primetime

There have been 3-5 others that I recall along with Richi who have issues with their clutch slipping when launching... Yeah, I seen what happened on Richi's car not sure if the others have the same issue as I think most are just tolerating it... Rich is still replacing the clutch though as well because I don't think it would last long or be adequate even with the leak fixed... however I don't drive one so I am just speculating based on what I have read...

gmermel

As an update, I took a 500 mile drive today and got to play with the DSG manual mode. How you manage the accelerator makes a massive difference in how it shifts.

For instance, say I'm doing 75 at 2000+ rpm's in 7th and I want to go to passing speed. I found that I wanted 4th gear at 5500 rpm's for the best response. If I accelerated to the slightest degree as I dropped gears sequentially (at a rythm of about every half second), the car lurched forward into 5th and then lurched even harder into 4th.

If I downshifted to 4th similarly but stayed off any increase in throttle, and then applied throttle AFTER full engagement, the the transmission was smooth as butter. The only problem I had was that the throttle response is touchy giving a sense of "launch". This isn't a transmission issue, and a MT would allow me to make up for it through clutch engagement, but still, the shifts were pretty remarkable.

The same type of care worked from 1st to 2nd. Just "doing it" getting away from stoplights going easy and shifting at 3500+/- rpms, I got the type of shifts that made your teeth clench when you were teaching someone a MT. But if I added throttle at a constant rate the 1st to 2nd shift was awfully nice.

What I can say is that with work I was able to manage some very (and I mean very) impressive performance from the DSG. Whether I will get to where I want to be is an open question. But
I am consoling myself that there is a learning curve on the DSG, and we all can remember that there was a big one on the MT.....

IvanS4

If you're still interested in shifting for yourself, get the 6MT. Realistically very few performance cars are going to be manual shift in as little as 5-10 years away. There's a reason that Car and Driver has the Save the Manuals campaign and while I think it'll help another generation or two of manuals, the future is bleak for all except the cheapest econo cars where saving $1000 makes a big difference.

I for one will miss them, but like others, I'll deal with the change. I do admit that our Jetta TDI DSG is still the best 'auto' transmission I've ever had and is nearly as fun to drive as the S4 when driven at 6/10ths. Still, I'm pleased with my decision, but realistically I imagine that a B9 S4 will be DSG 8-9 speed only.

Par5nTwo

Well, the decision has been made. I went with the S Tronic in Monsoon Grey! Premium-plus, 19's, Smart key, Nappa leather, MMI, Sports Differential, Carbon, B&O, Rear Sensors. $1000 over invoice, so $55,291. It's coming from Houston so it will be about week. I'll post pics when I get it

NWS4Guy

Grats! Thats a good price too! Where are you located?

Foogie

That is a great price for any German car. I got mine for about 1400 over invoice I think. I think you made all of the right choices man, except for the S-Tronic . Enjoy the car you will love it.

Par5nTwo

Thanks, I'm so pumped! I'm is Tulsa, OK.

Par5nTwo

Thanks man. I know, I wanted the 6MT but in the end my wife didn't feel like driving a stick(even tho the Audi is butta). I'm leasing the car and in the MT I would want to mod it more, short shifter etc.
The "Audi Specialist" that sold us the car said there is a chip for it that makes 430HP? I thought that was a lot for just a chip. Is he full of BS or what?

IvanS4

Getting the DSG so that you can both enjoy the car is definitely a reasonable compromise - the car is a blast no matter what.

Regarding a performance tune, yeah 430 at the crank might not be unreasonable. See below for an otherwise stock vehicle at 374 WHP. Figure ~ 15% power loss from the crank to the wheels and you're around 430HP.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ne-on-Facebook

I haven't dynoed mine yet, but it feels hella faster.

Foogie

Ahh so you went with the Revo. Was thinking about that since there is a place in Fort Worth that does it now apparently. So you like it? How come you didn't go APR? It's probably the same right?