Talk to me about VW DSG gear boxes

[Dangerous Dan]

Hi all,

I am looking for a new (or nearly-new) VW. I've always had a thing for lazy automatics for daily commuting and so am really interested in the DSG boxes that VW do. I understand the DSG isn't a normal automatic, but a dual clutch thingymabobjobbie.

Although having never drove (or more importantly OWNED one):

I'd like to hear from those who have experienced the VW DSG (6 or 7), preferably in a VW car (does that make a difference??). How good are they? What's the difference between 6spd vs 7spd (don't say one extra gear!)? How is reliability/maintenance? What are the known 'issues' (with new DSG boxes, not those that are XYZ years old please)? How are they like to drive?

Many thanks

[PKLD]

there was a heated debate over these a while back - I'll come back if I can find the thread. In summary there are different DSG boxes and different software used on different models.

Forexample there was someone on here who hated the fact that the car would always downshift under full acceleration even though it was in manual (think it was a fabia vrs) where mine would stay in gear (audi tt mk2)

I loved mine and will have another if it's an option in a car I want.

[ArosaMike]

Very impressive really if you want an Auto with the option of good sporting performance. In standard Auto mode they behave like a normal torque converter auto and achieve seemless shifts with no problem. Drop them in to tip/manual and you get incredibly fast and positive shifts when you want them. I've been in a Scirocco R with DSG and there is no perceptible reduction in longitudinal acceleration when the next gear is selected and the drop in revs is instantaneous. It makes the acceleration feel relentless and generally the car feels quicker for it. On the GTI and above you also get a nice little muffled 'parp' from the exhaust.

Main differences between the 6 and 7 speed are the models they're available on. I believe the 6 speed is a little stronger too and tends to be found on the GTI and R and Scirocco 2.0TFSI and R, and the 7 speed is found on the 1.4TSI and Diesel models.

Overall they're very reliable and I don't believe there are any major clutch issues, however, the 7 speed in particular can suffer with mechatronic unit failures/malfunctions (the mechanical electronic interface unit) which may need replacing. Worth checking if it's been done and if when you test drive the car seems to kangaroo and/or select inappropriate gears, walk away/ask for it to be replaced. The drive should be totally smooth.

Other thing to bear in mind is that the 'boxes need an oil and filter change every 40,000 miles. I think this is around £160. Also, on most non GTI cars, the steering wheel paddles are an option. You are able to change using the tip function on the gearleaver, but it's obviously not quite as good.

Generally though, if you want an Auto with some added fun factor, go for it!

[Ian1976]

DSG is nice when it works. My 6 speed had its Mechatronic unit fail. I dread to think of the bill if it wasn't under warranty.

It started playing up again a few weeks later so I used that as an excuse to change back into a manual car.

I'd not have another DSG unless it was under warranty and I wasnt intending to keep the car a long time.

[louiebaby]

I had a 1.4 litre Golf TFSI with the 7 speed as a hire car for a couple of days.

I didn't like it. The thing seemed to do one of two things:

Rev to the limiter in every gear.

or

Race itself to 7th gear.

Now, I understand why manufacturers like them, (emissions,) and I appreciate the technological achievement of them, but I didn't like it. (I'm sure I'd cope if I bought a Veyron though.)

My advice:

Some like them, some don't. Try one for a few days before you make your mind up.

[Dave Hedgehog]

I love the DSG box

Effortless cruising or stop start traffic driving, better mpg and performance, you can change gear without lifting and in the 4wd models you can change flat mid corner without upsetting the balance

Just come out of an R32 DSG after 5 years (6spd), loved every moment of it, missus has the 7spd DSG in the her polo GTi and its noticeably quicker up and down the box than my old 6spd box

If you get the chance try the 7sd wet clutch S Tronic, its bonkers, slams gear changes in faster than you can think with a loud thunk, and it holds on to the red line

The downside is some models change on red line and it makes driving a little remote, not for purists

Edited by Dave Hedgehog on Tuesday 20th December 12:12

[Sam_68]

PKLD said:

...there was someone on here who hated the fact that the car would always downshift under full acceleration even though it was in manual (think it was a fabia vrs) where mine would stay in gear (audi tt mk2).

That would have been me or Balmoral Green, I think... though to be clear, the box doesn't 'kick down' (ie. downshift when you apply full throttle) when you're in manual mode, but it does upshift automatically when it hits the rev limiter.

Last I heard, BG still really wasn't getting on with his at all; after 30K miles with mine, I'm still ambivalent about it, but it makes more sense if you look upon it as a 'sharp' automatic rather than a clutchless manual, IMO.

[LeoSayer]

ArosaMike said:

In standard Auto mode they behave like a normal torque converter auto and achieve seemless shifts with no problem.

I find the DSGs don't have the slush / waft / creamy feel that you get when driving a torque converter auto.

That's fine if you want something sporty, but not so good if you're just cruising.

[Dangerous Dan]

Thanks, guys.

Judging by what most of you have said, I'm not sure I would enjoy a DSG long term. I do intend on keeping a car for 3-4 years.

One I am thinking of trying is a 1.4 TSI with the 7spd DSG.

I really don't want to stomach a manual tranny for commuting again as I just CBA with it. Auto is for me, although I will have to see a DSG first hand to see if I'd like it.

From what I've read, the older 6spd vw boxes are better than the newer 7spd vw box? The 7spd can be clunky and noisy? this was something I have read several years ago, not sure how relevant it is today...

