I think I don't like my gearbox

[mfl]

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.

I'll just add a little Aussie perspective , being in a country where autos have always been more popular than manuals, even when our concept of heavy peak stop start traffic was exponentially less than now.

Unless you have driven a 6 or 8 cylinder Holden/Falcon/Valiant with a 3 speed auto, no existent brakes and terminal understeer, you won't understand how bad these cars were if you had any interest in driving. In those days if you had a modified V8 version of the above, 'launch control' was fitting a 2500rpm or higher stall convertor.

an example of aussie 1970s automotive high-tech.

Jump forward to today and a dsg/s-tronic are light years ahead, in every aspect of driving.

Yes, I agree that an s-tronic is rewarding to drive, - as is a good manual, but what I find is that the experience is slightly different, because as others have said individually - it is a slightly different skill-set you use in each of them..

 

[naughts4187]

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?

KW seem to be the only options for coilovers but they aren't doing a street comfort kit which is what I want. Haha as for colour, waiting to see if Audi UK can bump me up the waiting list, if not I'll just order a book colour and spend the money on spec!

 

[Jassyo06]

KW seem to be the only options for coilovers but they aren't doing a street comfort kit which is what I want. Haha as for colour, waiting to see if Audi UK can bump me up the waiting list, if not I'll just order a book colour and spend the money on spec!

Team Sepang mate,YOU know YOU want to

 

[NickyF]

I've drove an s-tronic for 5 years and really didn't like it so have an S3 manual now and am happy with my choice. As others have said it's personal preference but.. it's stating the obvious but s-tronic is an automatic gearbox, it's not a manual. If you like autos get the s-tronic, if you like manuals buy a manual. Don't kid yourself that you get both with the s-tronic. Regardless of mode the gearbox changes gears when it feels like it. You can heavily influence it, but ultimately it does what it thinks best and that's what I didn't like.

 

[cemerson]

S-Tronic isn't really an automatic, it's a computer controlled manual

 

[S32B]

Real men use manual

 

[monopole]

I've drove an s-tronic for 5 years and really didn't like it so have an S3 manual now and am happy with my choice. As others have said it's personal preference but.. it's stating the obvious but s-tronic is an automatic gearbox, it's not a manual. If you like autos get the s-tronic, if you like manuals buy a manual. Don't kid yourself that you get both with the s-tronic. Regardless of mode the gearbox changes gears when it feels like it. You can heavily influence it, but ultimately it does what it thinks best and that's what I didn't like.

don't you kid yourself, I happily get both from my s-tronic.

 

[15audis3]

Same here. I've had a DSG GTI for over 2 years and its the perfect combo for me. Happily downshifts 6th > 4th etc when i want to punch it with two clicks on the left paddle.

 

[Nikon]

I'll just add a little Aussie perspective , being in a country where autos have always been more popular than manuals, even when our concept of heavy peak stop start traffic was exponentially less than now.

Unless you have driven a 6 or 8 cylinder Holden/Falcon/Valiant with a 3 speed auto, no existent brakes and terminal understeer, you won't understand how bad these cars were if you had any interest in driving. In those days if you had a modified V8 version of the above, 'launch control' was fitting a 2500rpm or higher stall convertor.

an example of aussie 1970s automotive high-tech.

Jump forward to today and a dsg/s-tronic are light years ahead, in every aspect of driving.

Yes, I agree that an s-tronic is rewarding to drive, - as is a good manual, but what I find is that the experience is slightly different, because as others have said individually - it is a slightly different skill-set you use in each of them..

My memory of 70/80s auto boxes was the constant shifting between 3rd and 4th while driving around town, you actually needed a gear somewhere between 3 and 4.

 

[h5djr]

don't you kid yourself, I happily get both from my s-tronic.

I completely agree. The only time my s-tronic chooses a gear is if I let it or if I do something silly otherwise I choose what gear to be in at any given time. The main time when the s-tronic chooses the gear is when I stop and it automatically selects first gear.

 

[NickyF]

It changes gears automatically, therefore it's an automatic. It may not be a traditional torque converter type auto but it's no less automatic. I tried to kid myself that it was really a manual but then it wouldn't let me select perfectly reasonable ratios at certain speeds despite me clicking the paddles, then I realised it was just an auto. There's nothing wrong with autos, I like them in most scenarios.

Nothing like a manual vs auto chat on Easter Sunday

 

[Zache]

Real men use manual

Haha I agree

 

[h5djr]

Real men use manual

Real 'old fashioned men' use a manual. Us 'more modern men' prefer to use a more modern gearbox.

 

[sunscreemer]

I use what I like & don't listen to people telling me what I should like...

 

[monopole]

I use what I like & don't listen to people telling me what I should like...

I liked your post about liking, so I clicked like

 

[h5djr]

I use what I like & don't listen to people telling me what I should like...

It's called choice and at the moment Audi still offer use both types of gearbox on most models of the A3 - except that I wanted a 2.0TDI-184 s-tronic so I had no choice but to have a quattro as well. Such a shame but I think I can live with it.

 

[sunscreemer]

Truth of the matter is manual will be a dying breed as not only performance cars but many mainstream cars will integrate far better with auto boxes as technology develops.

 

[NickyF]

Truth of the matter is manual will be a dying breed.

Sad but true I doubt the S3 will be available in manual form much longer. Us manual fans need to enjoy them while we can.

 

[sunscreemer]

Sad but true I doubt the S3 will be available in manual form much longer. Us manual fans need to enjoy them while we can.

