Fao: 7 Speed, S Tronic Owners

ryan-westlondon

Registered User
Joined
Jun 26, 2014
Messages
59
Reaction score
2
Points
8
Location
Staines
Can anyone please confirm if you have ever experienced shuddering when 2nd gear is engaged, in particular once the car has warmed up.

Basically Audi say they're unaware of the problem, yet I've found LOADS of identical discussions taking place on both VW and Skoda forums describing my exact issue. Either the solution being new clutch pack/new flywheel or new deadly expensive mechatronic.

Whenever the car is at a standstill, upon acceleration when second gear is engaged the car shudders for half a second until third gear is then engaged with all other gears as smooth as expected. The harder you accelerate, the worse the shuddering, to a point where I don't want to accelerate hard for fear of something just going pop it shudders that much. With windows down you can hear the terrible shuddering sound, what can only be described as either driving over a cattle grid, or over big rumble strips. This only happens after say 20mins of driving, i.e when things are all warmed up.

I'm booked in for another diagnostic check with Audi in 3 weeks, with my warranty running out in just over 4 weeks. So I'm anxious not only to get this thing sorted asap, but if I'm being fobbed off with "checked it, seems fine, no problems" - only for me to find it still doesn't exist and wait another 3+ weeks to bring it back in again.


Has anyone had any such vibration issues? I can only find one youtube vid that seems very similar. Especially the clip starting at 39seconds.

I'm visiting an Audi Independant specialist this Friday who I'm hoping will finally clarify this issue, which has been a massive headache having only bought the car 2 months ago. Never had a problem with Fords or Skoda, and feel hugely disappointed to find we have a problem in such a short amount of time. To the point of "just get rid of it" possibly going back to good ol reliable cheap Fords.

btw I've had the gearbox recall job done on Monday, changing synthetic to mineral, no change.

Thanks
 
Last edited:
NEVER had anything like that in my A5. Looks horrible on the vid, hate to think what it's like driving
 
Even if the warranty runs out the problem exists before so if they are trying to go down this route its just massive dishonesty.

Make sure you have records of you informing them of the issue whether its an email, text or receipt. If the job sheet says theres no issue then visit the independent right away and ask if they will document the problem and take that to the dealer. Which dealer is it?

If you are able to, video the problem like in your post and take that there. Some dealers are helpful others are not, hence you're being shoved off.
 
Whoa. Not had anything like that.

Once or twice over the last year I had a mild throbbing sound (sound only - no physical vibration) for about 1/2 second as if it were riding the clutch. More accelerator and clutch bit and it went away.

As this is stop/start traffic, was this in Auto (ie not flappy paddle mode) as am wondering if the gearbox is trying to change up too early?

Do you get it in all driving modes: Auto /Sport Auto /manual flappy paddle mode?

John.
 
Sorry to hear your having this problem, I know what it's like! I had it in my Golf for nearly 3 years and it only got worse, eventually getting stuck in second for longer periods (10 seconds approximately). Again VW denied any knowledge, said it was a "characteristic" and didn't log any of this causing me more problems when things got worse. The only thing I've had with my A3 is it seemed to get stuck in 3rd gear for about 5 seconds - I'm just hoping it's not the start of the same issue, but only had it 4 weeks so I'm hoping it'll be ok!
 
Definitely not normal.

That would annoy the hell out of me.
 
I won't name the Audi dealer just yet, I'll give them another go. As they did say the recall of changing gearbox oil they'll do first, and see if that fixes the problem (which it never). I'm just hoping when I give them the car, they do go for a long journey of at least 20mins to get things warmed up, as that's when the problem occurs. Not just run around the block for 5mins and say no problem, because yes I know it ain't a problem if they've only took it for a spin. Just seems like they wanted a quick turnaround, and not spend enough time on it to really asses as an independant specialist would.

I've heard all good things about Fontain and Autopool in Iver which is not far from me, they're all booked up for the next two weeks. But Fontain recommended I get in touch with their good friends of AVIT http://www.a-v-i-t.co.uk - I'm going there this Friday.

