$200 in parts for VW DSG Fluid and Filter Change!

[The Critic]

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The new Borg Warner (I think) developed Volkswagen Direct Shift Gearbox requires a fluid and filter change every 40,000 miles. A package deal by ECSTuning, which includes 7L of the correct OEM ATF for the DSG and the correct filter, costs $199! That is already with a discount, as the fluid costs $25/L when sold individually, and the filter would cost $50!

The new DSG transmission requires fluid changes because the new twin friction clutches ride in fluid, supposedly.

Even so, $199 in parts only for the transmission fluid change is absolutely ridiculous. The previous ZF units required a special ATF, but the unit only required three $13/L bottles of ATF and the filter as only $30, and the unit didn't even require fluid changes, though it was a good idea. Even the Toyota World Standard Lifetime fluid is only $40/gal at the dealer.

This is absolutely ridiculous!

Note: ECS Tuning recommends every 20,000 miles for a fluid/filter change in the DSG, but VW recommends every 40,000.

 

[tamu_man]

The DSG is a twin WET clutch system simular to a signgle that is used in most motorcycles. Very different, but same principal. My buddy with his Jetta 2.0T has the engine heavily tweaked. He has the DSG changed every 20,000 because of his "severe service" as he calls it. The price will go down as competition comes to the market with simular lube products.

 

[AndyH]

I'm no expert, but with the DSG being so new to the market I'd have to think that the prices on these DSG maintenance items will come down in the future.