eltonsi

The A3 is truely a car you have to test out to appreciate everything it offers you.

Owned A3 2.0T Sport pkg, Xenon, Open sky, DSG, Nav (JUL 2005 - OCT 2005):



RIP...

Coming in mid April: (Will post pics then)

A3 3.2Q Lava Grey Xenon, Open Sky, 18' wheel option

imported_GT

did you sell your old A3? or did something more sinister happen to it?

eltonsi

Really don't want to talk about it.

imported_GT

Sorry to hear that.

Hopefully your new A3 will be every bit as great and you will get to enjoy for many years to come.

jc_aika

sorry to heard about that. I too owned an a3 artic white open sky DSG as well but i am planning to switch to a manual a3 or golf MK5 gti, just couldn't stand DSG anymore.

imported_GT

alright, as someone not familiar with the A3, I need to ask what the DSG is (I know its a type of gearbox) before I embarass myself...

And welcome to the forum jc_aika !

vermintrex

Taken directly from the Audi World Site:

The revolutionary direct shift gearbox (DSG) combines the advantages of a conventional six-speed manual-shift gearbox with the qualities possessed by a modern automatic transmission. The driver enjoys immense agility and driving pleasure with, at the same time, smooth, dynamic acceleration with no interruption to the power flow.

The technical basis of the direct shift gearbox (DSG) is a double clutch. This consists of two wet plate-type clutches with hydraulically regulated contact pressure. One of the two clutches engages the odd-numbered, the other the even-numbered gears. This principle enables gear shifts to be made without interrupting the power flow and keeps the shift times extremely short. While the first clutch is transmitting the power, the second clutch is ready to engage the next gear, which is preselected. When the driver makes the gear shift, the first clutch is released and the second engages, so that the gear shift takes place in a fraction of a second.

The driver can operate the DSG manually or allow changes to take place automatically. In the automatic mode there is a choice between the well-balanced, comfortable standard shift settings and a program with greater sports emphasis. Manual shifts are made either at the gear lever or at shift paddles behind the steering wheel.


I've driven one, and I love it. I've been a manual guy all my life and have never owned an automatic.

verm

Brick317

I test drove a A3 2.0 and a A3 3.2, both with DSG. I LOVE the DSG. Like the poster above, I've always driven manual cars and would not hesitate to switch to the DSG. The DSG is not like those automatic torque converter based "Tiptronic" trannys, it is a true clutch type tranny - two clutches actually, controlled with paddle shifters on the steering wheel. The DSG shifts faster and smoother than any human can. It's the best adaptation of a clutchless manual by any car manufacturer to date. They even used a beefed up, more gears, DSG in the new Bugatti Veyron.

Mike

Audi's going to market the DSG now as S-tronic starting with the new TT. The first use of the DSG was back when Audi was still doing rally racing, can't remember if it was the S2 or not, but I guess the cost to build the DSG tranny and other technical issues have been resolved such that it's now available in most of their cars.

DSG tranny is heavier than a convential 6-speed manual, does take up more room, so it doesn't fit with the A4 for example, but fits just fine with cars using haldex. Next generation A4 will most likely have this packaging problem resolved.

Personally, I'll stick with 6-speed, ability to do a "heel-toe" downshift while braking is something you can't do with DSG. Maybe if I lose the ability to operate a clutch I'll switch over to DSG.

jc_aika

hey thanks = )

DSG is like a double clutch system with a clutch dealing with odd numbers and a second clutch dealing with even numbers so thats why the shifting is so fasst.