DSG: Problems, Questions, Likes and Dislikes

[andrew7]

A250 or A45 AMG Candyman? Could also sidestep the VW name into the Audi S3 (related but not tarnished).

[Candyman]

A250 or A45 AMG Candyman? Could also sidestep the VW name into the Audi S3 (related but not tarnished).

The A45 AMG would have to be my only option (S3 is more of the same VW, IMO)

Here is the thing mate

I prefer the styling inside and out of the R
I prefer the pricing/value of the R
I prefer the servicing of the R

Sure, there is the Focus, the STI, maybe a few other "hot hatches" but none come close, IMO, overall, to the R.

It is just the VWA attitude to customers that gives me the ****s and the ongoing dramas of VW's quality control.

I sent a response to the letter I got from VWA, but it is unlikely to have any impact.

I've moved to QLD and yet to find a good dealer/independant. The dealer I used in Sydney was very supportive and trustworthy so dealers aren't all bad.

VWA though - for what is advertised as a "quality" brand and company, very disappointing.

Edit - oh and what puts me off is not the DSG reliability, my feelings apply to manual variants of Golfs as well

[SilvrFoxX]

Hey CM, I think you are going to be troubled finding anything that quite matches the R with the preferences you have outlined. You never know by the time you have run down the warranty VW may have sorted themselves out and the new offering attractive.

Having said that I reckon you would be up for a change regardless, maybe the BMW M135i ( butt ugly but quick )

[Candyman]

Hey CM, I think you are going to be troubled finding anything that quite matches the R with the preferences you have outlined. You never know by the time you have run down the warranty VW may have sorted themselves out and the new offering attractive.

Having said that I reckon you would be up for a change regardless, maybe the BMW M135i ( butt ugly but quick )

Hey SF

I took some time deciding on the R after I sold the GTI.

I looked at lots of options but kept coming back to the VW brand for reasons already discussed and it had to be DSG.

I agree, not many valid competitors out there but it will never be 2WD and never a Beemer.

We are moving more to a GT type vehicle given our change of location so Lexus is becoming interesting.

Hope you are well

[SilvrFoxX]

All good here.. same ol same ol, not having you to stirr things up has been a bit dull but I get by.

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[Candyman]

All good here.. same ol same ol, not having you to stirr things up has been a bit dull but I get by.

LOL

Ive been way too busy with this move to cause trouble and now that I'm up here, the lifestyle, lack of crowds and traffic jams has softened me

Maybe this current fiasco will really shake VW up and they then sort out the quality issues and their approach to customers who pay their salaries.

Mmmm, pigs on the wing ....

[SilvrFoxX]

Customer servic aside I am a firm believer that progress has a price. The DSG box is possibly the most advanced piece of kit on the market, VW keep pushing the envelope and something has got to give. The trade off is a silky smooth acceleration which chomps manual performance. Where VW appear to have missed the point is they have to stand up and say "we are testing in production" and defects will be fixed under warranty

If you want tried and tested then buy japanese but the tech is going to be a decade behind

[Fumbi]

Customer servic aside I am a firm believer that progress has a price. The DSG box is possibly the most advanced piece of kit on the market, VW keep pushing the envelope and something has got to give. The trade off is a silky smooth acceleration which chomps manual performance. Where VW appear to have missed the point is they have to stand up and say "we are testing in production" and defects will be fixed under warranty

If you want tried and tested then buy japanese but the tech is going to be a decade behind

Agree. The other mistake they made is not to educate buyers re the DSG handling. Should be a separate booklet in the car with instructions.

[Candyman]

Sorry guys, neither of those comments cut it

1. VW admit the DSG has flaws, major ones. False neutrals can be dangerous (personal experience). With the 7 speed, even more flawed. Owners have been seriously "burnt" by this tech. VW aren't the leader either.

2. There should be no need for a DSG "handbook". VW and dealers messed up majorly here, don't shove the blame to owners.

i suck it up about the way the DSG behaves and doesn't behave but VWs attitude and many of its dealers have a woeful attitude to customers and there is no excuse.

[Diesel_vert]

Customer servic aside I am a firm believer that progress has a price. The DSG box is possibly the most advanced piece of kit on the market, VW keep pushing the envelope and something has got to give. The trade off is a silky smooth acceleration which chomps manual performance. Where VW appear to have missed the point is they have to stand up and say "we are testing in production" and defects will be fixed under warranty

Most people tend to be understanding when something goes wrong and given an explanation. Technology is designed by humans after all, so it can't be helped if something goes wrong.

What most people don't tolerate nearly as well, is if there's a perception of avoiding responsibility on part of the technology provider when something does go wrong, especially for something like a car - not just because it's the second most expensive purchase for many people, but just on sheer principle.

Either be open and upfront about the limitations of a particular technology, or don't mention it at all and simply take responsibility and offer proper & real support (in a manner that is not condescending) if something does go wrong.



Though having said that, most customers do not relish at the thought of playing the role of a guinea pig - they'd argue, how were they to know the company was outsourcing their development team onto the consumer when purchasing a DSG-equipped VW?

Is it too much to ask for a properly developed gearbox (that is to be installed in an ordinary passenger vehicle, not an exotic or experimental prototype) to be included with the purchase price?

If you want tried and tested then buy japanese but the tech is going to be a decade behind

At least it'll work.

Agree. The other mistake they made is not to educate buyers re the DSG handling. Should be a separate booklet in the car with instructions.

You mean, tell the customer they have to drive their automatic transmission as if it were a manual transmission or you'll damage it?

Most technophiles and enthusiasts probably wouldn't mind, but ordinary customers would be quite bemused by that... and then buy something else.