Actually, the DSG automatic is spectacular. The DSG is the reason I bought new rather than used. It only came out in the middle of ‘09. The DSG has two clutches. When you’re accelerating the unengaged clutch transitions to the next gear and the opposite happens when you decelerate. The acceleration is seamless and, once you’re past the first to second transition, you can’t tell it’s switching gears. Also, there’s a computer that uses engine breaking the same way I would with a clutch.
I looked at old Mercedes, as I had a 220D and loved it. But they were all either too old or out of my price range. The VW was $28,800 for a new car. I’m 56 and I’ve never had a new car before. I’m just sorry I had to get it when we’re in the middle of this center-console fetish. (Oh, and some plush would be nice. I carry a variety of pillows.)
I forget if the DSG has the same transmission cooler design as the older automatics, but I do know that the last conventional-auto TDI Jetta had the same wretched cooler design they’ve used for years.
They put the transmission cooler in the radiator assembly in such a way that the only thing separating transmission fluid from the coolant is a little sub-$1 O-ring. Guess what happens when the car ages a bit and the O-ring starts to decay and shrink.
Also: For about the same price you could have had a slightly-used but certified Mercedes E320 CDI. :P
Not happy about VW after the TDI Golf I was in conked out of the middle of nowhere in West Texas. In the height of the summer. Had to walk out to get a cell signal and shelter. That’s how I know about their idiot cooler design.