At least for a non-tdi diesel engine the 5 speed gearing is a benefit
for sure. The close 3/4/5 gearing is great for grades and headwinds. It
lets you hold higher speeds in varying conditions. Whether it outweighs
the more cumbersome shift pattern is another question and the type of
actual usage along with engine power band would be a consideration in
that calculation. If you have the correct front shifter to go with it
the pattern isn't as cumbersome and you certainly can get used to it
fairly quickly. I have been driving my recently converted 84 Westy that
has a 1.9 diesel with 5 speed. I don't use low every time I start off as
the clumsy 1st gear position combined with the lower than usual 1st gear
means I don't need or want to. I did not install the 5spd front shifter
yet as I am experimenting with how necessary I will find that to be. I
have a few more 5 speeds of different models and not enough 5 speed
shifters to go around so I want to see if I can be happy using the stock
4 speed front shifter or will have to modify it in some way or switch to
the 5 speed stuff. The problem for me is I have several vans I use
frequently so when I switch from a 4 speed van to the 5 speed one I have
to remember which I am in and the cumbersome shift pattern is not
natural to me each time yet. The gearing is a good match though with
1.9NA, DX 5 spd.

Mark

ralph meyermann wrote:
> A taller second and third would be nice
>
>