Question for tame tech / S tronic boffins
Discussion
Question for tame technician or any S tronic boffins!
Can anyone advise how reliable these gearboxes are? I have heard some horror stories including Audi not approving warranty claims unless the box has been serviced every 40k at main dealer.
They are great fun to drive, but are they best avoided?
Can anyone advise how reliable these gearboxes are? I have heard some horror stories including Audi not approving warranty claims unless the box has been serviced every 40k at main dealer.
They are great fun to drive, but are they best avoided?
Which S-Tronic box? There are quite a few iterations of them now.
The earliest (in A3 and TT 3.2s) I've seen a few fail (mechatronics) which is an expensive fix.
I've not seen one in a 2.0T/TDI A3/Golf go wrong.
I've not seen one in a 3.0T/TDI go wrong.
For the most part I see cars that are between 2 and 7 years old so if something is wearing/failing commonly we tend to pick up on them.
No warranty will cover one that hasn't been taken care of properly and the oil intervals are indeed 40k.
The earliest (in A3 and TT 3.2s) I've seen a few fail (mechatronics) which is an expensive fix.
I've not seen one in a 2.0T/TDI A3/Golf go wrong.
I've not seen one in a 3.0T/TDI go wrong.
For the most part I see cars that are between 2 and 7 years old so if something is wearing/failing commonly we tend to pick up on them.
No warranty will cover one that hasn't been taken care of properly and the oil intervals are indeed 40k.
Dr G said:
Which S-Tronic box? There are quite a few iterations of them now.
The earliest (in A3 and TT 3.2s) I've seen a few fail (mechatronics) which is an expensive fix.
I've not seen one in a 2.0T/TDI A3/Golf go wrong.
I've not seen one in a 3.0T/TDI go wrong.
For the most part I see cars that are between 2 and 7 years old so if something is wearing/failing commonly we tend to pick up on them.
No warranty will cover one that hasn't been taken care of properly and the oil intervals are indeed 40k.
It's a 2008 2.0TDI 170 S tronic. It's got 41k and the gearbox hasn't been done. The main dealer says they will service the box and it'll be covered by the warranty. However I am suspicious a claim would be backed by Audi if the mega tronic / entire gearbox failed?The earliest (in A3 and TT 3.2s) I've seen a few fail (mechatronics) which is an expensive fix.
I've not seen one in a 2.0T/TDI A3/Golf go wrong.
I've not seen one in a 3.0T/TDI go wrong.
For the most part I see cars that are between 2 and 7 years old so if something is wearing/failing commonly we tend to pick up on them.
No warranty will cover one that hasn't been taken care of properly and the oil intervals are indeed 40k.
Dr G said:
1,000 miles isn't the be all and end all; ask for a headed paper from the dealer to state that they'll treat the car the same as one that had the gearbox oil done at 40 on the nose.
In my experience Audi are quite reasonable when it comes to warranty work.
Thanks. That's good to know. In my experience Audi are quite reasonable when it comes to warranty work.
Obviously the warranty is only for a year anyway and I wouldn't extend for £1300 PA.
How long do they last before they need replacing?
I want hassle free motoring. Should I avoid DSG?
For the most part we don't worry about them as long as they've had the 40k oil changes.
Seriously, the only problems we've seen lately are on very early 3.2s. RS6 tips, early 6 speed multis yes but DSG/S-Tronic usually fine.
Like absolutely any automatic it is a complicated piece of machinery and expensive to repair should you have a problem but they are by no means prevalent.
Seriously, the only problems we've seen lately are on very early 3.2s. RS6 tips, early 6 speed multis yes but DSG/S-Tronic usually fine.
Like absolutely any automatic it is a complicated piece of machinery and expensive to repair should you have a problem but they are by no means prevalent.
BE57 TOY said:
Question for tame technician or any S tronic boffins!
Can anyone advise how reliable these gearboxes are? I have heard some horror stories including Audi not approving warranty claims unless the box has been serviced every 40k at main dealer.
They are great fun to drive, but are they best avoided?
There is little point asking me TBH. I hate them, with a passion even when they are working correctly. Only good thing is the exhaust bark on full throttle upshift on the TTS & S3's.Can anyone advise how reliable these gearboxes are? I have heard some horror stories including Audi not approving warranty claims unless the box has been serviced every 40k at main dealer.
They are great fun to drive, but are they best avoided?
Drivability: They change up when they want, even in manual mode, if you go for a down shift and it thinks its not on, it wont let you have it, but then if the revs drop enough in the five or so secs since you asked it to it will then do the down shift when your not ready for it. Jerky in trafic etc.
That said the customers generally love them, and those that dont complain about the things I've listed above which are not faults, just limitations of the software.
