Racingline DSG Oil Cooler System for MQB DQ381 (7-Speed) – VWR29DQ381
Protecting your engine oil is only half the story. Your DSG gearbox is just as vulnerable to overheating, and the more power you put through it, the more important it becomes to keep those oil temperatures under control. The Racingline DSG Oil Cooler System is a complete, bolt-on solution designed to do exactly that on cars fitted with the DQ381 7-speed gearbox.
Why fit a DSG oil cooler?
Pushing more power and torque through the DSG generates significantly more heat. Under hard driving, the factory oil/water cooler is easily overwhelmed. When the oil cannot shed its heat quickly enough, it begins to thin and lose its lubricating properties.
At that point, the gearbox protects itself: torque is reduced, shift times slow down, and in extreme cases gear selection can be lost altogether. Fitting a dedicated oil cooler keeps temperatures within safe limits so the DSG continues to perform as it should.
How the Racingline kit works
Rather than replacing the factory setup, the Racingline kit adds to it. The original oil/water cooler is retained (in an updated low-profile form) and works alongside a new thermostatically controlled air/oil cooler mounted at the front of the car, right in the path of incoming airflow.
The thermostat only opens once oil temperatures climb above normal. When it does, oil is routed through a densely finned 10-row cooler, where the large surface area and direct airflow drop temperatures quickly. In real-world use, this typically reduces DSG oil temperatures by around 15 to 20 degrees Celsius, depending on driving style, ambient temperature and state of tune.
The benefit is twofold: more cooling capacity when you need it, and less heat being transferred into the engine’s water cooling system.
What’s included
- AN10 10-row oil/air cooler core
- Replacement low-profile oil/water cooler
- Billet CNC thermostatic adaptor block
- AN10 210 series nylon braided feed and return lines
- Oil cooler mounting brackets (two sets supplied – one for Audi S3, one for Golf 7 and other MQB models)
- Full fitting kit with nuts, bolts, washers and rubber mounting bobbins
Fitment
This kit is specifically for the DQ381 7-speed DSG gearbox as fitted to a range of MQB platform cars from the Volkswagen Group, including popular Golf, Audi and related models. A 6-speed DQ250 version is available separately (VWR29G7250).
Please use the vehicle lookup tool or check the Vehicle Fitment tab to confirm compatibility with your specific car before ordering.
Installation note: mounting the front cooler brackets requires drilling bolt holes through the front crash bar. This is a permanent modification and should be carried out by a competent installer.
Who is this for?
If your car is running a Stage 2 or higher tune, sees regular track use, is driven hard on the road, or lives in a hot climate, this kit is one of the most worthwhile investments you can make in the long-term reliability of your DSG gearbox. It is a sensible, well-engineered upgrade rather than a cosmetic one, and it tackles a known weak point on highly tuned MQB cars head-on.
As an authorised UK dealer for Racingline Performance, Progressive Parts supplies the complete Racingline range with full manufacturer backing. Racingline develops its products in the toughest environment of all – motorsport – and refines them for reliable use on road and track.
Applications
Please note, customers are wholly responsible for checking fitment for their vehicle.