Cheers!

[Sam_68]

Dangerous Dan said:

The 7spd can be clunky and noisy? this was something I have read several years ago, not sure how relevant it is today...

Cheers!

Dunno if they've updated the software, but mine is very smooth 95% of the time, once it's learned your driving style.

The other 5% of the time it can get badly confused and lurch from gear to gear like a learner driver (this often happens when you're gently slowing toward s roundabout - so that the gearbox thinks you'e slowing down - then apply the throttle when you have the visibility to see that you're clear to the right).

And it can get clumsy if someone else with a different driving style borrows your car for a bit - I loaned mine to one of the young lads in the office the other week and it took maybe 50-60 miles to 're-learn' my style and become smooth again. Of course, the problem here is that you have to take it into account if you're test driving a car with a DSG box, 'cos a typical dealer demonstrator will be totally confused, most of the time.

[U T]

I've driven the Skoda Superb with the 7 speed DSG. Fantastic. Drives like a CVT box or variomatic (like the old Daf 33). Impossible to notice the gearchanges.

My wife has a Tiguan with the 6 speed normal auto and the DSG is way better.

[Sam.F]

They're like marmite at the end of the day - you'll either love it or hate it and nothing in between.

I really didn't care for it at all (tried in Scirocco 2.0GT and Golf R32 last time I was looking to change about 3yrs ago. I found it jerky in auto and manual modes, although it does make a nice "brrrap" noise on full-bore upshifts.

I guess at the end of the day though the reason I didn't like it was that I just prefer a clutch and gearlever and I couldn't see the point of spending £1600-odd to make the car less good. Perhaps I'd feel different if I lived somewhere busier and wanted the convenience of an auto... At the end of the day you just need to drive it to work out if you like it or not.

[Dave Hedgehog]

Dangerous Dan said:

Thanks, guys.

Judging by what most of you have said, I'm not sure I would enjoy a DSG long term. I do intend on keeping a car for 3-4 years.

One I am thinking of trying is a 1.4 TSI with the 7spd DSG.

I really don't want to stomach a manual tranny for commuting again as I just CBA with it. Auto is for me, although I will have to see a DSG first hand to see if I'd like it.

From what I've read, the older 6spd vw boxes are better than the newer 7spd vw box? The 7spd can be clunky and noisy? this was something I have read several years ago, not sure how relevant it is today...

Cheers!

Thats the best thing to do, try it, and remember its not a manual or an auto, work with it

and as said above they do change to suite you over time

[ArosaMike]

Dangerous Dan said:

One I am thinking of trying is a 1.4 TSI with the 7spd DSG.

Very much worth asking around those in the know for some impartial advice about this engine. A friend of mine has a Golf GT with the 1.4TSI engine and before he bought it, the engine and supercharger had been replaced at 20,000 miles. 10,000 miles later, in his ownership, the turbo decided it had had enough. He was incredibly lucky that VW agreed to 'good will' the turbo, and the dealer only charged him half of the labour cost, but it still ended up with him £300 out of pocket!

I've heard a number of people mention similar issues. It may well just be one or two cars, but definitely worth double checking. At the end of the day, in 170bhp form, you're asking for 120bhp/l which is quite a bit. The engine will have been developed as well as any new engine, but you're more likely to discover teething problems when it's all so highly stressed.

[Dangerous Dan]

Thanks for all your advice.

The VW I'll be looking at has the 122 PS engine - Golf Match.

I'll have to get a test drive, would love to hear from owners of Golfs with the TSI engine/7spd DSG.

[Deerfoot]

Dangerous Dan said:

Thanks for all your advice.

The VW I'll be looking at has the 122 PS engine - Golf Match.

I'll have to get a test drive, would love to hear from owners of Golfs with the TSI engine/7spd DSG.

If you get a test drive, try to reverse parallel park uphill. I had a go in my mate's DSG Passat and it was very difficult to correctly moderate pace whilst trying to perform the above parking manoeuvre. Granted you'll probably not need to do it everyday but I was very impressed with the DSG gearbox prior to attempting this.

[podwin]

I like my 1.9TDI DSG Golf, but reversing uphill did surprise me when it just rolled forward when I took my foot off the brake. Not like my last auto.

[Dangerous Dan]

Do they creep like a traditional auto? Could one use both accelerator and brake to modulate their speed?

[HorneyMX5]

ArosaMike said:

Very much worth asking around those in the know for some impartial advice about this engine. A friend of mine has a Golf GT with the 1.4TSI engine and before he bought it, the engine and supercharger had been replaced at 20,000 miles. 10,000 miles later, in his ownership, the turbo decided it had had enough. He was incredibly lucky that VW agreed to 'good will' the turbo, and the dealer only charged him half of the labour cost, but it still ended up with him £300 out of pocket!

I've heard a number of people mention similar issues. It may well just be one or two cars, but definitely worth double checking. At the end of the day, in 170bhp form, you're asking for 120bhp/l which is quite a bit. The engine will have been developed as well as any new engine, but you're more likely to discover teething problems when it's all so highly stressed.

Check out this Polo GTI running 168 bhp per litre on the 7 speed DSG!!!!!

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=2096...

Nick

[Dave Hedgehog]

HorneyMX5 said:

Check out this Polo GTI running 168 bhp per litre on the 7 speed DSG!!!!!

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=2096...

Nick

same colour as my missus one

sweet car