Tag: tdi

VW Denmark is not budging in DSG7 problems

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In the last few months, some major media, here in Denmark, reported on DSG7 problems, and had interviews with PR-reps from VW Denmark. VW Denmark is not budging in DSG7 problems. Journalists were mostly asking same questions, and getting the same answers. Or, perhaps VW Denmark only answered on selected questions.

But, common theme in the articles were mostly asking, if VW thinks they have general problems with DSG7 transmission (internally known as DQ200). They of course answered with “no”. Volkswagen is claiming that they know about very few cases with problems, and that these were taken care of, either under warranty or ex-gratia, where consumers were asked to pay a part of the repair.

Another common theme in the VW answers were, indirect blame of the consumer for the problems. Declining to acknowledge the problems and responsibility, VW is automatically blaming consumer for the problems. They even used numbers to deflect the blame, and informed  journalists they sold 8.500 cars with DSG7 transmission, out of those VW claimed “only” 311 had problems. This is a 3,66% error margin, if we are just to take look at their numbers. Which I am not completely confident that the numbers are true. Even if the numbers are true, there is a question about what models it was sold with.

There are some models and engines more suitable for DSG7 specifications, and others are less suitable. Eg. engine torque, and the size/weight of the car.

An example to illustrate the issue

Another example of this (bad engine combinations) could be following;

DSG7 is rated at max. output of 250 Nm of torque.

  • Polo 1.2 TSI 90-105 BHP has about 160 – 175 Nm of torque
  • Touran 1.6 TDI with 105 BHP has 250 Nm of torque.

As you can see… Touran with TDI engines is riding on the limits of the DSG7 gearbox specifications. And this is only asking for troubles. That VW went anyway with this combination of engine and gearbox is beyond my understanding.

And consumers are to be blamed and pay for their design/manufacturing flaws?

So, now if I could only get VW of publicising the numbers of sold Polo’s and other models well within limitations of the DSG7 gearbox, and deduct that number from those 8.500, I am pretty sure error rate will be a lot higher, than 3.66%.

Comment: VW Touran value loss comparison

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The other day, in my inbox I found a newsletter from Volkswagen Denmark, which I subscribe to, and theme is praising the VW cars for their used car values. They are praising mostly Golf, but also in general all Volkswagen cars. Analysis was made by an online car magazine in Danish and compare value loss of used cars across makes and over 4 year period.

In MPV class there is

  • VW Touran 1.6 TDI (Startline) with 44%
  • VW Touran 1.2 TSI (Startline) with 47%
  • VW Touran 1.4 TSI (Trendline) with 47%

…over period of 4 years and 80.000 km (20.000 km a year).

Let’s dig a bit deeper to analize the differences and common factors.

What is Startline?

Startline is VW package/option used (perhaps only) in Denmark as a way of lowering a cost of a car, as taxes in Denmark are highest in the world. Usually VW has Trendline, Comfortline and Highline as options/packages. But in Denmark, because of the taxes on cars, they are introducing Startline as low-end option and Match line, which is an a bridge between Comfortline and Highline options. So as one can concluded, models mentions in the analysis, are in the low-end of options.

Comparing these models with my car to understand value loss

My car is VW Touran 1.6 TDI with DSG7 (eg. automatic gearbox) and Highline option, plus extra packages that include, sport, winter, DK, Teknik, Mirror and Light packages, Black (deep Perle effect) color. My car’s price tag is at least 27% more than the one TDI in the analysis. At the time latest offer was made, it had driven 38.000 km (currently 45.000 km). And it is 2 years and a week old. So my car in 2 years lost 35%. The one in the analysis lost 44% over 4 years. Mileage is about the same, so this is actually pretty easy to compare. If I am to believe the value of my car in 2 years is -35% then in 4 years it should be -70%. Which means, I couldn’t even trade my car in for a VW Up! by the time it reaches 4 years.

Highline package has probably 4 times the equipment the Startline has. And Startline lost 44% in value. Logic would dictate that Highline, with extra equipment, would keep the value a bit better. But let’s say that it does not, and that we should just use math and calculate value loss by dividing the time the car has been used. My would be rated at 22%. This gives a difference of 13% from what it was rated. So 50% difference in the rating of my car.

Another thing is, (which would be funny if I wasn’t to be at loss of €15.000) that this is rating (-22%) I was given before I let the dealership know that I still have problems with my DSG7. So now, I am pretty sure that somebody is trying to screw me and that my calculations and reservations about the latest rating are correct. They are most probably calculating the cost of the gearbox replacement as something I should pay for. While they are trying to convince me that there is nothing wrong with my gearbox.