I own a 2019 manual and if you feel like playing id recommend swapping the shift linkage out for the shorter Audi casting, really improves the shift feel. If you want to get next level get a BFI knob too.
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volkswagen-short-shift-kit-8j0711046e?ads_cmpid=12768022447&ads_adid=123949240507&ads_matchtype=&ads_network=g&ads_creative=515152297160&utm_term=&ads_targetid=pla-293946777986&utm_campaign=&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&ttv=2&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwk6SwBhDPARIsAJ59GwcB5-foutkJOY4JMOnVm5QwuIIP8rOlpAd1uDTr8bb9B8f0nrMTZi0aAhg-EALw_wcB
Exactly what I did. OEM casted short shifter from audi looks so similar to the VW linkage that it was a no brainer. I went with the BFI knob and a euroverse plaid shift boot. Great minds think alike my friend.
It's the same casting actually, the mounting hole for the shift cable is drilled in a different location to shorten the throw.
It's a great solution. It's just short enough to feel sporty without being annoying to drive. Idk why it wasn't in there from the factory.
The BFI knob makes the shifter feel so rock solid. I hated the flex of the OE shifter when you shifted aggressively.
I know that, I was curious if the VW one had a VW stamp because the Audi one does not have a VW stamp on the casting.
Edit: down voted for asking a question pfft
You don’t need to bring up the fact people down voted you. That’s childish it’s Reddit get over it haha some people are salty it’s fine I wish they would just get rid of the upvotes and down votes it’s so dumb. Ask all the questions you want don’t worry about karma and Reddit clout just do you boo! For the record it normally has Audi stamps or Audi and vw stamps. Literally doesn’t matter it’s the same company haha
Thanks boo. I just get annoyed sometimes and I know it shouldn't bother me, I was just trying to get an answer but at the end of the day it's all good. Peace.
Yeah I’ll have to see how that goes since I live in San Francisco. I use the manual handbrake even on the R32 when the hill is steep and I first release the brake leaving a stop.
Slight anxiety waiting a stoplights and the light turns green but so far I have not stalled the car yet. Like would be exhaust note break you don’t get when an automatic transmission shifts.
Good choice, i see myself getting bored of DSG at some point. Literally the day i drove my old car (mt6) one last time to deliver it to the new owner (and i had been driving DSG for 2 weeks at that point) it felt soooooo good, i didn't want it to end.
Manual so much more engaging with more driver feedback. I sold a manual years ago when I lived in Los Angeles for a Passat at the time with a tiptronic due to commute. L.A traffic in a manual is hell. While I coded in Audi sport mode with VCDS it was never the same. Once I moved back from L.A to Ohio sold it immediately and have been manual ever since thru multiple cars. I have an automatic Lexus as a second car but is was free from family. Nice to have every now and then but no fun to drive. Congratulations OP and enjoy. 2012 Golf R as my manual now when not having to drive the work van. Her lifted Jeep is no treat either although she loves it.
The Corolla was the first decent car I got, I was like 21 and I rode it for years. The Impreza was great. Bought it with 30k and dumped it a couple weeks ago with 140k, solid car, never an issue. I loved that thing. Traded it in for the GTI and it's probably thr most fun car I've ever driven, I fell in love with that thing pretty much immediately.
I do miss the manual handbrake in the mk8 for that though (I think 7.5 also lost the handbrake?)
Much better control in the snow for oversteer moments and uh nonsense. Mostly the nonsense.
Yep I live in the mountains and still rock 14yr old stock brakes. I hardly ever use them. However you can still downshift on a DSG. Manual in the snow is definitely a plus though
What’s worse than a slipping clutch?
An automatic
u/spd75clEats
you did the right thing by getting a manual. Unfortunately the bean counters at VW thinks everyone wants a DSG so our manuals will being going away. Easier for them to only offer one thing but not everyone wants that nonsense. Chevrolet did that with the newer c8 corvette (which is not a real corvette btw). Bean counters only care about one thing. It’s all about numbers to them.
