Interesting. MInd at least with the manual you have the choice to change gear.

I do use manual quite a bit to avoid labouring a cold engine. I can also use sport mode, but then the car wont go into top gear until about 80 mph. It really needs a sort of "half sport" mode. I guess its all in the search for good mpg.

I have the 7 speed DSG 1.4tsi Scirocco 160bhp, i have to say it is a joy to drive. Not experianced any problems so far, owned since December 2009. It does change up to 7th quick if you are going nice and easy but drops down quick enough when you need it. Never noticed the engine labouring at all at low speeds. I have at times been suprised it was in 7th doing low speeds but no problems.

Very relaxing drive, smooth changes at all speeds and a great car.

Jerkiness on take off was the first sign my DSG box mechatronic unit was failing.

My friend's jetta was damaged on both wings in his narrow garage because he could not manage to control limited manoeuvres with his DSG transmission. Mind you he did not possess great finesse with his right foot!!!

He too, however, has had much garage work including a new Mechatronic unti.

Is manouvreing (creeping /parking etc) with VW's DSG autobox much different to any other autobox? Just saying as I find that any auto is clumsy when trying to move it just an inch or so - I suggest either holding the car back a little with the handbrake, or left foot braking (although care & practice needed for the latter). Don't know how you will fare using an electronic parking brake though.

I've got the 6-speed manual and I don't really see the point of the DSG (unless you're not used to manuals). The gearchange is light yet precise, and the ratios are pretty long, which gives relaxed cruising, but is nicely compensated by the low-end torque of the TSI engine. Interestingly, nearly every review I read of the current Ibiza FR/Cupra (which is DSG-only) said that what it really needed was a manual option.

Edited by Typ 8L on 18/03/2010 at 14:10

hmm. its difficult to describe my problem in words, but i'll try.

in order to pull away from rest smoothly, i find that i must apply a small throttle opening, in a "squeezing" motion rather than just stabbing it. if i do this its fine, but i find doing it many times in dense traffic makes my ankle ache. if i forget sometimes, & prod the throttle, the car will lurch enough that passengers complain.

the problem is that the two behaviours are not far apart, so you sometimes get one or the other.

as an engineer i think that the programming of the clutch action has been optomised such that there is little clutch slip, which will give a decent life to the friction members.

btW, you should get around 40 mpg for local suburban driving, with 50 possible for motorway trips travelling at no more than 70.

Hi, Wigsy wellcome,

Just for your interest I pursued my problem through VW Milton Keynes, with the view that I believe, software changes would improve things no end.

I hit some what of a stone wall, their final comment was the dear old "vehicle characteristic" thing.

Perhaps like you, you have to carefull when entering a island at low speed. A small throttle opening & nothing happens, a large one and the trans will change down several gears with a distinct lurch. The trouble is that you don't know which reaction you will get!

Note that the 6 speed dsg has similar problems, but not as marked, I think because some clutch slip is allowed. The 7 speed clutch I think, is somewhat in or out.

Hi I'm a new forum member, looking for people with similar experiences of the 1.4 TSI 160 with the DSG gearbox. I have had mine from new since last July and have experienced the same problems as mustangman.

The throttle you have to ease onto to prevent a sudden lurch of power. The alternative is waiting an age for anything to happen. When wanting to accelerate, the engine shudders and vibrates due to the low revs, and takes much persuasion to kick down.

Consequently I use it in manual mode for much of the time. Sport mode keeps it too low geared for too long in the rev range. There seems to be no compromise.

I also have some pretty awful clanks(audible in the street) from the gearbox on changing up or down, and some strange noises on overun from the gearbox, when slowing in 2 or 3. Local VW dealer says VW UK has put it down to a "characteristic of the car", although the mechanic had to admit it didnt sound right!

Would welcome comments from any mk vi DSG owners with similar problems...better to tackle dealers with other evidence.

After making several requests I am now off to compare it with another identical model at the dealers, and will let you know what happens.

Hi all, I'm new here too from Australia..... bought the Golf VI TSI90 2 years ago - great great car 99% but yes, like most of you, have noticed the "car characteristic" issue re moving off from stnad still.... however I have found what I find is a great solution.... you might like to try it perhaps! :) I'm no expert on gearboxes or DSG so go easy on me if I have this a tad wrong... but my gut instincts tell me the "problem" is... in D mode, 1st gear is too short... when people have stated above and tried S mode.... the initial lurch etc is not there... in S mode, 1st gear stretches out longer obviously but you get the issue of then staying in too low a gear for normal general driving - I liked the suggestion of one in between! So I have experimented and find this works well, when starting from still, flick the DSG into Manual mode... accelerate and flick back to D just literally 1 sec or less later.... I find the ratios of 2, 3 etc after that ok for general D mode... but it extends 1st gear for you doing this and prevents the lurch altogether. It might seem bothersome to do this but I find it fine... especially if at an intersection where you really want get going smoothly from the word go... anyway, just my humble penny's worth... I have heard VW have started to address this problem... perhaps they have extended 1st gear a tad in D mode.... anyway, worth a go perhaps - cheers :)

(Duplicate post)

Edited by Avant on 05/04/2012 at 23:26

I hope and trust that the new vRS will retain the 6-speed DSG which doesn't have the jerkiness and unreliability of the 7-speed.

A big advantage of DSG over a conventional torque-converter automatic is that there's no penalty in terms of performance or economy. I've just done a quick trip to Aldeburgh and back (from Berkshire) and the trip computer was showing 41 mpg (my vRS is a petrol). Thinking this a bit optimistic, I filled up when near home: actual consumption 42 mpg. That's better than quite a few diesels (although not the diesel Octavia vRS which I had before).

Edited by Avant on 08/06/2013 at 19:04