[skyking]

I've had 3 MkIV ALH manuals, and we have a '13 MkVI Beetle DSG.
Total mileage driven on the ALHs is 570,000 miles across the 3, all on the original engines. We drove about 1/2 of it.
I accelerate rather rapidly, because the money is in getting to speed and into the proper gear for economy. Lingering along in the poor economy mode is not best practice, and the engines are happy to go!
Typically shift around 3K until I get to steady state, and look for around 2K steady state. If the load is lower, the RPM can be lower.
I use a scangauge to help out with technique.
My wife's DSG, well it's a DSG. I let it do its thing, and still drive smartly to get to steady state.