DSG / S Tronic gearboxes...whats the consensus?

[The Confused]

Hi All

We are thinking of buying a 2nd hand Audi A3 from a main dealer. Either 06 or 07 plate, depends on the right spec coming in. It will be diesel, and either 1.9 or 2ltr. We were all up for the DSG or S Tronic (well, the car we looked at had paddles on the wheel for gears) but we have heard/read horror stories from oil for the box costing £160 to new boxes costing £5000. And also auto boxes failing, along with funny procedures for getting off your own drive if on a hill. I noted the post on this forum about autoboxes and someone replacing a metatronic unit, but for an Audi, I cannot believe that they are all that troublesome, whats the strory with them?

Cheers

Mart

[a8 tech]

I wouldn't normally comment but they are very prone to failure but sometimes its just a case of re adaption and oil change but the re adaption can be awkward and some times this indicates mechatronic failure from oil contamination.I would go for a conventional manual

[The Confused]

Hi a8 tech

Thanks for the response. I guess Audi messed this one up. I was hoping that the experiences we heard about were over exaggerated. I mean, my argument was that if loads of people are happy and have had no problem with the DSG or S Tronic then they wont go one line and say they are happy, where as obviously people who have problems will go onto forums and state they have issues.
It's a real shame as we drove a Toyota auto 2 weeks back and found it a positively relaxing drive, and ideally the Audi would have been perfect.

cheers

[a8 tech]

To be fair repeat failure of machatronics is unheard of so oil change and filter at 40,000 and take out audi extended warranty and all should be well,the oil change is the key to warranty as any claim without the correct service history will be rejected.Dsg is great and to be honest we find remaps tend to have some impact but mainly the the tfsi engine,don't forget i am a tech so i am naturally looking on the negative side lol

[Smartpainter]

My 2007 model A3 with 44,000 miles is booked in for re aligning / re adaptation. Local Audi dealership is doing the work under the Approved Used Audi warranty. Will post updates as things progress.

[kkp0897]

I have ordered a new s3 with s-tronic. Can't say I know too much on the mechanics of the system or reliability however I would recommend you negiotiate a fair warranty to cover yourself.

My previous A3 (TDi Quattro Sport) which I bought 6 months old developed a problem after about a year and half.....something to do with the synchron' (it used to crunch down shifting from third to second) the service engineer informed me which resulted in a gearbox change. Fortunately with the vehicle being under warranty it was all covered otherwise I would not have seen much change out of £3K

[The Confused]

It really doesn't sound too reliable. I would have liked it if Audi had the confidence to provide something like a 6yr warranty. They are a premium brand after all.
We are looking to keep the car for a while, so looking for a 20-30k miles diesel A3, and intend to keep for 100k miles, so by my reckoning we could end up with 2 new gear boxes? or some hefty bills for the synchron thingy ?? Maybe manual or Auto Toyota on the cards.

[kkp0897]

I hope I haven't put you off as that wasn't my intention. I vividly remember when taking mine out of for a test drive when we were buying it and I mentioned the gearbox seemed a bit notchy - hopefully it was just a one off. Other than that, it was solid as a rock. Admittedly I did sell it before the 3 year warranty ended, typical of all of the vehicles my wife an I own.

Cheers

kkp

[The Confused]

No you havent put me off, dont worry about that! We are going to test drive one (if they still have it) at the weekend and see how it drives anyway.

[petor]

I am delighted with my 2.0 Tfsi with S-tronic gearbox. I bought nearly new and it has only done 10K so far. Works like a dream. It's my first auto but I would never go back. Especially since VAG insist on fitting that totally unnecessary 6-speed manual gearbox. (4 would be enough with the bigger engines!) In 'sport' it frightens me to death, but then I am getting on a bit ! :biglaugh:

[kkp0897]

No you havent put me off, dont worry about that! We are going to test drive one (if they still have it) at the weekend and see how it drives anyway.

