a stick. Too much of the Xbox generation being focused on the 0-60 then the joy comes from feeling the oily bits move under your command as you blip down the gears carrying speed and revs thru the next sweeping bend.

I cannot wait for mine to arrive.

mfl · Apr 3, 2015

naughts4187 said:
So I've had my S3 for 3 weeks now and as much as I can appreciate it's incredibly quick, I really miss a proper manual box! Coming from a manual v6 into this, it feels unengaging & severely computerised.

Just been for a thrash around the back roads and I'm left slightly bored with the s-tronic. This S3 doesn't give me the same sense of raw-ness that the old 8P did all those years ago.
Has anyone had both boxes on an S3 yet? I'm seriously considering changing my re-order to a manual box and adding mag ride.

I got the s-tronic coming from a manual GTI ( a rare option in Oz), because of an old back injury. As a piece of technology the s-tronic is very good, the blips between changes, its manic operation in S mode and so on easily make it the best auto I have ever driven......... but even using the paddles, the car is doing most of the work and what I miss is the lack of operator control, compared to a manual.... no more heel/toe required....

jb0o · Apr 4, 2015

The choice between Manual and S-tronic has always been the most difficult choice for me personally, mainly because both systems are so good, yet they also have their drawbacks.

I got my first S-tronic (DSG) in my 2007 A3 2.0TFSI and I immediately took a dislike to it, agreeing with a lot of what the OP states; I felt completely left out of the drive and felt like a passenger in the car. The car seems to make all of the decisions for me and seemed to zap the fun out of everything.

But I persisted with it, and without a couple of weeks, I was in love! I started to use the manual mode a lot more, unleashing the very addictive "popping" sound when changing gear in such quick succession and I also had a little play about with the launch control - Oh man, is that fun!

I even started to appreciate the standard driving mode on my morning commute to work. Suddenly the S-tronic box was becoming the best of both worlds; when I wanted to throw it about and have some fun, I could slap it down to "S" or Manual mode and have some fun, and if I wanted a relaxing effortless drive, I'd just cruise along in "D".

Now I'm in a Manual TT, and the thing I miss the most (other than a petrol engine, I ****** hate diesels), is the S-tronic box.

Jassyo06 · Apr 4, 2015

Hey naught's had my car less time than you only covered 550 miles,not a fan either,ln manual mode constantly,hate automatic mode, even in manual mode l feel when moving away from junctions etc it's a little slow to change,the engine braking is not very good on down shifts either,having to use the brakes more now than I did in the ST3,a manual with Magride sounds great but does the Magride fix the S3's bad understeer and bounce like suspension,l don't know it's a difficult choice to make?

naughts4187 · Apr 4, 2015

HawkeyeS3 said:
It takes a while to really get used to using the flappy paddles like being swapping down a couple of gears for a corner or keeping longer in one gear than another, but once mastered - its a hoot and the best thing about an S-Tronic is that you can play to your hearts content using the flappy paddles for fun, but for shopping trips and motorway cruising, you can't beat S-Tronic. Well IMO anyway!

I'm hoping I have this turn around in opinion, as the whole reason I went S-tronic was because of crawling town traffic in a manual, and very torquey, TT before. I'm off into the dales today for a play, will report back.

Rob2k68 said:
I totally see where you're coming from on this. Had manual transmission all 30 years since passing my test and this is my first S-Tronic. Now after a month and 1200m I'm only just starting to get a feel for how the car works and therefore how to get the best out of it. I was frustrated at the push backward to engage sport mode and was mistakenly pushing forward to try and get D but was of course getting N so now know its a second push back for D. I find myself driving to work in D and driving home in M using the paddles. I think it'll take around 2k miles to fully master it. I have to say when driving my wife's car manual shifts now seem to take an age prob 0.5 seconds compared to 0.1. Give it a bit longer then test a manual and you prob won't go back. It is a lot of money tho so you need to be sure it's the right option for you.

