Looking for a bit of advice and guidance.

I'm looking to get the DQ381 box in my vRS serviced. I've got three quotes - £420 and £340 from two VAG specalists, and £385 from Skoda. This is for the oil, and the filter (I have double checked with Skoda regarding the filter).

I'm keen to go with Skoda, as the cheaper Indie I'm not overly keen on anymore, and the more expensive place is unknown to me.

Is there anything that I need to check/watch out for? I've seen lots of posts on forums (Briskoda, SEATCUPRA, VWVortex, etc) about the job not being done properly. Aside from the filter not being replaced, what does this mean? I've seen on one post that the dealer only drained the oil from the main sump, rather than the mechatronic too, however I'm a bit unsure as to how I'm supposed to even check this!

I would normally go with an Indie, but as Skoda are in the middle price wise, going to the dealer would be nice. I need to get the diff done, as well as some other service bits, and weirdly Skoda are actually coming in £50 below the Indie.

I know dealers often don't do a "proper" job, but as long as the diff oil is changed, gauze blown out, and the gearbox is fully drained and redone, with a fresh filter, what else is there? I have asked them if they're willing to provide proof that the filter/gauze/full drain is done.

I thought I'd get a better answer on here than on the FB groups!

I don't know if it's any help, but my GTI (DQ250) is coming up for its 40k service. Although it now goes to a trusted indy for servicing, I'll be taking it to VW for the DSG. It just seems to make sense (to me at least).

Gaz

Dsg service is basically same for dsg dq250 or dq381. Yes do the filter as well. Need vcds or other scantool to verify correct dsg temp when filling. Or else level could be wrong aka dsg will face problems in the long run.

Mechatronic shares dsg oil with gearbox. Impossible to get all oil out, but will suffice with only draining from drain plug hole. I use vcds and a dsg gearbox filler system with manual pump. Not messy at all and actually cheap to buy.

53 minutes ago, rbhelle said:

Dsg service is basically same for dsg dq250 or dq381. Yes do the filter as well. Need vcds or other scantool to verify correct dsg temp when filling. Or else level could be wrong aka dsg will face problems in the long run.

Mine is actually only on 40k (the interval for the DQ381 is 80k) but I'm not convinced by this, and would rather get it done now for peace of mind.

The dealer I bought it from are quite untrustworthy, so even though they claim the diff was done at POS, I'd rather have it redone and know that the gauze was blown out properly, etc.

Do it right for a DQ381, not as with a DQ250.

VAQ Diffs, (Front) Mk3,s @ 3 years / 30,000 miles done properly. Some say, tracked / hard use @ 20,000 miles. MK4,s if a Dealership even bother to tell you might now say @ 20,000 miles / 2 Years.

Plenty cars not done. That can cost you. They need Serviced Properly.

..................

Pointless really doing oil changes without filters being changed.

Or when screens then cleaned at least. Properly cleaned.

Edited 5 March, 20251 yr by Ootohere

As I said, in principle the same procedure. Drain oil, replace filter, refill with pump check temp and top up. Difference is 2 drainplugs, but basically same procedure.

One question - the place I've found to do the job suggested using Millers Oil (about £100 for the service kit) rather than OE VW (about £280).

They'll use VW very happily however.

The car runs out of warranty in May, so that's not a concern either.

Thoughts?

If you can keep an Extended Warranty Valid and the car is not tuned then be sure to get an extended warranty.

If you trust the place to do the Servicing surely you trust their advice as to the consumables.

Very true.

I've always used genuine, but I've also never had such a vast price gulf in-between two things!

The guy explained to me that they remove the VAQ pump and do the screen filter properly, and that sold it to me. The other place's bread and butter are Forged RS6s, and while I'm sure they'll do a good job, I know how I'd feel if I was used to twin turbo Gallardo's and one day a Skoda turned up

On 04/03/2025 at 15:49, Gaz said:

I don't know if it's any help, but my GTI (DQ250) is coming up for its 40k service. Although it now goes to a trusted indy for servicing, I'll be taking it to VW for the DSG. It just seems to make sense (to me at least).

Gaz

Not sure how using a "trusted indie" means you go to VAG when you need something important doing.

Revealed preference is always more accurate than expressed preference.

By all means go to VAG, but you might like to revisit your thoughts on whether you trust the indie you use.

For the record, my trusted indie told me to go to a gearbox specialist for my Octavia's DQ381 service.

Which specialist did you go and see?

I have decided to make a change from my Indie regardless. The one that I've chosen (I ditched the idea of Skoda, been stung too many times) is a TVS Engineering place (The Phirm).