Help with some R32 issues

[SimonL]

Greetings guys.

New to this forum, although i've been lurking around prior to purchasing an '09 5-door DSG R32 (united grey) in March this year.

Absolutely wrapped with the car, does most things well. Have come from an Evo IX which was enjoyable in small doses, but not really a daily driver (for me at least).

Recently, have had a few issues, one that appears to be difficult to resolve. Issues are:

1. Don't have the commonly documented issues with the DSG unit, but, when in D and changing from 5th to 6th gear at speeds between 40-60km/h, there is an audible "clunk" or "thump" which can also be felt in the car (almost feels like a bit of drivetrain slack). Doesn't happen at speeds higher than that. A particular VW dealer service dept changed the mechatronics about 4 weeks ago. When i picked up the car, the issue wasn't as noticeable, but has since gotten progressively more noticeable. My opinion is that this is unacceptable on a $60k car. Will be going back to dealer next week for some more diagnosis. I have search the web fairly extensively, but have only find one thread on another website raising the issue, but nothing noteworthy in terms of what the problem stemmed from. Wondering if anyone else has experienced this issue or has any thoughts.

2. Brakes on the R32 are great. Evo IX had the Brembo's which needed a fair bit of heat to get the best out of them. Issue i am having is a bit of a coarse feel to the brakes under use, more so at low speed as i come to a standstill. I can actually feel it through the pedal. Previously VW dealer said the discs where glazed and had them machined. Still have the same problem. A mate has a current V6 Passat which doesn't exihibit these same problems. Last time i went to VW, i had one of their mechanics in the car (who was a good bloke) and said, sometimes its a good idea to give the brakes a good hard stab. Done this a couple of times - same issue. Just wondering is anyone has had a similar issue?

Cheers,

[thezoneR32]

Gday mate,

I don't have any dsg issues and mines done 32k. The brakes scraping noise is normal from what I've been told (and not by vw). I had my mechanic (Andrew fomr German Auto) who specialises in vw and audi check it over when I bought it as I was concerned. Apparently its got something to do with the type of pads they use. I have just gotten use to it.

Cheers

[balkanac]

hi mate, you chose a very nice car apart from having the wrong gearbox. Those things always have issues. it looks like the new 7 speed ones are even worse. Proper manual with a clutch pedal is the way to go IMO.
As for the brakes, they use Textar pads (im 85% sure) and they are very good. I switched to mintex and regreted it. About 1/3 of the braking power is gone. So my advice is get used to it and enjoy the car
Good luck

[Maverick]

hi mate, you chose a very nice car apart from having the wrong gearbox. Those things always have issues. it looks like the new 7 speed ones are even worse. Proper manual with a clutch pedal is the way to go IMO.

DSG's always have issues? I assume that you have some facts to back that up because I doubt VW would still be in business after selling over 2 million of them.

[thezoneR32]

dont listen to balkanac. the dsg is a marvel of modern technology. I am a manual lover through and through and the dsg is the only "auto" i would touch. Get used to driving it in maunual mode, better than a manual imo. I drive everywhere in maunual mode now even down to the shops to get the milk It gets you used to all different driving sitiuations and you really get to know the car. If you forget to change down in a corner it does it for you!

manual schmanual

[SimonL]

Thanks guys.

With regards to the wrong gearbox - agree. Was a compromise for the wife.

I needed a car this time with four doors, had to be an automatic and a hatchback.

Options were limited to BMW 130i or equivalent Audi. Although not a direct comparison in my opinion, i drove the Audi 2.0TFSI (DSG equipped) and wasn't all that impressed. To me, the R32 felt like more of a driver's car - although my immediate impression of the Audi was that it looked and felt like it was put together better.

Never got to drive the 130i. Anyone driven and compared the two on this forum?

[Zed!]

The DSG isn't perfect and has it flaws, but as an auto gearbox the technology is pretty impressive. The pause you get when you initially accelerate from a standing start is irritating and that's when I do wish I was driving a manual, but any other time I'm glad I've got the DSG. The manual can't compete.

In regards to the above issues you mentioned, I'd be having a chat with Consumer Affairs about your rights. I thought there was some kind of 'lemon' law when buying a new car, whereby you could return the car to the dealer if you were dissatisfied with it due to faults with the car? I've never had any issues with the gearbox, brakes etc and it's not acceptable if you are forking out that much money to be expected just to live it.

[Maverick]

The DSG isn't perfect and has it flaws, but as an auto gearbox the technology is pretty impressive.

It's not an auto gearbox and doesn't really have anything in common with one. It's two manual gearboxes with computer controlled clutches.

The pause you get when you initially accelerate from a standing start is irritating and that's when I do wish I was driving a manual, but any other time I'm glad I've got the DSG. The manual can't compete.

The pause can be worked around if you take the time to learn how the gearbox works, when your foot is on the brake the clutch is disengaged, after you remove it and press the accelerator pedal the clutch engages. You can start to increase the revs slowly just before you're about to move off and ease off the brake pedal with minimal lag. On hills just before you've about to move off engage the handbrake and let the foot brake off as you accelerate.

