DSG: Problems, Questions, Likes and Dislikes

[Transporter]

Then I suggest the extended warranty or sell it when the warranty runs out or before.

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[DoggieHowser]

I havent had any issues with my Tiguan's DQ500 gearbox except for the lethargic response when moving off but that's quite normal for DSG.

[Mountainman]

I would love to be able to buy a DSG Golf as my next replacement car but my brother's experience with his 95,000km 118 TSI DSG tells me I'd be crazy to. As a new car both engine and gearbox were a delightful fascination and appeared to live up to VW's claims. However a replaced clutch pack, replaced mechatronics with roadside failures for both and now new pistons and rings for a detonating engine that has only ever been run on 98RON petrol seems to mimic the horror stories. Who wants to have the unreliability hassles under warranty for a car that you won't dare try owning once the warranty runs out? And why pay more for extended warranty in the first place. It must be costing VW a fortune for the customers to be the technical development bunnies. And what a contrast to my sister's Honda Accord Euro that was purchased at the same time! A manual that not only drives better but has also been a dream to own - 100% reliable with a similar mileage and not even yet needing replacement brake pads (unlike the Golf's at 45,000km).

[lankfert]

I was a bit scared while waiting to take ownership of my GTI. It had 92,000kms when i bought it and only after putting a deposit down on it did i read all the horror stories. I have now done 12,000kms in my car and have not had one single problem with the DSG.

I think it really is a bit of bad luck but you never hear about all the OK cars that have been sold out of the many thousands without any problems.

There are some traits i do not like about the DSG. Reversing up a hill, Waiting for kickdown do reach a lower gear, S mode etc but i have learnt to deal with and compromise. It really isn't that big of a deal, just a different gearbox design with it's flaws just like any other.

I am considering buying a new GTI in the next year or so and would not hesitate at all in getting another DSG.

[Mountainman]

Yes but 12,000km? Hardly run in and my brother's didn't start its run of trouble until the mechatronics started playing up at around 30,000km. Also yours is the 6 speed. And all the "OK" cars? I haven't seen anyone yet bragging about their 118TSI with 7 speed DSG making it to 100,000km without engine and gearbox needing minor surgery, let alone the major stuff we are hearing about daily. My Golf and Forester (and Forester before that) are serviced at the same VW/Subaru dealer workshop. Talk to the mechanics there and you will soon realize what model to avoid if you want relatively trouble free motoring. It seems like the 103TDI with manual are the VW with the best reputation and guess which model VW has dropped from its Golf line up? Yep, that's it.

[Ryan_R]

Bit like an Alfa perhaps - fantastic to drive and own when they work (at least my APR Stage 1 with extra interior features is).

[lankfert]

My car has now done 104,000kms, i have done 12,000kms of that. What i was saying is that you only hear about all the problems. Thousands and thousands of these cars are sold and i am sure the percentage of failed ones would be very small.

[DkN]

5. Buy the DSG tuning software from Harding Performance.

Don't see why it has to be from APR. Options also available from Custom Code, GIAC and Viezu, plus the more expensive (by that I mean about same price as APR), but longstanding and arguably more proven option from HPA. I myself always recommend Custom Code.

I don't doubt that HP's DSG tune will improve it dramatiaclly, but for a Multivan (and any non-performance VW) I see little point in spending $$$ on that and very likely voiding any VW warranty on it in the process. If I had a DSG Golf R, I'd take the chance though ....

If you can't justify the price of a full DSG upgrade I think Viezu has a "light" DSG tune option that comes with their ECU tunes. Perhaps a tune like this, that would also improve performance, power delivery and possibly economy depending on the type of tune you choose, is more justifiable. Unsure how much of the DSG issues the "light" option would fix though.

WRT car issues, every brand has them. DSG issues are a bit more widespread than they should be, but I doubt owning one Accord Euro without issues means all Hondas are so much more reliable. That said, I would avoid the old 7 speed dry clutch DSG if I were buying a new car. I'm guessing here but the new DQ500 for the Tiguan was probably borrowed from Audi, they have had these for quite some time now without much issue, no idea why VW went ahead and made their own crappier version on the Golfs to begin with.

[Ryan_R]

Nothing to do with APR. I can only recommend the one I've personally experienced. I haven't seen any other posts from customers of the other ones yet.

[DkN]

Nothing to do with APR. I can only recommend the one I've personally experienced. I haven't seen any other posts from customers of the other ones yet.

No accusations intended, I recommend Custom Code equally because I'm their customer, but I'm just pointing out there are lots of options.

[Hawkeye]

My experiences with DSGs are ...2009 Golf Mark V 103 TDI which has now got 54K on it and has had no problems with the DSG whatsoever...I can recommend the Superchips/Bluefin tuning on it as it now has 132Kw and 395Nm and the tuning operates the DSG much more efficiently giving it a range of around 900Kms per tank!

And Superchips guarantee that your fuel consumption will decrease on the diesels or you get your money back...can't be bad.

I have a 2011 Golf 118 TSI DSG and found the DSG wasn't working the same as the DSG on the TDI. It was looked at by a dealer who replaced the clutch pack in May this year and it has been running much more like a "normal" DSG and I have no problems with it...the car has now done over 18K.

So maybe it was a bad batch of DSGs that have caused these problems as there doesn't seem to be any logic to it!

Also remember 6 speed DSGs should be serviced at 60K with the oil and filter in them changed so maybe that has contributed to problems with 6 speed DSGs on older cars.

[Finance_Analyst]

If you read the manual, says you should never put the car in neutral stop start, especially if you are letting it roll

[Candyman]

Had a MKV GTI with DSG

No problems over 80,000 km but got the mechatronics replaced just before I sold it as I thought it would sell better (out of warranty, VW did goodwill repair)

Current Golf R. Replaced mechatronics unit after a few months when I got a false neutral. DSG was faultless and would have happily kept it as is but warranty, why not. Dealer suggested it.

I'd buy another DSG VW.

Love the tech, love the options it gives. Manual seems so boring and ancient.

Mind you, not sure I'd be so confident keeping it out of warranty.

That's why I got extended warranty and will trade it before that finishes

Still, both DSG units have been more reliable than Subie autos I've had and way more reliable than a Honda Accord the wife owned (pos)

[SilvrFoxX]

chicken..

[Candyman]

chicken..

I'd rather spend the cash on carbon fibre badges