DSG 7 speed - is it now a reliable choice?

[DavidFC]

Looking to buy my first Yeti up to 2 years old, wanting petrol automatic. Heard a lot about problems with recalls and issues with mechatronics in recent years. Are VAG past their problems? Would used be false economy?

Thanks

[Ryeman]

By German standards probably

By Japanese standards- still questionable

IMO

[Ryeman]

Looking to buy my first Yeti up to 2 years old, wanting petrol automatic. Heard a lot about problems with recalls and issues with mechatronics in recent years. Are VAG past their problems? Would used be false economy?

Thanks

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/160051-if-you-are-about-to-order-a-yeti-things-to-think-about/

This might be of some help (or give you a headache)))))

[Alexul]

I had the same dilemma for the last weeks before purchasing a new Yeti this weekend. I didn't want to take risks so I bought a manual. The internet is full of problems with DSG but almost all of them are from users with gearboxes bought before all the recalls and fixes. Those who bought an automatic in 2015 are quite happy but they also don't have a high mileage. We will see what they report after 40 - 50.000. I think they will prove reliable. What bothers me is the huge price difference between the manual and DSG: 1700 euros while the others car makers were asking around 1000 euros. Only Mercedes was pricier, with 2000 euros extra but their DCT gearbox has mostly good reviews and I would trust it anytime.  

[rriggs]

Well, I've had my DSG for a few weeks now and have put nearly 130 miles on it without a single fault - so far so good.

I did have concerns when I was considering a DSG but I really wanted an auto and will be under warranty for three years and will worry about it again after that.

TBH, if you look at any model of any car on the market you will always find common faults. While something to look out for I don't think they should be a deciding factor on their own.

[marcusthehat]

Despite driving an Octavia,

I too have the dreaded dry 7 speed DSG transmission.

Currently in the 6th year of ownership from new with just about 90,000 miles on.

And fingers well crossed.

However if the DSG issue affects the trade-in value (as it must) I might as well drive the car, i.e it is worth more to me to drive than trade.

Since at least i know its provanence and service history.

and Green Flag recovery insurance through the UFU is v affordable.

And we got the SDP van as bullet proof back-up

regards

M

[graham47]

Despite driving an Octavia,

I too have the dreaded dry 7 speed DSG transmission.

Currently in the 6th year of ownership from new with just about 90,000 miles on.

And fingers well crossed.

However if the DSG issue affects the trade-in value (as it must) I might as well drive the car, i.e it is worth more to me to drive than trade.

M

I think some of you are going way over the top as regards this!

The car is 6 years old and has 90,000 miles on the clock. This is far more likely to affect any trade in value than some "alleged" DSG problem which, presumably, you seen no signs of in 90,000 miles.

4 months ago I traded in a 4 year old Yeti DSG and there was absolutely nothing asked about any dsg "problems".

And, yes, I got a good trade in !

[marcusthehat]

ok

But since i generally run cars to 250,000 miles, this could be more  pertinent.

M

[Zib]

I asked about high mileage DSGs in this thread: http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/357085-highest-12-dsg-mileage-yet-without-dsg-issues/

There were a lot of responses but only one actual DSG issue from a 2010 model.

[VAGCF]

ok

But since i generally run cars to 250,000 miles, this could be more  pertinent.

M

Only another 10 plus years to go then!

 

I've never kept a car for 6 years never mind nearly 17!

Edited 3 February, 2016 by VAGCF

[VAGCF]

Trouble is with DSG is that they sort the problems on one version and then bring out a new version!

[Expatman]

ok

But since i generally run cars to 250,000 miles, this could be more  pertinent.

M

The design life of modern cars is 7-8 years and although they will generally go on reliably well after that time you have to consider you are on borrowed time. The basic mechanics might keep going for 250,000 but you will be very lucky if one of the expensive gizmos - emissions control, electronic controls etc. - doesn't fail and be uneconomic to repair. Maybe you should think about a mechanically simpler vehicle? LR Defender anyone?

