I’ve been a vw guy for over a decade. The fact that 40% of last gen golf r’s were sold in manual tells you just how critical it is to keep the manual alive in the golf. It might be slower in a straight line than the dsg, but the feel of actually being in complete control of the car and be engaged with the transmission is way better in my opinion.
Sorry, Having owned my 2022 MT 8R since Early Feb 2022, I feel the transmission and clutch are fine, if not perfect. I would say that the only negative is that 2nd gear is low and a second shift is needed to get through the 60 mph barrier! I have owned GTIs with DSG and enjoyed them as well - although, have to say my personal preference is the manual. I found the review too dismissive of the manual (I don't agree), and feel there is definitely an alternative take. Plus, the comment " does not like to rev this engine" is almost laughable and is definitely inaccurate - this car pulls strongly all the way to the rev cut-off point! Always good to hear someone else's opinion, even if you you do not agree with all the points.
I’m sure the R is much different than the GTI but after having driven a 6mt MK8 GTI SE the other day, I’ll say I actually liked it more than I thought. As with any manual trans/clutch, you will always need to upgrade accordingly to get a better feel. Hell, even with the dsg, a TCU tune will always make it better. I’ve had both a MK7 R 6mt and a MK7.5 DSG. Both needed “upgrading” to feel better. Also, simply having the option is a win as everyone is moving towards auto’s only. 🤙🏾
that upgrade is going to cost you atleast 4-6k by the way - i have a dsg mk8R but before i got it, i was offered a white Mt mk8R, and test drove it. I didn't think the MT was bad at all HOWEVEVER, when i checked some costs of going stage 1+ i immediately decided to opt for the dsg. Also, most tuners recommend a clutch swap for 1+ as people were having a lot of clutch related issues. THEN AGAIN, you have some folks who get lucky like TR HAMZA lol
@@quicktoreason2722 a clutch upgrade? I mean, I live in Alaska and I paid 3100 for the stage 2 DKM clutch and install. Everything is more expensive up here. Figured such a job would be comparable if not cheaper in the states.
@@solsykness im from canada but i know a few peeps that did theirs paid around 4-5k USD with labor cost - in canada for me atleast it was around 5-6k with labor -
@@solsykness stage 2 on an mk8? or 7? sadly people have no mercy lol they see mk8 and instantly mark up everything - one of my local tuners that i have been dealing with for a long time offered to do a full front end PPF with xpel for 1500 cad - everywhere else they were upcharging me around 2.7-3.5 k cad for full front end. its nuts.
@@quicktoreason2722 The clutch was for my MK7R. I just picked up a MK8 GTI SE last week with a 6mt. Fitting a full Milltek exhaust on Monday. I'm literally fighting demons within me. Lol. I may hold off on tuning it until EQT comes out with their tunes for this platform. The dealer installed PPF on the entire front end and I got it for practically free!! They heavily marked up the GTI and I wasn't paying for all the things they added on, so they discounted it heavily. I would have ended up paying about 1500-1800 for the entire front end at the local shop I frequent. I traded in my 2020 M340i xDrive for it. Missed the manual but man, my G20 was stage 2 and it felt like a rocket ship. The GTI feels slow in comparison but it's more agile/nimble. Having had two R's previously I would have loved another, but I couldn't get one. And a buddy of mine paid upwards of 55k for the first one that made it up here. I'm not paying that much for a VW. As much as I love the brand and most of the cars....I can't do it. I attempted to get the only RS3 that's headed this way. They wanted 15k UP FRONT!!! Smh.
The perfect VW hasn’t been built yet, but they are working on it. I’ve been a VW driver most of my life. Try power shifting in a 1966 beatle, and you’ll get an idea of good the new manual transmissions are. Great review and video. Thanks, RickGTI….. 🌴
Although I certainly don't respect or admire VW's legendary poor reliability and electronic / sensor longevity, the performance and feeling of this pocket rocket is stunning. A poor man's Porsche allbeit with a simply horrendous infotainment system. But as a pure drivers vehicle, there is few that can be it.
A manual is more fun, but I believe the torque is 280 on the manual, and not 310. It also loses a second in the 0-60. It is nicely set up for track use and for enjoyment though.