It certainly is annoying, especially after owning the car for only 2 months! Everything else is perfect, and the car is a joy to drive apart from when it's all warmed up and this second gear issue occurs. We're just worried about future costs, as having a newborn it's not exactly a great time to freely spend ££££. The warranty I have is with a second hand dealer (3 months with 1 month left now) - I'll take out extended warranty with Audi after that expires. Although the very reason we opted for this A3 1.4 TFSI was for fuel economy, but now we're having to pay for a warranty which we never did on our old Skoda Octavia VRS. Which cancels out the fuel savings. So bit of a headache at present.
 
btw sorry I should have put this in the 8P forum, if any mods are able to move it there. Thanks
 
Just curious, after what time period did you first report the problem? you mention it being no better after the recall for the oil swap which I presume was after around a month of ownership?

Alex
 
bought the car two months ago, first noticed the problem after just one month. Came on here to explain the issue once before, was then informed about the recall of changing gearbox oil from synthetic to mineral. Spoke to Audi who had me booked in to take care of this, saying they'll do that first to see if it fixes the problem. Had to wait four weeks for the appointment (Monday just gone), oil changed, and no different. Now booked in again with Audi, again another long wait.

Going to the independant I mentioned tomorrow who charges £36 for a diagnostic check, the garage I bought the car from confirm they're covering costs.
 
Did you buy it from the Audi dealer? If so, you reported it to them within a month, its still not been sorted having had remedial work carried out, so if it had been bought from audi then i'd expect them to either change the flywheel and clutches or have the car back, it does sound drastic but under the sale of goods act it isn't as it should be, you have a warranty within a month or so regardless of whether or not any is implied or given, so any faults the car has may become apparent

HTH
 
I actually got it from a Jaguar dealer, who have upto now been very good and open to pay any costs (they've so far paid to top up the air con, and now any diagnostic charges) - they're telling me either the warranty I have will cover the gearbox/clutch, if it doesn't then they will.

Returning the car was on my mind, but I foolishly rushed into buying rear parking sensors at a cost of £280 - so I'm assuming returning the car in a slightly modified state won't be acceptable, or I simply lose out on the cost of that extra item added since purchased.

I'll hopefully have this issue clarified tomorrow.
 
Ryan....pretty sure you could be in for bad news and a big bill potentially. My ex-wife had a Golf 1.4 TSi 7 speed when we lived in Australia in the past 2 years. Had exactly the same problem which required a clutch pack replacement. A few months later the car totally lost drive and required a mechatronics unit. All in the work cost about A$7500 (GBP4000 ish!!!) Around the same time lots of other owners were having exactly the same issues and VW / Audi denied any problems. It hit the press big time, Particularly the Sydney Morning Herald Drive section that caused so much bad publicity VW / Audi backed down and issued a recall and remedial work....eventually!!!! They also extended the warranty to 5 years on the DSG to try and restore some confidence. VW China also had major issues and that hit the press as well.

Here is the VW Aus recall - http://volkswagenaustralia.com.au/DSGvoluntaryrecall/Faq
Drive press article - http://www.drive.com.au/motor-news/qa-a-guide-to-volkswagens-recall-20130612-2o3ig.html
Australian VW forum thread - http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/f112/golf-7-speed-dsg-shudder-clutch-issues-45873.html

You don't say what age or engine your car has, but maybe this info will help you out. VW / Audi DO know about this. Don't let them fob you off if you are within the recall range!!!
 
Hi Tom, thanks I've read all about the Australian issues with VW, hence why I'm so surprised nobody in this country seems to have mentioned the problem I'm having. I'll check out your recall links shortly, if I have extended warranty though surely it would cover things like the mechatronic etc?

Mine is 2011, 3 year manufacturers warranty only expired in Feb but currently I've a 3 month (1 month left) warranty from the used car dealer.

I'm in two minds at present, either get this thing fixed under it's current warranty. Or get rid of it, back to the dealer I bought from. Honestly, I've actually avoided Audi cars for many years, as I myself was telling friends not to touch Audi due to the cost if things go wrong and they're not so reliable. Now this year I thought I'd jump onboard, as I really liked the A3 - now I'm eating my own words big time I feel.
 
Ryan, the problems on the internet about the 7 speed dry clutch dsg is why I went for an older 6 speed with the wet clutches, I wouldn't agree to totally avoid audi as all manufactures are bad in their own ways. Do you by any chance have it coupled with a 1.4tsi?

