DSG Production Years and Test Driving

[fallingreason]

Have been looking on/off for a B8.5 S4 w/ DSG for a while and finally found one that I think will work out so long as there are no surprises when I inspect in person.

It is a 2013, and I've read mixed information regarding what production year the DSG reliability greatly improved. It seems anything 2013+ (B8.5) has a much lower chance of mechatronics failure than B8. Some have posted 2014+ are when more notable improvements were made. Any reason I should reconsider for a 2014+ ?

I'm also hoping to know what to look for and test while driving the car to evaluate the DSG. Any tips here?

I have VCDS and will of course scan the car for faults.

TIA

[mbruveris12]

I purchased a 2016 an year ago that had a full service history and all required DSG services performed. I didn’t notice anything during the test drive (first time driving a DSG so maybe I missed something idk), but it was a short test drive.

The problem I had with mine, and seems like is a common symptom for those with mech issues, is that once the fluid gets really hot (high ambient temp, stop and go traffic, etc) the transmission starts to really act up. Mine was pretty bad one day, cut out all even gears, transmission malfunction light on dash, several codes stored. So best advice I would have is to try and test drive it on a hot day, get the trans temp up, that seems to be when a lot of issues start to occur on these if there are underlying problems.

[TyBushS4]

Some MY13s with production dates in 2012 had the B8 mech unit that is prone to failure. I don’t know the exact cutoff month, maybe someone will chime in. To be safe I would look for a MY13 produced in late 2013.

[fallingreason]

Some MY13s with production dates in 2012 had the B8 mech unit that is prone to failure. I don’t know the exact cutoff month, maybe someone will chime in. To be safe I would look for a MY13 produced in late 2013.

I’ve read this but seems unclear still what might be different about these early MY2013’s... This car was offered for sale in 10/2012 so it is an early MY2013.


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[S4'ed]

I purchased a 2016 an year ago that had a full service history and all required DSG services performed. I didn’t notice anything during the test drive (first time driving a DSG so maybe I missed something idk), but it was a short test drive.

The problem I had with mine, and seems like is a common symptom for those with mech issues, is that once the fluid gets really hot (high ambient temp, stop and go traffic, etc) the transmission starts to really act up. Mine was pretty bad one day, cut out all even gears, transmission malfunction light on dash, several codes stored. So best advice I would have is to try and test drive it on a hot day, get the trans temp up, that seems to be when a lot of issues start to occur on these if there are underlying problems.

A misbehaving DSG, only when it gets hot, is a sign that the separator plate gasket of the Mechatronic has failed. This can be changed without pulling the Mechatronic out of the transmission.
https://maktrans.net/SSP-0B5-B

[fallingreason]

A misbehaving DSG, only when it gets hot, is a sign that the separator plate gasket of the Mechatronic has failed. This can be changed without pulling the Mechatronic out of the transmission.
https://maktrans.net/SSP-0B5-B

Great information.

I read in another thread that Gen 1/1.5 DSG cars had a rev limiter of 6900 RPM, and Gen 2 in most B8.5 cars have a 6400 RPM. It seems this would be an easy check for which transmission a 2013 car has?