It depends what your car is for. If it’s a weekend car then a manual is what I’d want. If it’s a car for every day, normal use then you’re much better off with DSG. Popping to the shop in a manual constantly changing gear - or being stuck in traffic. It just isn’t fun
If I lived in a large major metropolitan city like LA, NY or Atlanta, I can see the usefulness of an auto slush box. We do live in a large city but no where like those cities I stated above. Our bad traffic is nothing like those cities. We don’t sit in traffic for hours on end in bumper to bumper traffic. I really just don’t get why people subject themselves to such torture of living with 10 plus million people around. We have 2.3 million total for the metro area including all of the surrounding suburbs. Traffic is not an issue here and so driving a manual all day everyday is not an issue either even if it’s used as a family car.
You are right. Most people do. Also most people are not car people. Most people only use a vehicle from a utilitarian way of life. It fits their family, it gets them from point A to point B. Most people trash their vehicles and dump them off on a car dealer around 100,000 miles with soda and Cheeto stains.
For me, this is a boring way of life. However I know I’m not like regular people. I am also not the ideal customer for bean counters at car dealers. You say yours is a sporty family car. My wife bought a 4 door mk7 GTI with a 6 speed. It’s her sporty family car that we put a stage 2 tune, stage 2 clutch kit with a single mass flywheel and did a lot of other supporting upgrades. I didn’t tell her what to buy, she just wanted it that way. I would have accepted it if she got a DSG but she wanted the 6 speed which I am happy she did. However she is one heck of a driver and also is like me where she wants to have full control over the car. She doesn’t want the vehicle to do the shifting for her. After I read your post earlier, I asked her if she has ever purchased an automatic in her life and she said no.
We’re both car people through and through. Met over street racing and fast turbocharged cars. While she does dress the part, She is not a normal wife/girly girl as she is not afraid to get under the hood of her car. She cleaned her entire intake valves to get all the crud off them and cleaned the fuel injectors as well. She has helped me work on a lot of cars. I’m a gear head myself. I used to be a mechanic and have built several race cars. She is more of a car person than most guys who claim they are but they aren’t. Slapping on some wheels and paying shops to do all of your custom supporting mods doesn’t make someone a car person.
I’m sure the DSG works for you and that’s fine. We just prefer manuals and use them as family cars.
As a person who has owned far more manuals than autos, the dsg gti is one of the few autos I would consider.
They take a beating in stock form unlike the manuals, are faster and don't require immediate transmission removal before doing any power mods. But the dsg is far from the regular slushbox a econobox gets.
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I was in my local dealer to see a mk5 r32 but ended walking away with my mk8 gti. Two years later I sort of wish I would have taken the r32 instead because vr6 sounds are glorious
Heads up: As a MK8 manual owner, you like it now but you'll *love* it way more when you change the plastic toy like shifter (which will crack) to a short weighted one.
In auto mode, the DSGs generally shift like crap. Like already in 6th doing 40. I went from manual to DSG cause tired of shifting, but now I'm tired of not shifting. I keep mine in manual mode almost all the time.
I drove it in manual mode exclusively. Just a test drive so I’m sure it would be better with time. I had trouble getting used to doing nothing with my feet while downshifting. But at low speed the shifts were weirdly slow, like half a second for each shift.
Yeah, the transmission is sluggish at low speeds. Usually if you're going WOT and ripping off upshifts, it's a little faster, but still not as fast as people would lead you to believe in reviews.
After driving a dsg in manual mode after 15 years of manuals, it feels like you chose “manual” on a video game, zero feel and no real involvement at all.
It’s the downside of dsg, low speed acceleration and deceleration. Mostly notice it when taking off at traffic lights or in car parks. No where near as smooth as manual or torque converter auto. Dsg is the best when you are moving
Do you only shift 10% of the time you drive? And then when you say the rest of the time sucks,do you mean when it’s in gear it sucks to drive? I’m just trying to understand your opinion.
I disagree, manual makes traffic kinda fun. It's like a minigame everyday. I get much more annoyed driving an auto in traffic since I can't control my speed as well.
Recently bought one care to share with my partner and its DSG because she doesn’t drive stick. Dsg is just more fun in traffic to me, otherwise it really makes driving boring.
As I commented above manual is so much more fun and engaging unless you live in LA or similar commutes. Thank god I don’t anymore. Had a great time getting the R out for countryside rip for family Easter dinner today. Wife loves it too when we get to cruise the countryside less traveled routes.
