New Passat Estate -Should I wait?

I am a caravanner who currently tows with a Skoda Octavia Estate 130bhp Diesel 6sp box.

This is the second I've owned & I have found them admirable towcars. In 80,000miles on the old one and 56,000 on the current one, I've only had to have new tyres and wipers, and one cam-belt change, apart from routine servicing. That's it.

In thinking of replacing my caravan I find I may need more towing capacity than the Skoda provides (only 1400kg) so I thought I'd upgrade to a Passat Estate (Diesel) with a DSG box.

However some of the nightmare scenarios I've seen about the new Passat has got me wondering.

Should I wait, or perhaps buy s/h, the old version with the same 130bhp diesel engine as the Octavia, but with a DSG box?

The Audi A4 Avant (s/h) seems hardly any larger than the Skoda and does not use the DSG box AFAIK. Also seems lower to sit in than the Octavia and they are way over-priced IMHO!!

So any advice from you guys to help resolve my dilema would be gratefully received.
:beerchug: Cheers

Why not go for the new skoda superb 2.5 tdi v6 6 speed quattro as they are brilliant towing machines and will still return a reasonable Mpg. Shop around and you wont regret it. I dont know how good the dsg box is at pulling but i will rather have a worn clutch replaced than a broken dsg box repaired for 300 pounds ! It commes with plenty standard equipment as standard and will hold resale value reasonablly well.

I don't think the DSG was available on the pre B6 Passat - Auto yes, but not DSG.

I would steer clear of the DSG system, probs on most cars with this fitted. As has been said, for towing a 2.5 TDI manual car would be excellent as you need all the Torque you can get for towing.

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Originally Posted by les

I would steer clear of the DSG system, probs on most cars with this fitted. As has been said, for towing a 2.5 TDI manual car would be excellent as you need all the Torque you can get for towing.

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Hi Les, I tow with a Touran DSG, close to it's towing limit of 1500 Kgs., and have had no problems whatsoever. I find it a great gearbox all-'round, and have never heard of anyone having had problems with it.

Wait untill it breaks mate. Its cheaper to replace a clutch than repair a DSG auto gearbox. Remember the muppets at the dealers dont know to service a old style 4speed auto gearbox and they are sending it away in germany for servicing, what do you think they gonna do with a NEW DSG gearbox ? Just pray it will break durring the waranty and do not mention you towed with it !!! Surf tdiclub in the states to see how many hapy customers are over there who drive auto/dsg gearboxes ! Also remember the oil needs replacing quite often in these and cost a few quid. Take my advice: 2.5 tdi quatro(torsen/all mechanical=NO MAINTENANCE) mated to a 6 speed manual gearbox with an upgraded clutch and you will have no problems ! Hope this helps. Its happens that i used to own a 2.5 tdi a6auto that blew a gearbox even though i newer towed with it and now i have a 98 a4 2.5 tdi quattro/6 speed that i use regular to tow and i am verry happy with it. Good luck !

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Originally Posted by adamss24

Wait untill it breaks mate. Its cheaper to replace a clutch than repair a DSG auto gearbox. Remember the muppets at the dealers dont know to service a old style 4speed auto gearbox and they are sending it away in germany for servicing, what do you think they gonna do with a NEW DSG gearbox ? Just pray it will break durring the waranty and do not mention you towed with it !!! Surf tdiclub in the states to see how many hapy customers are over there who drive auto/dsg gearboxes ! Also remember the oil needs replacing quite often in these and cost a few quid. Take my advice: 2.5 tdi quatro(torsen/all mechanical=NO MAINTENANCE) mated to a 6 speed manual gearbox with an upgraded clutch and you will have no problems ! Hope this helps. Its happens that i used to own a 2.5 tdi a6auto that blew a gearbox even though i newer towed with it and now i have a 98 a4 2.5 tdi quattro/6 speed that i use regular to tow and i am verry happy with it. Good luck !

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I absolutely agree!, I can understand why people want to tow with an auto, but a lot of prolonged slippage = excessive internal heat which is bad, results in a dead auto before its time and a huge bill

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Originally Posted by adamss24

Wait untill it breaks mate. Its cheaper to replace a clutch than repair a DSG auto gearbox. Remember the muppets at the dealers dont know to service a old style 4speed auto gearbox and they are sending it away in germany for servicing, what do you think they gonna do with a NEW DSG gearbox ? Just pray it will break durring the waranty and do not mention you towed with it !!! Surf tdiclub in the states to see how many hapy customers are over there who drive auto/dsg gearboxes ! Also remember the oil needs replacing quite often in these and cost a few quid. Take my advice: 2.5 tdi quatro(torsen/all mechanical=NO MAINTENANCE) mated to a 6 speed manual gearbox with an upgraded clutch and you will have no problems ! Hope this helps. Its happens that i used to own a 2.5 tdi a6auto that blew a gearbox even though i newer towed with it and now i have a 98 a4 2.5 tdi quattro/6 speed that i use regular to tow and i am verry happy with it. Good luck !

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I appreciate what you are saying, and have no doubt that repairs to a DSG will be very expensive. However, I've done some searches on the tdi club, and can't see any expensive repairs quoted, or many unsatisfied customers for that matter. Having said that, I must admit that I am no "computer expert", and would be happy to stand correction, and apologise in advance, if you could quote the site to which you are referring. Thanks.

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Originally Posted by les

I absolutely agree!, I can understand why people want to tow with an auto, but a lot of prolonged slippage = excessive internal heat which is bad, results in a dead auto before its time and a huge bill

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Before you give your advice you should at least do a minimal amount of research.

The is no 'slippage' within a DSG box - there is no torque converter.

A DSG is not an autobox in the usual sense, it's an auto preselector box with a pair of electrically actuated wet clutches.

Roy

Whatever they say about a DSG gearbox its STILL an automatic gearbox and will be VERRY expensive to fix when it breaks. Wet or dry, the clutches will still slip but the computer will try to minimise that. What i say is that is a manual gearbox is better to tow and cheaper to fix than any equivalent automatic gearbox. Remember how reliable Mercedes and Vw/audi engines used to be in the 80 ? Why , because they did not have electrical sensors and stuff to break...Me, i will still buy a manual 6 sped gearbox any time, just for the extra speed... Your money are your money and you spend them as you wish ! Good luck.