Clunky Direct Shift Gearbox?

[Nevets]

Hi Guys

I have a Golf GTI MK5 DSG and would very much like some advice from you guys.

I purchased this car; from new, in Sept 06 and after 3 months the car arrived. It was worth the wait I can tell you. However, after 5 months and just 3400 miles on clock I started to get a clunking feeling when changing gear from first to second and second to third. It was more noticeable from cold but not unusual to get it when hot.  The noise/vibration was at time quite fierce.

My retailer replaced the gearbox (DSG) but I am still getting clunking and vibration, not so bad as the first gearbox, I have to say, but nevertheless it still clunks/vibrates when changing gear.

As with the first gearbox this only happened when using the paddle-shift on the steering wheel (manual mode) and sometimes it is that bad you can feel it when seated in the back seat. If I have the windows open I can hear a loud clunking from underneath the car when I change from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd. Most of the time, however, you only feel it change gear through the steering wheel and foot-well/accelerator pedal.

The retailer says they have not experienced this and can’t find anything wrong, although they have felt a vibration whilst sat in the back seat.

Have any of you good people experienced this and what do you think?

Steve   

[RedRobin]

I haven't heard of such a fault, but if your VW dealer can't solve it, you might ask VW UK to investigate further - 0800 711 811.

[Nevets]

I have and they say it is down to the retailer.

They (retailer) had mentioned a "car change" but now that has changed.

I have been in discussions with both the retailer and Customer Care Centre but as it is they feel there is little they can do.

[RedRobin]

It could be time to start writing polite but firm letters. Go and get some free advice from Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) regards your consumer rights. Make it clear to VW that you aren't satisfied and you aren't going away until the matter is properly resolved.

[KentBladeboy]

Hi Steve, get the same with my DSG in paddle mode, its intermittant, sometimes a real clunk, almost like metal to metal contact somewhere under the car, does not matter if light throttle or not, even tried feathering the throttle at change point, makes no difference, then the next change can be smooth and perfect. Never happens in 'auto mode', just accepted that thats the way it was rather than complaining about it, but maybe I'll go down the stealers and have a b!tch.  Had the 24K6 upgrade a few weeks ago, stopped another DSG issue, but this has always been there.

[RedRobin]

Had the 24K6 upgrade a few weeks ago, stopped another DSG issue, but this has always been there.

....What issue was that, please?

[KentBladeboy]

Hi Red Robin,  see topic  'Golf recall', my post was 2nd June  rgds

[Cass]

It could be time to start writing polite but firm letters. Go and get some free advice from Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) regards your consumer rights. Make it clear to VW that you aren't satisfied and you aren't going away until the matter is properly resolved.

Fully agree with RR here. Put a formal complaint in writing to the dealer and VW Customer Services now. Tell them you are rejecting the car under the Sale & Supply of Goods Act 1994 and want it repleced - it is not of merchantable quality or fit for purpose. Don't mess about, send it recorded delivery and address it to the Dealer Principle. Give them 14 days to reply and if they refuse, get a consumer solicitor and start legal proceedings against the supplying dealer - your gripe is with them. You cannot retain possession of the car, you must return it to the dealer in order to start the proceedings. Note that, broadly speaking, you may not get effective redress (ie a replacement) if you have had the car for longer than 6 months. If you do not get immediate satisfaction with the dealer, then write to a good UK motoring publication such as What Car and name/shame the dealer and VW. Give them the authority to investigate the issue with the dealer and VW. I have used this latter issue to good effect with an Audi TT import dual mass flywheel issue.

Best of luck, but get moving now.

Cass

[Nevets]

Hi Guys

I have written letters the retailer (recorded delivery) and they did not reply, so I went down to the retailers with a witness and handed a letter to they Brand Manager.

The Brand Manager suggested, as they had not been able to replicate my clunk, why don’t I go out now and see if I can replicate this with their technician on board.

I drove the car and on the first two occasions both my witness and the technician did not feel or hear it. However and the third time both my witness and the technician (seated in the rear) felt this clunk. The technician was asked as to what he thought it was and he suggested if it was not the gearbox it might be the electronics but he was not sure.

They done some further investigations and removed some oil from the gearbox.
I tried the car and it was still clunking.

I was advised by Customer care and the retailer to try another retailer, which I have and they cannot find anything wrong.

Sent a recorded letter to my retailer asking what was the vibration we all felt when I changed gear using the paddle shift (manual mode).

It has been near two weeks now and I have not received a reply (I gave them 5 days to reply).

Steve

[2007GTI]

I have had dealings with VW cust care and they are a useless bunch of pricks.  good luck.