Reliability: Mechatronics unit is the problem. (just google DSG mechatronics) Clutch packs can wear out if you are agressive and very very rarely the cooler can fill the box with antifreeze. Regarding mechatronics ALL the early ones 3.2TT were rubbish and there is a know bad batch of mechatronics units 2008-2009 ish but most of these have been change under warranty, outside of this batch they seem fairly reliable.
If yours fails outside of the used car warranty but under 5 years old, will highly likely get close to 100% goodwill, you may have to pay labour and the part be free, its to complicated to give a blanket figure. Beyond 5 years not sure where you would stand. Oil change was a big problem with warranty claims being rejected if it wasnt done on time, but I think these days its less of a problem.
I tell my friends if you want trouble free motoring get a manual, BUT when the clutch is worn out and it needs a flywheel at the same time thats almost the same cost as a mechatronics unit, so its swings and roundabouts as ever with modern complicated cars.
Ultimatly if you have driven and really like DSG then get one just be aware of the potential issues. If like me you dont like them, get a manual and feel and little smug, knowing what might happen, next time someone tells you their car does 0-60 half a second faster or is 2 seconds a lap quicker due to the DSG fast changes.
Tame Technician said:
There is little point asking me TBH. I hate them, with a passion even when they are working correctly. Only good thing is the exhaust bark on full throttle upshift on the TTS & S3's.
Drivability: They change up when they want, even in manual mode, if you go for a down shift and it thinks its not on, it wont let you have it, but then if the revs drop enough in the five or so secs since you asked it to it will then do the down shift when your not ready for it. Jerky in trafic etc.
That said the customers generally love them, and those that dont complain about the things I've listed above which are not faults, just limitations of the software.
Reliability: Mechatronics unit is the problem. (just google DSG mechatronics) Clutch packs can wear out if you are agressive and very very rarely the cooler can fill the box with antifreeze. Regarding mechatronics ALL the early ones 3.2TT were rubbish and there is a know bad batch of mechatronics units 2008-2009 ish but most of these have been change under warranty, outside of this batch they seem fairly reliable.
If yours fails outside of the used car warranty but under 5 years old, will highly likely get close to 100% goodwill, you may have to pay labour and the part be free, its to complicated to give a blanket figure. Beyond 5 years not sure where you would stand. Oil change was a big problem with warranty claims being rejected if it wasnt done on time, but I think these days its less of a problem.
I tell my friends if you want trouble free motoring get a manual, BUT when the clutch is worn out and it needs a flywheel at the same time thats almost the same cost as a mechatronics unit, so its swings and roundabouts as ever with modern complicated cars.
Ultimatly if you have driven and really like DSG then get one just be aware of the potential issues. If like me you dont like them, get a manual and feel and little smug, knowing what might happen, next time someone tells you their car does 0-60 half a second faster or is 2 seconds a lap quicker due to the DSG fast changes.
Thank you for this. Very much appreciated. I actually really like the DSG box - awesome when I am feeling playful and also a nice auto box when I'm on the commute. Drivability: They change up when they want, even in manual mode, if you go for a down shift and it thinks its not on, it wont let you have it, but then if the revs drop enough in the five or so secs since you asked it to it will then do the down shift when your not ready for it. Jerky in trafic etc.
That said the customers generally love them, and those that dont complain about the things I've listed above which are not faults, just limitations of the software.
Reliability: Mechatronics unit is the problem. (just google DSG mechatronics) Clutch packs can wear out if you are agressive and very very rarely the cooler can fill the box with antifreeze. Regarding mechatronics ALL the early ones 3.2TT were rubbish and there is a know bad batch of mechatronics units 2008-2009 ish but most of these have been change under warranty, outside of this batch they seem fairly reliable.
If yours fails outside of the used car warranty but under 5 years old, will highly likely get close to 100% goodwill, you may have to pay labour and the part be free, its to complicated to give a blanket figure. Beyond 5 years not sure where you would stand. Oil change was a big problem with warranty claims being rejected if it wasnt done on time, but I think these days its less of a problem.
I tell my friends if you want trouble free motoring get a manual, BUT when the clutch is worn out and it needs a flywheel at the same time thats almost the same cost as a mechatronics unit, so its swings and roundabouts as ever with modern complicated cars.
Ultimatly if you have driven and really like DSG then get one just be aware of the potential issues. If like me you dont like them, get a manual and feel and little smug, knowing what might happen, next time someone tells you their car does 0-60 half a second faster or is 2 seconds a lap quicker due to the DSG fast changes.
I went to look at a 2009 170 DSG today at main stealer. It had 41k and was up at £14,850.
I was horrified when I looked underneath the car. I have taken pics and will upload if I can find out how to from an iPhone. Essentially it looked like it had been parked in the sea for the last 3 years.
The whole underside of the car was rotten. Everything. Awful!
The search continues.
Tame Techncian, thanks again.
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