Is a reconditioned DSG gearbox a good idea?

[Rdavies75]

Can anyone please give their opinion on whether or not its a good idea to have a reconditioned mechtronic unit as a replacement as opposed to a new one? A sensor error on one of the clutches of a Golf DSG 7 gear has developed a fault and it can't be repaired, only replaced. A new unit is beyond budget but a reconditioned one, costs £1100 inc labour and VAT. Problem is I'm loathe to use a reconditioned part. The car is 8 years old with 90k mileage and has already had £2000 spent on it fixing other issues. It does drive well otherwise but I can't help thinking I'm spending good money after bad and I'm sure if I did get a reconditioned unit (or even a new one) all that will be on my mind is when it's going to go on me.

I'd appreciate any thoughts. Thanks in advance.

[sherman]

Rdavies75 said:

Can anyone please give their opinion on whether or not its a good idea to have a reconditioned mechtronic unit as a replacement as opposed to a new one? A sensor error on one of the clutches of a Golf DSG 7 gear has developed a fault and it can't be repaired, only replaced. A new unit is beyond budget but a reconditioned one, costs £1100 inc labour and VAT. Problem is I'm loathe to use a reconditioned part. The car is 8 years old with 90k mileage and has already had £2000 spent on it fixing other issues. It does drive well otherwise but I can't help thinking I'm spending good money after bad and I'm sure if I did get a reconditioned unit (or even a new one) all that will be on my mind is when it's going to go on me.

I'd appreciate any thoughts. Thanks in advance.

Your golf is probably worth £15-£20k or maybe more depending on spec.
Its still worth the investment.
A recon part should be just as good as the new and will have at least a 1 year warranty . Its just been back to the manufacturer and had any of its broken bits fixed or replaced.
Its exactly what will happen to your current box when it gets taken out.

[normalbloke]

That purely depends on who has done the reconditioning, how reputable their warranty is etc.If it’s a solid DSG expert like Milta( have you spoken to them?) maybe, but if not, the potential for it to cost more in the long run will always be there. Is yours the dry clutch 7;speed? If so good luck, the 7 speed dry clutch DQ200 has a bit of a fragile reputation

[Rdavies75]

Thanks for the replies. The part number is OGC325 025. I don't think it's the dry clutch but I could be wrong. I have heard that that clutch is problematic and tbh, I wish I knew about this before buying the car.

Sherman, can I ask where you got that figure from because I'm under the impression the most I'll get for it is between £8-9k?

My other concern is that with the new one, my VIN would have to be supplied to be etched, but that's not the case with reconditioned one?

Edited by Rdavies75 on Sunday 12th January 12:38

[CorradoTDI]

sherman said:

Your golf is probably worth £15-£20k or maybe more depending on spec.

Doubtful on 90k miles?

OP - I'd speak to these guys if you've not already...

https://www.facebook.com/p/Norwich-DSG-Service-Cen...

[sherman]

Rdavies75 said:

Thanks for the replies. The part number is OGC325 025. I don't think it's the dry clutch but I could be wrong. I have heard that that clutch is problematic and tbh, I wish I knew about this before buying the car.

Sherman, can I ask where you got that figure from because I'm under the impression the most I'll get for it is between £8-9k?

My other concern is that with the new one, my VIN would have to be supplied to be etched, but that's not the case with reconditioned one?

Edited by Rdavies75 on Sunday 12th January 12:38

Without knowing anything about your cars spec or engine size. Its what I would expect to be looking at for a decent golf.

If your right about the price and the gearbox is knackered without fixing it your cars worth £500 as whoever buys it will have to put the money in to make it driveable anyway.
You may see it as throwing good money at bad but you could be losing alot more by not fixing it.

Edited by sherman on Sunday 12th January 13:05

[journeymanpro]

sherman said:

Without knowing anything about your cars spec or engine size. Its what I would expect to be looking at for a decent golf.

What are you smoking?

[Rdavies75]

journeymanpro said:

What are you smoking?

Whatever it is, I'll have some. But away from the price, I don't know whether mine is the dry or wet clutch for sure and I'd be grateful if anyone could advise as, if it is the D200, I'll just scrap it. Thanks also for the suggested contacts. I'm up north sadly but am going to look for a couple of DSG repairers in the area meanwhile.

[GeniusOfLove]

8 year old Golf already chucking up gearbox issues at 90k is far from unusual.

Any warning lights or messages on the dash? If it drives and moves and doesn't give the game away I'd dump that at WBAC.

[trevalvole]

Rdavies75 said:

But away from the price, I don't know whether mine is the dry or wet clutch for sure and I'd be grateful if anyone could advise as, if it is the D200, I'll just scrap it.

I don't think you've said what engine it has, but I think the general rule is that if it is 2.0 litres or more, it is wet clutch. If it is less than 2.0 litres it will be dry clutch.

