DSG long-term reliability- 200k+ miles

[vinu_neuro]

I've only ever driven manual trans cars but I wish the drive was less demanding a lot of the time these days during the daily weekday grind. Starting to get the dd + weekend fun car setup.

I'm considering a GTI or Golf R for my next car (or hopefully Golf R Sportwagen when they start doing AWD in Puebla) and ideally would get the DSG. I've test driven it and it seems to perform quite well. In its current iteration would you trust it to go 200k miles? That's how long I'd like to keep the next car.

 

[George7941]

I have never driven a DSG equipped car but I keep reading about them not being good in stop and go driving

 

[JHZR2]

I've driven a Jetta tdi wagon with dsg. Left alone it truly does shift faster than any human could, while notionally being more efficient than an AT.

However, the manual function of it is all but useless in many situations, and it doesn't yield absolute control like an MT.

Not only is an MT simpler to repair, it saves $1000 in acquisition, and a ton in service. The lifecycle cost of a DCT is horrid.

 

[wemay]

...not to mention fluid cost.

I owned a Ralliart turbo AWD with TC-SST (Mitsubishi's version of DSG). It took ~8 liters of Pentosin FFL-2 fluid at $18 per. I changed it every ~25,000 miles along with the $150 filter. It never bave me a problem though.

 

[ksp7498]

The vw dsgs call for fluid replacement every 40k miles and I heard it costs something like $400 at the dealer. It can be done yourself with some creativity.

Not many dsg models have been around long enough to see that many high mileage examples but the Ford and early 7-speed dry-clutch vw models have fared very badly (clutches wear out under 100k). The current 6-speed vw dsg is a different wet-clutch design.

I suspect dsgs are going to end up being wear items.

 

[vinu_neuro]

I will do fluid changes myself so the cost isn't that bad even over the long run. The current trans is a 7 speed wet-clutch unit. Owning a VW to 200k is a little scary, the DSG more than anything.

I drove the manual trans as well and it wouldn't be the end of the world to get one instead. The shifting isn't up there with the best honda linkages like my Accord's 6spd, but the clutch is by far and away the most refined I've tried in any vehicle.

 

[Nick1994]

Would I trust it to go 200k miles? Absolutely not.

My aunt gave me her immaculately maintained 2004 VW Beetle TDI with the DSG. I got it August 2014 at 158k miles and stopped driving it July 2015 at 175,600 miles.

In the end, the transmission would CRUNCH when cold when letting off the throttle or when giving it some throttle. I can't explain the crunch enough, it was AWFUL. It also slipped when taking off from a light. I also had to spend $1,800 on a new dual mass flywheel, they're well known for those failing.

I sold the car a few weeks ago, I'll never look back.

 

[Kiwi_ME]

Just offhand, I doubt the design life of the 6-speed DSG extends to 200k miles. Somewhere I recall reading that the 7-speed is good for 300,000 km (188k miles) although the gear oil has no change interval, so you could be lucky.
But if you are serious about planning to get 200k I don't think that you have any choice but to get the manual.

 

[dparm]

DSG designs have improved immensely since the early ones. The most problematic component is not the transmission itself, but rather, the mechatronics unit -- and that is where things have gotten more reliable.

Mechanically they are not vastly different from manual transmissions.

 

[itguy08]

Few vehicles have a design life of 200k. It's about 150k where they design the parts to lsat. By that time the majority of vehicles are on their 2nd or 3rd owner and most feel they have "gotten their money's worth".

However, I'm not sure I'm sold on the DSG units. Ford/Getrag seem to have issues with theirs. So does VW with their dry clutch units.

The Ford dealer charges $169 for a flush and fill of the 6 speed in my Taurus. Doing that every 30k is cheap insurance to a long life. Better than $1k+ clutch replacements every 60-100k

 

[dparm]

Originally Posted By: itguy08
Better than $1k+ clutch replacements every 60-100k



There are tons of VW, BMW, etc. dual clutch units with well over 100k on the original clutches. I'm even talking about M3s which are obviously driven pretty hard.

 

[Kiwi_ME]

Originally Posted By: itguy08
... So does VW with their dry clutch units.

The one major issue they had was an oil incompatibility with electrics and it's been fixed for 18 months now.

 

[Superflan]

Had a VW Touran, 1.9 TDI PD 105hp, DSG6 (wet), with a 140hp on-dyno tune, and a DSG tune too. 250000 kilometers, then sold the car for something else because major repairs were needed.

Just changed the dsg fluid & filter every 60000km (engine oil 5w40 505.01 every 15000km)

 

[Srt20]

My brother had a Jetta that needed the $1800 flywheel replaced just outside of warranty. VW was of no help.
Well documented issues with the flywheel.

 

[itguy08]

Originally Posted By: dparm
Originally Posted By: itguy08
Better than $1k+ clutch replacements every 60-100k



There are tons of VW, BMW, etc. dual clutch units with well over 100k on the original clutches. I'm even talking about M3s which are obviously driven pretty hard.


I thought those were all wet clutch units. IIRC The Ford/Getrag uint is one of the few dry units on the market. And the ones with the most complaints. I'll still stick with 3 pedals or a standard auto for now.

 

[dparm]

Originally Posted By: itguy08
Originally Posted By: dparm
Originally Posted By: itguy08
Better than $1k+ clutch replacements every 60-100k



There are tons of VW, BMW, etc. dual clutch units with well over 100k on the original clutches. I'm even talking about M3s which are obviously driven pretty hard.


I thought those were all wet clutch units. IIRC The Ford/Getrag uint is one of the few dry units on the market. And the ones with the most complaints. I'll still stick with 3 pedals or a standard auto for now.



Correct, they're wet clutch.

 

[supton]

VW and reliable? Ha!

I loved mine, and was willing to put up with it when I had it--but let's be clear: I expected it to break, and for the repairs to cost more than domestic.

I'd steer clear of the DSG. If you want 200k, go full manual.

I don't know nothin' about the current ones, but on my 2004, when the flywheel failed (how does a flywheel fail??? go figure, it's a VW, it happens) I upgraded to a single mass flywheel with more holding power. And had a vastly smoother yet lighter clutch. Which made working the clutch a breeze. I mean, my right foot and knee bother me more in my automatic truck than my left foot & knee ever did in that Jetta.

BTW my clutch went 249k, and was in mint shape when replaced (only the flywheel was bad). I do lots of highway miles but clutch life is all about the driver's ability.

 

[HangFire]

You should be happy. That flywheel sacrificed itself to give you long clutch life!

 

[supton]

I only wish!

No, it wasn't wear on the mating surface, it was... I think springs that wore out. VW uses this dual mass flywheel where... I haven't a clue, actually. There is a mass, and it's connected by springs, and when the springs or how they are affixed give out, it starts to sound like marbles in a can. If one waits long enough, the flywheel grenades, which either locks the clutch up, disconnects the clutch altogether, or possibly cracks the bellhousing.

I was there when it came out, and everything looked perfect, very low wear. Would have reused but the TDI's were notorious for having weak clutches--and I knew that someday I would turn up the wick.

When the turbo blew a couple months later, I did, and boy did I love that car afterwards.

 

[Nick1994]

Oh how I know that marbles in a can sound all too well LOL.

My TDI went through 2 of them. 1st one I paid for July 30, 2014. The next one started the rattling noise 2 months later and I took it into the dealer and they replaced it under warranty, they said it had a broken spring. A brand new one failed!