Thanks Rob, I have to say, yesterday I spent a lot of time with the stick pushed left and using the paddles, and it was great fun. Big drive today so will report back.

Richy_C said:
I've stated before that I had the DSG in my old GTI and yes it makes for a comfortable cruiser but just zero involvement, also the auto box oil change at 40k was a wallet thumper and the junction stammer just ruins it for me.

It's a performance car, it should have a stick. Too much of the Xbox generation being focused on the 0-60 then the joy comes from feeling the oily bits move under your command as you blip down the gears carrying speed and revs thru the next sweeping bend.

I cannot wait for mine to arrive.

I have to say, launching 0-60 doesn't quite do it for me either, probably why I'm so on the fence. When does yours arrive?

jb0o said:
The choice between Manual and S-tronic has always been the most difficult choice for me personally, mainly because both systems are so good, yet they also have their drawbacks.

I got my first S-tronic (DSG) in my 2007 A3 2.0TFSI and I immediately took a dislike to it, agreeing with a lot of what the OP states; I felt completely left out of the drive and felt like a passenger in the car. The car seems to make all of the decisions for me and seemed to zap the fun out of everything.

But I persisted with it, and without a couple of weeks, I was in love! I started to use the manual mode a lot more, unleashing the very addictive "popping" sound when changing gear in such quick succession and I also had a little play about with the launch control - Oh man, is that fun!

I even started to appreciate the standard driving mode on my morning commute to work. Suddenly the S-tronic box was becoming the best of both worlds; when I wanted to throw it about and have some fun, I could slap it down to "S" or Manual mode and have some fun, and if I wanted a relaxing effortless drive, I'd just cruise along in "D".

Now I'm in a Manual TT, and the thing I miss the most (other than a petrol engine, I ****** hate diesels), is the S-tronic box.

Ouch on the TT! Possibly the worst car / engine / gearbox combo :audibash:

. If I were in a diesel A3 then I'd go for s-tronic all the way, as I hate diesels with a manual. Do you want some TT Speedlines? I've got some stacked in my kitchen! The mrs is going ape as they've been there since Christmas! :keule:

naughts4187 · Apr 4, 2015

jassyo06 said:
Hey naught's had my car less time than you only covered 550 miles,not a fan either,ln manual mode constantly,hate automatic mode, even in manual mode l feel when moving away from junctions etc it's a little slow to change,the engine braking is not very good on down shifts either,having to use the brakes more now than I did in the ST3,a manual with Magride sounds great but does the Magride fix the S3's bad understeer and bounce like suspension,l don't know it's a difficult choice to make?

Hey Jassy! I agree, more braking required. In fact last night my brakes were on fire... :sos:

, after a properly hard drive. I suppose that's the offset of an auto box against a manual. Also with these 18's it's got massive lateral problems, so I'm going to get my BBS's on hopefully next week and see how a wider, smaller profile tyre changes the feel of the handling. I'm either going to spec the magride and use some 20mm springs or go for a full coilover set and forget about magride. How is your sepang looking in the dull grey wilderness of the weekend?

I have a feeling I'll be getting that Cayman GTS a lot sooner than I expected.

Kugaman1 · Apr 4, 2015

Just too add some balance....

My previous car (m135i) was auto, my current car (evoque) is auto...and Ive ordered a manual S3. Whilst the modern autos are quick and effortless, even when using the paddles, I find them a bit uninvolving.

Im going back to manual as it makes me feel more part if the car if that makes sense?

Richy_C · Apr 4, 2015

All being well it's being built week enter next BW16 so delivery 2nd week in May.

Taking on jb0o's point I did enjoy the DSG when I only used the stick as a trip tronic for up and down, but as jazzy says the engine ****** under breaking just downs give you the same confidence. I'm in an A5 TDI manual at the moment and I feel the pain while crawling thru the tunnels in Birmingham but the real answer here is would I rather have a car I can queue in or a car I can drive..