[Spaldi01]

My last car had 120K on a six speed gearbox over 8 years and had no problems when I sold it. My current 2 year old 1.2 Yeti has about 26K on it and as expected is problem free. I would not worry about it I'm currently looking at changing to a 1.4 yeti and will really miss having a DSG. If you are worried get a warranty from an after market company  

[Ryeman]

The design life of modern cars is 7-8 years and although they will generally go on reliably well after that time you have to consider you are on borrowed time. The basic mechanics might keep going for 250,000 but you will be very lucky if one of the expensive gizmos - emissions control, electronic controls etc. - doesn't fail and be uneconomic to repair. Maybe you should think about a mechanically simpler vehicle? LR Defender anyone?

James May flushed out a response from a Mini production line supervisor the "10 year design life of the vehicle".

It's all about 10.

[marcusthehat]

10-12 years & 200-250,000 miles with routine servicing and a modicum of mechanical sympathy from the driver

should be absolutly reasonable.

In the declining years I will accept loss of efficiency of A/C, and un-needed electronic gizmos.

For instance, the Galaxy finished her days out (and passed a strict  NI MOT) with the collapsed drivers window glass securely replaced by clean Polycarbonate secured around the frame with cable ties, it looked kinda crude, but was perfectly functional.

As was the rest of the car mechanically.

cheers

m

[JCP]

Entirely a matter of personal choice but not many want to drive a "shed" and if they do they need not ever pay current newish prices-most auctions-except the big and well organised national one have a ready supply of very nearly worn out and barely usable cars for peanuts-good luck!!

[oldstan]

My last car had 120K on a six speed gearbox over 8 years and had no problems when I sold it. My current 2 year old 1.2 Yeti has about 26K on it and as expected is problem free. I would not worry about it I'm currently looking at changing to a 1.4 yeti and will really miss having a DSG. If you are worried get a warranty from an after market company  

 

But make sure the warranty provider covers the DSG. Mine doesn't (Car Care Plan...you know - the one approved by VAG).

 

And before anyone asks, yes I rang them twice and asked the same question...and twice they confirmed the clutch pack within the DSG (the thing that has been replaced under warranty so, hopefully, is now OK) is excluded.

[Ryeman]

But make sure the warranty provider covers the DSG. Mine doesn't (Car Care Plan...you know - the one approved by VAG).

 

And before anyone asks, yes I rang them twice and asked the same question...and twice they confirmed the clutch pack within the DSG (the thing that has been replaced under warranty so, hopefully, is now OK) is excluded.

You wouldn't actually expect the wear items to be covered as a 'failure'.

[oldstan]

You wouldn't actually expect the wear items to be covered as a 'failure'.

 

 

You might not - but don't speak on my behalf please. The way I see it is the clutch pack is as integral a part of the automatic transmission as the impellor pump in a torque converter gearbox. And if the latter failed it would be covered whereas the former is excluded due to the fact that Car Care Plan are aware that it's been subject to a manufacturers recall and excluded it thus.

 

We are all fully aware that the friction linings on a manual clutch can be abused by the user and may fail early on due to mis-use - and are consequently subject to obvious and well documented exclusions. I regard the inner components of the DSG to be that which I describe above and not a "wear" item" to use your description.

[Ryeman]

You might not - but don't speak on my behalf please. The way I see it is the clutch pack is as integral a part of the automatic transmission as the impellor pump in a torque converter gearbox. And if the latter failed it would be covered whereas the former is excluded due to the fact that Car Care Plan are aware that it's been subject to a manufacturers recall and excluded it thus.

 

We are all fully aware that the friction linings on a manual clutch can be abused by the user and may fail early on due to mis-use - and are consequently subject to obvious and well documented exclusions. I regard the inner components of the DSG to be that which I describe above and not a "wear" item" to use your description.

Would you expect the clutch friction plate, pressure plate and thrust bearing on a non-automated transmission to be replaced under warranty?.

Clutch bands on normal torque converter transmissions wear out also but aren't claimable either

DSG clutch material wears out also.

It's replaced as a 'clutch pack' when it wears out in normal use........it's a 'wear item' like brake pads as distinct from an item that has mechanically 'failed' due to component or assembly fault.

