Tiptronic v DSG

[mouk]

I am looking at maybe getting a Fabia II

 

As far as I can work out you can buy a standard auto which is referred to as Tiptronic or in later versions a DSG gearbox - is this correct?

 

The DSG appears to be more fuel efficient so I wonder whetehr it would be worth spending a bit more to get one - and I hear they are good autos - but it would really be pushing my budget.

 

Anyone have any thoughts?

 

[fabandy]

Dear Mouk, I have a 1.2tsi dsg fabia and love it. You need a 2011 model to get the new 1.2 turbo 105ps with dsg that replaced the naturally aspirated 1.6 105ps with torque converter Tiptronic (so the 1.6 is pre-facelift - different 'face' lights, fog lamps and new interior trim, aircon and vent trims). If you look back in posts you will see someone who bought a 1.6 Tiptronic and loves it. The dsg changes very quickly and smoothly most of the time and gives better fuel economy, emissions and, therefore, much cheaper road tax. It feels different to a normal auto because there is no 'slipping clutch' feeling and it will use the great engine torque from low revs to pull without revving if you are not in too much of a hurry. On the other hand, if the car is much dearer, how much will you save in road tax over the time you own it? If you drive gently or in town you will not find as much difference in ecomomy as the government figures suggest. (I get just over 40mpg in varied driving with plenty of town and motorway in my dsg.) Finally, the dsg is not quite as smooth at slow speeds and will not creep quite as well (you might need to use the handbrake reversing into a parking space on a hill.) Overall, both cars are good and will drive much more like a big car (Golf?) than you would expect for the price - almost as much space too. Just don't pay too much - there is a new Fabia due next year - and remember that any auto can cost in repairs but the dsg (and turbo tsi engine) probably more than the simpler Tiptronic (that is robust and most auto specialists can repair) but you can always buy a warranty. Good luck!

[mouk]

Hi

 

Thanks for the response.

 

I think maybe I need to test drive box gearboxes to see whetehr the DSG is OK or not.

 

I have an 04 reg Fabia and to be hoenst it is perfectly fine for gear changes so anything that is the same or better will do me fine.

[GeneralPurpose]

Hello mouk, fabandy is right. Both are very good engine/gearbox units. I bought the Level 2, 1.6 16v Tiptronic Estate earlier this year on a '59' plate. The garage threw in some extra's too such as side rubbing strips. I traded my near 5 year old diesel Fabia Estate that I originally bought new. The reason for the change was the urgent need for the auto box. I looked at both model versions the 1.2TSI DSG, and the Tiptronic 1.6 (although that version was not available new of course). I liked both very much and DSG is the way most are going now as it does have some advantages. However, the cost of changing to the new Estate 1.2TSI DSG was rather a lot of money for me at the time, and considering this was an unplanned but necessary change, I decided to go for a Skoda Approved Used car. So my 1.6 16v Tiptronic Estate was 3 years old when I bought her, was unmarked, and had a genuine 10,000 miles on the clock with full service history. It had a full 3 year service including a brake fluid change before I picked her up. It drive beautifully, very smooth and the Tiptronic box has all the nice things too such as sport mode, manual tiptronic mode (very nice too) and a very relaxing drive mode. Best of all the engine, without a turbo is lovely and smooth too and gives 49-50mpg easily on the motorways if you keep to around 65mph. If you slow a bit it does more and the fuel computer is bang on for accuracy too. To be fair, in reality, I don't think you will do quite as well on fuel with the Tiptronic version as you would with the 1.2TSI, but there isn't really too much difference as far as I can see. but it will depend on the type of driving you do. My neighbour has the 1.2TSI DSG and he doesn't do as well as me on a run but he gets slightly more mpg's in town. My 1.6 drops to around 30mpg in town. I've checked it several times against my own pencil and paper method.

 

The only other thing I would add is that the Tiptronic box (made by Aisin) is totally bullet proof in it's last incarnation from 2007 onwards. It's very tough, rugged but refined and smooth. Completely tried and tested. It's fun to drive and has a design life of at least 125,000 miles before it may need maintenance. It is very efficient and locks up at low speeds on all gears. I know several taxis that have this box in them and they have put many more miles on one than 125k without problems. It's designed to be used on bigger cars and bigger engines (it can handle upto 250nm of torque!) and it appeared in the Audi and Golf with much more power than we have in the Fabia's and it handles that ok. Oh...and it's maintenance free totally, sealed for life! I don't yet know of any high mileage DSG boxes in the Fabia's so cannot comment in that direction. Hope that helps. 

Edited 2 September, 2013 by Estate Man

[horkin]

Plenty of larger cars in the Vag range with DSG boxes both wet clutch 6 speed and dry clutch 7 speed. Some are reps cars and are accumulating high mileages well though you'll always hear a lot more about the ones with problems.

 

I can't compare with the 1.6 Tip, as I have never driven one. All I will say is I have owned some pretty great tiptronic cars, my last being a BMW 5 but I have never owned an auto that comes even close to the DSG 7.

 

I have never encountered anything but smooth at low or high speeds and I always reverse into my drive which is on an incline (although not steep) and the hill hold is fine with absolutely no need to use the hand brake.

 

I'd agree with above, test drive and decide as other factors such as cost will be determined by your own circumstances.

[fabandy]

Those who are not familiar with dsg might, however, be interested to check that they are happy with the difference in 'creep' function without a torque converter, especially when reverse parking on a hill (slow manoeuvres and not simply setting off). There have been posts from people who have asked about this in the past, though I have not found it an issue for me personally. The occasional hesitation of dsg when deciding which gear to select, particularly at roundabouts, is also well-documented. On balance, I too find dsg to be the best auto I have owned but these are the points worth checking if taking a test drive, though Estate Man does highlight that the reliability/financial decision is complex and depends on what is available. I think you would be happy with either and neither is a bad choice. Good luck!