The clutch, transmission and shifter are all the same as the MK7. You're imagining things. After owning a MK7 R with the manual transmission, I would have to say go with the DSG. The vague and mushy shifter CAN be somewhat fixed with the Diesel Geek Sigma 6, which I installed on mine, but the clutch itself is woefully underspec'd for the motor in these cars. My clutch was going out at just 9k miles. The dealer wanted nearly 2000 dollars to replace it and this was on a stock vehicle and I never dumped the clutch or rode the clutch or anything like that. I've been driving manual cars my whole life but never seen a clutch fail that soon and there were a lot of other R owners on VW Vortex who also had the same issue.
Shifter can be upgraded and fixed. I think the offering of the DSG and manual are just two different experiences that allow for the customer to side with whatever experience they desire. Manual shifting is for the engagement experience whereas the DSG is about getting there as quickly as you can. Both are good but allow totally different experiences
The trans is good, many have been running up to 450 lb/ft through them for years, without issues. The feel through the cables is poor, but it can be greatly improved via the aftermarket.
Great Vid. I bought the Golf R 20th in DSG. I also have been a manual trans guy since I started driving. After much thought; I went with the DSG for the very reason that no human can shift as fast as that. Lastly, I'm performance oriented and want to get every ounce of performance out of this car and manual ain't it.
For me, it’s about the experience. Nobody drives balls to the walls all the time. No question, there’s no substitute for shifting yourself and an engaged driving experience.
There was a day when manuals offered a list of advantages. But the microprocessor has made all of them obsolete (save its simplicity, of course). The DSG is not only faster, but more economical as well.
FACTS, I used to buy manuals back in the day strictly because they were faster than autos. Now, there's no reason or excuses to. Now they lose in every way, I have no idea what the fascination is with moving your arm and leg back and forth all the time in this day and age, then having the nerve of calling it fun. smh
@iTzMurphLEE I probably drove manuals before you were born. I remember so-called enthusiasts complaining about power steering and brakes taking away from the experience, too. If it makes you happy to move a arm and leg, enjoy. But I don't need to " understand " totally unnecessary movements to feel in control or get gratification, especially when I actually drove real so-called " Driver's Cars " when the term was invented. It used to mean giving up all the creature comforts like AC, stereo, power windows and doors, and soft riding suspension in a quest to actually go Faster. lol
I wonder how many miles are on this tester. i test drove a manual and a dsg and a Manual GTI so slightly different but found the DSG always in wrong gear. It was too low in sport and too high in comfort. I could use the paddles, but whats the point if your not being timed. I thought the manual was better than the MK7 and quite solid.
I can’t agree with you on the transmission sorry! All VWs have some of the easiest clutches to use in any car segment out there! The transmission is more smooth than any car I can remember, considering that I come from a car dealership background 👋
This is how you know it's all marketing and bs. Imagine if the first manuals were going to be created next year promising better engagement, but much slow 0-60's, ET's and lower fuel economy. Very few people would learn the skill with no rewards of being quicker. At 20, the only reason I learned to drive a stick in my 1982 Mustang GT was because it was a known fact that they were faster than the automatic. If the autos would've been like the 2018 10spd's in 1982 I would've never learned how to drive a manual. lol
You are dead wrong. The 6 speed is one of the best. Perhaps you can't drive a manual properly. Nothing crunchy or rubbery on my R. I am glad I didnt listen to you. PS I traded in my GR Corolla for the R. Both are superb although the Golf seems a more mature substantial car and the GR is on the other hand more playful.
It’s all the manufacturers. They’re purposely killing the manuals by making them terrible to drive. The new JL manual in the jeep is gd awful. I’ve had multiple gtis and were great. The new R is poop. The wrx feels terrible. Honda is the last one to make a good manual and clutch. But being FWD I’m out
I’ve been a vw guy for over a decade. The fact that 40% of last gen golf r’s were sold in manual tells you just how critical it is to keep the manual alive in the golf. It might be slower in a straight line than the dsg, but the feel of actually being in complete control of the car and be engaged with the transmission is way better in my opinion.
