advantage and disadvantage DSG

advantage DSG

• The DSG from Volkswagen allows quick, smooth gear changes with the ease of an automatic transmission.
• The fuel consumption of cars with a DSG is sometimes lower than that of models with a manual transmission (depending on driving style).
• The manual gear selection option can also deliver sporty driving pleasure if desired and can be operated using the rocker switches on the steering wheel.

disadvantage DSG

• Achieving maximum acceleration or hill climbing, while avoiding engine speeds higher than a certain limit (e.g. 3000 or 4000 RPM), is difficult since it requires avoiding triggering the kick-down-switch. Avoiding triggering the kick-down-switch requires a good feel of the throttle pedal, but use of full throttle can still be achieved with a little sensitivity as the kick-down button is only activated beyond the normal full opening of the accelerator pedal. 
• Marginally worse overall mechanical efficiency compared to a conventional manual transmission, especially on wet-clutch variants (due to electronics and hydraulic systems).
• Expensive specialist transmission fluids/lubricants with dedicated additives are required, which need regular changes.
• Relatively expensive to manufacture and therefore increases new vehicle purchase price.
• Relatively lengthy shift time when shifting to a gear ratio which the transmission ECU did not anticipate (around 1100 ms, depending on the situation).
• Torque handling capability constraints perceive a limit on after-market engine tuning modifications (though many tuners and users have now greatly exceeded the official torque limits). Later variants have been fitted to more powerful cars, such as the 300bhp/350Nm VW R36.
• Heavier than a comparable Getrag conventional manual transmission (75 kg (170 lb) vs. 47.5 kg (105 lb)).
• Mechatronic units in earlier models are prone to problems and requires replacement units