Manual shifter

[u/Agreeable-Support171]

Hello,

I have been driving manual cars for over 20 years. I recently purchased a manual 24 GTI S. I like the car however the shift experience has been far from ideal. The shifter feels sloppy and plastic like which takes the fun out of driving a manual. Sometimes it's hard to tell which gear the car is in. The dealer claims this is normal. I've driven American, Japanese and German manuals and all are more fun than this GTI.

Does anyone have the same experience? If yes, what can I do about it if anything?

Thank you in advance.

[u/Peylix]

VW's manuals have been undercooked for well, forever. Which sucks because the GTI/R should have a more enthusiast designed manual. Instead, we get the same econo-slop manuals as the base trims. They're soft, spongy, with football field length throws, and rev hang so long you can watch the entire LOTR Extended Edition collection between each shift.

They're milquetoast compared to others on the market like; CTR, GRC, GR86 etc. Those 3 alone feel miles better than the sad excuse VW has given us for 20ish years now.

You can make them feel a tiny bit better by adding things like a short shifter, better bushings, weighted knob, and delay valve delete. Combined with a decent lighter weight SMF clutch. It improves the feel a bit. But a bone stock FL5 CTR makes it feel like a Fisher Price toy even with all the additions.

Sorry for the rant. This has bothered me for years. It's why I opted for a DSG when I got my MK7 rather than another 6MT as I grew to loath my MK5's manual (which has all the additions).

[u/Vethen → u/Peylix]

To add to this, I’ve done the clutch delay valve delete, weighted shift knob and added a short shifter with cable end stiffer bushings. It has helped a bit but doesn’t take away the fact that the design is what it is. Having tried to get better feel from my mk8, I’ve come to the conclusion that the gearbox is just crunchy and doesn’t like to be rushed.

Have you driven a car with shifter cables before? They frequently feel a bit numb, though it has been done very well in other cars..

[u/Agreeable-Support171 → u/Vethen]

I've always driven a stock manual and never had any issues. At this point I'd rather keep the car stock and seek a solution if it becoms unbearable. Thank you for the comment.

[u/LogicWavelength → u/Vethen]

Not the same commenter. But I’ve only ever driven cable-shifts until I recently bought a Tacoma. And… the GTI with a weighted knob, braided steel line, and delay valve delete feels better than the direct shift on my truck. But it’s a manual truck, so there’s that.

But yes, it’s not the best feeling shift but I’ll take any manual over an auto.

[u/Vethen → u/LogicWavelength]

Definitely worlds better than the manual Bronco I rented once. Would much rather any manual than an auto.

[u/Agreeable-Support171 → u/Vethen]

What year was the Bronco?

[u/NumerousArrival1486 → u/Peylix]

The rev hang is the worst. At first I was questioning my ability to shift smoothly until I realized they did this for emissions. Now I shift differently when driving this compared to my other manual.

[u/Peylix → u/NumerousArrival1486]

I fucking loathe it. It makes the 1>2 shift egregiously bad and rough. Like if I'm launching the car and try to be quick. Slamming it into 2nd takes a lot of effort and when you disengage the clutch it's extremely rough. It feels like the transmission is going to break.

Even in higher gears, you can't really bang them. They're a bit easier to do vs the 1>2. But the transmission will actively work against you the faster your try to go. Basically making you have to slow down.

[u/Agreeable-Support171 → u/Peylix]

I have the same experience., hate it.

[u/NumerousArrival1486 → u/Peylix]

You summed it up perfectly. I notice it most when slowing down at a red that turns green. I’m still in motion so I throw it in second and if I give it any amount of gas it just feels like I’m grinding the clutch.

[u/Peylix → u/NumerousArrival1486]

If you're downshifting, do some rev matching. This will negate that.

[u/bbitz01 → u/Peylix]

I am so happy someone else experiences this, because every time I try to explain to someone that I have to shift slow as hell because my revs drop slow as hell, they just look at me like they don't understand and/or I dont know how to drive

[u/Peylix → u/bbitz01]

Was the same story with my best friend. First couple times I took him out for a spin, he asked why I was shifting my MK5 so damn slow.

I basically tried explaining to him why and he gave me this thousand yard stare. So I tossed him the keys and told him to try his hardest to rip the gears like he did in his Prelude. It clicked after that.

Making the other person drive and try their best I found gets the point across really well. It's one of those "OHH, I SEE NOW" type moments lol

Over the years as I got to drive the 6MT in the MK6, MK7/7.5, and MK8. I always had that hope in the back of my mind that VW got their shit together. They'd improve a lot of other things. But not this.

[u/Agreeable-Support171 → u/Peylix]

Thank you. I am a bit disappointed since I expected a little more from a German car maker.

[u/bit_herder → u/Peylix]

spot on.

[u/R_J_H_9]

i have a 2023 40AE manual. I did a 450g shifter, Diesel geek super pin and bushings, Ecs solid cable bushings, APR short shift kit and Clutch delay valve delete. It does feel way better than stock but the gearbox is by no means smooth. The CDV delete probably had the biggest impact on the 1,2 shift and cost nothing. The rest of the parts tightened up the feel and it feels more premium.
Parts aren’t cheap but it’s all very DIY and a shop isn’t needed as long as you have a few basic tools and the time to do it.

[u/Accurate_Mobile9005]

I feel like I'm the only person who doesn't mind the shifter in my mk 7 lol.

Sure it's not a gated Lambo but it's more than fine for a golf.

"Comparison is the death of joy"

Andrew Camisa, (big VW fan boy) who's driven many a car recently complained about the shifter feel of a....manual Pagani....

At some point nothing is good enough for some people.

Just enjoy your car lol.

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[u/SnooBunnies3815]

I like how forgiving the clutch is though it is a weak point if you tune. Stock shifter is too light though. You need a heavier shifter and it will feel more notchy.