Nutdotnet

Out of everything, I think this is one of the BIG decisions when picking out what type of S4 you want.

So, which one did you go with (or if you were to get one, which one you would go with) and why?

Tomcat84

I'm planning to go manual.

Being from Europe maybe plays a part in it, cause I'm pretty much used to manual always, although I did drive an automatic Honda Integra on the side for a while.

What it comes down to for me: I like shifting! It's fun. And I like thinking about what I want to do and making my own decisions, stimulates the brain

That said, I havent driven the DSG, I am somewhat curious as to how it drives compared to the obviously ridiculous transmission that was in that old Integra

I know in traffic I would prefer the automatic, but that doesn't weigh up to the added fun that shifting gives me when I'm blazing down the hilly twisty backroads of France on holiday, or back home in Holland or whereever.

Ryan1524

I wanna say manual, but everytime I hit a traffic jam, I'm reminded of how grateful I am for an auto-box. So my vote goes to the S-Tronic. Too bad they don't have a full manual that we can somehow flip to S-tronic on a whim.

rktskicar

6 MT Manual. Don't drive automatics (except for a few rental cars).

Bruce

rktskicar

I have driven both the DSG and the manual. I will stick with the 6MT though.

Bruce

legbend

Manual. The s-tronic is cool, but in the end, it's still an automatic.

NWS4Guy

DSG is just too sexy. 8 milliseconds to shift? No manual can match or come close to those shift speeds. A 7th extra tall gear for economy in commutes (same commutes I am tired of my current shifting in) not to mention horrible steep hills in downtown Seattle - I'm happy to be going back to an Auto, with the bonus of a built in manual.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct-Shift_Gearbox

DRPayne

I'm with NWS4Guy. I've owned stick cars all my life but have been eyeing up the SMG/DSG transmissions in recent years. I ordered my B8 with the DSG, and when I got a chance to drive it I was happy with the choice.

AlA4

I've got a manual on order. Out of the 9 cars I've owned (other than my wife's Lexus), 1 was not manual and I hated it after a short time. Even my Dodge Ram 2500 is manual.

It was a tough decision though, the DSG does sound nice.

current cars:
2010 S4 Prestige, Ice Silver, ADS, Driver Assist, Atlas inlays, Silk Nappa due to arrive 10/7
2005 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 Larmie Turbo Diesel 6MT
2003 Lexus GX470 (Wife's)
2002 A4 1.8t Quatro 5MT sport (sold)

Previous cars
2000 A6 2.7T 6MT
1994 Acura Integra GSR 4door 5MT
1993 Mazda MX-6 V6 5MT (Worst car ever owned)
1991 Eagle Talon AWD 5MT
1988 Pontiac Grand AM SE Auto
1984 Buick Skylark T type 5MT
1971 VW fastback 4MT

captainy

S-tronic ordered. I really liked the DSG on my wife's A3. Control of gears like a manual (though not at launch), plus auto-mode when in boring traffic. It's not quite as pure, but close enough.