Cool. I would certainly negiotate an extended warranty beyond the 3 year manufacturers one if you're really concerned... Atleast two years. Hope it all goes well.

[Smartpainter]

My 2007 model A3 with 44,000 miles is booked in for re aligning / re adaptation. Local Audi dealership is doing the work under the Approved Used Audi warranty. Will post updates as things progress.

Todays investigation established a new mechatronic is required. Re-adaptation and software update unsuccessful. I'm pleased it will be replaced under warranty but I'm shocked at less than 2 years old and under 45,000 miles that any parts need replacing. Certainly no where near as reliable as the salesman claimed when I test drove the car.

[The Confused]

Hmmm, my dad was kind of warming again to DSG. This may well put him off again!!
It's not good at all after 45K.

[Smartpainter]

In my experience so far and in fairness to Audi, they are dealing with the matter very efficiently. This is my first automatic car and if like me, you don't have much experience of autos, then you will be amazed how fast and smooth the gear change is (when it's working correctly). I never thought an automatic would accelerate faster than a manual, and achieve vertually the same fuel economy.
It's a pitty the stats aren't available to show what percentage of cars with the s-tronic / dsg box actually experience problems. Given the large quantities produced and on the road, I think it could be quite low.
As long as you've got the cover of the warranty you just have to get on with enjoying the car.
Good luck with your choice.

[kkp0897]

Todays investigation established a new mechatronic is required. Re-adaptation and software update unsuccessful. I'm pleased it will be replaced under warranty but I'm shocked at less than 2 years old and under 45,000 miles that any parts need replacing. Certainly no where near as reliable as the salesman claimed when I test drove the car.

Any idea on cost if it weren't covered under warranty?

[Smartpainter]

Not for certain, sorry. Although I have read somewhere on this site £2000 which makes the warranty extensions seem good value. I was offered 12mths at £299 or 24mths at £399.

[The Confused]

I think my dad has now decided on the DSG. He has also got the 2 year extended warranty. So, with 33K on the clock already, about this time next year we shall see if the gearbox goes pop.

[a8 tech]

The oil change is due at 40,000 so ask them to change it before picking the car up so its registered on dialog and extended warranty cant squirm out of it

[The Confused]

We can ask, but we have got some money off already with paintwork polish up, scotch guard, and a full tank. However I will mention it to dad. Hopefully they will do the oil change though as part of the prep?

[chrisyboyc]

Hi Ive owned my A3 2.0TDi from new July 05 ive done 133,000 miles and the DSG gearbox has been great infact i'm going for a new scirocco next year with the same gearbox. 90% of the mileage is Motorway so not much stress on it but great fun on the twisty bits when in Wales

[Smartpainter]

It's good to hear they can be reliable, although with 90% of your driving on the motorway, your gearbox has only really done 13,300 miles of frequent gear changing. I suspect my car may have spent only 30 - 40% of it's time cruising, so that suggests around 26,000 - 30,000 miles of A and B roads.
I'm still waiting (2 weeks so far) for the new mechatronic to arrive from Germany, so for now I'll just carry on kangarooing from junctions.

[The Confused]

We picked up the car on Saturday. Dad is really happy with it. However, we did go for the extended warranty which will give some peace of mind.

[ade1964]

Hello
I have A3 8P 2004 2.0 TDI S-Line.
120,000mile, gearbox never missed a beat.
Previously had C Class 2002, nothing but gearbox problems.

[Smartpainter]

My new mechatronic unit was fitted last week and the S-Tronic box is now working perfectly. Audi have told me the need to replace the mechatronic unit is not common as they're intended to last the life of the car. Fingers crossed with this one then. :)

[kkp0897]

Do you know how much it worked out to be? Presumably you got this done under warranty?

[Smartpainter]

Yes, all done under warranty so I don't know the cost. It probably amounts to a tidy sum as they had the car for two days to carry out the work.