DSG is it that good ?

[Sunny43.5]

I was reading this artice about the Amarok yesterday Courier Mail Cars Guide and they mention that VW admitted that the DSG doesn,t work too well in off road situations because the clutches slip too much causing the box to overheat and cause damage . I then did some more research and this one came up Quote/
[In August 2009, Volkswagen of America issued two recalls of DSG-equipped vehicles. The first involved 13,500 vehicles,[23] and was to address unplanned shifts to the neutral gear,[23] while the second involved similar problems (by then attributed to faulty temperature sensors) and applied to 53,300 vehicles.[23][24][25] These recalls arose as a result of investigations carried out by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),[26] where owners reported to the NHTSA a loss of power whilst driving.[23] This investigation preliminary found only 2008 and 2009 model year vehicles as being affected.[23][26] Other markets, such as Volkswagen group Australia, are yet to admit this being a widespread issue and refuse to offer similar recall programs as their US counterparts, even though multiple reports of similar incidents and failures have occurred.]end quote .
Now it seems to me that we here in Australia are being treated with a bit of contempt by VW AU what do you think , I look forward to your comments . and PS I don,t own a T5 with a DSG so I don,t have a personal axe to grind on this one .

[IN2VWS]

In response the question in the title......Yes, mine is good. Love it.

[blutopless2]

boy.... how to respond to this one...
I guess it will all come down to everyones personal experience with them etc...
IMHO I think the concept is good as lots of manufacturers are going this way and would only do so if they thought it was the future etc...
In my experience the practical use has its limitations... like with all computer controlled equipment it can be stumped by what it "thinks" you are trying to do and what you are actually trying to do.
I had a gearbox fail in my previous car. over time it just got worse. They replaced the mechatronics unit, then finally the whole gearbox. All under warranty and without dispute from VW as the symptoms were there constantly and easily repeatable.
The replacement gearbox was SO much better and worked more like i imagined it was supposed to but still had its little quirks.
They are not for everyone..... After my experience with them I would prefer manual (did before anyway) and all future cars will have the Manual option ticked when purchased.

[kamold]

Yes. Had two now. See sig.
Couldn't be happier.

[Sunny43.5]

As Blutopless2 has said computers trying to outthink the human who is actually driving the van , I have said this before I would like to think that the reason I have a drivers license is that I am in control of the car not it in control of me .

[Luke]

Ok I have only limited experience in a DSG but from what I have so far I would say it's sluggish from a slow start ie from a give way sign. I would say it feels like the clutch is slipping . 2011 132kw multivan.

[Buller_Scott]

i've read on another forum that despite many people being told "no, that sound is within tolerance" etc etc, there can be an issue of the dual mass flywheel failing in the dsg.

in america, people who had dual mass flywheels in their dsg's replaced with new units, recieved... well, new units, with a new part number and everything.

there is interesting reading on tdiclub regarding the dsg dual mass flywheel failures. go to the diesel section of this forum and look for my thread "is your dsg dying, or just your dmf?".

i personally dont see what all the fuss is about - i've driven dsg on a few occasions and i honestly didnt think the gear change was as quick as people/ the media would have you believe - not only were the cars notchy from take off, there was also a noticeable gear change lag between driver input and the gears actually changing imo.

given that i know how to, and am physically capable of, driving manual, i personally wouldnt touch DSG with a barge pole... not until VW sorts their isht out, and ESPECIALLY not in the current climate where VWA apparently seem to have a hit and miss policy with their dealerships with regards to who will be willing to acknowledge that hmmmmm, yes, dsg's to screw up, and that parts do need to be replaced, and no, that whirring sound in second gear is not "within tolerance".

[Sunny43.5]

Here is the article I found it makes for interesting reading of how this box works . Direct-Shift Gearbox - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[buzuki]

ive found the DSG in multi/transporters the most reliable of the lot so far. Im yet to remove one from them.

[Umai Naa!!]

Likewise.

But as said, the DSG is not for everyone. It is not for someone who just wants to put it in D, and go. You still need to anticipate clutch engagement, etc to get the most out of the DSG.

[Tornado T5]

If I had a choice between 7spd DSG and new ZF 8 speed in a new Transporter I would take the ZF in a heart beat. The 6sp ZF in my Ford has been faultless and it handles 270kW and 533Nm (from 2000rpm). I could only imagine a new gen 8 speed ZF would be sensationally smooth and bugger any fuel economy difference.

[Sunny43.5]

Maybe its just me but do we really have our lives enriched by these gear boxes , I would admit that if I was going to race every hot head at the traffic lights then the quick shift would be an advantage but is it worth it for every day drivers who just want a simple system without having to adapt to the gear boxes own inbuilt quirkiness . And Buzuki I would gather you are either a VW tech or independant mechanic ? if you have not yet removed one could that be because the cost frightened the crap out of the owner and that owner decides to just live with his problem . It is what happened to me but not with a DSG ours is the 6 speed triptronic in the first released T5,s and when VW told me that if the tranny was making unusual changes and then told me because it was sealed for life they would not service it only replace $6000 plus [never went back to VW after that one ]

[Transporter]

The more gears equals better fuel economy and the smoother ride, since the engine is always in the optimal rpm's. Buzuki and others didn't remove the 7sp dsg from the T5 because there aren't many T5 with higher mileage yet. Only the time will tell.

[Sharkie]

Having lived with a DSG7 in the MV for 15 months now, I'd change it in a heartbeat to a manual ......

[greymad]

Ok I have only limited experience in a DSG but from what I have so far I would say it's sluggish from a slow start ie from a give way sign. I would say it feels like the clutch is slipping . 2011 132kw multivan.

I'll chime in here & say that I'm experiencing the same in a a 132kw T5: dunno whether to put it down to turbo lag or whatever, but where a gap in the traffic in just about any other vehicle I've driven was ok to dive into; with the current 2011 camper, it's fraught with danger.
Had the first (15,000km) service done recently - complained about the lag, and had the report that there was "no issue" with it. I find it hard to believe.
Not happy, John...