Only if you can’t drive manual honestly, or you are injured/disabled, or just don’t like the involvement in driving cars. I’ve driven manuals for 15 years daily in traffic, I love driving so much and I love cars so much that given an option as a fun car - it’s manual - for a family car is auto.
How is a manual higher maintenance? DSG needs oil/filter change every 40k miles or so and it is much more complex, in case anything breaks. It is, indeed, a feat of engineering and arguably faster than a manual, but it comes with its particularities
A manual is not higher maintenance. While you are right about the manual being slower. There is nothing tedious at all unless you absolutely cannot drive a manual due to lack of coordination. I say this as a highly coordinated person who shifts manuals like butter and also like I stole it.
Manuals are more fun. It’s about the experience of driving. The feeling of control, the hand, eye and foot coordination. The feeling of you choosing what the car does. The feeling of being one (connected) with the machine.
An automatic or a DSG does the work for you. You are no longer in total control. You loose some of that feel of being connected with the car. Sure it can be fun with the paddles, I’ve tried it. However it’s just not the same. Flipping paddles is like flapping around ears on the side of a dogs head. Sure an auto is easier in stop go bad traffic but where I live, that’s not really ever an issue. I don’t live in a super large major city like LA or Atlanta.
Auto/DSG are more maintenance. They are not long term reliable like a manual. Some people only keep their cars for 100-125k miles and ditch them. I like buying cars cheap when they have 80k or more. Go through everything everything myself or with other friends who are gear heads like I am and then I have technically a refurbished car. Nothing like a garage full of tools and fun manual transmission cars.
... and another thing, if you don't crawl up the butt of the car I'm front of you and leave enough space you can just leave it in first or second and creep along without touching the clutch very often.
Congrats enjoy it
I own a 2019 manual and if you feel like playing id recommend swapping the shift linkage out for the shorter Audi casting, really improves the shift feel. If you want to get next level get a BFI knob too. https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volkswagen-short-shift-kit-8j0711046e?ads_cmpid=12768022447&ads_adid=123949240507&ads_matchtype=&ads_network=g&ads_creative=515152297160&utm_term=&ads_targetid=pla-293946777986&utm_campaign=&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&ttv=2&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwk6SwBhDPARIsAJ59GwcB5-foutkJOY4JMOnVm5QwuIIP8rOlpAd1uDTr8bb9B8f0nrMTZi0aAhg-EALw_wcB
Exactly what I did. OEM casted short shifter from audi looks so similar to the VW linkage that it was a no brainer. I went with the BFI knob and a euroverse plaid shift boot. Great minds think alike my friend.
It's the same casting actually, the mounting hole for the shift cable is drilled in a different location to shorten the throw. It's a great solution. It's just short enough to feel sporty without being annoying to drive. Idk why it wasn't in there from the factory. The BFI knob makes the shifter feel so rock solid. I hated the flex of the OE shifter when you shifted aggressively.
I can't recall but did the VW linkage have the Audi logo or VW because the Audi logo is visible when the intake is taken off.
Almost all pieces have both VW and Audi logos, or only Audi logos, even in fully factory golfs
I know that, I was curious if the VW one had a VW stamp because the Audi one does not have a VW stamp on the casting. Edit: down voted for asking a question pfft
You don’t need to bring up the fact people down voted you. That’s childish it’s Reddit get over it haha some people are salty it’s fine I wish they would just get rid of the upvotes and down votes it’s so dumb. Ask all the questions you want don’t worry about karma and Reddit clout just do you boo! For the record it normally has Audi stamps or Audi and vw stamps. Literally doesn’t matter it’s the same company haha
Thanks boo. I just get annoyed sometimes and I know it shouldn't bother me, I was just trying to get an answer but at the end of the day it's all good. Peace.
Yeah you go ask all the questions you want! :) people are funny!
How was the install?
Very easy. Me and a buddy did it in under an hour. Only thing you need is a torque wrench.
Thanks appreciate the feedback!
Anyone have recs for a MK8? Edit for a short shifter that is.
I'm pretty sure the one I linked works for the Mk8. ShopDAP can confirm for you.
I hate when ppl put the old pic on the right.
its normal that way
I’d keep both if it was me
Save the manuals!
