DSG reliability

[decadent]

Glosphil said:

BE57 TOY said:

Is he more concerned about MPG. I just picked up an A3 2.0TDI last Wednesday with DSG and I'm averaging 26mpg

I have a Skoda Octavia vRS DSG with the 170hp version of that engine and over 3,500 miles it has averaged 47mpg (calculated NOT from dash readout). There is something wrong with your car, or the driver :-)

Same experience except in a Leon 170ps CR DSG - 55mpg when very steady, 45-47 normal, 40-42 on country road blasts (but not totally ragging it). These are all average computer read outs, long term average on the car is 46mpg and when I do calcuate tank to tank it's around that figure so it can't be that out.

I've had mine for nearly 2 years and haven't had a problem. Sometimes sounds a little "mechanically" when pootling at low speed i.e. in a car park but no actual problems mechnically with it.

I hope to keep the car long term, intially slightly worried about longevity but that was mostly down to internet scare stories.

Get one, they're great.

[lambada]

Have VW managed to solve the problems with the 7 speed gearbox? I know they started using mineral instead of synthetic oil but not sure if this was enough to make them reliable. Contemplating getting a brand new Golf 1.4 TSi 122 PS with this gearbox.

[BE57 TOY]

lambada said:

Have VW managed to solve the problems with the 7 speed gearbox? I know they started using mineral instead of synthetic oil but not sure if this was enough to make them reliable. Contemplating getting a brand new Golf 1.4 TSi 122 PS with this gearbox.

Assuming the Golf has the same range of engines as the A3, interested to know why you would choose the 122 over the 1.4 150 PS with cylinder on demand? (Only ask as I am thinking about a new A3 and not sure which engine to go for!!)

[lambada]

BE57 TOY said:

Assuming the Golf has the same range of engines as the A3, interested to know why you would choose the 122 over the 1.4 150 PS with cylinder on demand? (Only ask as I am thinking about a new A3 and not sure which engine to go for!!)

It's because the 150 PS is not available where I live.

[FuryExocet]

I hope there's no issues, I'm picking up a 2009 Octavia Vrs tomorrow

[Campo]

I know 2 people with 7 speed dry clutch DSG boxes, both have had new clutch packs under warranty for juddering.

I have the 6 speed wet clutch DSG and so far so good.

[va1o]

6-speed here and still going strong, 97.5k miles on it. I really don't think I could go back to a Manual as its such a brilliant gearbox and just transforms the car.

[IainT]

BE57 TOY said:

lambada said:

Have VW managed to solve the problems with the 7 speed gearbox? I know they started using mineral instead of synthetic oil but not sure if this was enough to make them reliable. Contemplating getting a brand new Golf 1.4 TSi 122 PS with this gearbox.

Assuming the Golf has the same range of engines as the A3, interested to know why you would choose the 122 over the 1.4 150 PS with cylinder on demand? (Only ask as I am thinking about a new A3 and not sure which engine to go for!!)

We pick up out new A3 with the 1.4 CoD engine this weekend. Only reason I can see for not going with it would be the extra £800 up-front.

Test drove the 2.0TDI, 1.4 and 1.4 CoD and there wasn't much real-world difference betweent eh TDI and CoD. The lack of grunt in the cheaper 1.4 was noticeable though. Tax difference is minimal and the fuel efficiency likewise given you'd be unlikely to keep the car beyond 2 years if you're on finance.

It'll be our 3rd DSG car and no issues with the other two (06 TT and 2012 A5)

[IainT]

Campo said:

I know 2 people with 7 speed dry clutch DSG boxes, both have had new clutch packs under warranty for juddering.

How do you know which models have dry/wet?

[Campo]

I'm not 100% sure but I think the 6 speed have wet clutches and the 7 speed dry at least in VWs.

The two 7 speeds I know that needed clutch changes were a Mk6 Golf diesel and a late model Touran 1.2TSI

[IainT]

Campo said:

I'm not 100% sure but I think the 6 speed have wet clutches and the 7 speed dry at least in VWs.

The two 7 speeds I know that needed clutch changes were a Mk6 Golf diesel and a late model Touran 1.2TSI

Thanks, some lunchtime Googling in order I think. A5 has a 7-speed...

[BE57 TOY]

My DSG 6 speed (so wet?) was replaced at around 60k under warranty. The mechatronics unit was faulty.

