Discussion
I've had the pleasure of wafting around in a M235i the past week. The DSG gearbox was faultless.
Anyway, I'm in the market for a VW Caddy Maxi and after spending some time in a DSG vehicle it could be an option, I appreciate it wont be like the M235i though.
One thing that concerns me is reliability have never owned an automatic vehicle. I'd be looking at vans from 2010 onwards and from 60-110k miles.
So just how reliable is a VW DSG box, and how can i test it whilst on a test drive?
Anyway, I'm in the market for a VW Caddy Maxi and after spending some time in a DSG vehicle it could be an option, I appreciate it wont be like the M235i though.
One thing that concerns me is reliability have never owned an automatic vehicle. I'd be looking at vans from 2010 onwards and from 60-110k miles.
So just how reliable is a VW DSG box, and how can i test it whilst on a test drive?
I’m sure the M235i you drove had a conventional 8 speed torque converter automatic made by ZF.
The VW DSG won’t be as smooth especially at low speeds but gear changes will be just as quick.
In terms of reliability, the DSG has been pretty strong these past few years but earlier iterations were prone to problems i.e. mechatronics failure.
Make sure you buy one with proof of the DSG being serviced according to manufacturer schedule which I believe is every 40k miles.
The VW DSG won’t be as smooth especially at low speeds but gear changes will be just as quick.
In terms of reliability, the DSG has been pretty strong these past few years but earlier iterations were prone to problems i.e. mechatronics failure.
Make sure you buy one with proof of the DSG being serviced according to manufacturer schedule which I believe is every 40k miles.
shotta287 said:
In terms of reliability, the DSG has been pretty strong these past few years but earlier iterations were prone to problems i.e. mechatronics failure.
I certainly hope so, I'm a DSG convert and on my second. The first was one of the first (2004 A3, 3.2 DSG) and it did nearly 90k miles in my ownership without issue.I need to qualify that by saying that I did, twice have a gear selection failure where the gearbox stopped working and ended up in neutral, but both times were directly after starting with an almost flat battery and it also brought up most, if not all other errors on the dash. After restarting it was fine and a new battery solved the problem.
The second (2014, S4) has been faultless so far at 26k miles - long may it continue. :touchwood:
I had 3 Golfs in a row with the 6-speed DSG 'box then bought an M135i Auto. The ZF8 in the BMW was significantly better IMO! Much smoother all round.
On the reliability front didn't have any issues with any of them myself. However the Mk6 Golf needed a replacement box at 70k miles (before I bought) and the guy who bought my Mk5 had some issues at around 120k miles. The key with these always seems to be the oil changes every 40k miles.
I'm now in a Manual TT
On the reliability front didn't have any issues with any of them myself. However the Mk6 Golf needed a replacement box at 70k miles (before I bought) and the guy who bought my Mk5 had some issues at around 120k miles. The key with these always seems to be the oil changes every 40k miles.
I'm now in a Manual TT
Having been in a friend's 120,000-mile Skoda with a DSG I can say that the clutch(es) start to judder when they get worn. So if there is any juddering then I'd say avoid.
But I'd agree with others on here who say a more conventional torque-converter box is better, and more enjoyable to drive.
The DSG has no character.
But I'd agree with others on here who say a more conventional torque-converter box is better, and more enjoyable to drive.
The DSG has no character.
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