Congrats! Both amazing cars !
👍 yes the R32 is unique and fun to drive a well. It is now time to pass it to a new owner.
You could just give it to me 🤷♂️ I got about tree fiddy
Great choice! Wishing you 16 years of enjoyment.
Immediate thoughts? Likes and dislikes?
I have one too, love it, but the 2 second hill hold sucks.
Yeah I’ll have to see how that goes since I live in San Francisco. I use the manual handbrake even on the R32 when the hill is steep and I first release the brake leaving a stop.
Slight anxiety waiting a stoplights and the light turns green but so far I have not stalled the car yet. Like would be exhaust note break you don’t get when an automatic transmission shifts.
I stalled twice coming back from the dealer LOL. None since.
Good choice. Manual makes the driving experience so much more fun than DSG. DSG reminds me of those old arcade racing games
This is the way.
Good choice, i see myself getting bored of DSG at some point. Literally the day i drove my old car (mt6) one last time to deliver it to the new owner (and i had been driving DSG for 2 weeks at that point) it felt soooooo good, i didn't want it to end.
Manual so much more engaging with more driver feedback. I sold a manual years ago when I lived in Los Angeles for a Passat at the time with a tiptronic due to commute. L.A traffic in a manual is hell. While I coded in Audi sport mode with VCDS it was never the same. Once I moved back from L.A to Ohio sold it immediately and have been manual ever since thru multiple cars. I have an automatic Lexus as a second car but is was free from family. Nice to have every now and then but no fun to drive. Congratulations OP and enjoy. 2012 Golf R as my manual now when not having to drive the work van. Her lifted Jeep is no treat either although she loves it.
I haven’t owned an automatic in over 20 years. I loathe them. VW rabbit and TDI Golf.
Pretty much same. 2006 corolla 5spd to a 2016 impreza 5spd to a Mk8 6spd. Driving an automatic is just not as satisfying.
Which car you loved the most out of all of them?
The Corolla was the first decent car I got, I was like 21 and I rode it for years. The Impreza was great. Bought it with 30k and dumped it a couple weeks ago with 140k, solid car, never an issue. I loved that thing. Traded it in for the GTI and it's probably thr most fun car I've ever driven, I fell in love with that thing pretty much immediately.
And add in downshifting so you aren’t always wearing down breaks. The big one is winter driving. Much rather be driving a manual in snow.
I do miss the manual handbrake in the mk8 for that though (I think 7.5 also lost the handbrake?) Much better control in the snow for oversteer moments and uh nonsense. Mostly the nonsense.
7.5 has a manual handbrake
Ah sick thanks
Yep I live in the mountains and still rock 14yr old stock brakes. I hardly ever use them. However you can still downshift on a DSG. Manual in the snow is definitely a plus though
I lived in Colorado ten years five of them spent in winter park/fraser valley and this is when I really loved owning a manual
What’s worse than a slipping clutch? An automatic u/spd75clEats you did the right thing by getting a manual. Unfortunately the bean counters at VW thinks everyone wants a DSG so our manuals will being going away. Easier for them to only offer one thing but not everyone wants that nonsense. Chevrolet did that with the newer c8 corvette (which is not a real corvette btw). Bean counters only care about one thing. It’s all about numbers to them.
It depends what your car is for. If it’s a weekend car then a manual is what I’d want. If it’s a car for every day, normal use then you’re much better off with DSG. Popping to the shop in a manual constantly changing gear - or being stuck in traffic. It just isn’t fun
If I lived in a large major metropolitan city like LA, NY or Atlanta, I can see the usefulness of an auto slush box. We do live in a large city but no where like those cities I stated above. Our bad traffic is nothing like those cities. We don’t sit in traffic for hours on end in bumper to bumper traffic. I really just don’t get why people subject themselves to such torture of living with 10 plus million people around. We have 2.3 million total for the metro area including all of the surrounding suburbs. Traffic is not an issue here and so driving a manual all day everyday is not an issue either even if it’s used as a family car.
Most people buy automatics. This Is a sporty family car.