I briefly had a 1.4tsi golf (with the supercharger) lovely car but it went wrong within a week so I took it back for a refund and went for a 2.0tfsi!

Do let us know what happens though!
 
If you do keep it then keep an eye on the timing chain and make sure you have the revised chain tensioner
It might be worth googling it
 
I'm not going to the independant, I'm leaving it booked in with Audi on September 5th. If there is a problem, only Audi will be the ones fixing it. So why waste time going to the independant, whatever they say, Audi will want to confirm for themselves. And the warranty will only cover Audi fixes which I'd prefer anyway.

I'm on the verge of either seeing it out and getting things sorted, or rejecting the car back to the used car dealership. I'm not prepared to drive around in a potentially dangerous / unreliable costly vehicle with a one year old child in the back.
 
Ryan....I'd try and get the DSG sorted out under the recall campaign, which should have already have been done by the previous owner really if Audi had their details.
From what I know, and in my experience with the Golf, the modified clutch pack fixes the problem and should give you no more problems, but I'd try and get the mechatronics unit replaced at the same time. I think I saw a thread on VW Watercooled asking around if anyone had had problems since the recall modification if you want to check. Unless you can get an extended warranty for the car of about the 3 years or so, I would be a bit wary of it. The 1.4 (118kw) TSi has had a few issues besides DSG. The water pump is another weak spot, and I think there was something to do with pistons and/or rings, but that have been due to higher sulphur content of Australian crappy fuel. Pity really as the car did drive quite nicely when all was good. I still drive an Audi, and the ex now has a Skoda Yeti with DSG now we are back in the UK.
 
Hi Tom, what DSG recall do you mean, the one in Australia? I've been on the phone to audi this morning mentioning it already, as far as they're concerned the only recall is what I had done on Monday (gearbox oil changed from synthetic to mineral), and that the vw DSG is completely different to stronic. And therefore my car has no outstanding things to take care of.

I've also spoken to the used car dealer again, as the warranty I have runs out end of September, plus a maximum £1500 will only be paid out. I questioned it saying what if it's the mechatronic, they confirmed they would be liable to cover any difference in costs, assuring me I won't be out of pocket. And even if the problem persists beyond September, it's already reported so again assuring me it'll be covered.

Just have to wait until September 5th now for Audi to investigate
 
Hi again Ryan...done a bit more reading up. It appears I may have jumped the gun in that recall was not Global. VW/ Audi were in discussion with VOSA and have said it is not a safety issue and so evaded a recall here in the UK. However, there is a Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/DSGUkGroup which looks like it is collecting ammunition to throw at VW and VOSA to get things sorted out properly. From my experience they will do their best to wriggle out of admitting any fault. As I had all the problems before the recall, the best I could I do was get some of the labour paid for under extended warranty, and the parts at half price.....after a lot of arguing and going to trading standards.
Not convinced by the oil change theory on yours as I was told there was a known problem with a shim in the clutch pack which caused the shudder in 2nd gear which was modified in the new clutch pack. All the part numbers are on the VW Watercooled thread. The oil issue was why the mechatronics failed causing total loss of drive, so a different fault to yours.
If Audi will not change the clutch pack as a goodwill gesture as it is only just out of warranty, and the problem is persisting I'd get the Jag dealer to replace it under warranty.
 
ok so dropped off to Audi this morning, they too experienced the issue I've described. Basically they're saying it needs a CLUTCH REPAIR KIT. Does anyone know if this is basically another term for the CLUTCH PACK? I don't want a patch up job basically, rather get it done 100% correct.

Just waiting for a callback as apparently the repair kit is on back order, weeks away from being received potentially.
 
I was reading your story with interest and then it stopped - what was the outcome?
 
Ive discovered this issue in my 2011 a3 7 speed DSG (dry), I've booked it in with Audi for a diagnostic session and the technician at TAMWORTH Audi was very helpful.
He wishes to take readings of the gear box and send it off to the technical department then hopefully re-programme it to use the gears to the best ability due to wear.
Will update the results next Saturday.
 
Hi Reidie87, what's the result? I think I may have the same issue too
 
Nothing here with either a 7-speed 2011 RS3 and/or 7-speed 2013 A1, both gearbox are very smooth.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Scottyg