You wrong and I'm not taking 'umbrage' as you put it.
Shall we re-phrase that as my misinterpretation rather than being plain 'wrong'? I'm sure I'm not the first person to challenge you as to your view of the world?
I do accept that some people like a modern gearbox and some like a box that been around since even I began driving and has has little done to it since.
Why has time got anything to do with personal preference - either a system works or it doesn't.
What I don't accept is that a manual gearbox provides a better driving experience that a DSG in 'manual' mode. There does seem to be the view among some members that to be a 'man' and a 'real driver' you have to drive a car with a manual gearbox.
I take no issue with the fact that you don't accept it, but please just try to remember your view is not the LAW; every view point is valid. Where have I posted above that DSG's are driven by limp wristed incompetents? I haven't.
I have driven many thousands of miles in cars equipped with a manual gearbox over 40 or so years. some were good and some no so good. I have also now driven three A3s with a DSG some 80,000 miles over the last six years and to me the DSG is so much better than having to keep playing with a clutch pedal and provides a very enjoyable driving experience.
I have driven on the motorway, on normal A and B roads, country lanes, Autoroutes and other roads in France, Autobahns and other roads in Germany and on mountain passes in Switzerland and Austria. I have driven all in various A3s both with a manual gearbox and a DSG gearbox and I have no doubt in my mind which is the better gearbox in all situations.
I've also had my fair share of problems with manual gearboxes in the past. Even one of early A3s had to have new syncormesh hubs fitted so manual gearboxes are not without there problems. A DSG may be more expensive to fix that a manual but the wet clutches in the six speed version are supposed to last the life of the car and the inside of the actual gearbox part of a DSG is very little different to a manual gearbox unlike some more conventional automatics. Yes there is the control side of things but I consider the extra £1400 currently charged by Audi and VW for the DSG to be well worth it and I shall probably never have a car more than 3-4 years old.
See a pattern there Dave;
I have, I have, I have. Part of my day job focuses round collaborative working techniques, mentoring and people development programmes, and I hope that provides me with the qualification to provide a little perspective here. Whilst '
you have' done some things, and those things provide you with a personal opinion and preference, those interpretations again serve your means to your end.
You have no doubt in your mind which is the better gearbox: For you or for me? Am I entitled to an opinion, or do I need to bow to your seven A3's opinion. Call me sceptical, but personally I don't see A3 ownership as a yard stick for 'expertise' in anything. In fact I keep an open mind in the hope I may learn something new every day. If I were Gordon Murray would you be ramming your opinion home if I had a personal preference to have a manual stick in my left hand? Please try to see the boundaries of where opinions end, and facts start, that's all I am asking here. I am really pleased that you are basing your personal perspective on your opinions rather than misinformation, but it's the way you present your opinion as the only credible solution that I find just a little bit uncomfortable.
After that it will be someone else's problem. I don't buy my cars to suit future owners. As long as I get a good trade-in price when I want to change that's what matters to me and so far I have always got a premium for the car having the DSG.
So lets do the maths, you pay more, then you get a premium on resale for your continuous A3 ownership journey,; yes, that adds up. The phrase
'It will be someone else's problem' is fair, but then on reflection if I sell my car with Stg2+ on it I personally would want it to work for the next enthusiast who bought in to it; ultimately I can't be stepping in to bail them out, but I wish them all the best of car health and good running. It's that '
I, me, my' attitude which I personally think causes so much damage between the generations (my parents have become the same), and is almost pulsing through Britain like a cancer (I'm alright Jack, feck everyone else).
I know you're going to read this post as a dig Dave, and I don't want you to. It's a plight and a polite request to ask you to consider that there is space for a range of opinions (none of which are right or wrong, they can co-exist). Then just maybe, through open minded collaborative debate we can all continue to add value to this great forum, and as a result pay our dues and respect back to those who sacrifice their time to give us this facility.
No anger, no beef, just harmonize!