VAG Gearbox Failure - Just the petrols?

[190E Matt]

Just a quick question,

I know that a lot of VW gearboxes on their petrol cars are a pile of tosh (they all fail) But what about the gearboxes fitted to the diesel models?

They all share the same engine and gearboxes I think, I am looking at getting a 1.9 diesel Ibiza (yes I know I know.. but the Merc has crippled me financially and I kind of liked my old ibiza) But I don't really want to buy a car which needs a gearbox rebuild (£650 last time round)

Thanks

Matt.

[f1btn]

I have found that vw gearboxes are very strong,the 02a in my vr6 turbo is standard unit and takes 400lb/ft of torque without a slipper,however when i do fit an atb i suspect i might have some gearbox issues.
The diesel boxes are stronger as they have to deal with more torque but i have never heard of there being any generic issues with any vw fwd boxes.

[MJK 24]

f1btn said:

i have never heard of there being any generic issues with any vw fwd boxes.

The 020 gearbox, whilst appearing bullet proof in old Golf and Scirocco GTI's, seems to be overwhelmed by the mighty Lupo and lesser modern Polo's, Golf's and Bora's.

[Defcon5]

MJK 24 said:

f1btn said:

i have never heard of there being any generic issues with any vw fwd boxes.

The 020 gearbox, whilst appearing bullet proof in old Golf and Scirocco GTI's, seems to be overwhelmed by the mighty Lupo and lesser modern Polo's, Golf's and Bora's.

Yup, the 100bhp of the 1.4 is more than a match for that 'box. The pedal box will sacrifice itself first though

[MoonMonkey]

I've had the 4th gear synchro go on our old B5 A4 1.8 at 80k miles, the diff go on the A3 1.8T at similar mileage and my old mk2 box let go at 140k miles. The B6 A4 Tdi has been fine thus far in 92k miles - quickly touches wood.

In my experience I would tend to agree with the OP that VAG transmissions are pretty crap.