Oh and for the gent with the back problem Mfl I think I totally understand the need there, Don't get me wrong both drive trains are amazingly good, it's about the feel, I mean the auto is quicker, more fuel efficient and seems to re sell better but the manual make me smile more, I can give it a cheeky Rev when I want to hear that pur and scare the woman with a stick up her *** crossing infront of me, and I can play with the bite and ride pulling away.

This will always remain a what do you want more choice so just have fun.

sunscreemer · Apr 4, 2015

My commute is largely spent trundling along in stop/start traffic. Add to that many longer runs on motorways nowadays usually involve some portion of such driving i would find after many journeys i was getting a sore knee from all that clutch work. Auto gearbox is a must and since then i find most driving much less tiring. I find the % of driving time the auto is a bonus is significantly higher than the % where i may prefer a manual gearbox.

I thought i would miss manual but i don't at all. I understand there may be some who either disagree or are fortunate enough that the majority of their driving is done on an open road. I'd never tell anyone one method is better than the other just list the benefits from my point of view. My original reluctance to move from a manual box was based on knowledge of old automatics but now i've sampled the modern breed (8AT / S tronic) i won't go back.

Just got to get the g/f to get an S tronic in her next A1 now - to enhance MY experience as passenger ;-)

Beluga S line · Apr 4, 2015

The DSG v the manual gearbox is a real personal preference. Before I ordered my A3 I ended up in an A3 DSG ( my previous car was in for new shocks).

Initially I thought it was great. Sitting in traffic was the biggest win. But after a week I missed the "driving the car" experience. A few people on here have mentioned it and I know exactly what they mean.

The paddles take a while to get used to and 'cause I only had the car a week it wasn't long enough to say if I could ever live with them. So I played safe and went for the manual.

I know quite a few people with back problems and they love the DSG gearbox across the VAG family!

sunscreemer · Apr 4, 2015

Beluga S line said:
The DSG v the manual gearbox is a real personal preference. Before I ordered my A3 I ended up in an A3 DSG ( my previous car was in for new shocks).

Initially I thought it was great. Sitting in traffic was the biggest win. But after a week I missed the "driving the car" experience. A few people on here have mentioned it and I know exactly what they mean.

The paddles take a while to get used to and 'cause I only had the car a week it wasn't long enough to say if I could ever live with them. So I played safe and went for the manual.

I know quite a few people with back problems and they love the DSG gearbox across the VAG family!

Funny that - my "playing safe" meant going auto! At least you can take up the reigns with the auto, but the manual you're stuck with.

Pulp84 · Apr 4, 2015

I don't thing you can make a bad choice naughts.....

It's a properly well engineered and smooth manual box in the S3. Someone put a lot of time and effort getting it right - driving in slow traffic is a good example. It's light, easy to modulate with nice ratios. The only thing I don't like about the manual is the leather gear lever. I personally like the metal version as fitted on the continent (you can retrofit it).

I have driven a number of cars of late where it's like the engineers have not bothered with the manual. Yes, BMW I am looking at you again.....

Plumped for S-tronic in the end mainly because I have gone down this route in my last 4 cars as I'm inherently lazy - oh and Mrs Pulp refuses to drive manuals. :unsure:

Richy_C · Apr 4, 2015

Ow you can retro a metal knob? Think I've seen one will have to go look now

Pulp84 · Apr 4, 2015

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-A...558?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3cf342de66

Oddly I think you can spec it on the S1 - if you get the product code you can get it direct from Audi. You can get various versions with different colour stitching if you look.

Think it makes the manual cabin look much nicer than the leather option fitted. I'm sure it adds to the feel of changing gear also!

Richy_C · Apr 4, 2015

Shame the red stitch doesn't match, won't steal this thread though talking about knobs

jaypers777 · Apr 4, 2015

Stick with it. I had manual for years, and my last car was my first auto. It takes some adjustment, but once you get used to it, suspect you will never look back. There are more pros than cons. Once you adapt,mtge transition between using full auto mode and times when you want to use the flappy paddles is great. I would never go back to a manual, but then again, I'm getting lazier in my old age!

