Personally I went with a DSG because of traffic, specifically back-ups in construction zones and other traffic jams which are unfortunately very common in my area and most of Germany as well. Dealing with a 45-minute commute where 15-minutes is bumper to bumper stop and go through road work get's a bit tiresome with a manual transmission. Same thoughts for cross country road trips where toll lanes tend to back up in summer. The Gotthard tunnel has routinely backed up for an hour or more since it's only one lane in each direction through the tunnel.

Traffic queues at the northern entrance to Switzerland’s Gotthard Tunnel can reach 14 km as people head south for their holidays.

 

I have a Mk2 TTRS with a MT. That was my preference, and it's the only option in the US, anyway. I like the transmission and don't find it to be too notchy - but that's my personal opinion. If you're concerned about cost to maintain and repair, and RS car is going to require a premium as compared to the non-RS variant.

Although the TTRS will be more expensive to repair than a non-RS TT, mine hasn't been any less reliable so far. The only issue I've had is my recent low pressure fuel system stuff (which is in another thread) - but this can also happen to other TTs, though the parts aren't as expensive to replace. Do be aware that the magride shocks will eventually fail on the TTRS, like they do on other Audis, and those are expensive to replace. I did the job myself for the rear, but the shocks plus caps were $800 each. I haven't needed to replace the fronts yet.

 

Can someone give me a rough idea of how much a major service is going to cost (engine+DSG+Haldex)?

I just had my TT MOT'd serviced and I asked for prices for doing the Haldex and DSG. Note may be different for the TTS but it will give you an idea. This is with an Audi indie not mainstream.

Service (Oil and filter) £150
Haldex (Oil only no filters) £150
S-tronic (Oil and filter) £300

I did get the transfer box and rear diff oils changed and that was an extra £180.

Needed two rear tyres for MOT, :-(, £190 plus the rear suspension arms are corroded, advisory, that's £530 with non genuine parts.

 

Why were the Haldex filters not included...? Hopefully your specifically requested them as part of the service.

 

I only asked for a price and they quote what Audi has in the schedule. I know I need to ask for the filters to be included when I do get it done.

 

I suggest you try to test drive one to get a feel for the shifter/clutch in the "MT"--everyone's opinions will vary so better to see for yourself.

DSG vs. clutch pedal is a debate that will rage on forever, lol; but, in the end all it really comes down to is personal preference. If you want the clutch pedal car, buy the clutch pedal car.

As a note, the DSGs tend to be better in terms of reception to power upgrades. Stock clutches seem to need upgrading, when you tune/modify the engine, much earlier than do the DSG boxes. If you are planning on modding there is that to consider. Of course with the potential of the RS engine...if you're shooting for like 800hp+ then you're going to have to upgrade the DSG as well, if you had one. But in lesser-but-greater-than-stock power upgrades with the clutch car, you'll find yourself needing to upgrade that earlier on, while the DSG will handle more output left untouched.

I'm not sure where it is the RS clutch needs upgrading but on the 2.0T cars, you usually need to upgrade the clutch probably anything past 300lb*ft; whereas the DSG is good out to 400lb*ft without issues most of the time. (These are not the same clutch or DSG as in the RS so the output levels are going to be different, but just an example of what I mean.)

As you say the DSG requires more frequent services, so there is that cost to consider, though it really isn't that expensive an operation to do every 40-50k kms or whatever it is on the RS/DQ500.

 

Thank you all for the useful info, much appreciated.

I'm certainly going to test drive the car before buying, but there are so few here that I don't think I'll be able to test both MT and DSG. That's why I wanted to know more about them. I guess I could find a DSG TTS more easily, so that could help making a decision.

Is there a TT RS schedule I can check? I think I've found one here in the forum but it was for several models and I struggled to understand what would apply.
I can afford the car and unforeseen repairs, but sportcars are already a money pit and I want to make a conscious decision.

 

Why do people like the DSG so much?

This is my second TT, my first was a MT 3,2 V6 which I loved but then it was an insurance write off for me. So I went for my current one. Advertised as a MT but when I went to see it I found it was actually the DSG.
Not really bias one way or the other but as SJP mentioned, it gets on with it while you just concentrate on the driving. It really is a smooth ride too. Even when you are heavy with the go pedal.

