No More manual for A4?!

[David Ullrich]

I've driven the VW DSG, and I would say it is the best automatic I've ever
driven. If I had to have an automatic, that would be the one I choose.

Dave
-Audiless for now
-Wanted 1987 CGT Triple White


On 8/25/08, Taka Mizutani <t44tqtro at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> I said drive one on the street, Mark. Not the track.
>
> Taka
>
>
> On Sat, Aug 23, 2008 at 6:57 PM, Mark R <speedracer.mark at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > Taka,
> > I've driven both the 360 and 430 (not a scud) with the "F1" paddles.  I
> > was impressed by both.  Both were on the track and I never felt the
> chassis
> > was unsettled.
> >
> > Mark Rosenkrantz
> >
> > On Fri, Aug 22, 2008 at 2:49 PM, Taka Mizutani <t44tqtro at gmail.com>
> wrote:
> >
> >> Mark-
> >> What generation F1 system? I don't know about the latest F430 and F430
> >> Scuderia versions, but the ones prior to that are, IMHO, not civilized
> at
> >> all.
> >>
> >> Head toss on every shift, even in the softest, "automatic" mode. This
> >> holds true for the Maserati versions as well- in the Gran Sport and the
> >> Quattroporte.
> >>
> >> DSG, on the other hand, is totally seamless, which I do like, in terms
> of
> >> efficiency. However, I find it to be completely characterless and like a
> >> video game. With the lack of tactile involvement, I end up keeping the
> >> transmission in automatic mode and drive it like a slushbox. I never
> have
> >> this problem with a 3-pedal car (however I hate driving heavy trucks
> with a
> >> manual).
> >>
> >> Twin clutch automated manual transmissions are definitely the future-
> BMW
> >> has switched and Porsche has introduced their own street PDK as well.
> That
> >> would work nicely in a Cayenne. I still prefer a manual with a gear
> lever
> >> and three pedals for street driving. C'mon, there is nothing like that
> >> clunky "clank clank" action of a Ferrari gated shifter going through the
> >> gears. Very deliberate, stiff and slow, but very unique among modern
> cars
> >> and part of that "Ferrari mystique" which one only understands when you
> have
> >> had seat time in them.
> >>
> >> Taka
> >>
> >>
> >> On Fri, Aug 22, 2008 at 1:27 PM, Mark R <speedracer.mark at gmail.com
> >wrote:
> >>
> >>> I have to say, paddle shifts ARE the future of manual transmissions.
> >>> Ferrari's F1 system is simply magnificent, and the VAG DSG is very,
> very
> >>> good.  Personally, I'm a 3 pedal guy, but when a transmission shifts
> >>> perfectly every time, blips the throttle on downshifts, AND allows you
> to
> >>> downshift at redline of the lower gear.... well... what more can you
> ask
> >>> for?
> >>>
> >>> Sometimes your hands aren't in the right postion (retrain the driver or
> >>> add
> >>> longer paddles), and some systems (VAG, BMW come to mind) could use
> some
> >>> software tweaking for the enthusiast, but they're really quite good and
> >>> shock load the drivetrain less.  I can tell you from personal
> experience,
> >>> rear wheel lockup (due to rev limiter) on a downshift at corner entry
> >>> sure
> >>> does get exciting!
> >>> The systems with small little shift buttons are just poor
> ergonomically.
> >>>
> >>>  I think a lot of thier confusion (or hatred) is that people either
> >>> perceive
> >>> them as an automatic, or want to drive them as such.
> >>>
> >>> But drive a DSG (or another similar system) and I think everyone would
> >>> come
> >>> to the same conclusions.  I still like my 6 speed manual transmissions,
> >>> but
> >>> I'd drive a good paddle shifted car.
> >>>
> >>> Mark Rosenkrantz
> >>>
> >>
> >>
> >
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-- 
David G. Ullrich
Cavu Consulting
"Finally, Affordable Technology Help"