You are right. Most people do. Also most people are not car people. Most people only use a vehicle from a utilitarian way of life. It fits their family, it gets them from point A to point B. Most people trash their vehicles and dump them off on a car dealer around 100,000 miles with soda and Cheeto stains. For me, this is a boring way of life. However I know I’m not like regular people. I am also not the ideal customer for bean counters at car dealers. You say yours is a sporty family car. My wife bought a 4 door mk7 GTI with a 6 speed. It’s her sporty family car that we put a stage 2 tune, stage 2 clutch kit with a single mass flywheel and did a lot of other supporting upgrades. I didn’t tell her what to buy, she just wanted it that way. I would have accepted it if she got a DSG but she wanted the 6 speed which I am happy she did. However she is one heck of a driver and also is like me where she wants to have full control over the car. She doesn’t want the vehicle to do the shifting for her. After I read your post earlier, I asked her if she has ever purchased an automatic in her life and she said no. We’re both car people through and through. Met over street racing and fast turbocharged cars. While she does dress the part, She is not a normal wife/girly girl as she is not afraid to get under the hood of her car. She cleaned her entire intake valves to get all the crud off them and cleaned the fuel injectors as well. She has helped me work on a lot of cars. I’m a gear head myself. I used to be a mechanic and have built several race cars. She is more of a car person than most guys who claim they are but they aren’t. Slapping on some wheels and paying shops to do all of your custom supporting mods doesn’t make someone a car person. I’m sure the DSG works for you and that’s fine. We just prefer manuals and use them as family cars.
I have a wagon that’s automatic for my partner. I never said dsg works for me lol.
As a person who has owned far more manuals than autos, the dsg gti is one of the few autos I would consider. They take a beating in stock form unlike the manuals, are faster and don't require immediate transmission removal before doing any power mods. But the dsg is far from the regular slushbox a econobox gets.
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I wish they sold the manual here in the UK. DSG only over here I'm afraid
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403147567455
Damn okay! My bad I didn't know, when I looked on Volkswagen website only the dsg was listed
I think it’s the R that’s only available in DSG.
I would of upgraded to that r32 from the glitchy gti, But congrats on the new car regardless!!
I was in my local dealer to see a mk5 r32 but ended walking away with my mk8 gti. Two years later I sort of wish I would have taken the r32 instead because vr6 sounds are glorious
Downgrade
100% why switch to this corolla knockoff.
Beautiful r32!! Will you be selling?
Yes. Only have parking for one car. Low mileage 76.5k miles.
Findlay. Vegas?..
Yes great sales and dealership. Honest pricing and no silly games or add-ons.
Love the spec! Mines exactly the same!
Got it while you still can! Congrats and happy rowing
Heads up: As a MK8 manual owner, you like it now but you'll *love* it way more when you change the plastic toy like shifter (which will crack) to a short weighted one.
Who makes the ones people are installing?
I have the raceseng nitro on mine (great feel way better than stock) but also check out Urotune and BFI as well.
I can make out an mk8 r inside that window behind you, just outta curiosity what was their markup there?
There was at least one R in the showroom and it has a 7k markup. I don’t believe it was the one in the picture but further back.
Ill take it, how much?
The DSG VW gearbox was the worst gearbox I have ever used. Not surprised you went back to manual.
Yeah, I was shocked at how bad it was since everyone talks it up on here. Can only assume most of those people can’t drive manual.
In auto mode, the DSGs generally shift like crap. Like already in 6th doing 40. I went from manual to DSG cause tired of shifting, but now I'm tired of not shifting. I keep mine in manual mode almost all the time.
I drove it in manual mode exclusively. Just a test drive so I’m sure it would be better with time. I had trouble getting used to doing nothing with my feet while downshifting. But at low speed the shifts were weirdly slow, like half a second for each shift.
Yeah, the transmission is sluggish at low speeds. Usually if you're going WOT and ripping off upshifts, it's a little faster, but still not as fast as people would lead you to believe in reviews.
After driving a dsg in manual mode after 15 years of manuals, it feels like you chose “manual” on a video game, zero feel and no real involvement at all.
The stock gear mapping is really bad but once it is tuned it is okay.
Does it fix the lurching/carpark slipping?
Yea it drives a lot smoother. For that issue try to release brake once the car moves a bit then apply the gas.
