DSG - I'm Disappointed

[Passatier3]

If you do a search for 'mechatronic' here on the B6 forum you'll find others have mentioned this many times before, and you may gain some useful information from some of the threads.

Did the search and read a lot of the posts.

Thanks that was really useful and convinced me that the DSG wasn't performing as it should. Having read the posts I think if I was buying now, because of the issues with the DSG I'd go manual. Can't wait now to have the work done, though it is pretty much behaving itself at the moment and so is nice to drive.

As has often been said though, forums can sometimes give the wrong impression as owners with problems are more likely to post. Would be interesting to know what VAG figures are for problem DSGs against number of units sold.

Was going to keep at end of finance in 12 months or so time but maybe if I decide on a keeper I'l go for a manual again then. I'll be torn between manual and DSG though as when the latter is working correctly they are great. For peace of mind I can always take out an extended warranty of course.

Who knows then though, a new Passat must be due soon? Have to say though personally I like the look of the existing car and not overkeen on the new corporate front on the Golf etc. which will no doubt figure on a new Passat.

[DSG4ME]

Bear this in mind about a manual...

DMF and clutch, the way this is right now, an owner with a car he's going to put 120k on can expect these parts to be replaced twice, this is at a VW cost of £1500 or £900 Indy each time.

[Passatier3]

I know clutches aren't without their problems but it's more unlikely and at least it's more in the hands (well feet!) of the user.

They are much more simple and are tried and tested technology. I've never had a new clutch on a modern car, I'm not hard on clutches anyway.

Used to have to replace them in my younger days in Minis and Marinas etc. but that was usual, along with replacing exhausts every couple of years.

Clutches are cheaper than a DSG anyway. How much will it cost to get the clutch packs changed and how long are they expected to last and then there's the mechatronic unit.

Went DSG as new car and had the warranty.

[DSG4ME]

I know clutches aren't without their problems but it's more unlikely and at least it's more in the hands (well feet!) of the user.

They are much more simple and are tried and tested technology. I've never had a new clutch on a modern car, I'm not hard on clutches anyway.

Used to have to replace them in my younger days in Minis and Marinas etc. but that was usual, along with replacing exhausts every couple of years.

Clutches are cheaper than a DSG anyway.

It's not the clutch that goes, it's the DMF, it's a poor design, and affects all cars fitted with one, not only VW's.

[logiclee]

I had a tdci Mondeo that had a failed DMF at 50k miles but replaced under warranty. My wifes 1.9pd engined Fabia started with DMF rattle/rumble at 30k miles but now at 40k miles it hasn't got any worse but it's quite annoying.
DMF failure is a really big issue on the caravan forums so it seems the DMF struggles with high torque especially under load.

Cheers
Lee

[Passatier3]

It's not the clutch that goes, it's the DMF, it's a poor design, and affects all cars fitted with one, not only VW's.

DMF - didn't know about this but do now, having done a search! Something else that manufacturers have introduced and can't get right despite the millions they spend on design and testing

One of my mates won't have any truck with new bikes and cars. Has an original Mini and an Austin Healy Sprite - his view is that if he had a new/newish car it would soon just be an old car which is difficult or in some cases impossible to work on unlike his old motors.

I'm starting to come around to his way of thinking!

[Europa25]

Great thread, and something i have thought about recently!

About 2 years ago, a car hit mine - a silver passat.
On putting it in the garage, my car insurance gave me 3 weeks free car hire - they gave me a punto, i said no!
When i went back, they said 'take this for christmas and new year, it's all we've got' - brand new silver passat!

10 months later, i wanted to change the car and get my first auto - everything pointed to vw diesels and something i'd never heard of - DSG.

By chance i looked at my local VW dealer, and they had just knocked £1500 off a beautiful 55 2.0 SE DSG , V low mileage and it's with me 20 months later.

I love it, and have found the relationship between driver and gearbox has to be instinctive and mutual!

The worst thing i find is when you are at say 10-15mph at a roundabout and want to get away - sometimes it has a good 'think' and then goes into warp factor which is annoying for a second then terrifying if you don't throttle back!

I've learn't how to read it and drive on.
The pure power and quietness are worth the couple of quirks to me.

If there are any reliability probs, i think VW would have been better leaving the +/- manual change out, and i don't think Sport mode is needed either - there is plenty of meaninful and useful torque at very low revs negating the screaming sport mode!

I'd love to drive a passat petrol DSG to compare, but i find what mine does is good enough and more

[Passatier3]

Agree with you about the island thing and also happens when slowing and turning into a T junction - with the latter it drops into second with a consequential rise in revs whereas in a manual I'd stay in third.

The DSG has to do this of course, especially at islands because of the turbo-lag (less with CR) and loss of acceleration just when you need it.

In a manual, if you remained in third and found yourself floundering as another car bears down on you, you could always dip the clutch to get the revs up and away you go. Obviously a DSG can't do this and so be sure of providing sufficient acceleration is has to change down.

T junctions aren't a problem as once changed down to second I just ease the throttle back on to make it smoother. Islands as has been said are a different matter as you don't normally have much time to faff about and just have to boot it which results in the sudden change down, rapid acceleration and high revs.

I can also live with these traits though - once the jerkiness has been sorted I'll be a happy bunny again.

Can't agree with you about leaving the manual mode out though - that's one of the attractions of DSG and works really well, especially in the higher gears - without that I wouldn't have even considered a DSG as I've never been an "auto" man. Sport mode I'm not bothered about as IMO doesn't suit a diesel though other guys like it. I don't think the DSG having a manual mode is the reason for the reliability problems?

[rapport25]

Great thread, and something i have thought about recently!

About 2 years ago, a car hit mine - a silver passat.
On putting it in the garage, my car insurance gave me 3 weeks free car hire - they gave me a punto, i said no!
When i went back, they said 'take this for christmas and new year, it's all we've got' - brand new silver passat!

10 months later, i wanted to change the car and get my first auto - everything pointed to vw diesels and something i'd never heard of - DSG.

By chance i looked at my local VW dealer, and they had just knocked £1500 off a beautiful 55 2.0 SE DSG , V low mileage and it's with me 20 months later.

I love it, and have found the relationship between driver and gearbox has to be instinctive and mutual!

The worst thing i find is when you are at say 10-15mph at a roundabout and want to get away - sometimes it has a good 'think' and then goes into warp factor which is annoying for a second then terrifying if you don't throttle back!

I've learn't how to read it and drive on.
The pure power and quietness are worth the couple of quirks to me.

If there are any reliability probs, i think VW would have been better leaving the +/- manual change out, and i don't think Sport mode is needed either - there is plenty of meaninful and useful torque at very low revs negating the screaming sport mode!

I'd love to drive a passat petrol DSG to compare, but i find what mine does is good enough and more

The island get away or as I call it russian roulette will the car hit me or will the dsg find a gear in time!!!!

When it goes its amazing!!!99% of the time its in D on the odd occasion its in sport. I tend to use the paddles a bit more which works great!!!

I also agree with a previous post use it in sport for stop start traffic as D tends to change to 2nd far to quick and the car hunts a little.

I to would love to drive the petrol dsg as sport mode does not suit the diesel engine.

Thats my bit.

Rappy.

Just curious how long will the dsg box last compared to a manual? Any ideas guys?.

[fahad]

Hi you may have got to vw dealers and tell them that i whould like my gearbox software upgraded. There a new software for the DSG boxes.