Multivan DSG

[jetta2small]

Gday everyone
I currently own a Jetta FSI turbo, but with my 3rd child due next may, 3 child seats in the back will not fit...we tried it today!!
So looks like it hello multivan. i'm looking at some 2nd hand T5s. Most seem to have DSG boxes (which i love from the jetta), but what is the general word for the long run ...are they reliable? once out of warranty should i keep away and look for a "stick shift"?
Thanks in advance.

[gregozedobe]

You might want to look a little more closely - AFAIK the current (pre-facelift) T5 was only available with a manual or "tiptronic" gearbox. The tiptronic is a "true" auto (with torque converter), not a DSG. The tiptronic isn't as reliable as the manual. I think the facelift T5 might have a DSG available.

Did you consider looking at different (narrower) baby seats so you could keep your Jetta (or do you have plans for a big brood ) ? IIRC There is another thread currently looking at the differnt vehicle options for 3 baby seats. The T5 (even the SWB version) is a bit big for comfortable round town driving (especially parking), and rear visibility isn't that great.

[melissa]

Its one thing getting the child seats in - its another thing getting prams etc., in. This is where your Multivan, Caravelle is going to come into play. Gregozedobe is right - there has been another thread on here about child restraints and this was looking at a T4. I suggested my T4 Kombi model as it has 5 child restraint points ex factory with plenty of room for prams and everything else (including friends of said children ) congrats on number 3.

[jetta2small]

to clarify, i'm looking at a 2005 multivan which is being advertised as having a dsg. sorry for any confusion.
we had tried narrower seats (and will be trying again at another shop today!!). new car seats is a bit easier than changing cars!!!! i need to fit 2 booster seats and a rear facing seat for the new born...with our current seats that we have...i cant close the doors!!!

an addition to my question....is there a km limit that it would be advisable to say under 40K, 60K 80K???

Thanks----->>>>>off to the baby shops!!

[Tornado T5]

to clarify, i'm looking at a 2005 multivan which is being advertised as having a dsg. sorry for any confusion.
we had tried narrower seats (and will be trying again at another shop today!!). new car seats is a bit easier than changing cars!!!! i need to fit 2 booster seats and a rear facing seat for the new born...with our current seats that we have...i cant close the doors!!!

an addition to my question....is there a km limit that it would be advisable to say under 40K, 60K 80K???

Thanks----->>>>>off to the baby shops!!

Just to clear it up, I have a 2007 LWB T5 with auto and as stated above they are a conventional auto transmission with the ability to flick the gear lever sidways to operate it in manual mode as well as drop it into "S" for a sports mode auto giving a more responsive/faster downshift and a longer hold onto a gear before upshifting.

I feel the manual gearbox is more reliable based on my own experience where the dealer has warranty replaced the box after 60,000km due to flaring that couldn't be solved and felt to be electronically based. I actually decided to have the box serviced at my own initiation having read of overseas reports of failure plus the fluid is not listed as requiring a change until 120,000km. Co-incidently the flaring started right after the service ($600). I would still order an auto for my next van (changing to 7sp DSG for the newly released model coming here in the 1st/2nd qrtr 2010).

I believe the new narrower child seats should just help you in keeping your current car. I suggest a long term roadtest, as in a few hours as well as fitting everything into the Multivan before buying, and driving it around the area you're most likely to travel. They are a great vehicle, however they're much larger, much wider turning circle, harder to reverse etc, however will carry everything...our's is treated as a "massive" station wagon on the weekends but then again I've driven vans from the day I learnt to drive back in 1982 so the bulk goes un-noticed.

The money you save on sticking with the current car means you can buy a fitted DVD player and really enjoy the future drives as the children get older.

[Silver Caravelle]

Hi there,

To offer another perspective, I have three kids (including a disable child) and would not go back to a station wagon due to lack of space to carry baggage/pram/wheelchair and kids.

The Multivan has 5 anchor points on middle two seats and rear bench for child seats. And with room for a pram in the boot area. Air bags all round,front and rear parking sensors and tri zone climate control.

As has been mentioned, there are no DSG models - only 6 speed tiptronic auto (and 6 speed manual) in the current model. 7 speed DSG coming in the new model next year. I like the tiptronic - no fuss and a smooth auto.

Driving one of these is not a big deal and you will get use to it in about a week or so. Also it is no longer than your average ford or holden station wagon.

Regards,

Scott

[_ds]

Driving one of these is not a big deal and you will get use to it in about a week or so. Also it is no longer than your average ford or holden station wagon.

We've just purchased one and my wife, who's only about 5' 5" drives it easily. It's a bit of a tardis actually - we used to have a Chrysler Grand Voyager prior to the Multivan, and the MV is about 20cm shorter and 9cm narrower than the Voyager, yet feels to have about twice the space inside. It's also about 15cm shorter than a Commodore station wagon (and less than 6cm wider)

It carries enormous physical presence; it looks massive and inside it feels huge, but it's not that large at all, just well designed. I think the almost 2m height helps too.

[jetta2small]

thanks for all your help...it is good to know that "normal" autos are in the t5s. with some new booster seats it looks like everyone will fit in the jetta. but we will have to see how it goes once #3 is here!! it is pretty fiddly accessing all the seat belts.

[thevwbug]

thanks for all your help...it is good to know that "normal" autos are in the t5s. with some new booster seats it looks like everyone will fit in the jetta. but we will have to see how it goes once #3 is here!! it is pretty fiddly accessing all the seat belts.

I actually have a Jetta and a Multivan.
It would seriously test your patience putting 3 rug rats in the jetta.

With one baby seat in the Jetta it is hard to get the centre seat belt done up easy. with boosters too - no fun at all.

With NSW laws changing in march kids have to be in a baby seat till they are 4 and a booster till 7.

There is so many seating option with the multivan you can keep everyone happy, easy to load kids, adjustable space to suit your pram and the abiltiy to walk though the van from front to back.

we have never used the table in the van this frees up alot of space and allows kids to move around.

[jetta2small]

i have managed to borrow a multivan from the dealer when my service is done this month. Can see how i like it and if it will fit under my house. Gives the cheese and kisses a an extended drive as well.