How problematic is VW's 7 speed DSG?

[Enye]

owned many cars, mostly japs and twice Korean . This was my first continental. Thought I got a good deal for a used MK6 GTI. Pristine on the outside and inside. Looks largely stock, only an open pod filter which I requested the dealer to revert to stock as a condition for purchase.

 

Boy was I wrong.......... turns out to be the largest mistake when it comes to car purchase and is set to taint my record of fuss free motoring .

 

Things that went wrong

 

1) Persistent check engine light . Codes P000A and P 0011 - camshaft error

2) Comfort limitation error for the DCC adjustable dampers

3) Flickering left Headlight HID

 

To solve 1) = I replaced

 

-camshaft sensor x 1 - $200

- N205 solenoid valve x 2 $ 150 x 2

- Camshaft actuating magnet x 2  $125X 2

- Crankshaft sensor x1 $ 90

- Wiring loom to cam actuator valve $ 450 x 1

- Cam chain , timing chain guides , tensioner  $ 1400 x 1

- Oil pump $300 x 1

- Oil pickup tube $120

- Intake camshaft  $1200

- Retimed the engine x 2 $ 250

 

* x2 means twice All are parts prices exclusive of labour

 

 

To solve 2) - rear acceleration sensor x 1

 

To solve 3) - replaced HID ballast

 

After doing all these , 1) is still not solved . All the so called pro shops cannot determine the root cause . Even VGS gave up. the next step is to replace the ECU which is suspected to be damaged from the map. That would cost > $2500 without programming

 

The final straw came when the gearbox showed signs of mechatronics failure . It delayed engaging reverse at time especially on roads with gradients , Bit the bullet and sold off the car a loss of almost 25k within 5 months of ownership .

 

I will never touch a used continental car again.

 

looks stock doesn't mean not heavily modded before....presence of open pod should already set off alarm bells.  at least stage 2 by previous owner

 

many GTIs dekit and replace with stock parts before selling

 

the stock parts they used to replace modded parts are chapalang from everywhere

 

[Freeder]

owned many cars, mostly japs and twice Korean . This was my first continental. Thought I got a good deal for a used MK6 GTI. Pristine on the outside and inside. Looks largely stock, only an open pod filter which I requested the dealer to revert to stock as a condition for purchase.

 

Boy was I wrong.......... turns out to be the largest mistake when it comes to car purchase and is set to taint my record of fuss free motoring .

 

Things that went wrong

 

1) Persistent check engine light . Codes P000A and P 0011 - camshaft error

2) Comfort limitation error for the DCC adjustable dampers

3) Flickering left Headlight HID

 

To solve 1) = I replaced

 

-camshaft sensor x 1 - $200

- N205 solenoid valve x 2 $ 150 x 2

- Camshaft actuating magnet x 2 $125X 2

- Crankshaft sensor x1 $ 90

- Wiring loom to cam actuator valve $ 450 x 1

- Cam chain , timing chain guides , tensioner $ 1400 x 1

- Oil pump $300 x 1

- Oil pickup tube $120

- Intake camshaft $1200

- Retimed the engine x 2 $ 250

 

* x2 means twice All are parts prices exclusive of labour

 

 

To solve 2) - rear acceleration sensor x 1

 

To solve 3) - replaced HID ballast

 

After doing all these , 1) is still not solved . All the so called pro shops cannot determine the root cause . Even VGS gave up. the next step is to replace the ECU which is suspected to be damaged from the map. That would cost > $2500 without programming

 

The final straw came when the gearbox showed signs of mechatronics failure . It delayed engaging reverse at time especially on roads with gradients , Bit the bullet and sold off the car a loss of almost 25k within 5 months of ownership .

 

I will never touch a used continental car again.

Bro.. I really feel for u ..

Your story can be feature in the Sibey Jialat thread

Edited August 5, 2016 by Freeder

[Soya]

owned many cars, mostly japs and twice Korean . This was my first continental. Thought I got a good deal for a used MK6 GTI. Pristine on the outside and inside. Looks largely stock, only an open pod filter which I requested the dealer to revert to stock as a condition for purchase.

 

Boy was I wrong.......... turns out to be the largest mistake when it comes to car purchase and is set to taint my record of fuss free motoring .

