VAG DSG Gearboxes

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I'm thinking of buying a VAG Group car which has a DSG box in it (2013). It's had the recall done on the car, but I'm a bit concerned it'll stop changing gear, or not behave quite right as I've read up on. Anyone on this forum have experience driving a car with such a DSG Box? I normally drive a manual, but there's no harm in variety

Nozzle
 
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Well, you take a chance with any component on any used car if buying privately. Some warranty if buying from a dealer though. They are a nice car to drive with the DSG box. Unlike an auto though, some people have trouble parking them - you can't just select drive or reverse and let your foot off of the brake to creep forward/backward on tick over - you really have to 'feather' the throttle to get them to move. Too heavy on the right foot and you'll start collecting battle scars!
 
I'll buy from a dealer so I'll check it comes with a limited warranty of sorts. From what you say, it seems harder to park if you're used to a normal auto box rather than a manual? Feathering the throttle is what one does when changing gear, not a thought when driving a manual.

They seem very expensive and specialised to fix! I wonder if the dual wet clutches last longer than a normal one because they only get half the use... or perhaps the one on 2nd gear gets more of a hammering (because 2nd gear is FUN) but both clutches have to be replaced at the same time anyway.

Are these car semi-auto with flappers behind the wheel/ and/or push the stick forward to change up and back to change down?

Nozzle
 
I understood the VW DSG is superb (provided it's working of course) in the end I went for a diesel with a conventional manual and parking can sometimes be 'interesting' with the auto brake too!
 
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Well, it's all those, as are many automatic gearboxes these days but rather than being and automatic box, the DSG is a manual box (or two manual boxes bolted together) with an electrically operated clutch.
 
Well you live and learn. I tried a golf with a DSG gearbox a few years ago, and it was absolutely great to drive. I knew they had a dual clutch in them, and anticipated which gear would be needed next, so it pretty much had it ready to engage, but I wasn't aware that it was two manual gearboxes bolted together. From the way the car drives, it feels like a completely normal auto box, and using the paddles is just the same as using a tipronic gearbox. But the amazing thing (possibly due to the VW emmisiions scandal) was the fuel economy, which was far better than on the equavalent Seat.
 
Great feedback folks, thanks.

I'm still considering the purchase, I think it's mated to a 1.4 TSI which historically (the ones that are blow with the twin charger) have had bad press. I understand the more recent 1.4TSI has just a turbo and doesn't suffer bore wash like the previous.

Nozzle
 
Just make sure the dsg oil and filter has been changed as per makers intervals,otherwise its a very smooth gearbox. Other half has a dsg yeti (diesel) very nice to drive,effortless.
 
With a 1.4TSI I'd be more worried about the timing chain stretching and/or snapping. Or is it the later 1.4 COD engine?
 
I'm not that fussed about timing chains. The A series in my Mini has one and it does just fine! What does COD stand for? Of the two I'm looking at, one is a 1.2TSI Manual the other 1.4TSI DSG - I think they're both chain drive.

Nozzle
 
Amazing how A series engine timing chains can rattle for years and never fail but a VW engine chain can fail with little/no warning and wreck the engine.
 
Little bit of a difference between an A series chain and a 1.4 Golf. Like another cam pulley, guides, jockey pulleys and another three feet of chain!
 
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