S-tronic - DQ200 issues

[Daz Auto]

... I just thought I would start a topic on this... get in early

There is gonna be a DQ200 dry clutch in the new A3s.

Have Audi fixed the DQ200 S-tronic gearbox? Are there still reliability issues?

As we usually keep our cars longer than 3 years I'm wondering about an extended warranty.

Our current S-tronic started giving issues under just under 60k miles and just under 3 years. Audi "fixed" it under warranty and it worked for about 6 months. As it was a warranty repair it was not covered by warranty. It's still juddering between gears. I believe Audi just replaced a faulty clutch pack, but did not replace the mechatronic control unit that caused the clutch pack to fail in the first place.

Wait a second... why are we even considering buying another A3!

 

[Daz Auto]

I wish I had read this before buying our automatic A3 -

"Volkswagen recalls nearly 3million cars worldwide including 60,000 in UK over faulty gearbox and light fuses"

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...ars-worldwide-faulty-gearbox-light-fuses.html



"DQ200... Very high failure rate."

https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/askhj/...eliable-dsg-transmissions-used-by-volkswagen-



Our sales person is saying that the DQ200 has been a reliable product. I wonder what his definition of reliable is.

My wife still wants an A3. I think we should buy something else. You know what that means...

 

[pburv]

I wish I had read this before buying our automatic A3 -

"Volkswagen recalls nearly 3million cars worldwide including 60,000 in UK over faulty gearbox and light fuses"

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...ars-worldwide-faulty-gearbox-light-fuses.html



"DQ200... Very high failure rate."

https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/askhj/...eliable-dsg-transmissions-used-by-volkswagen-



Our sales person is saying that the DQ200 has been a reliable product. I wonder what his definition of reliable is.

My wife still wants an A3. I think we should buy something else. You know what that means...

Just make sure the car you ordered has the 2.0 tfsi engine. According to honest John they are generally reliable. The wife's Q3 is a 2.0 variant and has the 7 speed dry clutch box fitted and so far no problems.

 

[tb123]

That first article was 7 years ago, DQ200 is a difference beast these days. Just don’t ride the brakes in stop start traffic like a standard auto.

 

[Daz Auto]

... DQ200 is a difference beast these days...

How do you know this?

 

[Daz Auto]

Just make sure the car you ordered has the 2.0 tfsi engine. According to honest John they are generally reliable. The wife's Q3 is a 2.0 variant and has the 7 speed dry clutch box fitted and so far no problems.

That's why I suggested a new Golf GTI. I think it uses the DQ380 7 speed wet clutch introduced on my Mk 7.5 GTI performance. I had over 100k on my previous GTD automatic gearbox, no problems. SWMBO doesn't want a another Golf, cause I have a Golf.

I did suggest an S3. It will not be using a DQ200. However, I remember all the old forum post about blown turbos and faulty haldex clutch packs. So I would rather let other people test the S3 for Audi. I would expect the engine to be ok, just not sure about the new haldex Quattro.

 

[Daz Auto]

That first article was 7 years ago, DQ200 is a difference beast these days. Just don’t ride the brakes in stop start traffic like a standard auto.

Here is something more recent for you (yes, I know it is down-under) -

https://www.hjlautoparts.com/blogs/news/dsg-7-dq200-0am-automatic-gearbox-urgent-recall-in-2019

"Audi A3 (2008 to 2016)"

Cars manufactured with DQ200 from 2017 on, are just going to be coming out of warranty. So it may be to early to know if they were/are reliable.

 

[pburv]

That's why I suggested a new Golf GTI. I think it uses the DQ380 7 speed wet clutch introduced on my Mk 7.5 GTI performance. I had over 100k on my previous GTD automatic gearbox, no problems. SWMBO doesn't want a another Golf, cause I have a Golf.

I did suggest an S3. It will not be using a DQ200. However, I remember all the old forum post about blown turbos and faulty haldex clutch packs. So I would rather let other people test the S3 for Audi. I would expect the engine to be ok, just not sure about the new haldex Quattro.

