Looking at Buying a 2013 ish Superb and need advice

[Hoggyf]

Hi

I'm looking at buying a superb around 2013 and ideally 170bhp 4x4 and most I see are dsg. 
Now should I be worried about the dsg box?, I hear good and bad about them and even my local mechanic, (not vag, specialist) said he would have one but only if it had a warranty. Looking at lowish mileage around 40-50k 
Some dsg boxes are sealed for life and others can be refilled, is this correct? 
Any other advice particularly with the 4x4 system 
Cheers 

[Chris]

The DSG in the superb requires an oil change every 40k. This is not done as part of the schedule. Check it's been done.

I've recently got a 170 DSG (Non 4x4) and it's ace...Although I am feeling I should have looked for one with 4x4 as it loses traction quite easily even with almost new branded tyres on!

[williamshatnerspants]

The DSG in the superb requires an oil change every 40k. This is not done as part of the schedule. Check it's been done.

I've recently got a 170 DSG (Non 4x4) and it's ace...Although I am feeling I should have looked for one with 4x4 as it loses traction quite easily even with almost new branded tyres on!

Would be keen to know what brand tyres you have. I had the same problem on Falken tyres. Thanks.

[silver1011]

Your local mechanic speaks wise words.

 

The DSG is indeed very good and I too would love one.

 

BUT only if it is covered under warranty. The minute the warranty runs out the mechatronics pack will eat itself  :D

[Nathanio]

Would be keen to know what brand tyres you have. I had the same problem on Falken tyres. Thanks.

Goodyear F1A3 on my Superb and not had much issues with traction. Even in the cold weather it's been fine. Only if I'm greedy with the throttle and have lock on has it spun up.

I find get it rolling slightly and then pin it works wonders.

[John65Mac]

Only owned DSG for 6 weeks previously had 08, 140  manual Octavia L&K combi for 5 yrs .I am now converted read lots and does not worry me in the slightest.My mate the Skoda  nutter mechanic  always told me don't touch the 2.0  tdi stick to the 1.9 tdi. Still have not shown him this one he will go ballistic.He did all the MOT's last 5 yrs never had a bad word to say about it . the new one is 170  012  Superb L&K combi  he hates Superbs not the same build quality he reckons . 

[Superb170]

Only owned DSG for 6 weeks previously had 08, 140 manual Octavia L&K combi for 5 yrs .I am now converted read lots and does not worry me in the slightest.My mate the Skoda nutter mechanic always told me don't touch the 2.0 tdi stick to the 1.9 tdi. Still have not shown him this one he will go ballistic.He did all the MOT's last 5 yrs never had a bad word to say about it . the new one is 170 012 Superb L&K combi he hates Superbs not the same build quality he reckons .

Don't think many will agree about the build quality not being as good on the Superb! I've had both and the Superb is at a different level in terms of build quality.

[BoxerBoy]

What's not to like about a DSG box?

Lovely things.

On Superb SE 170 Estate.

Oil change at 40K. Still no problems at 50K.

Have enjoyed 7 speeds on a Golf 1.6 diesel and Octavia 1.4 petrol. Plus a Volvo V50 version.

Love 'em.

Have popped a false neutral a handful of times. Every time when giving way into a big roundabout while using paddles.

[nafeun]

I see more clutch problems on here than DSG. It's really reliable, VW made it ensured it was so they would compete well. Brilliant box and well suited to the big cruiser that is the superb.

[jafo]

It's like with every other part of the car - if you take care of it - service regularly and won't stress it - then it shouldn't fail :) unless there is production fault.

[silver1011]

Like already mentioned, no one is arguing that DSG isn't a great system.

 

It is when it fails it becomes unpleasant. When it fails outside of warranty it can write-off a car simply due to the costs involved.

 

It is by its very nature a very complicated system with lots of electronic systems, much like all the other elements of a modern car.

 

Let's assume for arguments sake that DSG is every bit as reliable as a manual box, when it does eventually need repairing it will almost certainly be significantly more expensive.

 

That might not bother some people, others may be happy to pay that price for the benefits of DSG, all I'm saying is that for those people running their cars for many years, and therefore well out of warranty and into ages and mileages that dictate the end of a cars life then you need to be aware that the DSG box, if it fails will likely hurt a lot.

[DEL80Y]

The price of getting them fixed has come down quite considerable now

Have now seen a taxi with over 300,000 miles on original dsg and no problems so far so I am not as worried as before I got the car..

Plenty more places doing repairs on them now rather than complete boxes

Brand new mechatronics units from £850-£1300  + vat from here  http://www.gearboxnottingham.co.uk/dsg-mechatronic-units.php

And if you want to open the box up to replace your own unit heres  a video 

Edited 28 December, 2016 by DEL80Y

[silver1011]

Also my recent clutch / gearbox issue has severely dented my belief manual boxes are more reliable than DSG's.

 

I'm sure they still are, simply by the very nature there are a lot less parts but had I not been lucky I could have seen a £3,000 + bill.

[Urban-Kodiaq]

Just traded in my 2012 elegance estate 170bhp  4x4 manual with 40k  miles so should appear on forecourt soon

[Nathanio]

Only owned DSG for 6 weeks previously had 08, 140 manual Octavia L&K combi for 5 yrs .I am now converted read lots and does not worry me in the slightest.My mate the Skoda nutter mechanic always told me don't touch the 2.0 tdi stick to the 1.9 tdi. Still have not shown him this one he will go ballistic.He did all the MOT's last 5 yrs never had a bad word to say about it . the new one is 170 012 Superb L&K combi he hates Superbs not the same build quality he reckons .

I think this may have been true in the PD era but not the CR.

I had a 2.0 PD 140 and it was the most financially ruinous car I've ever had. £6000 worth of bills in 4 yrs.

My 1.8TSI Superb was a breath of fresh air in comparison in terms of build and ride over the mk2 PD Octavia. The CR estate I have now is very nice and the 6spd DSG is nicer than the 7spd I had previously.

I do miss petrol however. The newer CR is good but doesn't hit the same spot.

However, the L&K spec is awesome and very comfortable. I did 3hrs straight a while ago and got out, stretched and felt I could have done another 3.

Fantastic car, fantastic ride and surprisingly agile for its size.

[silver1011]

Might be worth buying a FREEDOM membership and listing it here...

 

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/forum/116-cars-for-sale/

[old newbie2]

The DSG in the superb requires an oil change every 40k. This is not done as part of the schedule. Check it's been done.

I've recently got a 170 DSG (Non 4x4) and it's ace...Although I am feeling I should have looked for one with 4x4 as it loses traction quite easily even with almost new branded tyres on!

Swap the lead boot for a lightweight driving shoe. or don't use "S" so often........? 

 

Seriously, it's not a real problem but my re-mapped 2.0 TSi does suffer from axle-tramp if I boot it from a stand-still in "S".

Once it's rolling, full throttle can be applied if felt necessary. My EOS has exactly the same problem, but the AWD R estate just departs rapidly.......

 

FWIW the Superb can be "hooned" but it seems to be out of character with the car & it's image. 'Tis a great motorway cruiser though & very suitable for long=distance driving 

as well as being narrow enough to fit into car-park spaces.

 

We think that it will be with us for another few years, for when we need / fancy a sensible & relaxing car that's still fun to drive.

 

As for the EOS, I want to replace that with another "fun car", non two-door this time (car parking again) & am currently pondering purchasing a Leon Cupra ST, but that's OT for this Forum.

 

DC