In regards to the above issues you mentioned, I'd be having a chat with Consumer Affairs about your rights. I thought there was some kind of 'lemon' law when buying a new car, whereby you could return the car to the dealer if you were dissatisfied with it due to faults with the car?

You return the car to the dealership and their service department fix the problem and return the car to you.

There are no lemon laws in Australia.

[SimonL]

Thanks for the responses guys.

I wouldn't say that the issue would make it fall under the category of a lemon, however it would be good if they could diagnose the issue about the clunk and thump noise and address it. Its a pain having to go back all the time whilst they take a trial and error approach to sorting the issue out.

Cheers

[Swallowtail]

It's not an auto gearbox and doesn't really have anything in common with one.

From the perspective of 90% of most drivers it's an auto. No clutch pedal and it changes for you - i.e. it's an automatic. Not talking about from the viewpoint of a purist, or those technically savvy enough to know the difference, but from the viewpoint of most drivers, it has far more in common with an auto than with a manual.

How it achieves that automatic change function is as Maverick says via a dual shaft / dual clutch gearbox. It's one gearbox, not two though, but with that one gearbox containing two shafts each with 3 gears (3 + 4 in the 7 speed) instead of a more traditional single shaft / single clutch.

The pause can be worked around if you take the time to learn how the gearbox works, when your foot is on the brake the clutch is disengaged, after you remove it and press the accelerator pedal the clutch engages. You can start to increase the revs slowly just before you're about to move off and ease off the brake pedal with minimal lag. On hills just before you've about to move off engage the handbrake and let the foot brake off as you accelerate.

Yup, no issues with delays or pauses once you get the hang of driving it. Just have to get used to it, that's all. Let it know that you are going to be going soon and it will commence clutch engagement so that it is ready to go.

You return the car to the dealership and their service department fix the problem and return the car to you.

There are no lemon laws in Australia.

Correct... unfortunately! No lemon laws here.

I should say that I love my DSG. It has pros and cons, but overall it is an amazing piece of mechanical engineering.

[Maverick]

From the perspective of 90% of most drivers it's an auto. No clutch pedal and it changes for you - i.e. it's an automatic. Not talking about from the viewpoint of a purist, or those technically savvy enough to know the difference, but from the viewpoint of most drivers, it has far more in common with an auto than with a manual.

And I suspect this is why a lot of people complain because they don't take the time to RTFM and understand that it operates differently to an automatic, now that VAG have almost stopped selling standard sluxhboxes there will probably be more complaints about "their autos" from new buyers.

How it achieves that automatic change function is as Maverick says via a dual shaft / dual clutch gearbox. It's one gearbox, not two though, but with that one gearbox containing two shafts each with 3 gears (3 + 4 in the 7 speed) instead of a more traditional single shaft / single clutch.

You could argue that it's really two manual gearboxes in one

I should say that I love my DSG. It has pros and cons, but overall it is an amazing piece of mechanical engineering.

[bazzle]

Hope we dont end up with another tooth pulling exercise re who's got the best gearbox... etc or the thread will close.

Yes the standard pads do groan at low speed and make a lot of dust... normal. The friction coeficient is very high then.
I changed to Hawk ceramics, for low dust, still happy with them. Only diff is the low speed grab with the standard pads.
The DSG does have its foibles. Some people let them eat away at them, other use them to advantage. They can be driven around. A lot of chaps have posted what they do on here.
Be aware there are some DSG Mecatronics issues around. VAG Oz has the serial nos of them all that they know about. If your not happy with clunking, jerking, etc let them know 1st.

Bazzle

[SimonL]

Thanks Bazzle.

Fair enough with the the brake pads - this is something i could live with. I did forget to add in my initial post that the breaks also squeal when i reverse (5 out of 10 times).

With regards to the mechatronics unit - i did get it replaced under warranty, so i would have assumed the new one that they installed would have been cleared by VAG Oz as being free of issues? In any event, i will give them a call on monday to discuss.

Cheers

[SimonL]

Update on DSG diagnosis

Just thought people might be interested that i was advised yesterday that the clunking/thumping noise on a gear change from 5th to 6th on the DSG unit is not repairable.

A new DSG unit has been ordered from Germany which should arrive in approx two weeks (install on Jan 14). THey have put it down to some type of communication error between the DSG unit and some other external components - which sounds to me like "we don't know what's wrong with it, we'll just replace it."

The most interesting thing that came out of picking up my car yesterday was seeing the paperwork regarding the cost of a new DSG unit for an R32 - $18,702 (unit price).

This is without install which they have told me adds about 5-6hours of labour to the price.

Anyway - thought you guys might find that interesting.

[bazzle]

Thanks for the feedback.
I searched too and found a couple of issues relating to the flywheel from memory on early dsg,s that gave similar clunk.
Fixed under warranty.

Bazzle