Most reliable gearbox in small/medium auto hatchback??
Discussion
Hi guys,
My girlfriend is needing to replace her 2007 automatic Mini Cooper on account of it cutting out whilst she's driving(!!) and various other faults that haven't been fixed after visits to at least 4 different garages (including a mini specialist).
She had an awful time with her first mini (2002 CVT transmission that lasted less than 2 months) and so is keen to steer clear of both minis and CVTs.
We have a budget of approximately £10k (give or take £1k), with most garages we've been to offering between £1 - 2k for the Mini (faults included). Needing a replacement asap, our current options are a 65 plate Suzuki Swift with 4 speed torque converter automatic (with overdrive) on 13000 miles or a 65 plate Skoda Fabia with 6 speed wet DSG on 16000 miles. I have heard that the 4 speed in the Swift is a little outdated but that the DSG in the Fabia is a little temperamental (especially at low speeds) and can be very expensive to fix.
Having spent going on for £2000 trying to salvage this seemingly impossible to repair Mini we are worried almost exclusively about reliability. No preference regarding how smooth gear changes are, how fast the car can accelerate through the gears etc, just wanting a car that we can rely on day after day for as long as possible. She will be driving approximately 30 minutes each way to work on predominantly A and B roads. Any experience with either of these cars or any suggestions of something similar?
TIA, much appreciated
My girlfriend is needing to replace her 2007 automatic Mini Cooper on account of it cutting out whilst she's driving(!!) and various other faults that haven't been fixed after visits to at least 4 different garages (including a mini specialist).
She had an awful time with her first mini (2002 CVT transmission that lasted less than 2 months) and so is keen to steer clear of both minis and CVTs.
We have a budget of approximately £10k (give or take £1k), with most garages we've been to offering between £1 - 2k for the Mini (faults included). Needing a replacement asap, our current options are a 65 plate Suzuki Swift with 4 speed torque converter automatic (with overdrive) on 13000 miles or a 65 plate Skoda Fabia with 6 speed wet DSG on 16000 miles. I have heard that the 4 speed in the Swift is a little outdated but that the DSG in the Fabia is a little temperamental (especially at low speeds) and can be very expensive to fix.
Having spent going on for £2000 trying to salvage this seemingly impossible to repair Mini we are worried almost exclusively about reliability. No preference regarding how smooth gear changes are, how fast the car can accelerate through the gears etc, just wanting a car that we can rely on day after day for as long as possible. She will be driving approximately 30 minutes each way to work on predominantly A and B roads. Any experience with either of these cars or any suggestions of something similar?
TIA, much appreciated
Avoid the DSG either wet or dry clutch IMO 
the Suzuki slush box may sound outdated but should be a sound design providing maintained , I prefer a proper auto over any of these other designs of auto manual hybrid style transmissions 
with the VAG stuff its not just the gearbox that gives grief but the Mechatronic kit too 
the Suzuki slush box may sound outdated but should be a sound design providing maintained , I prefer a proper auto over any of these other designs of auto manual hybrid style transmissions with the VAG stuff its not just the gearbox that gives grief but the Mechatronic kit too Sardonicus said:
Avoid the DSG either wet or dry clutch IMO the Suzuki slush box may sound outdated but should be a sound design providing maintained , I prefer a proper auto over any of these other designs of auto manual hybrid style transmissions with the VAG stuff its not just the gearbox that gives grief but the Mechatronic kit too
Hmm .. that does seem to be the general consensus on other threads! I’m sure both have the potential to be great but I’d be very nervous about the DSG given what I’ve read. Just wish the Swift was a 5 or 6 speed to help balance out the difference! test driving tonight, anything to look out for? the Suzuki slush box may sound outdated but should be a sound design providing maintained , I prefer a proper auto over any of these other designs of auto manual hybrid style transmissions with the VAG stuff its not just the gearbox that gives grief but the Mechatronic kit too I know quite a few people with DSG dailys and no issues, my dad's last two cars have been DSG too...again, no problems.
IMO if you're just a normal person driving normally....I cant really see there being any real concerns.
That said, for just lazing about in traffic etc I'd probably still prefer a proper auto.
Look to Japanese, Toyota, or not sure of some smaller Volvo's would be worth looking at, or if they have been badly contaminated by French or other Euro scrap
Volvo V40 or something ? Toyota Corolla etc ?
Or even likes of a Ford Focus probably wouldnt be too unreasonable.
IMO if you're just a normal person driving normally....I cant really see there being any real concerns.
That said, for just lazing about in traffic etc I'd probably still prefer a proper auto.
Look to Japanese, Toyota, or not sure of some smaller Volvo's would be worth looking at, or if they have been badly contaminated by French or other Euro scrap
Volvo V40 or something ? Toyota Corolla etc ?
Or even likes of a Ford Focus probably wouldnt be too unreasonable.
Edited by stevieturbo on Thursday 27th September 19:44
Well Stevie I'm on the tools and I would avoid DSG ...... just saying 
and I work on everything not just VAG stuff , the mechatronic failure on the 7 speed unit for example as nothing to do with service history or how its used for example and I have seen 2 of these, the last one with 38k miles and will leave you on the side of the road , like I say I cant recommend as clever as they are although I feel 7 speeds on a 1.6tdi is just plain ridiculous
and I work on everything not just VAG stuff , the mechatronic failure on the 7 speed unit for example as nothing to do with service history or how its used for example and I have seen 2 of these, the last one with 38k miles and will leave you on the side of the road , like I say I cant recommend as clever as they are although I feel 7 speeds on a 1.6tdi is just plain ridiculous Edited by Sardonicus on Wednesday 26th September 22:21
We have a Swift automatic with the 4 speed slushbox, but the slightly older model with the 1.5 petrol which my partner runs about in and I have had all three generations of Fabia but as manuals.
