Are DCTs proving reliable in high-mileage cars, or do they still face premature wear compared to traditional automatics?
Posted by EvelynClede@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 34 comments
Thumper45@reddit
Servicing and driving habits are what make a difference here.
A modern DCT vs a converter style transmisson are very comparable now. The limiting factor is proper matinenence and how the people drove the cars.
ten10thsdriver@reddit
I had a 6spd DCT in my 2013 GTI, 7spd DCT in my 2016 Audi S6, and a Getrag 7spd DCT in my 2020 M2 Competition. The GTI and the M2 got the snot beat out of them doing track days on road courses. I just changed the oil every 20-30k miles. They are bulletproof.
The S6 was running bigger turbos and an aggressive tune. The DCT was probably the most reliable party of that entire car.
TwicesTrashBin@reddit
As an S7 owner for 3 years and 50k km (176k -> 222k), you think the dl501 is more reliable than the engine itself?
ten10thsdriver@reddit
The DCT is 1000x more reliable than the 4.0TT in the 2014 to 2018ish C7/7.5 chassis S6/S7.
No_Commercial4074@reddit
DCT at 171k miles, bmw m3. Has been problem free.
PageRoutine8552@reddit
I thought DCTs are common in sports cars, which aren’t driven in heavy traffic as much, and are usually subject to better levels of service and maintenance.
Your typical commuter car would shift more times in 200m in heavy traffic than sports cars in 200km of open road, so mileage may not be the best indicator.
doc_55lk@reddit
There's a ton of commuter cars with them too. Hyundai is a good example.
seckarr@reddit
And its a major reason why its now recognized as one of the most unreliable brands. Mostly due to the cars with DCT
doc_55lk@reddit
Now? Lol.
seckarr@reddit
Yeah, lmao
doc_55lk@reddit
They've BEEN one of the most unreliable brands
seckarr@reddit
Are*
doc_55lk@reddit
You misunderstand.
They’ve been one of the most unreliable car companies for a very long time. This isn't something new. They were unreliable before using DCTs as well.
Familymanjoe@reddit
Confidently wrong.
seckarr@reddit
Indeed, but we're here to teach you
jawnlerdoe@reddit
I don’t think that’s correct. Their reliability perceptions are due to theta II engine recalls. Hundreds of thousands of engines were recalled and billions in payments dispersed to Kia/Hyundai customer.
seckarr@reddit
Plus DCTs kicking the bucket at 40k miles
Civil-General-2664@reddit
Fiesta…TDI VW …
bigloser42@reddit
There have been plenty of DCT commuter cars, the focus had one for a while, the current BMW X1, X2, 2 Gran Coupe, the entire Mini ICE lineup, Hyundai Elantra N & Sonata N, VW Golf R/GTI, Jetta GLI, Audi RS3/S3, M-B CLA45, Acura Integra Type S, Kia Seltos among others.
TheGT1030MasterRace@reddit
Type S doesn't have a DCT. NSX Type S had one but it's a hybrid.
PossibleProgress3316@reddit
I’ve seen VW DSG’s in some TDI’s make it to 300,000+ miles with no major issues, those customers did make sure they did the service every 40,000 miles but that transmission jas been pretty good
Middle-Gas-6532@reddit
That's the "wet" ones. The dry ones last significantly less.
DarthElevator@reddit
Is there a trade-off between that and better clutch feel on the dry?
Middle-Gas-6532@reddit
Dry dual-cluth provide faster smoother shifts, better fuel efficiency and "no-maintenance"
PossibleProgress3316@reddit
Yes the 7 speeds in the Jetta hybrid got replaced every 3 years or so, the new 7 speed DSG hasn’t been terrible yet, BMW DCT in the E90’s are also really good! Audi S-Tronic has been hit or miss from my experience, I’m a VW Audi and BMW technician
breadsticck@reddit
my 2015 acura tlx has a wet clutch DCT and its got 150k miles, no issues whatsoever
MortimerDongle@reddit
VW DSG is very reliable as long as you do the scheduled maintenance
IUsedToLikeLimericks@reddit
I think the primary reason modern cars are moving away from DSGs and manuals is the fact that a clutch that can handle the torque of a modern turbocharged engine is very expensive and doesn't typically lend itself to the smooth, easy driving experience that modern performance car buyers want when they're not on the power. Coupled with the fact that modern TC autos are just so good these days.
throwaway007676@reddit
I have a VW DSG approaching 300k with no issues so far.
Glittering-Ad5809@reddit
The Hyundai I just sold had 300,000 miles and a dry clutch. Not sure of the history but ran fine.
R2-Scotia@reddit
Mine has had work at 70k bit it spends a lot of time on track
Middle-Gas-6532@reddit
Only the dry dual-cluth transmissions. You are very lucky to get to 150k miles with these, before having to replace the clutch pack and maybe the flywheel. And fairly soon after a repair of the hydraulic actuating system.
The "wet" ones, those with the clutch submerged in oil last much longer, comparable to torque converter transmissions.
Agile_Session_3660@reddit
Key is to oil change them, which is easier than a standard automatic. The VW DCT even has a cartridge style oil filter that is easy to change.
Middle-Gas-6532@reddit
Well that's the problem with VW's dry DCT's they don't have oil to lubricate the clutch and flywheel, so they wear out much faster.