 

Things that went wrong

 

1) Persistent check engine light . Codes P000A and P 0011 - camshaft error

2) Comfort limitation error for the DCC adjustable dampers

3) Flickering left Headlight HID

 

To solve 1) = I replaced

 

-camshaft sensor x 1 - $200

- N205 solenoid valve x 2 $ 150 x 2

- Camshaft actuating magnet x 2  $125X 2

- Crankshaft sensor x1 $ 90

- Wiring loom to cam actuator valve $ 450 x 1

- Cam chain , timing chain guides , tensioner  $ 1400 x 1

- Oil pump $300 x 1

- Oil pickup tube $120

- Intake camshaft  $1200

- Retimed the engine x 2 $ 250

 

* x2 means twice All are parts prices exclusive of labour

 

 

To solve 2) - rear acceleration sensor x 1

 

To solve 3) - replaced HID ballast

 

After doing all these , 1) is still not solved . All the so called pro shops cannot determine the root cause . Even VGS gave up. the next step is to replace the ECU which is suspected to be damaged from the map. That would cost > $2500 without programming

 

The final straw came when the gearbox showed signs of mechatronics failure . It delayed engaging reverse at time especially on roads with gradients , Bit the bullet and sold off the car a loss of almost 25k within 5 months of ownership .

 

I will never touch a used continental car again.

 

 

What was the mileage when u bought and did u know it was mapped? 

[S4vtec]

What was the mileage when u bought and did u know it was mapped? 

Mileage was 130500, sold it at 137800 after 5 months . You can imagine how little I drove it . Largely because the car was always on a hoist in the workshop!!!

 

Didn't know it was mapped until one of the " pro" shops commented there was a count on the ECU even though the map was " stock "

Bro.. I really feel for u ..

Your story can be feature in the Sibey Jialat thread

[inlinesix]

Mileage was 130500, sold it at 137800 after 5 months . You can imagine how little I drove it . Largely because the car was always on a hoist in the workshop!!!

 

Didn't know it was mapped until one of the " pro" shops commented there was a count on the ECU even though the map was " stock "

 

Golf GTI/R is 1 of the car i will avoid at all cost.  Unlike to find mod free car especially at that mileage.

 

I had heard from owner of Audi S3 that he boost the engine until pistol piang.  Have to wait 3 mths.

[S4vtec]

looks stock doesn't mean not heavily modded before....presence of open pod should already set off alarm bells.  at least stage 2 by previous owner

 

many GTIs dekit and replace with stock parts before selling

 

the stock parts they used to replace modded parts are chapalang from everywhere

 

Yep , learnt it the very painful way . I sent it for both Vicom and my regular workshop . Regular workshop deals with B&B hence cannot blame. both claimed accident free and mechanically sound . Little did we know.....

[inlinesix]

Mileage was 130500, sold it at 137800 after 5 months . You can imagine how little I drove it . Largely because the car was always on a hoist in the workshop!!!

 

Didn't know it was mapped until one of the " pro" shops commented there was a count on the ECU even though the map was " stock "

Whenever I see a VW car now , the urge to have gather my spit in my mouth and hurl it at the badge is very strong. Tis should be followed up with a generous lacing of @#$%^&*&*((

 

Don't you know that VW stands for ppl car??

Yep , learnt it the very painful way . I sent it for both Vicom and my regular workshop . Regular workshop deals with B&B hence cannot blame. both claimed accident free and mechanically sound . Little did we know.....

 

Vicom is useless 1.  If you know body shop well enough, they can tell you whether the car got into accident or not.  In fact, most lau jiau used car guys know how to see it.

 

Of course workshop that does not deal with VW will not know what to look out for.  If you go to specialise workshop, you will know how much you need to spent immediately after take over the car.

[S4vtec]

Feel for you. 25k for 5 months is a lot of money. Anyway, the car you are getting is a Conti sports model, the wear and tear will definitely be a lot. Usually people buy sports car is to lut the engine, not buy and keep swee swee. If the car is sold in pristine condition, seldom drive, likely inside chui already, that's why owner wanna sell. Another possibility could be owner wanna change new car. But chances of condition chui is higher. Anyway, now your ordeal is over. Hope you get a nice car from here on.

Managed to get the service records from VGS . The car was originally owned by a Caucasian . Address is private housing. Probably an expat . Sold after 3 years at a mileage of 35k++

 

2nd owner a local, went back for a few warranty claims and the last visit recorded was rejected for " car fully modified , no troubleshooting possible "

 

That was when I knew I am in a big pile of shit  .  

Golf GTI/R is 1 of the car i will avoid at all cost.  Unlike to find mod free car especially at that mileage.

