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[STEMO]

I have been looking at a selection of Škoda Octavias as a replacement for my astra when the inevitable happens. I want an auto but VAG's DSG box is putting me off.
At the price point I am willing to pay, most of them have done 50-60,000 miles, and I understand the DSG requires a service every 40,000. Would I be stupid to buy one without a documented service history of the box? What are the pitfalls with one that hasn't been done? Thanks.

[Jimbob]

Been impressed with the DSG in her Golf GTI,
Serviced at around 40k now at 66k and always been fine.

If I bought one with no history, and it drove fine, id prob factor in a couple hundred for a gearbox service and hope.

[STEMO]

Been impressed with the DSG in her Golf GTI,
Serviced at around 40k now at 66k and always been fine.

If I bought one with no history, and it drove fine, id prob factor in a couple hundred for a gearbox service and hope.

Thanks, Jimbob. Trying to take hope out of the process..

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

I thought the new-fangled DSG twin clutch jobbies were going to replace the old torque converter type but it looks like they are popular again, used on a wide range of cars.

Both the ZF 6 speed auto in my desirable Signum and ZF8 speed in my Jaguar XFR were almost without fault. Both TC type.

I hear some of the DSG type of auto tend to become a bit fragile when they get a few miles under their belt. 

[STEMO]

I thought the new-fangled DSG twin clutch jobbies were going to replace the old torque converter type but it looks like they are popular again, used on a wide range of cars.

Both the ZF 6 speed auto in my desirable Signum and ZF8 speed in my Jaguar XFR were almost without fault. Both TC type.

I hear some of the DSG type of auto tend to become a bit fragile when they get a few miles under their belt.

Yes, I remember Mark saying a while back that torque converter boxes were still the most reliable. Mine has done 117,000 miles (so far) without problems.

[dave the builder]

I thought the new-fangled DSG twin clutch jobbies were going to replace the old torque converter type but it looks like they are popular again, used on a wide range of cars.

Both the ZF 6 speed auto in my desirable Signum and ZF8 speed in my Jaguar XFR were almost without fault. Both TC type.

I hear some of the DSG type of auto tend to become a bit fragile when they get a few miles under their belt.

Yes, I remember Mark saying a while back that torque converter boxes were still the most reliable. Mine has done 117,000 miles (so far) without problems.

no need to replace the Astra then 

[STEMO]

I thought the new-fangled DSG twin clutch jobbies were going to replace the old torque converter type but it looks like they are popular again, used on a wide range of cars.

Both the ZF 6 speed auto in my desirable Signum and ZF8 speed in my Jaguar XFR were almost without fault. Both TC type.

I hear some of the DSG type of auto tend to become a bit fragile when they get a few miles under their belt.

Yes, I remember Mark saying a while back that torque converter boxes were still the most reliable. Mine has done 117,000 miles (so far) without problems.

no need to replace the Astra then 

Not yet, Dave, but I'd like to have a clue what I'm looking for when the time comes. Astra could go bang or catastrophically fail an MOT at any time, or it might see me out. 

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

I thought the new-fangled DSG twin clutch jobbies were going to replace the old torque converter type but it looks like they are popular again, used on a wide range of cars.

Both the ZF 6 speed auto in my desirable Signum and ZF8 speed in my Jaguar XFR were almost without fault. Both TC type.

I hear some of the DSG type of auto tend to become a bit fragile when they get a few miles under their belt.

Yes, I remember Mark saying a while back that torque converter boxes were still the most reliable. Mine has done 117,000 miles (so far) without problems.

no need to replace the Astra then 

Not yet, Dave, but I'd like to have a clue what I'm looking for when the time comes. Astra could go bang or catastrophically fail an MOT at any time, or it might see me out. 

117,000 miles is nothing for a crude agricultural diesel lump like the one found in your Astra.

Most diesel lumps can easily run to 200,000 miles plus without major problems.

[STEMO]

I thought the new-fangled DSG twin clutch jobbies were going to replace the old torque converter type but it looks like they are popular again, used on a wide range of cars.

Both the ZF 6 speed auto in my desirable Signum and ZF8 speed in my Jaguar XFR were almost without fault. Both TC type.

I hear some of the DSG type of auto tend to become a bit fragile when they get a few miles under their belt.

Yes, I remember Mark saying a while back that torque converter boxes were still the most reliable. Mine has done 117,000 miles (so far) without problems.

no need to replace the Astra then 

Not yet, Dave, but I'd like to have a clue what I'm looking for when the time comes. Astra could go bang or catastrophically fail an MOT at any time, or it might see me out. 

117,000 miles is nothing for a crude agricultural diesel lump like the one found in your Astra.

Most diesel lumps can easily run to 200,000 miles plus without major problems.

Yes, but the thread is about auto boxes.

[YZ250]

We probably haven’t got enough miles on our Audi’s for a long term reliability review but no issues with either of them so far. Mine has had a gearbox service within the last few months at 38K, at a cost of £182 at an Indy garage. Hers has only done 14K so not due yet.
Although we’ve had no issues with the duel clutch gearbox, the ZF8 in our beemer is an excellent gearbox, so smooth at everything requested of it. 

[STEMO]

We probably haven’t got enough miles on our Audi’s for a long term reliability review but no issues with either of them so far. Mine has had a gearbox service within the last few months at 38K, at a cost of £182 at an Indy garage. Hers has only done 14K so not due yet.
Although we’ve had no issues with the duel clutch gearbox, the ZF8 in our beemer is an excellent gearbox, so smooth at everything requested of it. 

£182 is less than I thought 

[ronnyd]

I've heard from the guy who does the work on my Vectra that the DSG box is fine as long as it's serviced at the correct intervals. The one to steer clear of is the Powershift box on Fords.

[Andy B]

Torque converter slush box for me every time 
Admittedly it was a while back now, but SWMBO was given a DSG Passat as a courtesy car that I ended up using, I never liked the slow speed engagement while parking etc though I believe there is now a certain amount of 'creep' built into them 

[ronnyd]

Thinking back to when my Desmond was written off, i had a Superb as a courtesy car. Nice car but DSG box and auto stop/start made it horrible in traffic. Was glad to get Desmond back.

[STEMO]

I'm going off the idea, glad I asked. Question is, why are more modern boxes not as good as torque converter ones