Is the Skoda Octavia DSG gearbox a time bomb waiting to go off?

Car enthusiasts have been going back and forth over the DSG (Direct-Shift Gearbox) in Skoda Octavias. Praised for quick, smooth shifts, it has a reputation, too, of potential reliability problems in older models. If you own one, there are those that swear by its performance and others who warn that expensive repairs may be in your future. The reason for the controversy is that the DQ200 7-speed dry clutch variant used in earlier models has been reported to prematurely fail. While newer versions have been improved, the vestiges of the old reputation still manage to wear down buyer confidence. This question looks at real world experiences, maintenance tips and whether the performance gains the DSG can bring outweigh the risks of long term ownership.