PDK vs Manual, What Do You Prefer?

Latitude48 · #1

Hi All. I'd like some feedback from those that have or have driven both types of transmission as I currently have a deposit on a 2023 Golf R DSG and I'm not sure how much I'll like it since we have four cars with manual transmissions and have never had anything else.

I'm leaning towards keeping my allocation as I know the DSG has 15 ft-lbf more torque and can take much more power than the supposedly weak clutch in the 6MT, and it would also be something "different."

Thoughts?

Tom · #2

I drove standard transmission cars up until my 991 with PDK. It's kind of an apple pie vs chocolate cake thing -- both are great. I still love taking the 944 out and rowing the gears, but the PDK is faster in ever way. PDK is best for lap times, less tiring stop and go traffic, and stop lights on hills. Manual is best for that old school wringing out a car feeling, which is hard to beat. I'd say if you never tried a PDK-style transmission, you should. It's very cool technology worth experiencing once. And...the older I get and the worse my knees get, the more I like PDK.

Arne2 · #3

When I started shopping for a used Cayman, I was strictly looking for a stick. Because that's what I've always done. In 50 years of cars, I'd only ever owned 3 automatics (a big block 63½ Galaxie 500XL in high school, a 4x4 Chevy truck, and our current Audi A3 plug-in hybrid).

While shopping, I decided to drive a 718 to decide if the sound of the flat 4 bothered me. The first 718 I found to drive was a PDK.

I had known for years that the PDK is really good, and know all the reasons why people love them. But I just like shifting for myself, so much so that I had never even driven a Porsche with PDK. I was expecting it to be good, but not good enough to make me not want a 6 speed.

I was not prepared to find it as entertaining as I did while in manual with paddles. Especially in Sport manual, it reminded me of shifting my old 2-stroke dirt bikes and ATVs - instant shifts without delays or letting off the throttle. Yet totally civilized and well behaved in auto mode in traffic.

I decided that there was no real downside to either transmission—I could happily own either one. And I did end up with a PDK equipped 718 Cayman. After more than a year, still no regrets.

As it happens, the transmission in our Audi hybrid is a 6 speed DSG, probably the same as in the GTI. While the Audi is never driven in anger, it is also a fine transmission.

Latitude48 · #4

Thanks for the feedback. Although I have never driven a DSG-equipped VW I did drive an Audi TT with S-Tronic quite a few years ago and thought it was fun in Sport Mode. One advantage the DSG has over the manual is 3 mpg better fuel economy in the city and 2 mpg better on the highway since it has a 7-speed with start/stop technology (which I'll probably disable). Cheers.

Arne2 · #5

The Cayman is the same, the PDK gets 2-3 MPG better than the stick. I'm averaging 33 MPG on road trips.

Slowpoke · #6

I ass u me by now you have your DSG VW, so this post is mostly just my opinion...as most posts are.
I've had manual cars/trucks all my life until 2008, when we got the Lexus iSF with a 7spd tranny. It was great, shift quick, but it did have a slight delay...not a DSG though. Turned it in and got a 2012 M3 with DSG, and that changed everything!
Shifts so much quicker and a lot easier in traffic.
Moving forward, my latest manual was a 2017 Camaro SS 1LE, now that was a great car on the track at COTA, but driving in traffic and getting off the line is nothing to compare to my now 2012 991.1 S.
The older I get the quicker these auto trannys feel...or maybe I'm just getting slower?
In any case, love the PDK in traffic and getting off the line, shifts like a motorcycle...well sort of!
I don't think I'll be going back to a manual tranny any time soon.

Latitude48 · #7

Thanks for the feedback, Woody, and welcome to Carpokes!

Our Golf R DSG had its 1-month birthday yesterday and currently is about half-way through its 1000-mile factory break-in. I love the DSG as it makes the R so much easier to drive in day-to-day traffic but can shift really quickly in Race or Special modes. At times I have found that driving with the paddle shifters can be smoother than letting the trans decide when to downshift.

The Golf R has Comfort, Sport, Race and Special (Drift and Nürburgring) modes, and really can feel a bit slow and lazy in Comfort to wild and crazy in Race or Special. When driving in M-mode in Race, the DSG will still upshift automatically before redline, but if you are in the two Special modes it won't, so you can bounce it off the rev limiter. Since I'm still exercising caution, I have yet to exceed around 5000 rpm at part throttle. Soon, I'll gradually be able to extend that during the final 400 miles of break-in. I can say, however, this is one quick little hatchback and is great fun to drive. I can't wait until I can really hammer the throttle.

Slowpoke · #8

Yes, I bet it's a little hot hatch!
Nice addition to your "standard" stable, glad you're enjoying it...I wonder which one will be driven more?

Stormy_Monday · #9

On my cars I've always had a stick. But when I'm stuck driving through Atlanta I keep wishing for something that would do the shifting. My solution has been to stay away from Atlanta

slwags10 · #10

Have driven both, but sought out a PDK for my 997.2 Targa 4S. NEVER regretted this transmission! So quick and fun to drive. Still love the feeling of going through the gears with a third pedal, but the PDK converted me on this build.