DSG reliability?

[Dave1968]

Hi new member here (but not a new owner)

Currently I have the Manual FR184 Tech pack on lease which ive been very happy with. Ill be renewing it in about 5 months - Im toying with the idea of going for the DSG version (FR 184 again) this time but Ive heard reports that the DSG box can be unreliable?

Just wondered what peoples experiences here have been with it in reality (rather then the media hype)? Im hoping whatever the issues were they have been resolved?

Car would be completely standard and is used for work (hence I cant afford for it to be off the road on a regular basis)

Thanks in advance for any advice / experiences .

Dave

 

[Neimad]

Also a new member here, and a new owner as it happens...

My previous car was an '06 VW Golf GTI with DSG, which I believe essentially had the same 6-speed box that the FR184 would be fitted with. I didn't have any problems with the gearbox in the 9 years I had the Golf, although I know a number of cars had new "mechtronics" units fitted under warranty as their boxes had started misbehaving. After 9 years the gear change had definitely got less smooth though, and that's with regular scheduled oil changes which weren't certainly add to the cost of motoring (6 litres of transmission fluid plus the labour).

Personally I still think the pros outweigh the cons though, and I'm more than willing to put my money where my mouth is -- my new Leon has DSG, albeit the 7 speed unit they fit on the less torquey motors.

I think the biggest question you need to ask yourself though is how much do you enjoy changing gear and moreover, "feeling connected" to the machine? I know that sounds like a weird question but some people get a genuine sense of satisfaction from making a good gear change and really enjoy the man/machine bond and if that's the case, DSG is not for you -- at it's heart it is after all another 'fly by wire' technology so you'll always have less control and feel less connected than in a fully manual setup.

 

[Dave1968]

Thanks for taking the time to reply - thats good to hear your experience.

. The Leon is 99% used to trundle up and down a motorway commute to work so missing the feel of being connected isnt really an issue in this case (besides I have a Caterham to get my driving fix when I need it ). It just needs to be reliable, economical and not too dull to drive. Ive enjoyed the one ive had - just considering which version to replace it with really - manual cars can be a ball ache in traffic - and I spend a lot of time in traffic sadly in this car.

Dave

Also a new member here, and a new owner as it happens...

My previous car was an '06 VW Golf GTI with DSG, which I believe essentially had the same 6-speed box that the FR184 would be fitted with. I didn't have any problems with the gearbox in the 9 years I had the Golf, although I know a number of cars had new "mechtronics" units fitted under warranty as their boxes had started misbehaving. After 9 years the gear change had definitely got less smooth though, and that's with regular scheduled oil changes which weren't certainly add to the cost of motoring (6 litres of transmission fluid plus the labour).

Personally I still think the pros outweigh the cons though, and I'm more than willing to put my money where my mouth is -- my new Leon has DSG, albeit the 7 speed unit they fit on the less torquey motors.

I think the biggest question you need to ask yourself though is how much do you enjoy changing gear and moreover, "feeling connected" to the machine? I know that sounds like a weird question but some people get a genuine sense of satisfaction from making a good gear change and really enjoy the man/machine bond and if that's the case, DSG is not for you -- at it's heart it is after all another 'fly by wire' technology so you'll always have less control and feel less connected than in a fully manual setup.

 

[G.P]

I can only comment on the Mk. 2 Leon's, but I know of three without any issues with the one now been on 165k and been on an 08 ish plate.

Friend of mine has an A3 on 40k running around 450bhp with similar torque again no problems..

 

[MyLeon]

Just coming up to 20k with my 184 DSG and no issues at all. The DSG is great in traffic, although when it's in sport mode it hangs on to the gears too long, but is great for overtaking, then knock it back into 'D'.
I'd have another...


2015 Leon ST FR 184 DSG

 

[Dave1968]

Thanks guys - if i can pursuade myself to part with the extra cash ill go for the DSG

 

[MyLeon]

Do it! Otherwise you'll spend the rest of your time with the car thinking what it could have been like...
I'm good at spending other people's money by the way!


2015 Leon ST FR 184 DSG

 

[jpor]

Just coming up to 20k with my 184 DSG and no issues at all. The DSG is great in traffic, although when it's in sport mode it hangs on to the gears too long, but is great for overtaking, then knock it back into 'D'.
I'd have another...


2015 Leon ST FR 184 DSG

I went with the DSG option on my 2015 SC 184 FR. Love the gear box and the flappy paddles. Have had manuals in the past and was getting fed up of the left leg work out when stuck in start stop traffic. Gearbox is smooth. And you have the option of knocking the stick to the left to allow for manual drive with the paddles which shows you the gearing on the centre dash. Great for quick take offs

 

[Mao]

I always take a coffee in a travel mug en route to work. Dsg is perfect for drinking coffee! Obvioulsy, the left hand is needed for the occasional indicate, but apart from that the coffee is flowing!

 

[TonyFSC]

The previous comment 'not connected' is not entirely valid, as you can take complete control of DSG box by gearlever or paddle's and make much quicer and smoother gearchanges. Than manual of course.

 

[JF77]

Don't get me started!