My Audi A3 e-tron (2017 model) gives this error: drive system fault , gearbox malfunction error. 2 months back regular service was done. They had changed the gearbox oil. My doubt was that this error and the gearbox oil change have some relation.
Today, I took the car to the mechanic. They say 'mechatronics is defective' and needs a replacement. Now, the car doesn't even move. They quoted 4000euros to fix this new one.
Is this a valid suggestion from them ?
What's the millage? how many speeds does it have?
100% typical the VW Hybrid gearbox (the DQ400e), but the good news is that a good transmission shop is usually able to avoid replacing the entire mechatronic and just repair and replace solenoids and other sub-components in the existing one (depending on the type of the damage, on the 7 speed, which your one is probably not, I've seen mechatronics actually crack).
As with any non-Toyota hybrid, and as someone who has a Kia-Hyundai hybrid - I can confirm, what ever little you save on fuel, you spend double on keeping the pile of trash on the road.
My advise? Find a good independent transmission shop that has a lot of experience in rebuilding VW DSG mechatronics, and after the repair SELL the car.
After the repair, which is not going to be cheap, usually the ones I've seen where ~$2k perform - and just dump that pile of trash onto someone who has not yet understood that "there's nothing more expensive than a cheap German luxury car"
Another week point is the high voltage hybrid system control electronics and they cost even more to replace ($3k),and after a while, the clutch gets fried (easily $2.5k) and you get crappy shifts and shuddering, and then depending on how you use it, either the horrible engine cracks the pistons (>$3k), or the differential goes out (replacement gearbox will be required) - not to mention the random expensive faliures these have, a friend on mine spent over $1.5k on his Octavia because the steering ECU went out catastrophically.
If you want a good hybrid, the Corolla is not that big of a "downgrade" (heck, in my opinion, it's an upgrade even in interior quality) than the Golf based A3, the new generation Prius 1.8L is phenomenal, and if it has to be "chic" Lexus has the Lexus UX 250h and with 180 horsepower it drives quite well.
Thanks a lot for your detailed response. Will definitely take your points into consideration.
Kms = 65000
Gears : 6
Yep then it's most likely the VW DSG "DQ400E 0DD" gearbox
I can not advise on the exact steps to remedy the issue, as these "triple clutch" hydraulicly controlled gearboxes are beyond me - I'm unsure if that's the mechatronic and it's unfortunate that we do not have the exact codes set by the TCM.
There are probably not many people here familiar with the e-tron (maybe @dan?), so if there are no recommendations here you might want to check on a forum devoted to those vehicles.
https://www.e-tronforum.com/threads/electrical-system-malfunction.2684/
