Hello!

First of, I'm from Denmark, over here there are not that many Fabia's with an automatic gearbox, so its next to impossible to get any "hands on opinions". The dealers dont even take small automatic cars home, so I cant just walk up and say "i wanna try that, before I order one...".

The Fabia 1.2TSI DSG7 is the successor to the 1.6 Aut...

On paper the 1.2TSI DSG7 is better in any way. Fuel consumption, more torque at lower RPMs, extra gears, more smooth gear change, and so on.

I only drive about 12.000km a year, so Fuel consumption is not that important. The ekstra power is nice to have, but not a "MUST HAVE", due to 80% city driving.

But what about reliability? Which is better? The 1.2TSI DSG7 or 1.6 aut?

Is there anybody here, who have driving both cars? If so, please please please throw in a few words.

At the moment, the 1.6 aut is quite cheap because of the new 1.2TSI DSG7, but if the 1.6 Aut is gonna be a hell hole to drive, I'd rather flip the ekstra coin and buy the 1.2TSI DSG7. But then again, if it brakes down all the time, I'm gonna be ruined.

Get the 7 speed DSG. Great little transmission and well proven now. Also no performance disadvantage to having a DSG as its a robotised manual box rather than a traditional torque converter auto. The TSi engine is also a little belter in both 85 and 105ps; will perform better and use less fuel than the 1.6.

The DSG is far better than the old auto, which in my opinion was a clonky old fashioned power sapping slush box.

It's smoother, more efficient and has more gears. Reliability looks good too. What's not to like?

The old auto also gave the 1.6 petrol pretty poor performance and high emmissions and fuel use.

Again because it was an old fashioned clonky, power sapping box. I think that sums it up... :yes:

The thing not to like, is the prize

The cheapest factory new 1.2TSI DSG7 costs 214.000kr, thats +25.000Punds.

A 2009 1.6 Aut, with 28.000km on the clock, only costs 149.000kr, thats 16.600punds.

Keep in mind the nasty taxes in Denmark... So thats a whole lot of money

But i appreciate all the input!

Edited 12 July, 201114 yr by Seth-Enoch

Well, so far we haven't had any TSI's breaking down, I've had no problems at all with mine, it is a brilliant engine

DSG has been the same. Despite peoples fears, there have been no failures reported on here as far as I know.

The TSI DSG combo is great and gives 40-50 mpg + very easily. However as you say the price difference is huge and would buy a lot of petrol. The 1.6 auto I have only driven in the Roomster it is very smooth I found or at low speeds where there is not the hesitation as with dsg including parking. However the 1.6 feels slow and underpowered I realise the Roomster is bigger and slightly heavier but it felt slower the the 1.2htp 70bhp I had. When on the motorway I was constantly having to use the kick down function to make any progress, cruising at 60 - 70 mph and a hill arrives the box was constantly swapping ratios due to the low torque levels where as dsg will stay in 7th with no issues. Also the kick-down in the auto was slow had to leave a big gap as you press pedal down and nothing for a few seconds then would surge forward where as dsg will instantly give you the power and change down several ratios, when I used the 1.6 auto I really struggled to get 40mpg though the car only has a 1000 miles on the clock I would say average economy would be 30 - 40 mpg.

I would say given the price difference the 1.6 is not all bad and the extra money would buy extra fuel if you do a lot of town work the auto may be better suited however if you can afford the extra the tsi is light years ahead in terms of power and economy provided you can forgive the dsg some hesitation around town in return for a better box for overtaking and country drives.

Hope it helps.

Thnx for all the input guys.

The thing that makes me wonder is. When the 1.4 aut got replaced with the 1.6 aut, the new gearbox was praised. It was like "Its sooo smooth", "Muuch better than the old one", "Quick shifts" ect.. Then the DSG came to the Fabia and over night the old box became Rubbish, slow, noisy and so on. Weird change in just one night

Are all people blinded with DSG when it comes to Audi, VW, Skoda and Seat cars? Other brands like Kia, Renault and Suzuki only have 4gears torque converters in alot of their models(In Denmark atleast), but u dont hear anybody complaining about those. In fact people love em

Other brands like Kia, Renault and Suzuki only have 4gears torque converters in alot of their models(In Denmark atleast), but u dont hear anybody complaining about those. In fact people love em

Poor souls don't know any better.

Perhaps you should wait a couple of years and buy a used 1.2 DSG. My point is that you can't really compare the latest model new price against a used model of a version no longer being made.

If your issue is purely financial then it's a no brainer - get the used car. But if you want the better vehicle, get the DSG equipped car