The Swift is a very, very tough and reliable car and feels a lot more durable than the Fabias. Our Swift is knocking on 100k and still feels as tight as a drum. The gearbox is very smooth but it is quite heavy on fuel for a small car (does about 35mpg), however the newer 1.2 is a lot better.
If you want the car that's most likely to be reliable for longer then choose the Suzuki. To be honest, the Fabia would probably be fine but I would go for the Suzuki, as much as I love my Fabia I just don't have much confidence in the long term reliability of double clutch gearboxes.
However both are fantastic cars and you wouldn't be disappointed with either. They're both roomy enough, well appointed and great to drive.
The Swift is a very, very tough and reliable car and feels a lot more durable than the Fabias. Our Swift is knocking on 100k and still feels as tight as a drum. The gearbox is very smooth but it is quite heavy on fuel for a small car (does about 35mpg), however the newer 1.2 is a lot better.
If you want the car that's most likely to be reliable for longer then choose the Suzuki. To be honest, the Fabia would probably be fine but I would go for the Suzuki, as much as I love my Fabia I just don't have much confidence in the long term reliability of double clutch gearboxes.
However both are fantastic cars and you wouldn't be disappointed with either. They're both roomy enough, well appointed and great to drive.
My other half was in this position in July. Her Golf auto was knackered.
I picked her up an Audi A1 TFSI 1.4 S-Line for £8.5k on 55k miles with the auto.
It's a good car. Has similar sizing to the Mini, but slightly bigger boot and much higher quality cabin. Gearbox has had no issues in the time we've had it and is a little bit sporty when you put the foot down. 7 gears and getting around 45mpg on it (traffic commuting and short journeys about town). I liked it so much I got an S1.
See if she likes one of these perhaps?
I picked her up an Audi A1 TFSI 1.4 S-Line for £8.5k on 55k miles with the auto.
It's a good car. Has similar sizing to the Mini, but slightly bigger boot and much higher quality cabin. Gearbox has had no issues in the time we've had it and is a little bit sporty when you put the foot down. 7 gears and getting around 45mpg on it (traffic commuting and short journeys about town). I liked it so much I got an S1.
See if she likes one of these perhaps?
Thanks for all the replies - really appreciate it!
We test drove the Suzuki last night and it felt much better than I expected. Slightly slower to get going than the Mini was but smooth in the gear changes and happy to plug along on both the slower and faster roads. Very agile handling too which is great and a high spec like the Mini was so not too much of a sacrifice.
The dealership offered £2k for the Mini (faults included) so we p/ex’d and got the Swift for £6995 including 12 month warranty. Pretty happy with our choice given that most of what I have read seems to back up our selection. VERY happy to be seeing the back of that Mini!
We test drove the Suzuki last night and it felt much better than I expected. Slightly slower to get going than the Mini was but smooth in the gear changes and happy to plug along on both the slower and faster roads. Very agile handling too which is great and a high spec like the Mini was so not too much of a sacrifice.
The dealership offered £2k for the Mini (faults included) so we p/ex’d and got the Swift for £6995 including 12 month warranty. Pretty happy with our choice given that most of what I have read seems to back up our selection. VERY happy to be seeing the back of that Mini!
Sardonicus said:
Well Stevie I'm on the tools and I would avoid DSG ...... just saying and I work on everything not just VAG stuff , the mechatronic failure on the 7 speed unit for example as nothing to do with service history or how its used for example and I have seen 2 of these, the last one with 38k miles and will leave you on the side of the road , like I say I cant recommend as clever as they are although I feel 7 speeds on a 1.6tdi is just plain ridiculous
While there are some horror stories about DSG....I'm not far from the trade myself, and whilst I hears others say it....I've never directly or even closely indirectly encountered someone with problems with them. and I work on everything not just VAG stuff , the mechatronic failure on the 7 speed unit for example as nothing to do with service history or how its used for example and I have seen 2 of these, the last one with 38k miles and will leave you on the side of the road , like I say I cant recommend as clever as they are although I feel 7 speeds on a 1.6tdi is just plain ridiculous Edited by Sardonicus on Wednesday 26th September 22:21
Maybe some owners are particularity abusive, or those looking after them....simply arent.
And whilst 7 gears seems excessive ( Dads current is 7 speed ) it can make very much sense. That extremely low 1st gear will make driving off and clutch engagement/life much better. So it may seem excessive in some regards, but makes sense in others.
And with the mode of operation of a DSG...will have no negative impact at all to the driving experience anyway as the user will be barely even aware of the shifts.
Now as you mention that 1.6tdi...that's a whole different story in terms of reliability ! I personally would never own one.
Toed64 said:
I have 2 friends with BMW 135is with DCT and both have had major warranty repairs on them.
Maybe it was for this reason that BMW dropped the DCT gearbox on the 1 series, in favour of the ZF with traditional torque converter, when the F model was introduced.
Odd considering mini/BMW have ditched torque converter auto's in favour of dct in the f series minis Maybe it was for this reason that BMW dropped the DCT gearbox on the 1 series, in favour of the ZF with traditional torque converter, when the F model was introduced.
Mazda 2 & the new shape fiesta also use torque converter autos
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