If you really want more self control, you can use the flaps on the wheel or even the stick.

 

It looks like most people recommend the DSG over the MT. I like "operating" the car so I was looking for a MT. Why do people like the DSG so much?

I had a manual in my first TT (Mk1, 225hp Quattro) and I found that I had to be out of first gear and into 2nd within a couple of seconds of setting off. It was a pain, and setting off in 2nd was slow. Changed to current car with dsg and all that is taken care of - it changes gear so fast! And those dsg-farts are glorious!

 

MT on my Mk2 TT was fine, not notchy at all 🤷‍♂️

I'm not a fan of burble and farts. I saw a video on YT and didn't like it, but I'd want to hear it in person to judge. By the way, is there an exhaust flap that can be open/closed or a different mode that makes those farts? Just so when I get to drive it I know to test in the right mode.

 

I didn’t find it notchy - just had to be on the gear stick full-time with just one hand to steer!
DSG farts just happen, when giving it some welly. No flap on the regular TT.
No burbling or drone, just a nice quiet note with a fart that lasts about a quarter of a second.

 

The RS has a shorter throw from factory. With metal aftermarket bushings all round the shift is really very nice and positive. A full gear oil change can make things smoother too if there’s a detectable problem. It is a box that doesn’t like being rushed and slammed into gear, the syncros won’t thank you.

Apart from front brakes, servicing would be no more than any other Quattro TT. S-tronic is great if you’re in slow moving stop start traffic and would give slightly more MPG as it has 7 gears and lower road tax (here in the UK) and has launch control but really apart from that there’s not a lot in it. 99% of the time I just stick it in auto and waft about where’s as in the manual you actually work for the speed which is nice for a change.

 

I've owned two Mk2 TT RS in the U.K.: a 2012 registration car with a manual box which I sold 3 years ago and, more recently a 2014 TTRS Plus with a DSG box, which I sold 18 months ago. For comparison, since 2016 I've owned and still own a re-mapped 2002 TT225 (with the BAM engine) and a blue Haldex uprated diff. The latter basically puts the car into permanent 4WD when on throttle as opposed to the standard car which (dangerously in the wet?) flits between 2 and four wheel drive.
As far as I'm aware, the more powerful U.K. 'Plus' model is the same spec. as the U.S. stock model, but I may be wrong. I read that as Audi didn't have suitably strong saloon manual box to handle the RS torque when introduced in 2009, a van box was used instead. Certainly that made sense as I found the manual box to be clunky with a high clutch pedal. By comparison the Mk1 TT 6 speed manual is very sweet: slick with a short throw when warmed and just an extension of my arm and the car of myself.
Generally I've always preferred a manual box, but the flexible DSG suits the RS Plus very well: leave it in auto if you're feeling lazy, drop a gear on the steering paddles if you're looking for a fast, safe overtake, or better still knock it into sport and fly. No manual can match the speed of the DSG change. Alternatively, push the stick across to the left for manual sequential up and down changes. In my view preferable to the steering wheel paddles as they (stupidly?) move with the steering wheel. The downside is that without a clutch pedal and instead a sequential change, then one can't move across the 'gate' skipping a gear, say from 5th to 3rd.
At the end of the day I still preferred the Mk 1 with it's modified map producing circa 270 bhp, pushing out circa 280 lbs foot of torque to the uprated 4WD, the precise, smooth gear change and with a much smaller footprint on the road. The Mk2 just felt big by comparison and never gave those 'fits like a glove', 'part of the machine' sensations, and - not needing two TT's, I said goodbye to the RS Plus. However, the newer MK3 RS from 2015 looks a different animal than the MK2 and I might one day be tempted.

 

The 3.2 VR6 + DSG has been a really nice combination and at nearly 160k km it's been a pleasure to own. I had only one issue early on where there was a slight, almost imperceptible 'thump' between 2nd and 3rd right as I accelerated past 50kph. I had the DSG fluid and filter changed (along with the Haldex and Final Drive) and the problem went away. I've stayed on top of the maintenance schedule and it's never returned. Personally I've found the 3.2 VR6 has been a very reliable engine with plenty of power and acceleration with none of the turbo or direct injection issues common to the 4 or 5 cylinder engines.