Sorry, Having owned my 2022 MT 8R since Early Feb 2022, I feel the transmission and clutch are fine, if not perfect. I would say that the only negative is that 2nd gear is low and a second shift is needed to get through the 60 mph barrier! I have owned GTIs with DSG and enjoyed them as well - although, have to say my personal preference is the manual. I found the review too dismissive of the manual (I don't agree), and feel there is definitely an alternative take. Plus, the comment " does not like to rev this engine" is almost laughable and is definitely inaccurate - this car pulls strongly all the way to the rev cut-off point! Always good to hear someone else's opinion, even if you you do not agree with all the points.
Was this a tire review or comparison of manual vs DSG?
He is full.of sh*t
I’m sure the R is much different than the GTI but after having driven a 6mt MK8 GTI SE the other day, I’ll say I actually liked it more than I thought. As with any manual trans/clutch, you will always need to upgrade accordingly to get a better feel. Hell, even with the dsg, a TCU tune will always make it better. I’ve had both a MK7 R 6mt and a MK7.5 DSG. Both needed “upgrading” to feel better. Also, simply having the option is a win as everyone is moving towards auto’s only. 🤙🏾
that upgrade is going to cost you atleast 4-6k by the way - i have a dsg mk8R but before i got it, i was offered a white Mt mk8R, and test drove it. I didn't think the MT was bad at all HOWEVEVER, when i checked some costs of going stage 1+ i immediately decided to opt for the dsg. Also, most tuners recommend a clutch swap for 1+ as people were having a lot of clutch related issues. THEN AGAIN, you have some folks who get lucky like TR HAMZA lol
@@quicktoreason2722 a clutch upgrade? I mean, I live in Alaska and I paid 3100 for the stage 2 DKM clutch and install. Everything is more expensive up here. Figured such a job would be comparable if not cheaper in the states.
@@solsykness im from canada but i know a few peeps that did theirs paid around 4-5k USD with labor cost - in canada for me atleast it was around 5-6k with labor -
@@solsykness stage 2 on an mk8? or 7? sadly people have no mercy lol they see mk8 and instantly mark up everything - one of my local tuners that i have been dealing with for a long time offered to do a full front end PPF with xpel for 1500 cad - everywhere else they were upcharging me around 2.7-3.5 k cad for full front end. its nuts.
@@quicktoreason2722 The clutch was for my MK7R. I just picked up a MK8 GTI SE last week with a 6mt. Fitting a full Milltek exhaust on Monday. I'm literally fighting demons within me. Lol. I may hold off on tuning it until EQT comes out with their tunes for this platform. The dealer installed PPF on the entire front end and I got it for practically free!! They heavily marked up the GTI and I wasn't paying for all the things they added on, so they discounted it heavily. I would have ended up paying about 1500-1800 for the entire front end at the local shop I frequent. I traded in my 2020 M340i xDrive for it. Missed the manual but man, my G20 was stage 2 and it felt like a rocket ship. The GTI feels slow in comparison but it's more agile/nimble. Having had two R's previously I would have loved another, but I couldn't get one. And a buddy of mine paid upwards of 55k for the first one that made it up here. I'm not paying that much for a VW. As much as I love the brand and most of the cars....I can't do it. I attempted to get the only RS3 that's headed this way. They wanted 15k UP FRONT!!! Smh.
The perfect VW hasn’t been built yet, but they are working on it. I’ve been a VW driver most of my life. Try power shifting in a 1966 beatle, and you’ll get an idea of good the new manual transmissions are. Great review and video. Thanks, RickGTI….. 🌴
Although I certainly don't respect or admire VW's legendary poor reliability and electronic / sensor longevity, the performance and feeling of this pocket rocket is stunning. A poor man's Porsche allbeit with a simply horrendous infotainment system. But as a pure drivers vehicle, there is few that can be it.
A manual is more fun, but I believe the torque is 280 on the manual, and not 310. It also loses a second in the 0-60. It is nicely set up for track use and for enjoyment though.
The clutch, transmission and shifter are all the same as the MK7. You're imagining things.
After owning a MK7 R with the manual transmission, I would have to say go with the DSG. The vague and mushy shifter CAN be somewhat fixed with the Diesel Geek Sigma 6, which I installed on mine, but the clutch itself is woefully underspec'd for the motor in these cars. My clutch was going out at just 9k miles. The dealer wanted nearly 2000 dollars to replace it and this was on a stock vehicle and I never dumped the clutch or rode the clutch or anything like that. I've been driving manual cars my whole life but never seen a clutch fail that soon and there were a lot of other R owners on VW Vortex who also had the same issue.
