VW's newfangled DSG thingie

Mr Benevolent

Just reading a few reviews about this new(ish) transmission and have to admit to being excited about it. Seems to be finally doing away with the old automatic stigma - that they're slow and uneconomical.

Hopefully this will be the way forward, eventually eliminating the manual box for most cars while giving as good a drive.

So, has anyone driven a DSG? What's it like?

whippet

I have a MKV GTi with the DSG box (6-speed) and am loving it.

The gear changes are quick and smooth and while I don't have experience of a manual to compare MPG figures, but going by VW's fgures they are slightly better.

I have the flappy paddle shift as well and to be honest I havn't even used it in about 6 months ... but still like to know I have the option

You

Confab wrote: »

Just reading a few reviews about this new(ish) transmission and have to admit to being excited about it. Seems to be finally doing away with the old automatic stigma - that they're slow and uneconomical.

Hopefully this will be the way forward, eventually eliminating the manual box for most cars while giving as good a drive.

So, has anyone driven a DSG? What's it like?

Had a GTi with one of these transmissions and they are the business. No lag between the gears, smoother than you'll ever achieve with a manual. Only sold my GTi about 6 months ago and am contemplating buying another... This gearbox being a major plus factor. The paddles only add to the system..

R.O.R

Once you've driven a DSG any other automatic effort seems sooo clunky. Cracking box, even turns the 1.9Tdi in to something of a drivers car.

Drummerboy08

R.O.R wrote: »

Once you've driven a DSG any other automatic effort seems sooo clunky. Cracking box, even turns the 1.9Tdi in to something of a drivers car.

I'd agree with that. I drove a 1.4TSi Passat with the DSG box in it in January, and it was a great car. Really smooth on the changes, quick, and no lurches!

Great gearbox.

homer90

Have not seen any bad review on these..... Definately the way forward ....

Quick link on how it works

Fizman

Is there any difference with VW's DSG and Audi's Tiptronic/S-Tronic system? Or is it simply renamed for the change in marque?

EDIT: Oh and to any of the lads who have driven DSG's, did you ever try the 'boost gauge' thingy/mechanism? If so, what is it like?

homer90

Recently saw a '09 WV Scirocco pull from a junction giving it some, It sounds amazing, and gear change completely seamless, sounds wirerd...

Would love to take one (DSG) for a spin.

Owen

That flappy flap gearbox is incredible. I wish that MINIs had it, they have a paddle arrangement too, but nowhere near as fast as the VW arrangement. My mate's sister has a GTi, and she allowed me to have a quick run in it. And fook me, I couldn't believe how much fun it was - and not just the gearbox, the car was incredible too.

whippet

when I bought the GTI, I decided to test drive a CooperS as a comparison.

I thought the MINI was a lot more fun to drive, but reality set in and I need a proper 5door hatch!! (baby & dog)

the steering wheel shifters loose their novelty fairly quickly, mind you on trips in the country side and back roads it is a bit of fun.

Mr Benevolent

Anybody know when they started fitting DSGs on VWs? Be nice to find a cheapish DSG Golf or something.

R.O.R

Confab wrote: »

Anybody know when they started fitting DSGs on VWs? Be nice to find a cheapish DSG Golf or something.

I think it came in on the GTi in 2005. We used to have an 05 Octavia 1.9Tdi DSG.

JoeA3

Confab wrote: »

Anybody know when they started fitting DSGs on VWs? Be nice to find a cheapish DSG Golf or something.

around 2004 - 2005, obviously the GTI has always had it, but it's also been available on some diesels too - Golfs, Passats, etc.

leeroybrown

I recently bought a used Mk5 GTi and was initially planning to get a DSG. I was warned off it by a mechanic who said that the number he sees coming back in from across the VAG range with very expensive faults was far too high. I'd have liked one but the kind of costs he mentioned if it went wrong on an out of warranty part were huge.

Major transmission failures on conventional manual/auto boxes would be comparably expensive but they rarely ever happen.

JoeA3

leeroybrown wrote: »

I recently bought a used Mk5 GTi and was initially planning to get a DSG. I was warned off it by a mechanic who said that the number he sees coming back in from across the VAG range with very expensive faults was far too high. I'd have liked one but the kind of costs he mentioned if it went wrong on an out of warranty part were huge.

