When downshifting I'll put the clutch in, into neutral, small blip of the throttle (clutch still in) then into gear then clutch out. (done as a sequence with no pauses inbetween actions).

When coming to a stop I'll usually just coast in neutral or come almost to a complete stop then clutch in.

When downshifting with brakes I'll do what's done above except I gently use the brakes while I'm clutching out.

 

.... turbo noob question: what's happening with the turbo during downshifting/engine compression braking? Anything unusual/bad/negative?

Obviously exhaust gas is still passing through it, but is the ECU doing anything specifically to slow it down? If so, how is the ECU detecting "your desire" to decelerate? ... guess I'm bleeding into engine management a bit here....

 

The turbo's still spinning, but the compressed air is making its way out through the pressure release valve (blow off valve or BOV) which is usually open when decelerating due to uneven pressure in the intercooler pipes before the throttle body, and the inlet manifold.

 

No, it's better to shift into neutral then break. It's cheaper to replace breakpads then it is to replace the transmission