True. This is why I'm glad I love the modern auto box

 

[cuke2u]

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!

Only I don't have a problem with your choice as you shouldn't with mine but maybe my post wasn't actually aimed at you in particular. However, once again some people think there choice is better than others in yet another boringly repetitive thread that should not be here....

 

[monopole]

new threads to avoid

Manual v S-Tronic - check
Mono.pur - check
Advanced key - check
Sportback - 2 doors too many - check
Tyre pressures - check
Accoustic windscreen or not - check
Sepang blue - check
MPG - check
Engine rattle 1500-3000 RPM - check
98 RON V 95 RON - check
Mudflaps - check
Engine tuning - check
...........



^ maybe THAT should be a sticky

now let me get my coat

 

[veeeight]

You forgot

98 RON V 95 RON
Mud Flaps
Wind Deflectors
Modding


(Most of these topics are already covered in the FAQ's )

 

[monopole]

sorted

 

[h5djr]

If you don't like the subject or content of a particular thread the don't bother to read it. Simply.

 

[Psyman79]

What is wrong with you people? It's been glorious outside today but you're all too worried about who's got the right options to just go out and enjoy what you've spent your money on. Shame on you all

I've been sat at work all day wishing i could go out for a thrash

P.S. I'm not being mean or anything, i used a smiley

 

[sunscreemer]

Just go to the "tunes" thread for suggestions & whatever sound option you listen to it on its all good ;-)

 

[h5djr]

What is wrong with you people? It's been glorious outside today but you're all too worried about who's got the right options to just go out and enjoy what you've spent your money on. Shame on you all

I've been sat at work all day wishing i could go out for a thrash

P.S. I'm not being mean or anything, i used a smiley

Yes but that's where I'm slightly different. Being retired I can go out for a 'thrash' any day I like when most people are at work and the roads are a bit quieter. For that reason I very rarely go out driving at the week-end and especially not on Bank Holidays as everyone else is out on the roads.

 

[Psyman79]

Yes but that's where I'm slightly different. Being retired I can go out for a 'thrash' any day I like when most people are at work and the roads are a bit quieter. For that reason I very rarely go out driving at the week-end and especially not on Bank Holidays as everyone else is out on the roads.

Okay, i'll let you off then

 

[cuke2u]

What is wrong with you people? It's been glorious outside today but you're all too worried about who's got the right options to just go out and enjoy what you've spent your money on. Shame on you all

I've been sat at work all day wishing i could go out for a thrash

P.S. I'm not being mean or anything, i used a smiley

Lol, I've not even sat in my car for seven days to change the clock from last week. You're right though it has been a glorious day so we walked to the local pub and had ourselves there finest roast and a couple of glasses of wine...

 

[h5djr]

Okay, i'll let you off then

I will be taking my A3 for a nice long drive for a long week-end in Dortmund in Germany in a week 's time so I'm hoping for some nice weather for that.

 

[Jassyo06]

l drive the car in "manual" constantly and after 3 weeks, l am beginning to get to grips with the S-Tronic a little more each time l drive,my cars only covered 600 miles in 3 weeks but l am getting to appreciate it more and more,but something l really need to change is the suspension/tyres they are not to my liking at all.

 

[veeeight]

Dave, just be thankful that this thread hasn't deteriorated at the pace had PA been around...........

 

[veeeight]

but something l really need to change is the suspension/tyres they are not to my liking at all.

Shhhhhh

Can't say things like that out loud on this forum, you'll get the gang with pitchforks coming at ya

 

[Jassyo06]

Shhhhhh

Can't say things like that out loud on this forum, you'll get the gang with pitchforks coming at ya

Yeah a mob with flaming torches,kill Frankenstein

 

[Blackwhite]

Real 'old fashioned men' use a manual. Us 'more modern men' prefer to use a more modern gearbox.

Ladies also!

 

[Bristle Hound]

new threads to avoid

Manual v S-Tronic - check
Mono.pur - check
Advanced key - check
Sportback - 2 doors too many - check
Tyre pressures - check
Accoustic windscreen or not - check
Sepang blue - check
MPG - check
Engine rattle 1500-3000 RPM - check
98 RON V 95 RON - check
...........



^ maybe THAT should be a sticky

now let me get my coat

Now this post did make me laugh. A lot!

 

[Garreth64]

I've been driving manuals for 30 years, this is my first 'automatic', I like it and it suits my needs. It;s took me a while to get used to it, and I am driving it more in manual mode now with the flappy paddles, but also happy to leave it in 'D/S' and let the car do the work.

It's amazing how there can be so many conversations/opinions/threads on forums about manual vs auto when it is such a simple choice at the end of the day

 

[cuke2u]

Shhhhhh

Can't say things like that out loud on this forum, you'll get the gang with pitchforks coming at ya

They've combine harvesters now you know, there's a song in there somewhere...

 

[Beluga S line]

new threads to avoid

Manual v S-Tronic - check
Mono.pur - check
Advanced key - check
Sportback - 2 doors too many - check
Tyre pressures - check
Accoustic windscreen or not - check
Sepang blue - check
MPG - check
Engine rattle 1500-3000 RPM - check
98 RON V 95 RON - check
Mudflaps - check
Engine tuning - check
...........



^ maybe THAT should be a sticky

now let me get my coat

You forgot Tyre choice

If it's not imotive now it will be!

 

[Psyman79]

Dave, just be thankful that this thread hasn't deteriorated at the pace had PA been around...........

No mention of PPs though so he wouldn't have taken the bait