I'm in Ottawa Ontario and guys,

I'm really at a crossroads here. I LOVE driving manual but I'm starting to consider Stronic just because it's flappy paddle shifting and double clutch. Here are the factors I'm considering that will help me choose flappy paddle or 6sp manual

Cost of replacing a clutch on a manual S4 VS. Cost of replacing the Mechatronic unit on the Stronic system as I hear they are prone to breaking.

If replacing the clutch on the manual is 3K and a mechatronic unit is 1500-2K then the Stronic Auto may be the way to go.

anyone in Ottawa have an idea as to the costs involved? I always take my car to Tapp Auto and will eventually ask Jason but in the meantime I'm wondering what people here can tell me.

Cheers and thanks

 

It's a personal choice these days... if you enjoy the feeling of rowing through gears, go for the manual. On the other hand if you are looking for something to drive around in traffic, or drag race where you need perfect shifts, then automatic/flappy paddle .

For me, on an S4 it would no doubt be the manual. For my DD (Q5) automatic/flappy paddle is fine

 

Go for the stronic. Maybe you'll want to eat a sandwich or chris brown someone

 

Thanks for the replies guys but you know what? I'm good either way. I've driven manual and enjoyed it for my entire driving life and I don;t mind at this point to move to Stronic but the thing is. WHAT IS CHEAPER TO MAINTAIN???? Going back to what I first wrote:

"Cost of replacing a clutch on a manual S4 VS. Cost of replacing the Mechatronic unit on the Stronic system as I hear they are prone to breaking.

If replacing the clutch on the manual is 3K and a mechatronic unit is 1500-2K then the Stronic Auto may be the way to go."

This for me, is the deciding factor. Yeah I'd miss the 6sp manual but I'm ready for a break and although what my wife would prefer bears absolutely NO weight in this decision, it would be nice if she drove the car every now and then. Afterall, our 2013 Santa Fe will NEVER feel like and S4 lol.

 

Mechtronic units are far more expensive than a clutch.. The 6 speed will always be cheaper to own/maintain. I wouldn't keep a S-tronic out of warranty.

 

I wanted the 6 SPD ... but found a deal on a 2013 B8.5 that I could not let pass ...but it was a DSG.

So far ... to my surprise ... I do not miss the 6 SPD. I love the launch control, and the smoother traffic jam ride.

 

what year is the B8.5???? I keep hearing about the 8.5 version but I have no clue as to what year it is

 

2013 and 2014 ... not much changes. Some minor cosmetic but some serious DSG modifications from what I heard.

I was looking for a 2012 ... but got a deal I could not let pass on a 2013.

 

I drove both and being a manual guy was quite surprised how awesome the DSG was.