S5 driving experience MT vs AT?

[elucid]

I currently own a 2011 S5 AT and searching for a MT 2013+ S5. Has anyone driven both and if so can you share the driving experience? Is it worth the upgrade?

Thanks

[Mrads]

First, I would mention that the Automatic transmission in the '13 is DSG whereas your '11 is a ZF based Tiptronic. There is no comparison between them. The DSG is crisp, responsive and fast. TLDR: DSG is way better than Tiptronic. I really regretted getting my B8 S5 in auto but didn't regret having the DSG based cars that I got later

After that it is about personal preference. I don't really miss a manual.

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[greenturbo]

The best and only choice is a 6MT for V8

but if you must, V6T dsg is tolerable and quickie quick

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[hahnmgh63]

I don't consider the S5, or for that matter my RS5 a track car. But if you are going to do some DE events, and they can be competitive sometimes, the DSG is the way to go. For back road canyon carving the DSG would still be the most efficient but the 6spd would definitely be the most rewarding. I do DE & Track events with all of my cars, S5 (DSG), RS5, RS6 (6spd conversion), '74 911 (3.6), but I'm no expert. I love the manuals but also love the DSG's.

[carrrnuttt]

I'm always going to be a manual guy.

There are times I'd wish I had a DSG, but usually when I contemplate good launching and straight line consistency.

Other than that, every other time I drive my car, especially spiritedly, my manual always makes me smile.

[Mrads]

There are times I'd wish I had a DSG, but usually when I contemplate good launching and straight line consistency.

Also in rush hour stop and go traffic + DSG farts are fun.

After years and years of driving stick, I have gotten over the self-loathing of a manual purist and I am now ok with the DSG.

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[RockJGC]

Manual or nothing for me.

The only time you'll see me driving a non-manual transmission car is when I have one that is powered by batteries.

BTW, you can get manual farts too, if that's your thing.

[carrrnuttt]

Also in rush hour stop and go traffic + DSG farts are fun.

After years and years of driving stick, I have gotten over the self-loathing of a manual purist and I am now ok with the DSG.

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I've worked from home full-time for almost 6 years now, so thankfully no stop and go traffic for me, unless I just have to run an errand during rush hour.

Even then, I still prefer a manual. Keeps you more alert to traffic, IMO.

[Neil F]

I love my DSG. Lightning quick shifts (when chipwerke does not F it up on occasion). Rowed my 89 mustang daily for 18 years. HEAVY clutch. (still have it) 04 Wrangler....wanted an auto to just get in and go. Now the S5 cab. No choice but an auto and just want to get in and go.

[RockJGC]

I love my DSG. Lightning quick shifts (when chipwerke does not F it up on occasion). Rowed my 89 mustang daily for 18 years. HEAVY clutch. (still have it) 04 Wrangler....wanted an auto to just get in and go. Now the S5 cab. No choice but an auto and just want to get in and go.

I had an 88 Mustang 5.0 for many years....and yes, the clutch was heavy. When I first drove a manual transmission Audi, I nearly put my foot through the floor the first time I stepped on the clutch pedal. I didn't expect it to be so light. I guess that's hydraulics for ya......

[elucid]

Not planning on tracking at all. Just thinking about a 6pd for the pure joy of driving manual again. I love the look of the S5 and haven't seen anything else worth getting.

[whts4]

Own a 2017 S5 DSG and have owned many 6spd cars. IMO, Audi 6spds, shifter and the clutch assembly are woefully lacking in feel, smoothness, and durability. If the shifter had a short throw smooth action it would dramatically improve the current OE setup. The clutch is easy to use, but the throw is too long as is the clutch action. The clutch itself is limited in clamping force and tunes can easily require an upgrade. If driven gently they will last over 50k mi, driven aggressively or tracked can significantly reduce the expected life.

If it shifted like a 911 and had the reliability of a 911 (better yet S2000) it would have been my choice...but not in stock form.

- - - Updated - - -

Own a 2017 S5 DSG and have owned many 6spd cars. IMO, Audi 6spds, shifter and the clutch assembly are woefully lacking in feel, smoothness, and durability. If the shifter had a short throw smooth action it would dramatically improve the current OE setup. The clutch is easy to use, but the throw is too long as is the clutch action. The clutch itself is limited in clamping force and tunes can easily require an upgrade. If driven gently they will last over 50k mi, driven aggressively or tracked can significantly reduce the expected life.

If it shifted like a 911 and had the reliability of a 911 (better yet S2000) it would have been my choice...but not in stock form.

[DOT]

I owned a DSG for 7 years when they were first introduced (MKV GTI) and fell in love. I instantly knew it would make manuals obsolete, objectively speaking. But over time I got bored with it as a daily and was also annoyed racing it. I still remember the sheer joy of the day I returned to a 3 pedal gearbox. DSG is objectively better for regular driving - but way less enjoyable. Even now when I drive my wife’s SQ5 I’m glad to return to my 3 pedals. That said, I’ve invested in upgrades to the Audi trans that makes it feel and work better. The B8 with a short shift kit is pretty sweet - you’ll love it.