Major transmission failures on conventional manual/auto boxes would be comparably expensive but they rarely ever happen.

Although I'd put a lot of that down to scare mongering, there is a certain element of truth in it.... cars fitted with DSG are still relatively "young", so its hard to judge how reliable they'll be long term, but a few more years down the road it will be interesting if anyone has horrendous repair bills.

leeroybrown

My question would be why a VAG mechanic with no vested interest would warn me off them. The equivalent boxes in the TT have been letting go for years.

Mr Benevolent

The DSG did initially have problems - jerking at low speed and the box not staying in Drive. Both problems were cured with a software update.

tossy

The mk4 R32 and MK1 3.2 TT were actually the first VAG cars to have the DSG box fitted but these were very rare and mainly available on the continent.

I've driven both diesels and petrols with the DSG and its a great box.

EXEO

This box is also available in the seat leon fr equivalent to the gti without the price tag and a nicer car in my opinion great box and a lovely car to boot

tossy

In my opinion the new cupra is far too loud compared to the new GTI or the old cupra R which is a class car.

L-M

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Drove a TT 2l FSI with te flappy paddles. Cracking box, even better car.

Fizman

Fizman wrote: »

Is there any difference with VW's DSG and Audi's Tiptronic/S-Tronic system? Or is it simply renamed for the change in marque?

EDIT: Oh and to any of the lads who have driven DSG's, did you ever try the 'boost gauge' thingy/mechanism? If so, what is it like?

So, anybody know the answer to this then?

JoeA3

As far as I know VW's DSG = Audi S-tronic. I don't think there's any difference.

galwaytt

Fizman wrote: »

So, anybody know the answer to this then?

They're the same.

I had a new bog-standard 105bhp diesel GolfPlus in early 06, and did 15k in it. Brilliant. And I changed from a 130bhp Passat Tiptronic.

As for the mechanic comment: I'd warrant he doesn't know anything about the DSG 'box. For a start, it is a mechanical (á la manual) gearbox, but fitted with two clutches. It is inherently more robust, reliable and easier to repair.

An automatic, or CVT 'box is completely different.

iei044775

I'm on my 3rd DSG gearbox, one in a brand new '05 Golf TDi, 90,000km and no problems. One in a brand new '07 Golf TDi, 15,000km and no problem with gearbox but plently of other problems! Currently a 2006 Passat 2.0TDi and to be honest if it wasn't under warranty for 2 repairs to the DSG I'd be out about 2k and indeed it's not 100% yet. I think there is an element of the technicians not being 100% comfortable with them either due to lack of familiarity.

shayser

Where the paddles shine is in Sport mode on the track winding country roads.

copacetic

Should definitely test drive a DSG throughly to make sure you like it, I found it really good when on the move, but pulling away from stop can be a little hairy. It's the one problem with them as far as I can tell, you can get quite a hesitation, they don't just bite down and go like a std automatic. It does seem to vary from car to car and software version from software version, but there are numerous threads on forums like audi-sport.net re the issue.

L-M

copacetic wrote: »

Should definitely test drive a DSG throughly to make sure you like it, I found it really good when on the move, but pulling away from stop can be a little hairy. It's the one problem with them as far as I can tell, you can get quite a hesitation, they don't just bite down and go like a std automatic. It does seem to vary from car to car and software version from software version, but there are numerous threads on forums like audi-sport.net re the issue.

Actually, the TT is a bit odd when your moving it about, slow driving, parking etc. That said, it wouldn't turn me off the box.

Type 17

Confab wrote: »

Anybody know when they started fitting DSGs on VWs? Be nice to find a cheapish DSG Golf or something.

I have a Mk5 Golf 2.0 TDI Sport with DSG (140 BHP, UK import) and it was first reg'd in June '04.

The TDI doesn't have the steering wheel paddles, although you can change the steering wheel if you like (probably big €€€ though).

With all Golf DSGs, you can push the gear selector over to the left and use the +/- sequential function - great on winding rural roads. The sport mode is great too - keeps it in gear until the red line when accelerating - great for safe overtaking.

Fabulous gearbox, the making of the car. As far as I can see, there have been a few problems around the world with flywheels breaking, which costs a lot, and therefore gets written about in internet forums, but I'd say that the incidence is no higher than any other make/design of gearbox.