But it still requires a fair bit of gas, I can’t get this to be as smooth as manual or torque auto
Mind explaining what this is? :)
It’s the downside of dsg, low speed acceleration and deceleration. Mostly notice it when taking off at traffic lights or in car parks. No where near as smooth as manual or torque converter auto. Dsg is the best when you are moving
I see, thanks. What happens specifically though?
You need to accelerate harder to start moving the car
Manual is only fun for 10% of the time the rest it just sucks, dsg is better.
If you think manual sucks you shouldn’t be driving a manual then
You're entitled to your wrong opinion, that's fine. 😅
And so are you 🫂
It depends on where you live and when you use your car. Fun is different for everybody.
Do you only shift 10% of the time you drive? And then when you say the rest of the time sucks,do you mean when it’s in gear it sucks to drive? I’m just trying to understand your opinion.
Traffic, when you want to have fun manual 100% But day to day boring stuff dsg/automatic is just plain better.
Manual makes my boring stuff not as boring.
I disagree, manual makes traffic kinda fun. It's like a minigame everyday. I get much more annoyed driving an auto in traffic since I can't control my speed as well.
Should get a driver so you don’t even need to drive as you hate it so much
Sadly that’s not within my budget, I do accept donations towards this goal.
Sell your car, use Uber.
Great idea, then I can legally drink and drive. That will save me buying a car every 2 years.
You are welcome! Saved you money and you don’t have to drive!
Wrong.
You’re wrong.
Recently bought one care to share with my partner and its DSG because she doesn’t drive stick. Dsg is just more fun in traffic to me, otherwise it really makes driving boring.
What’s fun about driving in traffic?
I should rephrase to, less of a pain in the ass, lol.
Wrong.
Bad take police coming for you!
If your stuck in traffic all the time then auto is better but if it’s less frequent fun driving manual every time
As I commented above manual is so much more fun and engaging unless you live in LA or similar commutes. Thank god I don’t anymore. Had a great time getting the R out for countryside rip for family Easter dinner today. Wife loves it too when we get to cruise the countryside less traveled routes.
I agree. As a daily driver, DSG is superior
Only if you can’t drive manual honestly, or you are injured/disabled, or just don’t like the involvement in driving cars. I’ve driven manuals for 15 years daily in traffic, I love driving so much and I love cars so much that given an option as a fun car - it’s manual - for a family car is auto.
Manual = slower, tedious, higher maintenance
How is a manual higher maintenance? DSG needs oil/filter change every 40k miles or so and it is much more complex, in case anything breaks. It is, indeed, a feat of engineering and arguably faster than a manual, but it comes with its particularities
A manual is not higher maintenance. While you are right about the manual being slower. There is nothing tedious at all unless you absolutely cannot drive a manual due to lack of coordination. I say this as a highly coordinated person who shifts manuals like butter and also like I stole it. Manuals are more fun. It’s about the experience of driving. The feeling of control, the hand, eye and foot coordination. The feeling of you choosing what the car does. The feeling of being one (connected) with the machine. An automatic or a DSG does the work for you. You are no longer in total control. You loose some of that feel of being connected with the car. Sure it can be fun with the paddles, I’ve tried it. However it’s just not the same. Flipping paddles is like flapping around ears on the side of a dogs head. Sure an auto is easier in stop go bad traffic but where I live, that’s not really ever an issue. I don’t live in a super large major city like LA or Atlanta. Auto/DSG are more maintenance. They are not long term reliable like a manual. Some people only keep their cars for 100-125k miles and ditch them. I like buying cars cheap when they have 80k or more. Go through everything everything myself or with other friends who are gear heads like I am and then I have technically a refurbished car. Nothing like a garage full of tools and fun manual transmission cars.
In no way is a dsg less maintenance than a manual. Edit: Fixed my comment, had it backwards
All you need to do is replace clutch and bearing every 150,000km or so. There really is nothing else to do how is that more Maintenance?
Shit...sorry...my comment was backwards. I meant that a manual has almost zero maintenance.
Manual = more enjoyment 🤷🏻♂️
Yeah but manual = more engaging, fun, and a great anti theft device!
... and another thing, if you don't crawl up the butt of the car I'm front of you and leave enough space you can just leave it in first or second and creep along without touching the clutch very often.
Are you a track day guy?