DommyR · Apr 4, 2015

I like the manual, but 1st gear I find really short.

DommyR · Apr 4, 2015

Richy_C said:
Ow you can retro a metal knob? Think I've seen one will have to go look now

Get ready to wear some gloves on winter mornings!!!!!!

h5djr · Apr 4, 2015

Over a period of 39 years I drove 19 cars with manual gearboxes. 11 years ago I purchased my first A3 s-tronic and I am now on my 5th A3 s-tronic and never ever want another manual. Stick with it and try doing most of you driving in manual mode and you will come to love the s-tronic. The only time I use mine in Auto mode is with ACC in traffic queues.

cuke2u · Apr 4, 2015

Here we go again, please not yet another thread repeating of what is just a personal preference. It's all been said before...

kanecullen89 · Apr 4, 2015

Out of interest, do you think there's a correlation to the age of driver that prefers dsg or manual?

sunscreemer · Apr 4, 2015

kanecullen89 said:
Out of interest, do you think there's a correlation to the age of driver that prefers dsg or manual?

There didn't seem to be on the BMW forum. I can think of reasons why older and younger drivers prefer each type. Probably more down to regular journey type than anything else.

Jassyo06 · Apr 4, 2015

naughts4187 said:
Hey Jassy! I agree, more braking required. In fact last night my brakes were on fire... , after a properly hard drive. I suppose that's the offset of an auto box against a manual. Also with these 18's it's got massive lateral problems, so I'm going to get my BBS's on hopefully next week and see how a wider, smaller profile tyre changes the feel of the handling. I'm either going to spec the magride and use some 20mm springs or go for a full coilover set and forget about magride. How is your sepang looking in the dull grey wilderness of the weekend?

I have a feeling I'll be getting that Cayman GTS a lot sooner than I expected.

Hi Naughts "Lateral problems" yeah l agree,l looked at bilstein coilovers £3,350...wtf,too rich fo me l was thinking more like £1300 max.l have'nt really done any research into it as such,maybe advice from a member who has had them changed would be encouraging.
As for my Sepang in this dull weather? it actually looks very good,bit of a purple tint to it and even more so when its raining love it,so what exclusive colour have you chosen now mate...lol?

h5djr · Apr 4, 2015

cuke2u said:
Here we go again, please not yet another thread repeating of what is just a personal preference. It's all been said before...

And I will continue to put forward what I see as the advantages of the s-tronic as often as I like and if you personally don't like it then that's you problem. Audi obviously agree because more and more of their new top end models are being offered with an s-tronic and some with no manual option any more.

In this particular case the OP already has an s-tronic and I am suggesting he drives it in the 'manual' mode except when he is driving in heavy traffic I think he will enjoy it even more. The best of both worlds!

veeeight · Apr 4, 2015

naughts4187 said:
This S3 doesn't give me the same sense of raw-ness that the old 8P did all those years ago.

It's not the gearbox. The power delivery of the 300PS is very linear, and the car is reasonably refined. Coupled with the meh suspension and meh steering, it doesn't make for an exciting involving drive, quite dull and underwhelming instead.

sunscreemer · Apr 4, 2015

When looking at buying an S3 everyone on here was singing it's praises. Since I placed my order I've seen little but criticism.

veeeight · Apr 4, 2015

Make your own mind up - go for repeat test drives

Everybody wants something different from their car.

sunscreemer · Apr 4, 2015

To be fair I think some people just like complaining. Also perhaps a bit of complaining so it makes them sound more knowledgable.

Nikon · Apr 4, 2015

sunscreemer said:
When looking at buying an S3 everyone on here was singing it's praises. Since I placed my order I've seen little but criticism.

First auto Ive owned must admit it takes time to get used to it but I love it and the car I have no regrets in buying my S3.

sunscreemer · Apr 4, 2015

Nikon said:
First auto Ive owned must admit it takes time to get used to it but I love it and the car.

