Finally got bitten by the notorious DSG

[turbojetta83]

Just wanted to share my latest story - after having owned and driven a myriad of faultless DSG equipped VW's since 2006, I've finally, sadly been bitten by a faulty DSG.

I upgraded to a white Tiguan 132TSI R-Line Edition recently, but sadly was involved in a massive front on crash and the car was written off (not before it saved my life though). My insurance, after too long a delay, replaced the first Tiguan with a brand new one, this time in tungsten silver. Frustratingly however, after 2 days driving and a grand total of 150kms on the odometer, I received a 'Gearbox Overheated' message on my dash and lost all drive. To cut a long story short, I wasn't ever able to continue driving and the car was picked up and towed to my VW dealership. Since then, the dealership have confirmed the gearbox is faulty and will need to be completely replaced.

At this time, it's going to be another 2-3 weeks before the replacement gearbox arrives and I'm back on the road.

My question is, have any of you on here had a DSG gearbox replaced and had no further issues.

Cheers.

[INASNT]

Does the 132 use the DQ500?

[REXman]

Got mine replaced on a 162TSI. It was awful before it was changed. Car is great now.

Funnily enough, the engine oil temps were always around 110-114 degrees when cruising around, where now they are only around the 100 mark or less and rise only when the car is punted. Engine was definitely labouring before.


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[Simonr23]

Does the 132 use the DQ500?

Yes it does- all models (except 110tsi) do


@rexman, how long were you driving with the original gearbox. I’d describe my car as feeling ‘restricted’ in some fashion. I wonder if my annoying gearbox traits are a sign of something slightly wrong. It’s done 20000kms, so it can’t be totally faulty.

[turbojetta83]

Got mine replaced on a 162TSI. It was awful before it was changed. Car is great now.

Funnily enough, the engine oil temps were always around 110-114 degrees when cruising around, where now they are only around the 100 mark or less and rise only when the car is punted. Engine was definitely labouring before.


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Thanks for the feedback. I've got my fingers crossed it'll just feel fine once it's replaced (and there's no subsequent, related issues). I didn't even get a chance to see what the oil temps were, having had the car for such a short period of time.

[REXman]

@rexman, how long were you driving with the original gearbox. I’d describe my car as feeling ‘restricted’ in some fashion. I wonder if my annoying gearbox traits are a sign of something slightly wrong. It’s done 20000kms, so it can’t be totally faulty.

Mine was changed around 40k Mark.

DSG always feels like a laggy manual somewhat, especially In E mode, but in sports it feels snappy like a real manual.

The amount of clatter from the previous gearbox was ridiculous. Gear changes felt imprecise. It’s totally different now.

You never though yours could be normal and mine was really bad. Welcome to have a sample if you’re in Sydney north.


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[Wolfsburger]

My DQ500 got replaced under warranty at 7000klms. It was a rattling piece of junk, VW tried to tell me it was normal so I took it to a specialist and they found a leak at the bevel box. Took it back to VW and told them to review it and they replaced the gearbox saying it was RS. The new box still rattles on the downshift from 2nd into first but nowhere near as bad.

I know everyone thinks the box is bullet proof but I’m not one of them. How can there be so much variation? Lots of Friday VW allocated DQ500’s out there it seems.

[Dose Pipe Sutututu]

Interesting, might talk to VW during my next service about ours.

It has HEAPS of slop in the box, especially at low crawling speeds when it pisses and farts between 1st and 2nd. I always thought it was somewhat normal, however it "feels" like it has gotten worse, especially after constantly using LC LOL

[INASNT]

Even thought the Tig has the same DSG model number as the RS3, it could be the lower spec version.

RS3's are running over 400kw@4 wheels without issues.

[tigger73]

I suspect something has changed from gen1 to gen2 Tiguan. There’s virtually zero DQ500 issues with the gen1 Tig, however there’s now been a few complaints / replacements with the gen2. Makes me wonder what has changed.


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[Wolfsburger]

Even thought the Tig has the same DSG model number as the RS3, it could be the lower spec version.

RS3's are running over 400kw@4 wheels without issues.

I agree INASNT. My mates RS3 does not have a rattle, at all, in the slow speed downshifts or where mine is apparent. I also test drove a second hand 2017 RS3 a few days back and it too had zero gearbox rattles and that particular car has had a hard life. Both cars downshift very impressively and at the really low idle speeds where I notice mine, there is none in those two cars.

[iDiesel]

Do the gearboxes in SWB and Allspace models come out of the same factory, or do Allspace DSGs come out of a Mexican factory?

[tigger73]

Do the gearboxes in SWB and Allspace models come out of the same factory, or do Allspace DSGs come out of a Mexican factory?

Not sure on either the engines or gearboxes. They may all come from the same factory and get shipped to the plants for assembly.

[Jenifermarie]

We were looking at the Tiguan 2 years ago but ended up with an Audi Q2 2.0TFSI instead due to the long waiting times for the 162TSI Highline at the time and not really needing the extra space the Tiguan offered

The Q2 runs the same DQ500 gearbox and died on me just before 20000kms, picking the perfect time in nose to tail traffic in Sydney morning peak on a 3 lane road.

The car kindly told me to drive it to the nearest service centre which wasn’t happening as it was skipping gears and lurching around all over the place. Anyway Audi towed it and ended up replacing the whole gearbox because my gearbox had cracked according to them.

Doesn’t sound like they hold many in stock in the country. I was told I got the last one available at the time and it would have been a 6-8 week wait for one from Germany.

Ironically ended up here because now we’re looking to replace it at end of warranty next year and I’m back looking at the Tiguan again thanks to the 5 year warranty they offer now. So just thought I would throw in that it’s not just the Tiguan.

New gearbox isn’t as smooth as the old one. It clunks between 1st and 2nd quite frequently which isn’t building my confidence in it.

[REXman]

In the spirit of the DSG thread, I’ve owned a Golf R, Tiguan 162 Highline and a little Polo 77tsi. All bought brand new.

Tiguan - I just had the second gearbox installed and car is great. The first time it was with my wife organising and not be harsh but I think they just reset the ecu and did the clutch packs told her they changed it.
Reason for change: it was loud, clunky and car was over heating (110degrees oil) when driving around the city at slow pace.
Gearbox: DQ500 7 speed

Polo - my sisters car which I took off her when I sold her my golf R. Gearbox got changed as we were both working in the city Sydney at the time and would park at Delong harbour. As we entered the harbour bridge the gearbox wouldn’t get out of first gear. In peak hour. I had to drive like that to the city. Then turn around and drive to Artarmon. All in first gear. She always complained about it but that’s when it really stuffed up.
Gearbox: DQ200 - dry 7 speed

Golf R - clutch packs replaced due to heavy gear slipping and random neutral selection while driving around. Imprecise driving and quite clanky. Ended up having the gearbox and a second set of clutch packs done at same time. Car has been faultless for 4 years after that, and my sister has had it for another 3 now.
Gearbox: DQ250 - wet 6 speed.

So that rubbish about it being only the dry 7 speed DQ200 that has any issues, is just that.

We punted the Polo but so far the other 2 cars are going ok.