Try another manufacturer....I had been looking at Hyundai I30N's before getting my Cupra. It has almost the same performance as an S3 whilst not having any haldex or gearbox issues as the S3's plus Hyundai have an excellent warranty. You can get decent used ones for little money which should keep 'her indoors' happy. lol

 

[Daz Auto]

Try another manufacturer....I had been looking at Hyundai I30N's before getting my Cupra. It has almost the same performance as an S3 whilst not having any haldex or gearbox issues as the S3's plus Hyundai have an excellent warranty. You can get decent used ones for little money which should keep 'her indoors' happy. lol

We were looking at the KIA Xceed - seven year warranty. Fully spec not far of the price of an A3.

I checked last night - Hyundai have a 5 year warranty.

I believe Vauxhall have a lifetime warranty - actually 100k.

'er indoors', has 3 sister-in-laws = BMW 435i, Audi A4 and a Mercedes Coupe of some sort. Her friends drive mostly Audi and BMW. Not sure I could sell her an i30

A3 with extended warranty may be the way to go. Or start changing every 3 years. I'm actually leaning towards the 3 year idea. Then chop it for a fully public tested S3 facelift Audi are unlikely to bash the A3 facelift with an ugly stick.

Edit: I'm also looking at the BMW 2 series grande coupe. Though I think the front looks out of proportion.

 

[JohnM100]

DQ200 had issues up to ~ April 2013 (from memory) when the gear oil fill was changed from synthetic to mineral. It’s been much better since.

Separately, there had been some claims on one website of a part inside the gearbox failing but those reports aren’t widespread.

I had a clutch pack under warranty but the hardware was ok when I sold it after more than 5 years and 65k miles.

 

[Daz Auto]

DQ200 had issues up to ~ April 2013 (from memory) when the gear oil fill was changed from synthetic to mineral. It’s been much better since.

Separately, there had been some claims on one website of a part inside the gearbox failing but those reports aren’t widespread.

Our car was bought in March 2014. If you look online (or read my post above) you'll find information on DQ200 recalls up to 2016.

 

[Daz Auto]

Just make sure the car you ordered has the 2.0 tfsi engine. According to honest John they are generally reliable. The wife's Q3 is a 2.0 variant and has the 7 speed dry clutch box fitted and so far no problems.

There is no 2.0L TFSI A3. Did you mean TDI?

The DQ200 is only rated for 250Nm torque. The A3 2.0l diesel produces 360Nm. It appears to cost £1900 more. Part of that price is probably a better S-tronic gearbox. My wife does not want or need a diesel.

 

[pburv]

There is no 2.0L TFSI A3. Did you mean TDI?

The DQ200 is only rated for 250Nm torque. The A3 2.0l diesel produces 360Nm. It appears to cost £1900 more. Part of that price is probably a better S-tronic gearbox. My wife does not want or need a diesel.

Nah! I meant 2.0 petrol. But when looking back at the post it dawned on me they don't do one anymore on the A3 platform unless it's the S3...Am I right in thinking that? Sorry for misleading you if that's the case
Actually not sure if it's still available on the Q3 ?

 

[tb123]

Here is something more recent for you (yes, I know it is down-under) -

That’s ok, I live down under

Those recalls were on vehicles made at least 4 years ago. Buy something new now and get the later/updated/fixed/etc gearboxes.

 

[Daz Auto]

Buy something new now and get the later/updated/fixed/etc gearboxes.

... worry, hope and pray it's updated/fixed/reliable and not another lemon.

After our experience it is difficult to trust another DQ200 gearbox, or for that matter, the Audi garages ability to reliably fix it.

 

[tb123]

After our experience it is difficult to trust another DQ200 gearbox, or for that matter, the Audi garages ability to reliably fix it.

Fair enough, it’s always hard to beat a previous bad experience.
When i bought my Golf last year I did a fair bit of research and was comfortable enough in purchasing (knowing the bad history).

Apart from a bad mechanical history, the problem is a lot of people don’t know how to drive them correctly (riding the brakes crawling along in traffic just wears the clutches out). There should be more buyer education, but then I think that would scare a lot of people off, they just want to treat it like an old school TQ auto.

 

[Sparks43]

Nah! I meant 2.0 petrol. But when looking back at the post it dawned on me they don't do one anymore on the A3 platform unless it's the S3...Am I right in thinking that? Sorry for misleading you if that's the case
Actually not sure if it's still available on the Q3 ?

I think a 2 Litre Petrol 190 BHP is on the cards for the A3 unless they use a 1.8T again

 

[Daz Auto]

Fair enough, it’s always hard to beat a previous bad experience.