Took me a while to get used to my first auto (BMW 8AT) but when I did it's fantastic. No doubt will still be a "getting used to" process with the S tronic. In fact how the whole car responds takes time to get used to. Good to hear you've acclimatised well

veeeight · Apr 4, 2015

"you have to submit a written plan of intent to the gearbox to pull away at a junction, then it will consider your application and potentially pull away (at some stage), normally so late that someone is hurtling towards you, horn blaring, wondering why you're sitting there motionless."

"Even on the move, you end up driving the gearbox not the car."

"I was seduced by the fact that it was really a manual, just without a clutch, but the fact is it's an automatic and so chooses the gears for you and routinely gets it wrong. Now I'm on a rant, sorry. I'm very sure the newer s-tronic boxes are much better before I get batted down."

"I spent 2-3 months learning how to drive the gearbox."

"And now I'm only just learning how to get it to perform how I want it, rather than driving around the limitations.
Don't get me wrong, I'm a big fan, and for 98% of the time, it's perfect for my needs. Just 2% of the time I end up shouting at it!"

"I think the gearbox does a great job, but it'll never be perfect unless it can read the road ahead. I flick it into manual as I feel it's starting to labour, I can see the road ahead and know the hill continues, so want a lower gear. However all the engine/gearbox can do is use the parameters it's given to try and suss out the correct gear."

All from:
http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/plunge-taken-s3-sb-ordered.222614/

And then there is the achilles heel of having a turbo car and DSG combination:
http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/launch-without-launch-control.220996/#post-2205676

And yes, this thread is going the way all other DSG v Manual threads go.
Cue the rush of DSG defenders, and the rush of Manual fans.

h5djr · Apr 4, 2015

With the s-tronic, like some other things with cars, you have to be prepared to 'learn' how to get the best from it. Most of us have quite a few years of experience of driving a manual gearbox and clutch as that is the way we learned to drive in the first place. If after driving a manual for a number of years you expect to be able to just jump into a car with a s-tronic and get the best out of it I think you will be wrong. It takes a while in the same way as it took us originally to master proper clutch control for example. I'm quite sure we have all managed to stall a car using the clutch in our early days of driving. Fortunately an s-tronic will not let you do that but it does need practice and some adjustment to you 'manual' driving technique like taking advantage of the s-tronic ability to 'creep'. But once you have taken the trouble to do that it can, in my opinion, be just a rewarding to drive as any manual. I certainly is for me and I now only ever drive for pleasure!

0B1001001 · Apr 4, 2015

DommyR said:
I like the manual, but 1st gear I find really short.

Completely agree - give it some welly from zero and you'll hit the limiter before you can blink in the manual, second doesn't last much longer - took me a while to get used to that. Guess that's what 296bhp and 4wd can do

I test drove both S-Tronic and manual S3 and purchased a manual.

Just racked up 13,000 miles and zero regrets over my choice!

Q5 TRS · Apr 4, 2015

I ordered an S-Tronic back in Xmas 2013 and had a test drive in a manual one, then a loan of a manual one again for a long weekend in March of 2014. i came from a DSG Golf GTI so i knew what to expect when my car finally came in May 2014. The majority of driving for me is short distance, (everything is so close together in Sunderland) and i have to say the manual gearbox just got on my nerves. i agree 1st is short but isn't it just meant to get you going anyway?, I found that i was ****** exhausted especially in traffic and didn't really enjoy it as much as i enjoy driving my car with the S-Tronic.

Each to their own, everyone is different and some people might spend a lot of time on the motorway compared to me or even a longer (20 min + ) drive into town. coming from the DSG GTI i have to say i wouldn't go back to a manual though i can see how it gives people a more in control or more involved sense when driving. I occasionally use the paddles and sometimes S mode but seeing as I've got winter tyres on at the moment i haven't really been pushing it that much anyway recently.

I think I don't like my gearbox

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