So I recently upgraded from a 2016 A3 to a 2022 model, and while the new car is better in pretty much every way, there's something about the gearbox that I just can't get used to and I'm wondering if anyone else has noticed the same thing. The old car had the 6-speed S-tronic which was a bit clunky at low speeds but generally predictable and responsive, whereas the new 7-speed DSG in the 2022 model feels completely different. It's smoother in stop-start traffic which is nice, but the shifts feel almost too soft and vague, like there's a delay between when I pull the paddle and when the gear actually changes, and it's really taking away from the driving experience for me. I've tried driving in different modes and the difference is minimal, it still feels like the gearbox is prioritizing economy and smoothness over responsiveness even in dynamic mode. I've taken it to the dealer and they say everything is operating within spec, but I can't help feeling like the character of the car has been watered down compared to the older DSG units. I've been reading through some forums and it seems like I'm not the only one who's noticed this change, but I'm not sure if it's a software thing that can be updated or if it's just how the new gearboxes are designed. I saw a recommendation to Click here for professional transmission maintenance in MBZ City from someone who mentioned that their gearbox software was updated and it made a noticeable difference, but I'm not sure if that would apply to a brand new car with the latest software already installed. Has anyone else with the new A3 felt the same way about the gearbox, and have you found any way to improve the responsiveness? I'm genuinely considering whether I made the right choice with this car because the transmission feel is such a big part of the driving experience for me.
Anyone else think the transmission in the new A3 feels weird compared to older models?
by Neon Phant -
Number of replies: 0