Apart from a bad mechanical history, the problem is a lot of people don’t know how to drive them correctly (riding the brakes crawling along in traffic just wears the clutches out). There should be more buyer education, but then I think that would scare a lot of people off, they just want to treat it like an old school TQ auto.

Firstly - wet DSG gearboxes don't have the same reliability issues. I doubt if they have 'better educated' drivers.

Secondly - in our case, the car is fitted with automatic cruise control. Which we both think is great, especially in traffic. So it would not be us "riding the brakes". It would be the cruise control automatically controlling the car. I doubt if there is a warning in the manual, "Using automatic cruise control at slow speed will damage your gearbox."

Though that does make me wonder - I first noticed a problem with the A3 gearbox in traffic at slow speed, using the automatic cruise. Also reversing out of the garage, obviously at slow speed.

 

[Daz Auto]

My wife's experience with her gearbox has totally put her off another A3

I did say that, maybe we were just unlucky, maybe they are more reliable now, maybe they work more reliably with petrol engines, maybe we could order a different engine with a different model gearbox that is known to be more reliable.

I did suggest extending the warranty, but she pointed out that the warranty repair on the faulty gearbox didn't last long before the issues returned. Then we were out of warranty.

I suggested keeping our fingers crossed for 3 years and changing the car then. Something we never do!

In the end, we just had too many doubts. Also, we found an alternative car she likes. Anyone know a good BMW forum?

 

[pburv]

My wife's experience with her gearbox has totally put her off another A3

I did say that, maybe we were just unlucky, maybe they are more reliable now, maybe they work more reliably with petrol engines, maybe we could order a different engine with a different model gearbox that is known to be more reliable.

I did suggest extending the warranty, but she pointed out that the warranty repair on the faulty gearbox didn't last long before the issues returned. Then we were out of warranty.

I suggested keeping our fingers crossed for 3 years and changing the car then. Something we never do!

In the end, we just had too many doubts. Also, we found an alternative car she likes. Anyone know a good BMW forum?

You might as well stay here. Almost every other post on here has a BMW mentioned in it....Like this one lol
ps What's she getting?

 

[JohnM100]

DQ200 is for ‘low power’ engines. Curious that 20 years ago the same power output was regarded as ‘performance’ but that’s progress.

Dry clutch (DQ200) is good for economy as not afflicted with the parasitic power losses of wet clutch DQ250 or DQ381 boxes.

Of the two wet clutch boxes, DQ381 is a much better design than DQ250, but for durability both are better than DQ200 if maintained properly.

FWIW I had a DQ200 on my 8V for ~65000 miles - it had foibles and a clutch pack under warranty but never let me down and was pretty smooth.

From what I see, BMW gearboxes aren’t golden but the courtesy cars I have had seemed decent.

 

[Daz Auto]

You might as well stay here. Almost every other post on here has a BMW mentioned in it....Like this one lol
ps What's she getting?

I'm always looking for my next car. So I'll be reading about peoples' experience of the A3/S3.

My wife is buying a M218i Gran Coupe. We both liked the interior of it better than the new A3. My wife likes the exterior style too. Initially I wasn't sure, but it is growing on me.

... the BMW has a HUD!

 

[pburv]

I'm always looking for my next car. So I'll be reading about peoples' experience of the A3/S3.

My wife is buying a M218i Gran Coupe. We both liked the interior of it better than the new A3. My wife likes the exterior style too. Initially I wasn't sure, but it is growing on me.

... the BMW has a HUD!

Nice choice Maverick
As for the new A3/S3 it's going to be a good car. It's all down to personal choice. If you like it buy it if you don't don't.. Simples.
Give my regards to Kelly McGillis .

She turned out all right lol

 

[Sparks43]

I'm always looking for my next car. So I'll be reading about peoples' experience of the A3/S3.

My wife is buying a M218i Gran Coupe. We both liked the interior of it better than the new A3. My wife likes the exterior style too. Initially I wasn't sure, but it is growing on me.

... the BMW has a HUD!

HUD is standard on the Vorsprung A3/S3 - Should be available to order this month apparently

 

[Jcbmally]

I'm always looking for my next car. So I'll be reading about peoples' experience of the A3/S3.

My wife is buying a M218i Gran Coupe. We both liked the interior of it better than the new A3. My wife likes the exterior style too. Initially I wasn't sure, but it is growing on me.

... the BMW has a HUD!

Cool film and a very cool bike on it too