[Decky_Q]

I'm not an expert on DSG boxes but have fitted plenty of recon gearboxes. They usually aren't reconditioned at all and are in fact 2nd hand boxes, sometimes degreased and power washed at the most.

You will be waiting for it to let you down so in my opinion, fit the cheapest 2nd hand box you can and get the car sold.

[CorradoTDI]

GeniusOfLove said:

8 year old Golf already chucking up gearbox issues at 90k is far from unusual.

Any warning lights or messages on the dash? If it drives and moves and doesn't give the game away I'd dump that at WBAC.

They are usually pretty solid but they need an oil change every 40k so this one should have had 2 services by now...

[stevemcs]

If its a 1.4 then it will be the dry clutch, these have a habit of the mechatronics failing if your lucky, and clutch pak and mechatronic if your really unlucky.

If its one of the higher torque engines then its most likey the 7 speed wet clutch, service intervals of 80k - only the older 6 speed are 40k.

Is it worth fitting a recon unit - yes it is if its done by a reputable company.

[Rdavies75]

Thanks everyone. It is a 2 litre, sorry for missing that bit out and it's had full servicing too but is out of warranty. As for warning lights, the message about the gearbox pops up every now and then, otherwise you wouldn't tell there is a problem.

At least I know it's not the D200, that gives me a bit of hope. I'll try and get some more quotes and make a final decision based on the prices.

[stevieturbo]

Rdavies75 said:

Can anyone please give their opinion on whether or not its a good idea to have a reconditioned mechtronic unit as a replacement as opposed to a new one? A sensor error on one of the clutches of a Golf DSG 7 gear has developed a fault and it can't be repaired, only replaced. A new unit is beyond budget but a reconditioned one, costs £1100 inc labour and VAT. Problem is I'm loathe to use a reconditioned part. The car is 8 years old with 90k mileage and has already had £2000 spent on it fixing other issues. It does drive well otherwise but I can't help thinking I'm spending good money after bad and I'm sure if I did get a reconditioned unit (or even a new one) all that will be on my mind is when it's going to go on me.

I'd appreciate any thoughts. Thanks in advance.

If such a thing cannot be repaired.....then one might wonder what these so called re-con boxes would be ?

Who has said it cannot be repaired ? A sensor error rendering a box scrap, does seem a little extreme.

And as others have said....."recon" will mean vastly different things to different people. All too often very little is actually re-con'd because very little needs recon'd
If the mechanical box and clutches are fine, then it shouldn't be a horrendous job to check out the mechatronics.

Couple of DSG related videos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxauAw_AuAo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzpyqcPqlsY&t=...

[Acuity30]

Despite what the internet may lead you to believe, those DSG's are generally very reliable and it's quite rare in newer ones to have a problem like that. There are DSG specialists who will turn two broken ones into one working one. I'm sure someone out there can just fix yours. It's certainly not 'unfixable'

[Rdavies75]

Have spoke to another garage who have some reassuring news. Apparently there are 2 makes of these sensors, one of which can be repaired (the vast majority) and the other can't be. Failed repairs are often using cheap or refurbished parts from China which cause further issues. The only way to know which part it is is to strip the gearbox down, and as the cost (new genuine parts, labour, VAT, oil and filter change and reprogramming) is half of what I've been quoted for a replacement unit, I think I'm going to go along with that. Thanks everyone for their replies. I'll update once the work has been done. Fingers crossed!

[Sardonicus]

Have had 4 of these DSG7 dual dry clutch units repaired (4 different cars) by ECU testing now (one was my daughters Golf) all the same overheat/burn failure not one has come back lifetime/unlimited mileage warranty and no coding (because its your unit) whats not to like? if you purchase new pound to a penny VAG have not redesigned the Mechatronic unit flaw that they blame on the oil additives causing a short circuit

[Rdavies75]

Sardonicus said:

Have had 4 of these DSG7 dual dry clutch units repaired (4 different cars) by ECU testing now (one was my daughters Golf) all the same overheat/burn failure not one has come back lifetime/unlimited mileage warranty and no coding (because its your unit) whats not to like? if you purchase new pound to a penny VAG have not redesigned the Mechatronic unit flaw that they blame on the oil additives causing a short circuit

I am aware there are issues with the dry clutch system, but mine is a wet clutch. What I am grateful for is some explanation as to the predicament that makes sense to me and is more than a bland "it must be replaced in full", and as it is a long standing company offering a 2 year warranty, I'm happy to give it a go. It may be a gamble, but it's one I think worthwhile in the circumstances and given my alternatives.

[catso]

normalbloke said:

That purely depends on who has done the reconditioning, how reputable their warranty is etc.

Indeed, properly reconditioned by someone who knows their stuff is one thing, yanked out of a scrapped, write-off is something else.