DSG Gearbox Problems - Fact or Fiction?

[scoobydooby]

Hi all,

I've been looking at buying a used Mk 7 Golf 1.4 TSi 120 Match with the DSG gearbox. I did a bit of research on the internet which threw up some questions. I have searched the forum here but couldn't find the answers so I thought I'd ask as this seems a very friendly and knowledgeable forum

Firstly, it seems that all DSG boxes can be prone to hesitation pulling away from roundabouts for instance. Is this true? If so is there a fix?

Secondly, it seems that the 7 speed dry clutch DSG fitted to this car has been plagued with all sorts of mechanical problems, leading to expensive repairs outside the warranty period, whereas the 6 speed wet clutch DSG seems much more reliable. Anyone care to comment please?

Many thanks in advance...

[CJJE]

My previous Golf Plus 1.6TDI had a DSG box and I had no problems whatsoever over the 3 years I owned it from new. It converted me to DSG boxes and so I've now got one on my replacement Golf SV 1.4TSI as well - which has now covered 10,000 miles in its first year.

I was concerned about the roundabout scare story before I bought my Golf Plus as well, but a test drive in a dealer's demo car put my mind to rest. I think the 'problem' only exists if you are approaching the roundabout at speed, and braking gently so that the box is preparing to change up into a higher gear. If you then see a gap and accelerate into the roundabout, the box has to change its preselected gear to change down and this can cause a slight delay. In practice, I don't experience this - perhaps because I find myself driving more smoothly with the DSG box than I did with a manual change?

One feature I do love about it is that I can have the car in Eco mode for normal driving, but switch to Sport mode by simply pulling the selector back and releasing it. This gives ample performance to overtake slower traffic.

Chris

[cameron1]

Me personally would avoid a DSG gearbox at all cost. I had mk6 golf with a DSG, it was running fine for 2-3 years (approx 70k miles at the time). Problems with transmission started, at times the car would NOT come out of 2nd. Restarting the car helped to restore everything back to normal but then the same issue had started more frequently, at least twice a week i had started to experience these symptoms. Restarted car, helped to restore things back to normal. 6 weeks later it broke down in a supermarket carpark......drove to the supermarket for my weekly shop and came home with my weekly shop on a recovery truck.... certainly was a day to remember, it ruined my weekend.

VW indy diagnosed it as a common DSG failure, it was the Mechatronic unit that failed.... NOT CHEAP ££££.

When i bought my mk7 Golf, this time a manual, i did ask the vw salesman why are the DSG transmissions prone to failures, he replied 'this is news to me' , ok if that is the case why are your Golfs with DSG priced alot less than those with manual transmissions.... NOT A SINGLE REPLY FROM THE SALESMAN.

[Gazwould]

If you think that is good you should see an invoice for supplying and fitting a replacement S-Tronic gearbox .

[cameron1]

Not just the vag range but other manufacturers with similar type of transmissions also suffer problems. A well known example, Vauxhall easytronic gearboxes suffer from actuators failing.

All i say is never trust the dealers, always speak to specialist indy for advice before making a decision on buying a car

[CJJE]

There were also many problems reported with clutches on manual gearbox cars from many different manufacturers. Nothing can be guaranteed not to fail and so the safe option is to choose the gearbox that gives you the features you want and protect yourself against unexpected maintenance costs by taking out a 5 year warranty when you buy the car!

Chris