I've read some horror stories about VW's DSG 7 gearbox. Drivers have reported total power loss experiences on motorways. Have VW really solved the problem by using mineral oil? Has anyone heard of mineral oil-filled units failing? Is it safe to buy a brand new vehicle with this gearbox?
VW's DSG 7 Gearbox - Is it fine now?
- Thread starter lambada
- Start date
Is that the problem which the switch to mineral oil was supposed to address?
Don't think it's the same one...the 7 speed box fitted to the Golf isn't strong enough to handle the power of an S5 engine.
Ah yes just read on wiki that it's a different box so ignore me!
I've got one and it's a very nice gearbox. I've had an issue where the car juddered in 1st and 2nd on pull away. Fairly simple issue as vw uprated the clutches as the Cupra damaged them.
The issue was the dealer did everything other than replace the clutches so it went in 3-4 times before they sorted it.
There has been a recall to change the oil which is to stop bits of metal going and killing the mechatronics unit. So make sure that's been done, if buying used.
Would I have another dsg car, yes!!!
The issue was the dealer did everything other than replace the clutches so it went in 3-4 times before they sorted it.
There has been a recall to change the oil which is to stop bits of metal going and killing the mechatronics unit. So make sure that's been done, if buying used.
Would I have another dsg car, yes!!!
Soldato
There's loads of different versions of it. The latest is the DL501, which is fitted to the B8 S4/S4 and the A6 if you tick the right options. It's the high torque version, and adds in two separate oil systems compared with the earlier ones that only used one oil system.
The gearboxes themselves are pretty reliable. Over on Pistonheads, Chris Harris has just had his replaced, but they reckon that was just precautionary as all it really needed was a mechatronics unit. His issues had started when the first got the S5, before he then had it tuned.
On my Father's one, it had a slight issues with shifts of 1st and 2nd. Mainly the downshifts. It was perfectly driveable, but not quite smooth as it should be. Audi have just replaced the mechatronic unit under warranty, and it's fine now
.
The only real 'problem' with them is that the manual mode isn't actually manual. So if you hit the rev limiter, it will still pull an upshift itself. Not really a problem for normal driving (and saves you from bouncing it off the red line!), but could be annoying if you were trying to rolling road the car or if you were on a race track and the car unexpectedly upshifted mid corner.
The gearboxes themselves are pretty reliable. Over on Pistonheads, Chris Harris has just had his replaced, but they reckon that was just precautionary as all it really needed was a mechatronics unit. His issues had started when the first got the S5, before he then had it tuned.
On my Father's one, it had a slight issues with shifts of 1st and 2nd. Mainly the downshifts. It was perfectly driveable, but not quite smooth as it should be. Audi have just replaced the mechatronic unit under warranty, and it's fine now
.The only real 'problem' with them is that the manual mode isn't actually manual. So if you hit the rev limiter, it will still pull an upshift itself. Not really a problem for normal driving (and saves you from bouncing it off the red line!), but could be annoying if you were trying to rolling road the car or if you were on a race track and the car unexpectedly upshifted mid corner.
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Soldato
Probably not a good idea, my ownership on the Mk5 Seat Ibiza Cupra 1.4TSI was hellish.
No comment on the car as mines been good so far, but the 1.4tsi can be a interesting relationship. But he was asking about the gearbox and I gave an honest opinion.
Soldato
Have a read of some of my past posts about my ibiza cupra (same colour as yours with xenons and pano roof) if you have time.
Got it brand new and sold back to the dealer 3 months later at a loss to myself.
Absolutley no support from the VAG chain and I visited multiple branches.
Which is compounded by the fact that my ownership of my previous brand new 6R polo was horrifc too.
hence my aversion to german brands as a whole now!
Associate
I have the 7speed in my fabia.My wife and i totally love it,and i was unsure about the "dsg" gearboxes when we bought it.
I don't have anything bad to say about it at all,and it have been 100% since new. But it is going in for the oil recall on Wednesday.
I don't have anything bad to say about it at all,and it have been 100% since new. But it is going in for the oil recall on Wednesday.
Still a bit hesitant because I intend to keep the car for 3 years after the warranty expires. Trying to choose between the Golf and a Mazda 3 with the 120PS engine.
I'd be buying brand new so it would come with mineral oil. Have there been any reports of mineral oil-filled boxes failing?
On my Father's one, it had a slight issues with shifts of 1st and 2nd. Mainly the downshifts. It was perfectly driveable, but not quite smooth as it should be. Audi have just replaced the mechatronic unit under warranty, and it's fine now
What were the symptoms of that as my A6 DSG has some odd noise on downshift from 3rd especially when cold? My dealer and Audi are sticking to "normal behaviour" for that box and quattro. The shifts are generally smooth even in sport, just some minor graunch noise on the first few slow downs from a cold start.
Soldato
There was a particular road round here where it just didn't seem right. Come up a hill at 50MPH and then brake before turning in to a side road, which itself is a very steep gradient. As you braked before making the turn, the car would downshift. Depending on how much you slowed down (whether there as oncoming traffic and you needed to come to a complete stop), the car would get down into 2nd or 1st. Then you'd accelerate as you turn up into the side road, going from the hill that you're on onto the even steeper hill of the side road. The way that the car downshifted and then accelerated would sometimes make the car lurch a bit. It wasn't "bad", but not as smooth as an experienced driver would be in a manual. The lurch was what you'd expect of a newly qualified driver that isn't great with clutch control yet.
There weren't any noises or anything.
Reported it to the dealer. I was highly expecting them to turn around and say that's perfectly normal, but after their own tests they said they'd replace the mechatronic under warranty
.Smoother, most likely.
More reliable, possibly.
Better performance - than a mechanical gearbox with automatic change, not sure about that one.
I wanted a specific car/engine which meant a choice of one 'auto' gearbox. All the ZF equipped cars I looked at just didn't tick all the other boxes - can't have everything
I guess it will come down to some losses vs. the extra ratio
After a favour
When you're next in the car from cold could you accelerate until its in 3rd (4th may be preselected of course) and then just let off the accelerator/lightly brake.
Is there any graunching noise as it slows or selects 2nd? This is what I have and most prevalent from cold, but still sounds a bit clunky when warm. Not sure if its central differential or gear change but it doesn't sound as I would expect (and I've driven many more off road orientated 4x4s in my time)