It's the price you pay for a sophisticated, automated system.........it's a 'hidden cost' and a hell of a shock when you get the bad news.

The answer is to avoid them or don't keep it too long........the trade in price will reflect reality though.

[oldstan]

Would you expect the clutch friction plate, pressure plate and thrust bearing on a non-automated transmission to be replaced under warranty?.

Clutch bands on normal torque converter transmissions wear out also but aren't claimable either

DSG clutch material wears out also.

It's replaced as a 'clutch pack' when it wears out in normal use........it's a 'wear item' like brake pads as distinct from an item that has mechanically 'failed' due to component or assembly fault.

It's the price you pay for a sophisticated, automated system.........it's a 'hidden cost' and a hell of a shock when you get the bad news.

The answer is to avoid them or don't keep it too long........the trade in price will reflect reality though.

 

 

Did I not answer your first question in line one para.2?

 

I'll admit to not having spent too much of my evening searching but I can't find anything telling me that specified parts of a TC box are excluded...but my supplying Main Dealer has told me that everything within a TC box is covered by the manufacturers warranty (I have a Hyundai with a TC box hence my asking).

 

My clutch pack (and those of  countless others) HAVE been replaced under the terms of the VAG 3 yr  warranty.  The replacement rectified clutch judder and it's fine now (as it has been for the past 3 or 4 yrs)

 

I disagree... the "answer" is NOT to avoid them!  If I happen to want an automatic Yeti (or Fabia, Golf etc) there's no choice. And it's my choice to have kept it for a period of time which you might describe as "a long time" because I like the car and it's gearbox and if it went wrong I'd pay for it to be fixed....same as I would my washing machine or lawnmower.  I do have an extended warranty because for a couple of hundred quid it might save me paying for something major under the bonnet - it's a gamble..like all insurance.... If the warranty doesn't cover the clutch pack, then so be it...VAG have said there would probably be a goodwill contribution as it has full VAG servicing...but otherwise I'd pay for it myself.  If that's the price of owning an automatic Yeti out of the 3 yr warranty, then I'll pay it. I'm not hard up.

 

Re. trade in price...please be good enough to furnish me with evidence at first hand (not hearsay) that the DSG will hammer the trade in figure.  Coz, strangely enough, the dealer who sold me the car HAS given me ACTUAL figures and they DO NOT reflect this dreadful apocolypse that you tell me about.

 

I'm happy enough to reply to actual factual responses but am not going to spend time on loose observations of opinion and hearsay.

[Ryeman]

^^^^just remember they (modern cars) have a design life of 10 years and that's the sad reality.

[oldstan]

OK...Time to draw a line under this.

 

I said.....    "I'm happy enough to reply to actual factual responses but am not going to spend time on loose observations of opinion and hearsay."

 

And you replied....  "^^^^just remember they (modern cars) have a design life of 10 years and that's the sad reality." 

 

I have nothing further to add and really do need to get on with other things.  The OP will make up their mind based on facts and figures and, hopefully, won't be too distracted by naysayers, some, if not most, of whom don't actually own one and are simply content to repeat stories and anecdotes picked up from their mate down the pub...or by spending too much time on internet forums... or wherever else... and are happy speak in generalisations rather than actuality.

 

Thank you.

 

Edited 4 February, 2016 by oldstan

[fabiamk2SE]

Well, I've had my DSG for a few weeks now and have put nearly 130 miles on it without a single fault - so far so good.

 

 

Personally.. id be looking for a few more problem free miles than that  

 

Even my mates Glanza tuned to a silly amount manages atleast 10 more miles than that before breaking down  

[marcusthehat]

I am with oldstan, in that if a device is designed so as to be "automatic" in its operation and therefore not liable to suffer from driver abuse, or misuse.

It should NOT be considered to be a "wearing" part,

since with correct design it should be possible to make it last for "x"  hundred thousand miles of use before failure

i.e. it is entirely possible and practical to engineer in any desired amount of miles before statistical failure, i.e. "mean time(or miles) before failure".

Simples!

marcus