Hi there,

 

Merry Christmas first of all.

 

Thinking of getting a new 1.6 tdi Octavia with DSG transmission or manual. wanted to know whether the DSG is reliable or not-if someone has it they would recommend or not as heard some bad stories about it.

 

Thanks for your advise

Can’t comment on the specific unit in the model mentioned but I’ve loved having DSG in my VRS. It’s smooth as butter most of the time (manoeuvring causes occasion minor shunt) but can be great fun when pushing on. 

 

From memory, the DSG comes with a 3year warrantee whereas the manual is only warranted for 6 months, though I may be wrong. Of course, some of them will have gone wrong, but you’ve only read about the odd failures. There are lots driving around which have been faultless. 

 

It’d take a lot to make me go back to manual now!

Again, I have a vRS so it uses the 6 speed wet clutch system rather than the 7 speed dry clutch in the 1.6 TDi but it is a lovely gearbox. The horror stories are over now, VAG have been using DSG boxes since 2004 so the bulk of the failiures will certainly be over now. Other than an occasional shunt when trying to reverse uphill on small throttle (being lazy and not using the handbrake as I would in a manual car and trying to get it to creep like a torque converter auto) it is like a CVT in that the shifts are impossible to detect and with the 3 modes for configuration it really changes the car IMO, whereas a manual car is less configurable as the Eco mode on DSG allows the car to coast with the clutches disengaged and Sport mode really hangs onto the gears (although I don’t like that myself, there is always manual mode). I would look at paying extra for the steering wheel with paddle shift as they are really handy for those manual gear change moments. I thought they’d be pointless because I never use them in my Mercedes but that’s a 5 speed torque converter and the vRS isn’t! I’ve used them so much in the last few weeks I would really recommend them for the DSG.

I had 56 and 59 plate GTi’s both with DSG - finances dictated I couldn’t keep that level of luxury so have had 2 manual cars since and missed the DSG every day. Like posters above  have said do not compare it to a T/C or conventional Auto. I’m Counting down the days to March 1st for vRS 230 DSG day!

Another vote for DSG here, though in a petrol and with the wet clutch version. Test drive one if you can, only you can be sure on whether you will get on with it.

Note, I test drove a Leon 1.9 TDi 150 BHP? DSG in 2012 and it couldn’t decide where the fudge it wanted to be gearwise. Awful combination.

18 minutes ago, ahenners said:

Another vote for DSG here, though in a petrol and with the wet clutch version. Test drive one if you can, only you can be sure on whether you will get on with it.

 

Totally agree.

 

I test drove a diesel vRS ( vRD ;-)) with DSG and it wasn’t great, but have since had a Golf V GTI DSG and two petrol vRS DSG estates and think the gearbox suits the petrol engine very well. 

 

I wouldn’t go back to manual for a performance car now. 

2012 was when there was a World Wide Recall. and before the Oil & Software changes, then before the next c0-ck up 2013-2015.

 

New now will be after Skoda have built 1.8 million plus DQ200 , so if not right for 2017/18 then there really is an issue.

Surprising those that seem to really dislike them are not those that drive them maybe 10-20,000 miles a year, just those trying one for a little while.

 

The difference between the 1.0 TSI, 1.2 TSI & 1.4 TSI DSG from that in a TDI is software.

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/442553-which-dsg 

Yeah get a DSG, I had the exact same box in a 1.4 TSI & couldn't beat it with a ****ty stick, I'd question your engine choice though.

 

The future (governance/taxation) of diesel is far from clear & therefore, I'd wanna be doing really high motor way miles to take that risk at the moment.

Thank you for the response guys.Much appreciated.

Is the 2018 1.6 tdi dry clutch system? just wanted to confirm...

 

8 minutes ago, darrenvrs said:

Thank you for the response guys.Much appreciated.

Is the 2018 1.6 tdi dry clutch system? just wanted to confirm...

 

Yeap 7 speed dry DSQ250 IIRC

Up to now it is the DQ200 7 Speed Twin Dry Clutch DSG fitted to a 1.6 TDI. 

So best ask the Supplying Dealership to get someone to confirm what your car will have if ordered, and not just guess, 

or ask Skoda UK Customer Services in writing and get a conformation in writing.

http://skoda.co.uk/about-us/contact-us 

My wife has the DQ200 in her Polo GTI and it’s been spot on, never missed a beat.

 

Gaz

My last Mk2 Octavia 1.6 cr DSG did over 80k. My current Mk3 Octavia DSG is on 97k and I have had no DSG issues with either car. Both have the 7 speed DSG boxes.

I had DSG (6spd wet clutch) in my L&K. Great gearbox.