Shifter can be upgraded and fixed. I think the offering of the DSG and manual are just two different experiences that allow for the customer to side with whatever experience they desire. Manual shifting is for the engagement experience whereas the DSG is about getting there as quickly as you can. Both are good but allow totally different experiences
engagement ?? how about the engagement of manual steering and drum shoe brakes ? 🤣
VW never has made a "decent manual transmission". You have to upgrade everything for it to feel good, which kind of sucks.
The trans is good, many have been running up to 450 lb/ft through them for years, without issues. The feel through the cables is poor, but it can be greatly improved via the aftermarket.
High quality review!
Great Vid. I bought the Golf R 20th in DSG. I also have been a manual trans guy since I started driving. After much thought; I went with the DSG for the very reason that no human can shift as fast as that. Lastly, I'm performance oriented and want to get every ounce of performance out of this car and manual ain't it.
You made a good choice!
MANUAL ALL THE WAY NO MATER WHAT.
I ordered the DSG because my wife don’t know how to drive manual. Do you think it’s the best choice? Thanks
For me, it’s about the experience. Nobody drives balls to the walls all the time. No question, there’s no substitute for shifting yourself and an engaged driving experience.
There was a day when manuals offered a list of advantages. But the microprocessor has made all of them obsolete (save its simplicity, of course). The DSG is not only faster, but more economical as well.
DSG thanks!!!
Manul drivers can do all the coping they want but no way am I choosing the transmission that is a whole second slower. Give me the DSG.
FACTS, I used to buy manuals back in the day strictly because they were faster than autos. Now, there's no reason or excuses to. Now they lose in every way, I have no idea what the fascination is with moving your arm and leg back and forth all the time in this day and age, then having the nerve of calling it fun. smh
@@racer247you wouldn’t understand
@iTzMurphLEE I probably drove manuals before you were born. I remember so-called enthusiasts complaining about power steering and brakes taking away from the experience, too. If it makes you happy to move a arm and leg, enjoy. But I don't need to " understand " totally unnecessary movements to feel in control or get gratification, especially when I actually drove real so-called " Driver's Cars " when the term was invented. It used to mean giving up all the creature comforts like AC, stereo, power windows and doors, and soft riding suspension in a quest to actually go Faster. lol
I wonder how many miles are on this tester. i test drove a manual and a dsg and a Manual GTI so slightly different but found the DSG always in wrong gear. It was too low in sport and too high in comfort. I could use the paddles, but whats the point if your not being timed. I thought the manual was better than the MK7 and quite solid.
Mismatched tires kinda voids this review.
Unfortunately, the manual is just a parlor trick in this car.
R and GTi only with DSG.
I can’t agree with you on the transmission sorry! All VWs have some of the easiest clutches to use in any car segment out there! The transmission is more smooth than any car I can remember, considering that I come from a car dealership background 👋
I’m pretty sure the manual is a carry over from last gen man.
This is how you know it's all marketing and bs. Imagine if the first manuals were going to be created next year promising better engagement, but much slow 0-60's, ET's and lower fuel economy. Very few people would learn the skill with no rewards of being quicker. At 20, the only reason I learned to drive a stick in my 1982 Mustang GT was because it was a known fact that they were faster than the automatic. If the autos would've been like the 2018 10spd's in 1982 I would've never learned how to drive a manual. lol
🤡
You are dead wrong. The 6 speed is one of the best. Perhaps you can't drive a manual properly. Nothing crunchy or rubbery on my R. I am glad I didnt listen to you. PS I traded in my GR Corolla for the R. Both are superb although the Golf seems a more mature substantial car and the GR is on the other hand more playful.
Im not sure what ur talking about! I believe the manual on mk8 is great! Im not sure who is paying you to say that crap!
He’s not the first one to say it. Just because it’s a manual, doesn’t make it a great one.
DSG.
Manual.
Volkswagen paid him to say that crap! Now they want to sell their auto
It’s all the manufacturers. They’re purposely killing the manuals by making them terrible to drive. The new JL manual in the jeep is gd awful. I’ve had multiple gtis and were great. The new R is poop. The wrx feels terrible. Honda is the last one to make a good manual and clutch. But being FWD I’m out
and we want 2c the road ahead when u r driving not u thanks!!!