I'm considering replacing my much loved Octctavia vRS later in the year and been looking at smaller engined cars but the DQ200 box puts me off. I've got the 6 speed DSG in my vRS but I've heard nothing but horror stories about the 7 speed dry clutch DSG in the smaller engined cars. Is the reputation deserved or have they fixed the issues on more recent versions? Am I better off sticking with bigger engines to get the DQ250 DSG?

 

I like to keep cars a while (current vRS is not far off 180k miles, the one before that was 170k and before that was 250k) so don't really want to be buying into something that is going to be a money-pit at high miles. I know anything can go wrong but I'd rather avoid known weak points and transmissions seem particularly pricey and specialist. I've got a long term injury and long journeys in manuals don't do it any good so an auto box is kind of necessary.

 

It would be a second hand buy and probably in the region of a 2015-2016 for age. Although I'm tempted by an old Caddy van as they seem good value but again the DQ200 puts me off.

 

Cheers,

 

Stuart

Luck of the draw.

As much trouble as the DQ200,s had 2009-2012, then 2013-2015, 2015-2018 that is nothing compared to the DQ381,s are having since introduced.

 

I would not have a 1.6 TDI CR with a DQ200. 

I would have a 1.0 or 1.2 TSI with one, or a 1.4 TSI non ACT. Not a 1.5TSI ACT. 

 

The 2.0 TDI 115 ps,s  with a DQ200 DSG seems to be getting on OK. 

 

PS.

2013-2015 there are some DQ200,s that required Service Campaign '34H5' a software update, you want to check if it was part of that Service Campaign / Recall actions that it was done,. 

Edited 3 September, 20241 yr by Ootohere

On the other hand, I read most of the doom on here and still bought a 1.5tsi act Superb with a dq200 gearbox. Mine is only 2 years old admittedly but I saw several with well over 100k miles during my search. Hundreds of thousands if not millions of vag group cars worldwide are fitted with them.

Edited 3 September, 20241 yr by classic

The DQ200 in our 2015 Polo GTI, which we've owned since 2017, has now covered 53k miles and been faultless throughout 👍 

 

Gaz

My track record

 

2011 Golf 1.6TDi - OK

2011 Fabia 1.2TSi - Clutch pack replaced due to judder.

2014 Octavia 1.6TDi - Clutch pack, mechatronic and lever replaced.

2016 Yeti 1.2TSi -  Clutch pack replaced due to slipping

2016 Yeti 1.2TSi -  Clutch slipping when returned to lease company

2017 Fabia 1.0TSi  - Faultless from new.

2023 Karoq 1.5TSi - OK so far and by far the smoothest operating DQ200 we've had.

 

As years have gone by the improvement on the DQ200 has been very noticeable.

 

We've also had several DQ250's on 2.0TDi's  Passat, Octavia, Yeti.  All faultless. 

And a DL501 Audi 7 speed wetclutch faultless.

 

Avoiding the DQ381 for now.