First post so hope right place

As topic I'm interested in above car but could do with some help choosing please.i have seen 3 cars ranging from 2012,2013 and 2014 with 20k,13k and 25k.not driven any yet so what's a DSG live to drive as not driven auto for years.are they trouble free or high maintenance 6 or 7 speed also do you have to change engine coolant regularly to help with keeping DSG from being to hot.any other advice I need to know will be much appreciated especially when I test drive.thanks very much

7 speed auto with no known problems as far as I'm aware. Bear in mind the 'S' trim is pretty sparse.

Thanks for replying bare in mind trim spec

My mums 1.2 TSI is over 6 years old and the gearbox is still faultlessly smooth - actually quite enjoyed driving it when I visited her at the weekend!

The engine on the other hand has had quite a few issues to do with the timing chain tensioner - a known issue to look out for. If the engine sounds particularly ticky / knocking then avoid like the plague.

My mums 1.2 TSI is over 6 years old and the gearbox is still faultlessly smooth - actually quite enjoyed driving it when I visited her at the weekend!

The engine on the other hand has had quite a few issues to do with the timing chain tensioner - a known issue to look out for. If the engine sounds particularly ticky / knocking then avoid like the plague.

Thanks for advice so to be clear this engine is chain driven so no cambelt to be replaced

Thanks for advice so to be clear this engine is chain driven so no cambelt to be replaced

 

Yes the engine is chain driven, but that's not to say you should replace it.

 

The issues that have occurred have been with the timing chain tensioner, so allowing the chain to come loose.

YES

Some rather misinformed views here.

The 1.2tsi chain problem is due to stretched chains combined with a hydraulic tensioner that has a tendency to release when stood. The problem is largely resolved after approx 2012, but premature chain stretch is still an issue on cars that have neglected or extended oil changes such as with variable interval regime. The chains simply dont like dirty oil.

The 7 speed dry DSG reliability is a hit or miss affair, with many reports of failing motronics, failing or juddering clutch packs, both of which are very expensive to replace out of warranty. Many people also complain about the delay/hesitation when setting off, e.g. at roundabouts and difficulty in controlling slow speed manouvering or hill starts. The dsg has its limitations in these instances and does not behave as some people would think. Whether the latest boxes are any better is difficult to judge as many people now change their car at 3 years.

Edited 9 November, 20169 yr by xman

SWMBO's had hers for 6 years and refuses to change it because it's running perfectly.  No problems at all with the DSG which is a dream to drive.

Driving a 1.2 tsi with DSG should not be a problem and much of the rubbish on issues driving and roundabouts and junctions are from sources like journalists and articles.

A Demonstrator or Used Car often feels a bit odd, because it has sat around then gets short test drives with various drivers and sometimes an Italian Tuneup to clean rust off the brake discs.

(drums at the rear, they get sticky. and cold cars not warmed up feel odd.)

 

There is the DSG Service Campaign Action to be done on some of the Gearboxes from 2010 on.

So that is an Oil change from Synthetic to Mineral & a Software Update for the DSG, Done Free, so you need to check if outstanding or done.

Then there are other Service Campaign items, Turbo Shim, Wiring Loom and maybe others that some cars might of had or need doing.

 

So ask the Dealership if in the Volkswagen Group or call Skoda Customer Services and get the Service Record they have, the Warranty or Service Campaign History,

and be sure to buy a car with some Warranty or buy a Warranty that will cover a DSG if one fails.

(not all will.)  Mechatronic Control Unit, or Clutch Packs or both are what fails.

 

http://master.skoda-auto.com/mini-apps/recall-actions

Edited 9 November, 20169 yr by Offski

The dsg I had for the day had the pregnant pause before taking off, busy roundabouts were indeed where it made me nervous. Not at all good.

That is the point, they need reset, or the chance to learn.

They dont have a brain, but its amazing how you can lend someone your car that you know so well, and they then need to learn again after you get them back.

 

Hence my comments on Demonstrators and used cars.

Being that we have 4 drivers sharing cars in my family must totally confuse them then!

Are you sharing a car with a DSG that behaves badly and not as it should do?

Maybe go borrow it again then.

Some might get driven and never be in dynamic mode, and some might get used by other drivers in dynamic mode where usually they are not.

 

Has it had the service campaign recall actions carried out?

Edited 9 November, 20169 yr by Offski

I found the thread below on VWVortex very useful, and particularly the paragraph titled 'Things Every Driver Should Understand About Their DSG.'

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?5989734-How-to-Play-The-DSG-Game-and-Win-DSG-Driving-Tips-and-Tricks

Thanks for all your replies so far am swotting up on reading and websites you have mentioned so me asking for a long test drive when I do

I have the Mk3 Fabia 7 speed DSG 110ps engined car, after 9 years of the Mk2 versions, both manual and automatic. The latest 7 speed DSG box is trouble free, no delays, very smooth and very very responsive. I've driven several of the later DSG's in the Mk3 and they were all the same, all good to drive. I have only once driven the DSG in the Mk2 Fabia (600 miles to Wales and back) and have to say that too was brilliant, no delays on move off, no jerkiness, very smooth. That car had over 20K miles on the clock. Issues don't seem to be a big problem with any of the DSG's now, and remember that not all Mk2 DSG's suffered problems in the first place anyway. My tech friends tell me the autos are now problem free and do give a couple of so more miles per gallon over the manual in normal use. My local taxi firm has two DSG Fabia Mk2 estates with over 160,000 miles on them (I know that for a fact). Apart from a recent clutch pack on both of them (an easy job by the way) they have had no problems whatsoever. Considering the hard life they have had I think that's pretty good. 

I have a 2011 7-Speed DSG 1.2 TSI 105PS and cannot fault the DSG or the engine one bit. In D, the box is brilliantly smooth, you honestly can barely perceive when it changes. I'm only on 18,000 Miles so cannot attest for long term reliability. I can say it is an absolute pleasure to drive though

Totally agree TSI. Your engine is barely run in yet! Glad you are pleased. 

Yep haha. Previous owner was an older chap who hardly used it, traded in for a citigo. Totally love it

Gonna be posting some photos and stuff of my adventures soon, been busy until lately!