Are Dsg Auto Boxes Really That Bad?

[Soupy123]

So I’m hoping to pass my driving test soon and I’m looking for an automatic to purchase. I’m in my late 20s so I’m not looking for a ‘cheap run around’ similar to what an 18 year old would be.

There seems to be a 50/50 split between whether the DSG boxes used in VW, Seat, Skoda etc are actually something to avoid.

Most sources seem to push you down the traditional torque converter box. However, this limits the options available by either the car being too old, too expensive or to be frank, too ugly.

As an example, the Hyundai i10 or the Kia Picanto TCs are too old for me and also too small a car.

Would a 1.0l 2016 - 2018 Polo for example really that bad or is it simply a case of luck?

[Hymie]

The link is to an article from carbuyer – interestingly they claim longevity not to be an issue.

A line from the article reads:-
Almost all DSG gearboxes perform faultlessly with some fitted to vehicles that have clocked up more than 100,000 miles.

I would say the operative word in that sentence being ‘some’, I’ve owned a fair number of vehicles that have covered well in excess of 100,000 miles, and have never experienced a clutch or gearbox failure. So it’s a bit worrying that a 100,000 mile life for the gearbox is cited as an indication of reliability.

https://www.carbuyer.co.uk/car-buying/167114/what-is-a-dsg-gearbox-should-i-buy-a-car-with-one

[retrocop]

No problems with the DSG box on my Skoda Superb. I have driven many marques of high end cars and would rate my Skoda box the best. I once had a Ford Cortina Mk1 and they were the pits. I got through 3 recons in about 4 years mainly torque converters breaking up:-(
DSG’s are fine. I have on two occasions accidentally selected sports by mode and being slightly deaf didn’t hear me revving the hell out the engine until I saw the rev counter.

[Paul22118]

I have not owned a manual car since 1980. Since then have had all sorts from minis, awful box, to current Mercedes which is a dream machine. However, I recall my Skoda Octavia Lauren & Clement auto had a DSG box and it was faultless and a pleasure to use. Never let me down.