Ibiza DSG Transmission advice please

[motormadmarc]

Evening all.

I have a question please regarding the Seat DSG auto transmission.

Basically, I've been driving now for about 47 years and the last time I owned or drove a car with an automatic transmission must be about 38 years ago.

Our current car Is a 2023 Seat Ibiza Xcellence Lux that we leased brand new, and both myself and my wife (who does not drive) absolutely love it. So much so that we wanted to lease the same model again In September when we hand back our current car.

However, we've been informed by the main dealer that the Ibiza Xcellence Lux Is no longer available here in the UK so we've decided to go for the new style Ibiza FR (not the sport) with the 17" alloy wheels.

So here's the thing. I've been thinking about maybe going for the DSG automatic transmission just for a change. However, after reading and watching a couple of reviews on YouTube, the DSG auto transmission that's fitted to the Ibiza has something called a 'Dry Clutch' and not a 'Wet' one. This In turn can apparently cause problems like premature wear and overheating especially when driving in heavy and slow moving traffic. I've also heard that the DSG auto transmission can also be very notchy and clunky when moving slowly and when parking, Is this true?

All opinions welcome guys on which transmission to go for, another manual or the DSG? Just to add that we only cover very low mileage each year (about 6k) and are both now retired so the car Is only really used for local trips with the occasional 2-3 hour trip down the motorway.

Cheers guys

 

[James_R]

The DQ200 gearboxes were problematic 15 years ago, these days they're relatively trouble free, plus practically any issues you have should be covered by the warranty.

Test drive one, see what you think. I won't drive anything else now.

 

[Bluepower]

The DQ200 gearboxes were problematic 15 years ago, these days they're relatively trouble free, plus practically any issues you have should be covered by the warranty.

Test drive one, see what you think. I won't drive anything else now.

Not so much though... The DQ200 still has its flaws, as already stated by the OP.. burned clutch packs at relative low mileage is not uncommon, as well as mech unit failure..
But, with a proper TCU tune, they can withstand a lot more useage and abuse and make them longer lasting. The tune will also affect driveability in a positive way!
So basically: yes, they have their known defects, but if you get the TCU tuned (and the ECU as well, while you're at it...) they will last a long time and provide you a nice driving experience

 

[James_R]

As someone who's worked for VWG for the last 20 odd years I'm happy to stand by my statement. Earlier DQ200 gearboxes were not great, now they are a much better product and I see few, if any issues with them working in a large multi brand dealership.

Anyone who searches "DQ200 problems" through the likes of Google is bound to get an AI populated plethora of horror stories, when the reality is, for the volume of vehicles with the gearbox fitted to it there's going to be some failures, it's not perfect, but it's not the worst product either.

Then again, the OP could buy one and tune the engine and gearbox like you've hinted at there, void his warranty, then he won't have to worry if he has an issue because he'll have to pay out of his own pocket for the repairs anyway

 

[Bahnstormer_vRS]

Evening all.

. . . . . .

I've also heard that the DSG auto transmission can also be very notchy and clunky when moving slowly and when parking, Is this true?

. . . .

Cheers guys

This is true; to an extent, but I'd advocate only very slightly notchy and clunky.

Very simply because a DSG is an automatically operated manual gearbox, with two clutches to engage / disengage the drive; as opposed to a traditional automatic with a fluid / hydraulic torque converter to smooth things out.

A DSG is only clunky when manoeuvring, to a similar extent as a manual gearbox.

You're concerned about the longevity and reliability of a DSG. With your typical driving and mileage how long might the clutch last on your manual gearbox? :-k :-k

Best suggestion? Take a test drive, and not just a coupke of miles around the block. See how you feel.

I'll wager you'll be pleasantly surprised as to how smooth, responsive yet relaxing it is to drive a DSG equipped car.

Good luck.

Guy

PS> Disclosure; happy customer driving DSG equipped cars (Skoda / Cupra) for 15+ years and counting.




Sent from my Galaxy S25 Ultra using Tapatalk

 

[motormadmarc]

Thanks for all the replies and info guys

 

[Tell]

Its when they put them on the more meaty engines the issue arose. The wet / dry business occurred when they swapped to the wrong lube. Old Honest John thing. Vag changed back (they were better off with mineral oil in them from memory, Vag introduced their own fault but that's long history now) and they were then trouble free apart from when boy racers break them by treating them like racing cars, flipping the paddles, nudging the gears. Chipping them. The F1 starts etc. Essentially Top Gear brain dead stuff.

Trusty wiki

Direct-shift gearbox - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

The Arona 1.0 on DQ200 is perfect. Just the thing for old bones although I drive 2.0 TDI DQ384 or something. I've been driving DSGs trouble free since 2004. Altea and Ateca. No problems.

Reddit posts here which make a read

https://www.reddit.com/r/Volkswagen/comments/1musnph/if_the_dq200_is_truly_problematic_why_would_vw

Kampala X post... sort of informative

https://twitter.com/x/status/2005972472680632776

Dry isn't suppose to have any oil in it (not totally true). That must be Vags downfall a sealed unit with the wrong oil in it till they sorted it out.

Ta. Briskoda post that covers it. Synthetic oil issue in the DQ200. Bit like mib3 they introduced something that wasn't very good but that was years ago. The back wash continues.

DQ200 Gearbox - Which fluid was changed from mineral to synthetic ?

Hello, I actually own a VW Polo GT with the infamous DQ200 gearbox (Gen 2 I believe) but the Briskoda forums seem to have the most detailed topics and discussions regarding this infamous gearbox which is why I decided to create an account to clear up something I was unsure about.Short Version : T...

www.briskoda.net

 

[James_R]

The oil electrolysis issue was dealt with by a recall that started back in 2010.

 

[Tell]

Time warp if Vag makes a mistake it haunts them. Let's do the time warp step again. Google is available. Rocky Horror Show. Those engineers have no culture and red peppers repeat .

 

[James_R]

If a minor issue with gear oil that has been and gone but talks of it keep resurfacing is the only thing that's keeping the people at VWG head office awake at night then I'd say they've not done too bad considering their history.