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[carrrnuttt]

I owned a DSG for 7 years when they were first introduced (MKV GTI) and fell in love. I instantly knew it would make manuals obsolete, objectively speaking. But over time I got bored with it as a daily and was also annoyed racing it. I still remember the sheer joy of the day I returned to a 3 pedal gearbox. DSG is objectively better for regular driving - but way less enjoyable. Even now when I drive my wife’s SQ5 I’m glad to return to my 3 pedals. That said, I’ve invested in upgrades to the Audi trans that makes it feel and work better. The B8 with a short shift kit is pretty sweet - you’ll love it.


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I agree.

My AWD Durango, even though it has a standard automatic transmission (8spd), does have paddle shifters, and I just can't get any enjoyment out of it like I do with my manual. I'm sure it's no comparison to the Audi DSG, but it's as close a comparison I can get to, since I haven't had enough seat time in any DSG car to have a fair idea about it.

I also just got back my car after getting a JHM short-shift kit installed. Between that, the new Sachs XTend clutch and the lightweight flywheel, it has been a revelation to drive.

[DOT]

Yup, the Audi trans really comes alive with those mods.

Main difference with the DSG vs a regular auto is the shifts are snappy (almost telepathic) but very smooth, it matches revs on downshifts, and will hold gears up to a point (eg. it won’t let you bounce the rev limiter). All pretty cool, but nothing beats nailing downshifts and matching revs yourself, even if the matching isn’t always DSG perfect.


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[NPuter]

My 2016 6MT auto rev matched the downshifts as you released the clutch (to an extent). I think they added that with 16+. Definitely was a surprise to me as I wasn't expecting it.

I don't think you can go wrong with either transmission. I really enjoyed having the manual though.

[carrrnuttt]

My 2016 6MT auto rev matched the downshifts as you released the clutch (to an extent). I think they added that with 16+. Definitely was a surprise to me as I wasn't expecting it.

I don't think you can go wrong with either transmission. I really enjoyed having the manual though.

From what I've read, this goes back as far as 2013 and is more of a comfort feature (smoother downshifts) than it is a performance feature. https://www.reddit.com/r/Audi/commen..._b85_features/

I've mentioned it in another thread, but my car was at Stage2++ already within two months of my purchase of it, so I wonder if this feature got tuned out of my car. I've never noticed it and I didn't drive it long enough stock to remember if it did it before mods.

[Hippiekiller]

Own a 2017 S5 DSG and have owned many 6spd cars. IMO, Audi 6spds, shifter and the clutch assembly are woefully lacking in feel, smoothness, and durability. If the shifter had a short throw smooth action it would dramatically improve the current OE setup. The clutch is easy to use, but the throw is too long as is the clutch action. The clutch itself is limited in clamping force and tunes can easily require an upgrade. If driven gently they will last over 50k mi, driven aggressively or tracked can significantly reduce the expected life.

If it shifted like a 911 and had the reliability of a 911 (better yet S2000) it would have been my choice...but not in stock form.

- - - Updated - - -

Own a 2017 S5 DSG and have owned many 6spd cars. IMO, Audi 6spds, shifter and the clutch assembly are woefully lacking in feel, smoothness, and durability. If the shifter had a short throw smooth action it would dramatically improve the current OE setup. The clutch is easy to use, but the throw is too long as is the clutch action. The clutch itself is limited in clamping force and tunes can easily require an upgrade. If driven gently they will last over 50k mi, driven aggressively or tracked can significantly reduce the expected life.

If it shifted like a 911 and had the reliability of a 911 (better yet S2000) it would have been my choice...but not in stock form.

The issues you mention with the shifter are easily fixed with a short shifter. I personally prefer the Eurocode, but JHM makes one as well. You can go one step further and get JHM's shift linkage and it tightens up any slop.

For me, there was no option. I don't buy cars with an auto unless they are strictly for going to the store and errands. And even then, I don't like it. Soccer mom's and SUV's can have the auto, my car's need to be manual.

[NPuter]

From what I've read, this goes back as far as 2013 and is more of a comfort feature (smoother downshifts) than it is a performance feature. https://www.reddit.com/r/Audi/commen..._b85_features/

I've mentioned it in another thread, but my car was at Stage2++ already within two months of my purchase of it, so I wonder if this feature got tuned out of my car. I've never noticed it and I didn't drive it long enough stock to remember if it did it before mods.

Yep that post describes it perfectly. Interesting, didn't know earlier B8.5s had it. I don't remember seeing any talk of it before I got my car.

May have saved me one time. I wanted to go from 5 to 3 and somehow hit 1 The rev match scared the crap out of me, and I slammed the clutch back in. Looked down and I was at 40mph, which I think is right at the top of first.

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