Let down by VW Head Office

[Guest212]

When the gearbox is cold it WILL be louder than when its hot and it will make some worrying noises.

Mine clunks and shudders when it is REALLY cold. My solution is to avoid hills until its well and truely hot and then avoid reversing up them (because mine shudders in reverse most of the time).

I think this is part of the "learn to drive the DSG and not treat it like an automatic".

[VWGTi]

Hmm... doesn't sound quite right... I'd suggest to get a second opinion.

Had mine for 2.5 years, haven't noticed much clunking from DSG... *touchwood*

[ibbero]

When the gearbox is cold it WILL be louder than when its hot and it will make some worrying noises.

Mine clunks and shudders when it is REALLY cold. My solution is to avoid hills until its well and truely hot and then avoid reversing up them (because mine shudders in reverse most of the time).

I think this is part of the "learn to drive the DSG and not treat it like an automatic".

Mine makes the clunking noise when it is hot or cold

[chanfn]

How about talking to a prospective customer in the showroom who is deep in negotiation and taking him for a drive to show him the quality of a vw and the dealerships commitment to 'quality' service

[G-rig]

Sorry to hear about your troubles ibbero. Are the dealers ignoring the strong possibility that the mechatronics need replacing? Unless it is just the jerkiness that comes with DSG??

I would still hit up the other dealer, sounds like yours isn't being too helpful unless you upset them.

I think the DSG gearbox not working as it should would quality as being LEMON material especially if the dealer is not willing to help and it seems like a common problem. (Bit easier with manual, mine acellerates when i want).

[Golf Houso]

*Yawn* back on topic folks...

[pinzvidz]

Ouch, I see this has caused quite a debate. I do sort of hope that VGA read these forums, maybe they can improve on their customer relations?

[Dutchy1978]

There is always a right way and a wrong way to handle these situations. Best to handle it niceley and be firm. agressiveness might get the job done eventually but i am sure that head office will make it difficult and a long process.

call VW assist and be firm about your problem also mentioning that other vehicles are not doing this.

[qsilverza]

The ABS sound you hear occurs in my girlfriends mazda 3 as well also at the speed you indicated and they also said it is the ABS.

I have posted a few threads, regarding the problems that I have been having with my 2008 GTI/DSG.

To cut a long story short, my car has been in and out of the VW Service centre in Bunbury WA, with various problems. The main one being what I consider a jerky and erratic take off in first and reverse. Also, when I start the engine and pull away I get a clunking noise, as something engages, this happens at about 22km/h. They say it is the ABS engaging (pigs ass) I of course contacted VW Australia, they have been in contact with Bunbury and have been told by the technician that all is within specification. VW Australia have been in contact with me and wiped their hands of the matter.

I have test driven a couple of MkV Golfs from the dealer, including a 2008 GTI/DSG, I also had a 2005 GTI and none of them had a clunk when starting off.

I am contemplating writing to the VW Head Office in Wolfsburg, Germany and would be grateful for any advice.

[gregozedobe]

There is always a right way and a wrong way to handle these situations. Best to handle it niceley and be firm. agressiveness might get the job done eventually but i am sure that head office will make it difficult and a long process.

I agree that being too aggressive will only make the people you are dealing with less inclined to do their best to help.

If it is a serious problem and you aren't making headway I've had some success with letting them know I am pretty angry but am doing my best to remain polite and level headed. That way you don't p!ss them off, but they get the message they better try pretty hard to sort out your problem.

I would also ask for the name of everyone you talk to at the end of every discussion (so they know I am keeping records and they had better do whatever they promised to do or there might be consequences) and keep detailed records of all conversations and get copies of the workshop documentation for any inspections/work (again it tends to focus their minds if they know you are keeping records).

Escalating your problems to the Dealer Principal can often help (they don't want their dealership to get a bad name), but failing that the next step would be VWA (real VWA people, not their 3rd party call centre), and after that VW head office in Germany (but the latter would be difficult).

Be polite but persistent, and concentrate on the facts as much as possible.

Sometimes a report by an independant mechanic or your motoring organisation (NRMA, RACV etc) can also help if they are denying a problem exists or saying "they all do that" when they don't.

[n3mi]

Golf R32

Mate, iv got the same problem with my DSG.. till now i've been in and out of VW and they too said it is normal. Had a few golf's before and non of them made noises.

Now im thinking of speaking to VW Head Office, so I came past this post.

How did u go?

[John Deere]

Did you try another dealer?

The dealer I use has replaced my DSG and my Mechtronic unit on separate occasions almost without question.

[satz]

the symptoms you describe match 100% what I had with my 08 DSG. Luckily the foreman at the dealer (here in Canberra) experienced it straightaway and put through the repair order. They replaced the mechantronics unit (took about 3 weeks to get here from overseas), not the whole gearbox.

The symptoms would only happen when the car was hot (ie driven for a while). So next time it happens take it straight into your service manager and ask him to drive it! That's terrible considering it's been a known problem for years!

Yes, there is some roughness still in the shifting at low speed, but NOTHING like I had before

best of luck!

S

[John Deere]

Yes the symptoms describe triggered a Mechtronic replacement for me too. The gearbox replacement was entirely different symptoms.

[Burgs]

VW Australia are bloody hopeless, they offered me no support what so ever when my local dealership f@rked up a routine service which resulted in me being stranded 170 kays away from home at night. I love the car and intend on holding onto it for a very long time, but I cant see my self giving VW another cent in the future after the service they have provided.