DSG, S-tronic, Multitronic & Tiptronic for A1, A3, A4, A5, A6, Q3, Q5 and Q7 — DQ200, DQ250, DL501, Multitronic CVT and ZF autos. Compare free quotes from verified suppliers across South Africa.
DSG · S-tronic · Multitronic · Tiptronic · Manual
DSG/S-tronic dual-clutch (DQ200, DQ250, DL501), Multitronic CVT and ZF Tiptronic autos — plus the MQ350 manual. Suppliers cover the full Audi range.
FWD or quattro changes the box entirely. Tell us your model, year and engine and we connect you with suppliers who match the exact unit and mechatronic.
Compare used OEM, reconditioned and new options — and ask whether the mechatronic / valve body is included, with warranty confirmed by each supplier.
Indicative SA pricing by transmission code. Send your VIN for an exact match and a free quote.
Code: DQ250 / 02E · 6-speed automatic
The 6-speed wet-clutch DSG (dual-clutch) behind the 2.0 TFSI and 2.0 TDI A3 and Q3. More durable than the dry 7-speed, but the mechatronic unit is a known service item — compare quotes from verified suppliers for used, reconditioned and new.
Code: DQ200 / 0AM / 0CW · 7-speed automatic
The 7-speed dry-clutch DSG — the most failure-prone box in the range (shudder, clutch wear, mechatronic faults). The mechatronic/valve-body is usually quoted separately. Get quotes to compare a full unit vs a recon mechatronic.
Code: DL501 / 0B5 · 7-speed automatic
The longitudinal 7-speed S-tronic dual-clutch in quattro A4/A5/Q5. Mechatronic circuit-board faults are common on 2009–2013 units. Note: later B9/C7-facelift cars may use the DL382 instead — confirm by VIN before buying.
Code: 0AW / 01J · CVT automatic
Multitronic is a CVT (belt/chain) — NOT a DSG and NOT a tiptronic. Fitted to front-wheel-drive A4 and A6. The early 01J is shudder/judder-prone; the later 0AW is tougher. Request a quote to match used vs reconditioned.
Code: ZF 5HP / 6HP / 8HP · 5–8 speed automatic
Tiptronic is a conventional ZF torque-converter automatic (not a dual-clutch). Used on the Q7 and larger quattro models. Robust but a heavier-ticket box — supplier warranty terms matter.
Code: 02Q / 02M / 0FB · 6-speed manual
The 6-speed MQ350 manual transaxle across the A3, Q3 and manual A4. The cheapest and simplest Audi gearbox to source and repair. Compare quotes from suppliers nationwide.
Indicative ranges by model and transmission. Actual quotes depend on kilometres, condition, and used vs reconditioned — and whether the mechatronic is included.
| Model / Gearbox | Price Range (ZAR) |
|---|---|
| A1 / A3 1.4 TFSI — DQ200 7-spd dry DSG | R9,300 – R22,000 |
| A3 / Q3 2.0 TFSI/TDI — DQ250 6-spd wet DSG | R9,300 – R23,000 |
| A4 / A5 / Q5 quattro — DL501 7-spd S-tronic | R15,000 – R25,000 |
| A4 / A6 FWD — Multitronic CVT | R7,500 – R19,500 |
| Q7 / larger quattro — Tiptronic (ZF auto) | R14,500 – R34,500 |
| A3 / Q3 / A4 — MQ350 6-spd manual | R4,500 – R11,500 |
These are estimates based on current SA market data — request a free quote for an exact price on your specific model and year.
Audi uses four different transmissions — and they share no parts. Know which one you have before you buy.
Dual-clutch. DQ200 (7-spd dry), DQ250 (6-spd wet), DL501 (7-spd S-tronic quattro). The mechatronic is the common failure.
A belt/chain CVT on front-wheel-drive A4 and A6 (01J early, 0AW later). Not a DSG — judder is the classic symptom.
Conventional ZF torque-converter automatic (5HP/6HP/8HP) on the Q7 and larger quattro models. Heavy-duty, higher-value.
MQ350 (02Q) 6-speed transaxle on the A3, Q3 and manual A4. The cheapest and simplest to source and repair.
Audi is the make where matching the right gearbox matters most, because the same model can carry three completely different "automatics". A front-wheel-drive A4 uses a Multitronic CVT; a quattro A4 uses a DL501 S-tronic dual-clutch; and a Q7 uses a ZF Tiptronic torque-converter auto. They share no internals and won't interchange. The smaller cars (A1, A3, Q3) run the DQ200 7-speed dry DSG or the DQ250 6-speed wet DSG. If you're weighing up an engine at the same time, compare it against a used Audi engine so you can plan the whole job.
On DSG and S-tronic boxes the part that usually fails is the mechatronic unit (the valve body plus control electronics), and it's frequently sold separately from the gearbox. A reconditioned DQ200 mechatronic runs around R19,950 and a DQ250 around R29,999 — so a cheap "DSG gearbox" can become a much bigger bill once the mechatronic is added. Always confirm whether a quote includes it.
DSG judder, harsh shifts and limp-mode are often mechatronic or clutch-pack faults rather than a dead gearbox — and Multitronic shudder can be a TCU/valve-body issue. It's worth having the fault properly diagnosed before committing to a full box. If the car is older and you're weighing up the spend, it's also worth checking what it's worth for scrap first. Engine Finder is a marketplace — submit one free quote request and verified Audi gearbox suppliers across South Africa come back to you with prices, warranties and availability. You can also browse used gearboxes for all other makes.
A used Audi manual starts around R4,500. DSG / S-tronic units run roughly R9,300 – R25,000 (used to reconditioned), Multitronic CVT R7,500 – R19,500, and the larger ZF Tiptronic autos (Q7, 3.0 TDI) up to R34,500. Prices depend heavily on used vs reconditioned and whether the mechatronic is included. Submit one quote request and compare verified suppliers for your exact model.
They are four names for three completely different gearboxes that share no parts. DSG and S-tronic are dual-clutch boxes (DQ200 dry, DQ250 wet, DL501). Multitronic is a CVT (belt/chain). Tiptronic is a conventional ZF torque-converter automatic. They are not interchangeable — so when you request a quote, tell us your model, year and whether it is front-wheel-drive or quattro, so suppliers match the correct unit.
The 7-speed dry DSG (DQ200) suffers clutch-pack wear and mechatronic faults; the early Multitronic CVT (01J) is prone to shudder and TCU overheating; and the DL501 S-tronic on 2009–2013 cars has known mechatronic circuit-board issues. That is exactly why there is strong demand for replacement units — and why matching the right one matters.
Often not. On DSG and S-tronic boxes the mechatronic unit (valve body + control electronics) is frequently the part that fails and is sold separately — a reconditioned DQ200 mechatronic is around R19,950 and a DQ250 around R29,999. A complete used box may include it; a recon box may not. Always confirm what is included when you get a quote.
Three things decide it: your model and year, whether it is front-wheel-drive or quattro, and the engine. For example a front-wheel-drive A4 uses a Multitronic CVT while a quattro A4 uses a DL501 S-tronic — totally different boxes. Give your VIN and engine code when you request a quote and suppliers will confirm the exact unit before you commit.
It varies by supplier. Used units typically carry a 30–90 day warranty; reconditioned and new aftermarket boxes usually 6–12 months. On DSG/S-tronic units, check whether the mechatronic is covered. Always get the warranty terms in writing and confirm whether fitment at a qualified workshop is required.
Send us your Audi model, year, engine and whether it's FWD or quattro. We'll get verified suppliers to quote you on used, reconditioned and new transmissions.