[lambada]

IainT said:

Thanks, some lunchtime Googling in order I think. A5 has a 7-speed...

The 7-speed box fitted to the A5 must be different to the one in the Golf as the Golf's box isn't strong enough to handle an A5 engine's torque.


The 6-speed box seems to have a better reliability record than the 7-speed. Has anyone heard of 7-speed boxes that failed despite being filled with mineral oil.

[DJP]

If it's the dry clutch that fails, I can't see how the gearbox oil can make any difference.

[IainT]

lambada said:

IainT said:

Thanks, some lunchtime Googling in order I think. A5 has a 7-speed...

The 7-speed box fitted to the A5 must be different to the one in the Golf as the Golf's box isn't strong enough to handle an A5 engine's torque.


The 6-speed box seems to have a better reliability record than the 7-speed. Has anyone heard of 7-speed boxes that failed despite being filled with mineral oil.

Yeah, some research shows it's a 7-speed wet clutch in the A5 3.0TDi, no issues with the box on mine - behaves perfectly unlike the soon-to-be-gone TT's DSG which has a mind of it's own.

[SMB]

I think these are general guidelines that one can use , happy to be corrected but

6 Speed Wet clutch DSG used in FWD cars
- Recent cars have very few failures, ( although with thousands sold there will always be some, and the internet will be a prime place to moan),
- newer versions of the 6 spd FWD (probably around 2008-9 onwards) have learnt from failures in earlier iterations (2003-7)
- early cars ( TT was the first), had mainly Mechatronics issues, these can fixed outside the VW network now at less than £2k.

7 speed Dry Clutch FWD
- Some issues with clutches, and juddering - no visible solution other than new clutch packs, there are sw updates which may help older cars.
- Electrical failures causing lack of drive,these are part of recall to change oil to mineral ( to early to be sure, if this solves the issue)

Other implementations in RWD such as R8 or 7 speed from 2007 in Audi's. Currently not enough statistical evidence of failure I can see to make any comment, which may in itself be a good thing.

[liner33]

I have the 7 speed in my Fabia , ive also had the no drive issue but only twice in 10k , both times when shunting in a car parking space , it kinda drops into gear with a bang.

Also drive when pulling away can be jerky often resulting in a full gp style launch and wheelspin , bit embarrassing but that has as much to do with throttle delay as gearbox i think

Ive heard the 6 speeds are much better ie smoother and more reliable but i'm still happy with my 7 speed

[lambada]

Does the DSG box behave like a normal torque converter box when reversing uphill?

[SMB]

lambada said:

Does the DSG box behave like a normal torque converter box when reversing uphill?

I assume you mean will it hold and not roll?
By default no, you need hill hold as well fitted, and the brakes then hold until the transmission engages. Or at least for a few seconds after you lift you foot off the brakes. Early cars didn't have hill hold , most newer ones do.

It has to work this way otherwise the clutches will be constantly at biting point. Dsg is really a manual gearbox with electronically controlled clutch and gearshift. It happens to have a software programmed set of gear changes the can pretend to be an auto.

I suspect those that get the most out of dsg drive mostly in manual mode rather than auto, or at least flip into manual mode as required regularly.

[Glosphil]

SMB said:

I assume you mean will it hold and not roll?
By default no, you need hill hold as well fitted, and the brakes then hold until the transmission engages. Or at least for a few seconds after you lift you foot off the brakes. Early cars didn't have hill hold , most newer ones do.

It has to work this way otherwise the clutches will be constantly at biting point. Dsg is really a manual gearbox with electronically controlled clutch and gearshift. It happens to have a software programmed set of gear changes the can pretend to be an auto.

I suspect those that get the most out of dsg drive mostly in manual mode rather than auto, or at least flip into manual mode as required regularly.

You "suspect"? Does this mean you have never driven a DSG and hence are just guessing?

"drive mostly in manual mode", "flip into manual mode as required"? That would be required by the driver not by the gearbox. The DSG is quite capable of always being driven in Auto (Drive) mode. Although I make use of the manual mode (my car has the steering wheel 'paddles') I have two friends who have DSG and have never used manual mode. They still think it is a great gearbox and one is on his third DSG-equipped car. It is no more necessary to use manual mode on a DSG than on any other auto gearbox.