[Optic]

Hi All,

I am just a day or two away from ordering an Eos 147TSI DSG with the works.

I am getting the Eos Individual Package and I am a bit confused about the gear shift paddles. Apparently if I order the gear shift paddles I will lose the steering wheel that the Individual Package comes with. I've been told that by ordering the gear shift paddles it is actually a complete change of the steering wheel (rather than just adding paddles to the existing wheel) and that VW do not make the Individual Package wheel with paddles.

Therefore if you buy the paddles you go back to the normal wheel and you take the Individual Package wheel home to display on a wall.

Can anyone confirm whether this is true??

Thanks!
Optic

 

[Darren]

When I first looked at the Eos in 2007, the paddles were standard on the Sport and Lux 2.0T editions here in the US. I tried them and thought they were ok. When I bought my 2008, the only way to get paddles was on a 3.2 and I didn't want that engine. Now that I've lived with my Eos for the past 15 months, I don't miss the paddles at all. I think the DSG is great as is and think most of the time it does a better job shifting than I'd do if I did it manually....rarely do I tip it over to the manumatic. Sometimes (rarely) I use Sport mode just to play, but the gas mileage really does down as the revs are high. I, personally, would put "paddle money" elsewhere. We don't get the Individual model here in the US, but I think the seats are really nice looking!

 

[row5is]

As Darren says, the paddles were standard on the VR6 so I got them. The nicest part about the paddles is that you can use them without moving the gear shift in the "manual" mode. This is great for when I want to pass on the highway, just downshift with the paddles and I don't have to hit the gas hard to force a downshift.

Not sure what you would lose with different steering wheel besides the differnt color stitching.

Rob

 

[abo]

In the UK the paddle shifts come with the multi-function steering wheel, so you have to upgrade the wheel to get the paddles (at least this was the case in 2007 when I bought mine). The extra features on the multi-function wheel are worth it though. I hardly ever use the paddles as the DSG box is so good.

 

[Optic]

In Australia where I am buying it there does not seem to be any standard wheel or multi-function wheel. Whether this is an Australian thing, or it is just how the Eos is in 09 I am not sure.

We can buy the car with or without paddles (in both cases it is still the multi-function wheel). Buying the car with paddles actually changes the wheel.

My dilemna is that I am purchasing the Eos Individual Package (not sure if this is Aus specific or not) - part of this package is a nicer wheel with stitching that matches the seat leather. If I want to get the paddles then I lose this wheel as they do not manufacture the "individual" wheel with paddles.

...if that makes sense.

 

[Z-man]

I know that the DSG transmission is one of the best "manu-matics" out there, but I guess I'm old school - if I want to do any shifting myself, I prefer to have a third pedal on the floor, thank you very much....

Paddles are for playing ping-pong, not for driving!

-Z-man.

 

[row5is]

I know that the DSG transmission is one of the best "manu-matics" out there, but I guess I'm old school - if I want to do any shifting myself, I prefer to have a third pedal on the floor, thank you very much....

Paddles are for playing ping-pong, not for driving!

-Z-man.

I agree, there is nothing like having a clutch...The manual mode of the DSG is not at all like driving a manual. There is a little relearning to do, in fact, it took me a while to force myself not to let up on the accelerator when I shifted.

It is, however, nice to have on those winding, hilly roads where Drive is too sedate and Sport is just a little too agressive. (But I would still prefer to have that clutch.)

Rob

 

[tortoise]

I might have one EOS steering wheel (w/o the air bag) for sale, complete with the buttons and paddle shift. Let me know if anyone wants it

 

[lanmarc]

Hi Optic.

Australia doesn't get the base/luxury/sport models that most of the rest of the world gets.
VW Australia decided to only offer a single model, which is a mix of luxury and sports, with a choice of only the 2.0TDI and 2.0TSI engines.
DSG, multi-function steering wheel, sports seats, climate control, 17" alloys, parking sensors, heated foldable mirrors, rain sensing wipers etc are standard; everything else is optional.
And, as far as I am aware, shift paddles were never available.

 

[Optic]

Hi lanmarc,

And, as far as I am aware, shift paddles were never available.

The paddles are definitely available. You only have to visit the VW Australian website and download the brochure to see them listed an a dealer fitted accessory.

In the end I decided to order my Eos without the paddles. I was going to lose the "individual wheel" and I do not think I would have used the paddles anyway.

I bought pretty much every other option though.

Cheers,
Optic

 

[Darren]

I just had a 2008 Passat 2.0T as a service loaner. It had paddles. I played with them, but reaffirmed that I really don't mind not having them in my Eos. I think the DSG does a great job on its own without me interfering.

 

[Eosman]

My last car, an Audi A3, had paddles. I thought they were rather cool and where a bit of a talking point when demonstrating the car to friends. To be honest the novelty wore off VERY quickly. When doing a quick overtake I would get confused as to how many times I should 'paddle' and found it quicker to floor the throttle or shift into sport.

My Eos was 'pre loved' and doesn't have paddles and although I don't miss 'em I think I would have them if I bought new because I love gizmos.

Sad or what.