VW Golf 1.4 TSI SE DSG - Headlight Lenses.

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Fri 23 Mar 2018 11:55
VW Golf 1.4 TSI SE DSG - Headlight Lenses. - golfauto11

I seem to be spending a lot of time on here lately ????

My partner has recently purchased the above vehicle from a VW dealership. There is a strange phenomenon with the headlights. During the day, the lenses look completely clear. At night when the headlights are on, we can see little dots (not condensation) on the inside of the lenses. The garage has looked into it, but has been rather dismissive, saying "it's not interfering with the beam". Has anybody experienced this problem? The car is immaculate for it's year (13 reg) and consequently has a year's full VW warranty.

Thank you.

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Fri 23 Mar 2018 12:18
VW Golf 1.4 TSI SE DSG - Headlight Lenses. - badbusdriver

If it is not interfering with the beam, which presumably is the case otherwise it would have failed it's MOT, and you are not noticing a reduction in the light when driving, why worry about it?.

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Fri 23 Mar 2018 12:48
VW Golf 1.4 TSI SE DSG - Headlight Lenses. - nick62

I have a VAG vehicle as it suits my needs (Transporter), but VW can be a real PITA to deal with if they don't share your opinion on something, (belligerent comes to mind). Good luck if it is a fault, I hope you get it sorted eventually.

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Fri 23 Mar 2018 13:28
VW Golf 1.4 TSI SE DSG - Headlight Lenses. - golfauto11

Quite simple why I worry about it!!!!! This isn't a general characteristic, so should there be further deterioration which does affect the lighting, after the warranty has ran out, it could cost me a lot of money for new parts!!!

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Fri 23 Mar 2018 13:41
VW Golf 1.4 TSI SE DSG - Headlight Lenses. - bazza

Sounds like residue from previous condensation, keep a close eye on the headlights with a view to having them changed if you experience further condensation. They're expensive things these days.

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Fri 23 Mar 2018 13:53
VW Golf 1.4 TSI SE DSG - Headlight Lenses. - nick62

Slightly different ball-park, but I know of someone who recently accidentally clipped an Audi Q7 and damged the headlight. Cost him £1,500 (why he didn't go through the insurance I'm not sure)?

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Fri 23 Mar 2018 14:08
VW Golf 1.4 TSI SE DSG - Headlight Lenses. - badbusdriver

Quite simple why I worry about it!!!!! This isn't a general characteristic, so should there be further deterioration which does affect the lighting, after the warranty has ran out, it could cost me a lot of money for new parts!!!

If you are concerned about the cost to replace the headlamps after the warranty has expired i would strongly suggest you get rid of the car now. The DSG gearbox is not known for it's long term reliability. If (when?) that expires you will be faced with a bill of thousands of pounds.

Edited by badbusdriver on 23/03/2018 at 14:11

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Fri 23 Mar 2018 14:56
VW Golf 1.4 TSI SE DSG - Headlight Lenses. - skidpan

The DSG gearbox is not known for it's long term reliability. If (when?) that expires you will be faced with a bill of thousands of pounds.

Some DSG boxes have issues, of that there is no doubt. But a vast majority continue to give perfect service long after the warranty has expired.

There are more serious things to worry about in life than something that may or more likely may not fail. Fixing a gearbox on a car you own should the worst happen is going to be less than the huge instant depreciation you would get on another car purchase which may also fail.

If you look at the VAG forums (where there are far more DSG owners than on here) you read about some issues but members keep buying them.

How many of the doom mongers on here

own a VAG car with a DSG box

how many of them have had issues

For the record I dislike the DSG box as much as any auto box.

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Fri 23 Mar 2018 15:15
VW Golf 1.4 TSI SE DSG - Headlight Lenses. - SLO76
“How many of the doom mongers on here own a car with a DSG box”

I don’t but from the experiences of friends, dealers and grease monkeys I’m acquainted with who have owned, sold or tried to fix them they are trouble with a capital T when they get on a bit. I wouldn’t recommend one to anyone unless it came with a cast iron main dealer warranty covering the length of time you intend on owning it. Prices at auction reflect the trades unease over these too with stock typically changing hands for well below book.

Good friend ignored my advice to avoid an Audi TT with a DSG box and landed a £6k bill to replace the thing when it packed in. Only time will tell if VW has finally sorted them but it’s eye opening that Honda, Toyota and Ford gave up trying and switched back to CVT and ordinary torque converter boxes.

Though I see buses with automated manual boxes like this on a daily basis with well over a million miles up and still operating fine. It must be cost/weight constraints on cars that cause the problem with making these things reliable.

Edited by SLO76 on 23/03/2018 at 15:19

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Fri 23 Mar 2018 15:51
VW Golf 1.4 TSI SE DSG - Headlight Lenses. - nick62

I have the seven speed wet-clutch DSG in my 2015 T5 VW van. Why I waited so long to have an "auto", I'll never know as the gearbox is a thing of pleasure, whether going to the local DIY shop or when I do a regular 200+ mile non-stop journey.

Currently on 32,000 miles (2.5 years old from new) and will have the gearbox oil changed at 40,000 as recommended, (they used to be "sealed for life")!

I plan to change when the van is about 5 years old. I suppose my choice to go for another will depend upon if this one breaks before then?

There is also the added benefit of better fuel consumption than an equivalent manual (my last one was the same van but manual) and also better tyre life as I'm just getting ready for a new pair on the front, (still on original tyres)?

The cruise is nomally set at 70 on the motorway (~65+ real speed) and it averages about 37 MPG over all which is not too shabby for a three tonne van.

Edited by nick62 on 23/03/2018 at 15:58

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Fri 23 Mar 2018 17:12
VW Golf 1.4 TSI SE DSG - Headlight Lenses. - RobJP

The cruise is nomally set at 70 on the motorway (~65+ real speed) and it averages about 37 MPG over all which is not too shabby for a three tonne van.

If your van weighs 3 tonnes, then you're running it loaded to the absolute max legal weight all the time.

Most of the models have a kerb weight (which includes the driver and half a tank of fuel) of 1800-2000kg.

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Fri 23 Mar 2018 18:10
VW Golf 1.4 TSI SE DSG - Headlight Lenses. - nick62

Max gross weight is 3.2 tonnes, but I doubt if I'm ever more than about 2.5?

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