Manual vs s-tronic

[Stan82]

Just ordered my a6 avant s line manual. I tried the s tronic and although it was nice dare I say I didn't think it was as smooth as the dsg in the new Passat. Anyone got the new a6 in manual and what are your thoughts. On paper the differences are negligible but I'm interested in the real world differences. Any positives or negatives for either ??

[robes401]

In real life you're likely to see significantly better mpg with the manual. I have s tronic and long term average is 43 mpg (over 1st 14k miles) whereas I think manuals see nearer (or possibly over) 50.

[Stan82]

I thought the manual may be more economical in the real world. I am new to this premium brand motoring malarkey coming from ford and vauxhalls. I just couldn't stretch any further for the s tronic so was hoping to get some positives and support for the manual. I have to admit that the s tronic makes the car feel more luxurious but Sometimes you just have to have a budget!

[johnsimcox]

I currently have a 2.0TDi SE Manual Avant and on Monday signed on the dotted line to replace it with the same. I certainly do not feel I have the wrong choice regarding gearbox and when it comes to the Stop-Start system it is much better designed with the manual (put in neutral, clutch released engine stops) rather either holding the car on the footbrake which means the engine can cut out when you don't want it to, waiting at a junction say, plus dazzling the driver behind or putting the car in P and then releasing the footbrake . Don't have back to back comparisons with the economy on the two gearboxes, and when I got my current car the option was actually Multitronic not S-Tronic so a different proposition all together, but a 400 mile round trip fully laden delivered high 50's which I think is good for a large car. Overall I have averaged about 42mpg but I do a 15 mile commute into London and back every day so there is a lot of stop-start traffic. I expect the new car to be better as it has the more efficient Ultra engine

[Daniel44]

I recently picked up a new Advant SE ultra. My previous A6 was a 63 plate SE. Over the 22k miles covered it averaged 46 mpg. This would I am sure rise to around 48 come the summer if I still has it. My new ultra hasn't even covered 500 miles, so to early to say. However it seems to be hitting good mpg on similar runs as to the old car. Both cars are manual and I really like the gearbox. The ultra feels a better car than the pre-facelift. Steering has more feel and it is so much sportier than the old model. You won't be disappointed.

[belly buster]

I currently have a 2.0TDi SE Manual Avant and on Monday signed on the dotted line to replace it with the same. I certainly do not feel I have the wrong choice regarding gearbox and when it comes to the Stop-Start system it is much better designed with the manual (put in neutral, clutch released engine stops) rather either holding the car on the footbrake which means the engine can cut out when you don't want it to, waiting at a junction say, plus dazzling the driver behind or putting the car in P and then releasing the footbrake . Don't have back to back comparisons with the economy on the two gearboxes, and when I got my current car the option was actually Multitronic not S-Tronic so a different proposition all together, but a 400 mile round trip fully laden delivered high 50's which I think is good for a large car. Overall I have averaged about 42mpg but I do a 15 mile commute into London and back every day so there is a lot of stop-start traffic. I expect the new car to be better as it has the more efficient Ultra engine

Stop start works fine in the S-tronic. You can "half press" the brake padel to stop it creeping or press a bit harder and S/S kicks in. Or you can press the dash button to disable it of course.

[Stan82]

there appears to be equal Fors and against both manual and auto. I've never had an auto and I do like 'driving' a car through the gears. I know the s tronic is one of the best but I think I'm gonna be over the moon with the manual. Incidentally, I'm amazed that the dealer will install privacy glass at half the cost as factory!!. Added heated seats and folding Mirrors too. Role on late June !!!

[M1tchy]

The wife and I always had manuals and loved "driving" the cars, but when we test drive the 2.0 A5 with a manual box we were under whelmed so tried the 3.0 with the s-tronic. It was incredible! Smooth, fast, quiet and not like I remembered older autos to be - so we bought it. 18 months later I also moved to the world of autos (albeit tip tronic) and wouldn't look back.

One of the main things is the adaptive cruise control that now brings me from 120mph (if I chose to) to a complete stop and back to 120 again with no intervention. It's just so easy now. (And I'm getting old!)


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[belly buster]

I would have probably gone for a manual if they did my car in a manual (they don't). I've always had manuals and never really liked autos. However the S-tronic is really good, it has a "manual feel" if that makes sense and you get the flappy paddles to change manually if you are so minded, and S mode which is also quite useful.

Also big plus with the adaptive cruise, as Mitchy says (that's an option though).

[fly-by-wife]

I have a 3.0TFSI with the S-tronic (no option for manual) and I find it excellent - very smooth changes, better than I can do in my A6 C5 manual!

I agree with

the Stop-Start system it is much better designed with the manual (put in neutral, clutch released engine stops) rather either holding the car on the footbrake which means the engine can cut out when you don't want it to, waiting at a junction say, plus dazzling the driver behind or putting the car in P and then releasing the footbrake . It's one of my few criticisms of the car - plus the 65L fuel tank capacity.

