Interesting discussion on the gearbox. Have to say I don't have the same issues. Eco is sedate if I drive it normally, but it makes for a lovely quite and smooth drive. I guess it also maximizes economy, and the engine has so much low down torque that it carries the tall gearing very well. When it hits a hill etc, mine doesn't hesitate to drop down 2 or 3 gears. All I have to do in Eco mode to get hustling is put my foot down. It'll drop down any number of gears it thinks I need to take off like a scalded cat! It will just take a moment to do it.
Manual gear changes are fast, definitely faster than VWs I've owned and/or driven recently (Mk5, 6 GTi, R32, Tiguan, B7 Passat - yes I have been a bit of a VW tragic over the years). I do agree that Sport mode does hang in there a bit too long, but other than that, it transforms the car. One of the first runs I did through the twisties, I left it in sport mode just to see what it would do. For most of the time it was great (backing off and then accelerating, backing off etc.). Only on the longer in-between straights when accelerating hard, I found that I ran out revs as it wanted to keep near max rather than dropping into next gear, which reduced my top speed. So in these circumstances, I now normally drive in manual mode which works so well for me. I do switch off the ESP too. I find that helps, and while it doesn't completely turn the system off, it does give you a bit more headroom when cornering (gun16, depending on just how hard you are cornering, you may be experiencing the system subtly taking over and modifying your throttle control). Around town I do use Sport mode occasionally. If I'm not too heavy on the throttle it does change up, and again, the backing off and accelerating routine works a treat and I'm always in the right gear to take any evasive action that may be needed.
The other interesting feature that can be misinterpreted with the gearbox is the lag from a standing start. But evidently/allegedly, MB has done this deliberately to stop the shudder, jerkiness that is a common (and misunderstood characteristic) of DSGs when crawling and taking off. Seems MB have opted to set the clutches to take up quickly, rather than slipping as much as VWs do. The result is the slight lag between putting your foot down and the clutch engaging with the engine and driving. All my DSG's shuddered and carried on, but haven't had that at all with the MB, which is probably a good thing from a longevity point too.
But these are just my thoughts guys and probably don't mean squat at the end of the day
