VW auto box.

[millerman]

My good Lady has taken a liking to the VW Beetle, she can only drive automatics, so my question is, are the auto boxes in the Beetle reliable? Are they DSG? The model year we are looking at is 2001 - 2003.

 

[Mursal]

Dont think you will get the paddle shift direct shift on the standard beetle only the top end R32. The manual gearbox in the Golf aren't great (Beetle base) and the constant variable transmission in the Audi's also seem to give trouble if worked hard, lots of estates (all around 150K miles) in the auctions with transmission issues.
The Beetle seems to have an issue with the transmission ECU (controller) just do a Google search and you'll see for yourself.

Hope this does not put your good lady off, as I'm sure if maintained well and its a low mileage example, it will be fine ..................