 

Absolutely hating having a manual at the minute while I wait for my new car.

DSG, tick, but the 1.6TDi is something I wouldn’t go for unless you’re covering high miles. 

1.5 TSI with DSG? 

6 speed wet clutch DSG here. No problems in 3 years of ownership. Would never go back to manual now.

I have had both the Fabia dsg and now Octavia 1.6 dsg, put 20,000 miles on both. Total pleasure to drive. I know some will say you need to be thinking about future taxation of diesel, but from what I understand diesel is a by product of refining oil, as they put people of owning diesel cars there were be less demand, it would not surprise me that despite the governments threats against diesel cars that the cost of diesel drops below petrol, supply and demand is what drives prices.

 

Another plus for me with the diesel is economy, I can easily achieve 65+ mpg. And the fuel range is a good 125 miles plus over the petrol version. My refill range is normally around 595 miles till empty.

 

 

 

Edited 28 December, 20178 yr by POWYSWALES

Here's my honest opinion of the 7 speed DSG gearbox in my 1.4TSi 140 Octy III which I've had 8 months now. I wouldn't go back to manual at all and it makes driving less of a chore. The extra high 7th gear makes motorway cruising relaxing and my gearbox is always in Eco Mode because I like the coasting in neutral that this mode enables (if only it could be an option in D Mode too I'd be a happy bunny because Eco mode does blunt the acceleration a bit). BUT DSG auto isn't very smooth for low speed manoeuvres or pulling away at junctions if the Stop-Start has kicked. It's the fault partially of the hill-holding 2 second delay on the footbrakes which means nothing moves for a moment and the clutch gets dumped and you fly off if you've given the loud pedal too much pressure in response to the car not moving. There's definitely a skill to driving it smoothly, especially parking it. Not as smooth as a torque-converter (i.e. turbines in oil) auto box. 

 

However despite those drawbacks I wouldn't be without it, makes driving less stressful generally and the actual gear changes themselves are instantaneous and undetectable unless you're looking at the tacho. 5 gear at 30mph and 6th gear at 40mph makes it worth it too.

 

All my previous cars have been manuals though I've driven a lot in autos for work or roadtrips around the US (2000 miles in 2 weeks) and more recently in Thailand (2000 miles in 2 weeks).

 

As previously stated, now way would I go back to a manual now. Occasionally I have to drive a work car which is an oldish manual diesel Focus and that's grim.  

Edited 29 December, 20178 yr by Lingnoi

3 hours ago, Lingnoi said:

               if only it could be an option in D Mode too ...........

1.5 TSi DSG coasting in all modes (D, S, E, M). In fact it is next to impossible to stop the car coasting at every opportunity. Getting around 45+ mpg around town. Very pleased with the economy.

Edited 29 December, 20178 yr by YMe

58 minutes ago, YMe said:

1.5 TSi DSG coasting in all modes (D, S, E, M). In fact it is next to impossible to stop the car coasting at every opportunity. 

 

From what I've seen, facelift DSGs can coast outside of eco mode. Pre-facelift can't. Mine only does it in eco.

50 minutes ago, YMe said:

1.5 TSi DSG coasting in all modes (D, S, E, M). In fact it is next to impossible to stop the car coasting at every opportunity. Getting around 45+ mpg around town. Very pleased with the economy.

 

I think he was talking about the Eco mode where it fully disengages the clutch and the revs drop to idle. AFAIK it does not do that in any other mode unless it is a change for the new 1.5tsi?

 

I do agree that even with the clutch engaged these cars run away downhill with no engine braking like no previous car I have had. Even with 4x4 dragging it back and changing down a gear or two it has little effect.

 

On 12/25/2017 at 18:14, darrenvrs said:

would recommend or not

 

Yes would not go back to a manual now on one of these (with  the proviso)

 

As said above it is not an auto torque converter slushbox You feel it has clutches when slow speed manoevering, small price to pay.

Get it with paddles. To momentarily override the auto and select a different gear (because the gearbox can't read your mind or see the road ahead) is priceless

7 minutes ago, ahenners said:

 

From what I've seen, facelift DSGs can coast outside of eco mode. Pre-facelift can't. Mine only does it in eco.

 

If it does I hope you can switch it off. personally I find it annoying. I like what little engine braking I get, at least it triggers the over-run fuel cut-off.

12 minutes ago, flybynite said:

 

If it does I hope you can switch it off. personally I find it annoying. I like what little engine braking I get, at least it triggers the over-run fuel cut-off.

 

I agree, not sure if it can be turned off. If I want eco stuff like that, I put it in eco. Which rarely happens....