 

I had heard from owner of Audi S3 that he boost the engine until pistol piang.  Have to wait 3 mths.

After the VW , the feeling for a used E90 was strong . but the haunting of the check engine light never left me . Sensibly went back to a Jap brand .

[S4vtec]

Don't you know that VW stands for ppl car??

 

Vicom is useless 1.  If you know body shop well enough, they can tell you whether the car got into accident or not.  In fact, most lau jiau used car guys know how to see it.

 

Of course workshop that does not deal with VW will not know what to look out for.  If you go to specialise workshop, you will know how much you need to spent immediately after take over the car.

 

But having said that , the " Pro shops " wouldn't be able to detect them as all of them couldn't even solve the problem!! well its always a gamble with used cars. Unless those from PPSL / Republic where you get extended warranty from the manufacturers,then again , the costs are already factored into the higher seliing price

[inlinesix]

Managed to get the service records from VGS . The car was originally owned by a Caucasian . Address is private housing. Probably an expat . Sold after 3 years at a mileage of 35k++

 

2nd owner a local, went back for a few warranty claims and the last visit recorded was rejected for " car fully modified , no troubleshooting possible "

 

That was when I knew I am in a big pile of shit  .  

After the VW , the feeling for a used E90 was strong . but the haunting of the check engine light never left me . Sensibly went back to a Jap brand .

 

Unlike you, i still love German car or Build-in oxford German car.

 

As my current car is 6 mth old used car, it is up to me to upkeep it.

[S4vtec]

Unlike you, i still love German car or Build-in oxford German car.

 

As my current car is 6 mth old used car, it is up to me to upkeep it.

6 month old , the risks are considerably lower. I love the Germans too, but financial and time factors are keeping me away until I can buy them new .

 

The car I replaced the VW with didn't have 1/4 of the standard features the GTI had,

[inlinesix]

But having said that , the " Pro shops " wouldn't be able to detect them as all of them couldn't even solve the problem!! well its always a gamble with used cars. Unless those from PPSL / Republic where you get extended warranty from the manufacturers,then again , the costs are already factored into the higher seliing price

 

That's likely due to the car being modded. 

 

By going to pro shop, once plug-in car computer, you will know that there is something wrong with the car.

[S4vtec]

That's likely due to the car being modded. 

 

By going to pro shop, once plug-in car computer, you will know that there is something wrong with the car.

hahahah. One of the pro shops I went to , plugged in the VCDS into the OBD and proceeded to clear the check engine light without even looking at the fault code. When I asked him what was the code about ( I already knew what code it was as I have my own OBD reader ) . He told me he already cleared it and is no big deal as it was a Bluetooth error for the headunit.

 

I promptly requested my car back and left

[Audi2016]

6 month old , the risks are considerably lower. I love the Germans too, but financial and time factors are keeping me away until I can buy them new .

 

The car I replaced the VW with didn't have 1/4 of the standard features the GTI had,

 

This kind of car, buy brand new better, ditch it after 2-3 years let it become another man's worry 

[Kangadrool]

Of course! But, what some people here was suggesting is to put the gear in neutral while the car is still rolling (at relatively high speed). We are not talking about the last meter before it stops.

 

I know the new DSG also auto put the gear in neutral once it detects slowing down, but....

 

You are SUPPOSED to go into neutral on a conventional manual at a stop light. Holding the clutch will wear the bearings out.

 

The DSG already goes into neutral at a complete stop, so shifting the gear leaver to "N" makes no difference.

 

Edited August 5, 2016 by Kangadrool

[ER-3682]

This kind of car, buy brand new better, ditch it after 2-3 years let it become another man's worry 

Esp to dealers who "eat" VW & resold,under Lemon Law,the Dealers need to fork out $$$ for the repairs that lasts 6 months after the next owner purchase..  

[Ak7887]

Been with my 7-speed Touran for 5 years and I must admit the situation has improved a lot compared to earlier years. VW stated the problem being the oil used in the gearbox as the culprit. Then u see new 7-speed is no longer twin-charged.

 

I had my DSG problems but since the last repair, it has been ok. No more juddering for quite some time already. End of the day, its a 1.4L, so don't drive it like a 2.4L.

[Wattokkingu]

I don't think the 7 speed dry clutch dsg was ever resolved, despite what VCS is telling their customers. If you go to overseas VW forums, lots of complaints with the mk7 golf on 7 speed dsg.