Possible replacement car????

[lippyx]

Hi guys,

Yes, the saga continues...

I may have found a car (I say I as VW dealer didn't seem bothered in finding me one!

We went there with a long list of possible cars at the weekend, and sat there and made him call each dealer up!! Anyway, one of the cars was the right colour, right mileage, right spec, right number of doors... but its a DSG.

Don't get me wrong, I say "but" not in a bad way! I have never owned a DSG car, and have read lots of good points/bad points. I am a true petrol head, and always had manual (purely as I don't like the "old fashioned" autos) but the DSG seems a bit more special?

My question is, what's the maintenance like on one of these boxes? Does it need regular servicing, or just general checks when the car is already being serviced. Any issues I should look out for, like noises, juddering etc (want to be sure I am not sold yet another lemon!!)

Any advice on DSG would be great, I think it will be nice when I am in stop start traffic to and from work!!

[Jakesangel]

Hello mate.

Like you I was a little sceptical about buying a car with DSG as I had never driven one before. I had always preferred the idea of changing through the gears manually rather than being "lazy" in an automatic. However, the DSG is anything but lazy, its great fun to drive and in my opinion changes gear faster than if you were driving a manual car. Obviously when you want to be "lazy" and just potter around town you equally have the fully automatic option which I end up using most of the time. It also has the "sport" option which can be good fun as well. I think they all come with paddle shift but I may be wrong on this point, i'm sure someone on here could clarify that point so check first but if it is an option make sure you get that one cos it adds to the driving experience.

We have only had the car a short while so havent had a DSG service as yet but apparently it costs between £100 - £150 which isnt too bad and I havent seen many reports of DSG Failure since i've been on this forum, if anything most people agree its a great bit of kit. The gears changes should be really smooth and quick, if not then there could be an issue with it.

Only my opinion after all but hope this helps and good luck with your purchase.

[Tamiyoman]

I would have another DSG in a heartbeat, I always hated "lazy Autos", but the DSG is anything but lazy, is so quick and effortless.

[flashp]

Jason Plato likes the DSG box and he even said he couldn't change gear that quick when he reviewed one on 5th Gear.

As an aside, I don't think that there's anything particularly wrong with either manual or DSG but JKM have repaired more manual boxes than DSG. That's not to say for a moment that manuals troublesome, rather that DSG boxes if serviced are nothing to be wary of, particularly on later cars.

[stealthwolf]

If it's the car you want, go for it. DSG is fine - there were some that had mechatronic unit failures but these were repaired/replaced under warranty. Check if the car in question has had it done or not.

[lippyx]

Thanks guys! May become converted! Just waiting for VW to pull their finger out!

[MAT ED30]

see if they will let you drive a dsg car they have in stock or borrow one for a day as you might be like me and hate it and its not something you want to be stuck with in the long run

[lippyx]

I took one for a test drive last year before I got my GT. It was nice but only a standard 1.6 Golf, so no paddles, but it was lovely and smooth.

[MAT ED30]

Yeah they are smooth and easy but something is lost in the driving experience but that's just my thoughts

[rf860]

I've read your previous thread on the problems you are having. I understand you are trying to use the same dealer to do you a deal on a replacement car - in my opinion, this is a bad idea. The dealer fixing your car will offer you a terrible p/x price and take nothing off the replacement car to try and recover costs from trying to fix your current car.

Just my thoughts.

Hope you find a resolution soon!

[RifGTi]

There is the DSG service which needs to be done at set intervals ( cannot remember of the top of my head but its in the service books make sure they are done because its a very big deal.

Also one thing i came across when researching for a golf was that they should pull away smoothly and that anything other than that should be avoided altogether.

personally i have a manual they are virtually bombproof however if things do wrong with the DSG it can be very expensive although. i can understand how it would be fun to have flappy paddles and launch control should you wish to use the latter feature.

I did come across this video on youtube comapring DSG and manual... the drift king can shift gears fast ......see what happens

[Black9]

DSG service is due every 40K & is around 180-200£

Mechatronic units can fail but generally replaced under warranty.

Juddering & hanging on to gears for too long is a bad sign

I've owned edition 30 DSG & 6spd manual ko3 GTI & I personally prefer the manual, as great as the DSG was

[lippyx]

I've read your previous thread on the problems you are having. I understand you are trying to use the same dealer to do you a deal on a replacement car - in my opinion, this is a bad idea. The dealer fixing your car will offer you a terrible p/x price and take nothing off the replacement car to try and recover costs from trying to fix your current car.

Just my thoughts.

Hope you find a resolution soon!

The problem I have is I cant take it to another dealer to px in its condition, no one will want it. They reckon they have fixed it (exhaust sensor... Again!) but its the DPF not an exhaust sensor that's faulty! I have told them as the car is "fixed" they can knock 2k off the new car as they won't be needing that to fix my car... I just got a nervous laugh in response!

They are getting yet another call from me today!! Such a nightmare!

[rf860]

I've read your previous thread on the problems you are having. I understand you are trying to use the same dealer to do you a deal on a replacement car - in my opinion, this is a bad idea. The dealer fixing your car will offer you a terrible p/x price and take nothing off the replacement car to try and recover costs from trying to fix your current car.

Just my thoughts.

Hope you find a resolution soon!

The problem I have is I cant take it to another dealer to px in its condition, no one will want it. They reckon they have fixed it (exhaust sensor... Again!) but its the DPF not an exhaust sensor that's faulty! I have told them as the car is "fixed" they can knock 2k off the new car as they won't be needing that to fix my car... I just got a nervous laugh in response!

They are getting yet another call from me today!! Such a nightmare!

Just get them to fix it - and properly this time. Sounds like you're being too nice - phoning them up all the time etc. Lay down the line - "if you don't get this fixed "x" will be the consequence". You've gave them plenty chances now.

Once your car is fixed (well not showing warning lights and driving 'OK') trade it in somewhere that will offer you a decent deal. Honestly, this dealer will be finished with you now - they won't want to deal with you since they'll have made a loss on this car - let alone offer you a good deal on a replacement car.

It's a nightmare situation!

[GTI5]

Hi Lippy

Sounds like you bought a right Lemon!

As for DSG it's reliable but when it goes bang the costs are spectacular...

A Mechatronics unit from VW will cost in the region of £1800.

A new gearbox costs approx £4200.

A DMF will cost approx £900.

If you have full service history with VW then you stand a chance of having some goodwill on these failures depending on mileage.

So I would recommend a warranty that is actually meaningful, this depends on if you mod or not as well.

You could have several manual Clutch and DMF changes for that money.