[johnsimcox]

I have a 3.0TFSI with the S-tronic (no option for manual) and I find it excellent - very smooth changes, better than I can do in my A6 C5 manual!

I agree with
It's one of my few criticisms of the car - plus the 65L fuel tank capacity.
All facelift cars get a 73L tank as standard

[ukgroucho]

I would have probably gone for a manual if they did my car in a manual (they don't). I've always had manuals and never really liked autos. However the S-tronic is really good, it has a "manual feel" if that makes sense and you get the flappy paddles to change manually if you are so minded, and S mode which is also quite useful.

I tried to buy my old C6 3.0 TDi quattro avant as a manual and the sales guy pushed back really hard. Apart from the apparent negative impact on residuals he also pointed out that in the 3.0 TDi, when making progress, first gear is all but useless as you're thru it so fast it's a "blink" and second is not much better (and this was only 220 bhp or so). I went with the 6 speed tiptronic and it was very good.
Become a convert now....

[eoin27]

If you are tied but on a used car purchase. Don't be put off by an Multitronic gearbox. I own a Multi and used to own a manual. Overall, I find the multi is much better because (and I might get some slack for this) I think the A6 is too big and luxurious a car for to be a manual; it should be auto. S-Tronic is more advanced than a multi due to the quick upshifts and fuel saving advantages but if you have a laid back driving style, you may prefer a Multi because the gears seamlessly blend into each other and makes little fuss of urban driving. For flat to the mat motoring, you can't beat a manual, or next best, an S-Tronic.

[Whippy53]

On that subject, I have just been for a ride with a master tech, asked "do you see any multibox problems now?" "No" was the answer. So I can sleep a little easier now.

[merry2]

I just changed my old manual 2.7TDI S-Line for a 3.0TDI Quattro S-Line (both Avants). I had an A3 1.8T Quattro before the A6's and dropped the quattro when upsizing as I didn't want to go automatic then as I didn't feel I was old enough :Blush2:
This time round I couldn't not have Quattro again so I bit the bullet and went for the S-Tronic. It's absolutely brilliant. I thought I'd lose the driving experience but with flappy paddles, S mode and various other gadgets to play with you can get all you need really. I don't miss the manual at all and could never change as quickly or smoothly as the box does for me. The pleasure of being lazy when you want to or putting it in eco mode are great! Admittedly I'm nearing the big 4-0 so maybe it's just an age thing.

[Chris81]

Ive just got rid of my VW CC with auto DSG and now have a S-tronic and can say that it is far superior than the DSG and would never go back. The SS is much better and as belly buster says you don't need to keep your foot on the break pedal to keep it in operation.


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[johnsimcox]

Ive just got rid of my VW CC with auto DSG and now have a S-tronic and can say that it is far superior than the DSG and would never go back. The SS is much better and as belly buster says you don't need to keep your foot on the break pedal to keep it in operation.


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S-tronic is a DSG box

[rickerby]

Just ordered my a6 avant s line manual. I tried the s tronic and although it was nice dare I say I didn't think it was as smooth as the dsg in the new Passat. Anyone got the new a6 in manual and what are your thoughts. On paper the differences are negligible but I'm interested in the real world differences. Any positives or negatives for either ??



Hard to imagine the Passat DSG being smoother. Most of the time the only way I can tell my current DSG has shifted is watching the rev counter dip. My recollection of the manual A6 from my 2 year tenure of a 2.0 177 was constant (they all do that sir) clutch judder and the long travel notchy shift action. Surely a full size executive car shouldn't have more than 2 pedals?

[peterg1965]

Auto fan here. I have found the S Tronic box in my 2.0 TDI Avant to be perfect, very smooth and seems to suit the car perfectly. Even got over 50 Mpg on the 250 mile drive home from collecting it.

[Stan82]

Kinda hoping I was gonna get some more positives re the manual :( After all, I have actually ordered it now and couldn't really stretch myself anymore for the S-tronic. I'm hoping I will be chuffed with my purchase baring in mind I'm coming from a 2005 Mondeo !!!

[M1tchy]

Oh! er, oooops!

The manual is very good. You will love it! :biglaugh:

[Stan82]

;)

[DuncanF]

Kinda hoping I was gonna get some more positives re the manual :( After all, I have actually ordered it now and couldn't really stretch myself anymore for the S-tronic. I'm hoping I will be chuffed with my purchase baring in mind I'm coming from a 2005 Mondeo !!!
I'm in a loaner manual A6 2.0 and it's fine. Clutch is nicely weighted and the box shifts slickly. My usual driver is a B7 RS4 with a nice short throw box. The manual A6 stacks up very well IMO.

[Stan82]

Thats a nice Easter present!! Received email today telling me my A6 Avant has been brought forward from build week 24 to build week 18!!!!! i.e. the end of this month !!!