STronic 2019 gearbox service “closed unit”

[Trailhead]

Hi all,

Looking at buying a 2019 A3 with the 1.5 TFSI and STronic.

The dealer is advising the DSG is a “closed unit” and not a serviceable item.

This is contrary to the previous 7x DSG’s that I’ve had. So I’m suspicious of their advice!

Does anyone know whether this box should be done every 40k as normal?

My dealer is saying they can’t even do it even if I wanted them to as it’s a closed unit.

Thanks

[Dr G]

Dealer is correct, there's a special tool to do the oil change on them that they won't want to buy without good reason. I think labour time is a good bit longer too as they aren't desgined for immediate serviceability.

If you want, send me your chassis number and I'll screen grab the factory schedule for you.

[Trailhead]

Hi Dr G,

How times have changed. Everything up to and including my 2017 A4 did need servicing. And was noticeably smoother after having done so.

I’ll take you up on that kind offer, thank you. As soon as I know the VIN I’ll get a PM over to you.

Thanks very much!

[ninjag]

The ZF8 in my previous car was considered sealed for life, but when I got the fluid and sump with integrated filter changed at 70k the fluid stank of being cooked and the sump filter magnets were all covered in a metallic type paste as was some of the surface area of the sump. Although to be fair being a torque convertor perhaps there are different stresses being put on the fluid?

When I changed my current 7 speed DSG fluid and external filter at 60k miles the fluid did seem fine as did the filter, so maybe not so bad. I'll be doing the internal filter (apparently not a serviceable item according to Audi) probably next year so that will be interesting to see. I recently changed the gear oil as well (gears, transfer case and front diff) and it didn't look quite so good, so glad I changed that.

Personally, it would worry me if I couldn't change the fluids/filter as I don't really buy into the sealed for life - which VW admitted to me that life is under 100k miles.

[Bobupndown]

Oil cheap, metal expensive.
Oil changes on everything mechanical have to make sense.

[MondeoMan1981]

I've seen people online argue about DSG servicing before. Certainly my own its a fluid change every 40k (2018).

[Patch1875]

I have a 1.6 diesel Octavia with the DQ200 sealed box. I’ve asked around about getting the oil changed but nobody seemed pretty confident on doing it.

It’s now at 90k box seems fine but the clutch packs are going.