Polo GTI gearbox

[Pancake]

I have read quite a few things on this forum about VW reliability and specifically the Polo GTI.

I was looking at a GTI and took it for a test drive, I did notice the 1st to 2nd was crunchy. Its still under factory warranty for another 9 months.

Apart from that the car is in great condition, one owner, I called VW to check all the service history as so on and it all looks good. They also told me that the gear box oil hasnt been updated on this specific car.

Should I stay away from this one or is it not something I should worry too much about?

[Deadpool]

Welcome to the Forum!

Saw this the other day, but was kinda cranky when I saw it so didn't wanna comment, but will now.

If the gears are crunchy, ask them why they are. I've driven 9N and 6R Polo GTI's before and they were never crunchy, Manual or DSG. If they claim it's just the usual characteristics, don't buy from them because they're either bull****ting you or are flat out incompetent.

[THE_EGG]

I have read quite a few things on this forum about VW reliability and specifically the Polo GTI.

I was looking at a GTI and took it for a test drive, I did notice the 1st to 2nd was crunchy. Its still under factory warranty for another 9 months.

Apart from that the car is in great condition, one owner, I called VW to check all the service history as so on and it all looks good. They also told me that the gear box oil hasnt been updated on this specific car.

Should I stay away from this one or is it not something I should worry too much about?

Seeing you're saying it is still under warranty, I'm guessing it's a 6R Polo GTI, therefore DSG. If it was me buying it I would stay away. But I was particularly unlucky with my polo. If the gears are a little crunchy, try a different driving technique for it and/or try out the manual and sport options on the gear lever. Also, try out reverse and see if it has any surging.

Also, I'm fairly sure the DSG's that are in the Polo are dry-clutch DSG's not wet-clutch so I don't think it needs the expensive oil change like in the 6-speed DSG's in some of the Golf's etc.

But yes, if you are comfortable with the car then buy! Enjoy.

[poloplayer]

Can you define crunchy? That doesn't sound quite right to me. Mine was always notchy, i.e. had to shift relatively slower, but never felt like there was any grinding of sorts.

[Pancake]

Its a 9N, it was one of the last models when they were run out so it still had warranty.

What i mean buy crunchy is at high RPM changing from 1st to 2nd the second gear syncros arnt working well enough and wont always go into gear.
Anyway I passed on the said car but it did make me look into VW quality a bit more and i have to say im not impressed.
While i still love the cars im a bit hesitant to buy one now. Prior to this, i always thought VW were to quality... well that was my impression anyway.

[Tigger]

My wife's 2012 Polo GTI now has over 17,000kms on it.
No problems with the DSG at all...
In fact I reckon it is getting better as it settles in.

Very good shift patterns, and smooth gear choices.

[s4mmie]

Since we've owned ours it's never liked high-rpm 1st-2nd changes either. I recently had a clutch change and some Redline MTL gearbox fluid put in but haven't had a chance to really give it some yet. The MTL is reported to fix a lot of the crunch.

[Stanton]

I have read quite a few things on this forum about VW reliability and specifically the Polo GTI.

I was looking at a GTI and took it for a test drive, I did notice the 1st to 2nd was crunchy. Its still under factory warranty for another 9 months.

Apart from that the car is in great condition, one owner, I called VW to check all the service history as so on and it all looks good. They also told me that the gear box oil hasnt been updated on this specific car.

Should I stay away from this one or is it not something I should worry too much about?

Most people on these type of forums are here to bring up something negative about their VW while the biggest percentage of VW owners have no need because of the lack of problems.They are and will always be one of the best vehicles made as VW set very high standards in the first place and hey the vehicle in question is still under warranty.
I say buy it if you like it and immediatley report your concerns to the dealer,therefore they will either fix it now or later the warranty then extends past the 9 months mentioned if it doesn't settle in or work out to be normal.Try changing a little bit slower sounds like you were giving it a bit of stick and most likely beating the synchros.
You will find other brands even less perfect.

[s4mmie]

Just thought I'd update and say that the MTL fixed my crunches

[Hillbilly]

Am surprised at all the comments about changes at redline or close to it.

Dont drive it like you stole it.

Ours has done 11,000 and apart from a rattle in the L/R it hasnt had any problems.

But then we dont drive like some obviously do.

I have always treated vehicles with respect remembering that if I stuff it I have to pay for it.

Seems lots drive it to death in warranty period and then expect VW to pick up the pieces.

Anything mechanical will fail if pushed hard enough.

There is a vast difference between driving point to point fast and thrashing the guts out of it on the way.

Have owned 39 cars in my lifetime and can honestly say none have been as nice as the two new VW's.


Broke an axle in my first car ( an Austin A70 1954) LOL and had to save up to pay for repairs so rethought driving style to eliminate pockets emptying so fast.