How strong are our transmissions?

[burdoogo]

I brought my S4 to a local indy mechanic that specializes in German cars to get a pre-purchase inspection. He found a pretty massive oil leak, but that's another story (broken valve cover gasket). Aside from that, he told me something else rather disturbing. Apparently with these cars, if you go past 100,000 miles without having transmission issues, you're in the clear. But, he said a good amount of them start developing issues around that time, which would result in an entirely new transmission install. He was pretty positive about it happening to the tips, but not so sure about the 6 speeds.

Thoughts? Am I freaking myself out here? That's a $5,000+ job...

[powderrecon]

I think it's too soon to tell. If you figure 15,000 miles a year x 7 years for a 2005, that only = 105,000 miles. Most auto-tramsissions today should outlive the life of the vehicle with the correct maintenance. i have not heard of anybody on this forum having chronic issues with their slushbox.

[B6JoeS4]

The manuals are bullet proof as far as power handling goes. B6 A4 transmissions have a tendency of exploding on a hard launch on stage 3 cars, by the S4 has a ford-tough trans. The issues are with the 3rd gear synchro for the most part. 1st and 2nd are super strong, 3rd and on are weaker so when you modify the car and have to shifter faster and harder, you start wearing the 3+ synchros, mostly 3rd.

Any trans on any car will start to show wear at 100k, but that depends on the biggest factor; the driver.

[SquiddyB6S4]

Yes, what Joe said. And if you're worried about the automatic trans, don't be worried about that, either. There are guys running superchargers and guys running nitrous on the stock automatic transmission, with a transmission tune. If it can survive an extra 100ft*lb of torque, it's pretty solid. As long as it was taken care of, you should be golden. Now the engine . . . that's another story If you're buying an S4 with 100k on it, you had better know what you're getting into.

[JimmyBones]

Your mechanic is probably talking about the B5 S4s where the 1st to 2nd gear shift collar would get stuck. That does not happen with these cars. With either Trans you should change the fluid and filter for an automatic.

[S4mser]

Just had my auto trans replaced under warranty at 55000 miles. All my clutches were apparently worn/burnt

[mgikone69]

might be fitting to ask this here, anyone else with a tip notice a delay when shifting into reverse....sometimes it takes like 2 seconds before the tranny realizes it is in reverse...never happened with any other car ive driven???

[Porschephd]

Mine does that. It also feels like it slips more than it should unless in sport mode. I am going to change the fluid and filter and see if that changes it. It also seems that when it downshifts to first when I pull into my drive (very steep) it doesn't engage quick enough and jerks. Makes me a little worried.

[42Quattro]

The transmission themselves are strong.. the clutch and flywheel is the issue. My car has 54k and the clutch blew into about 4 pieces and the flywheel was burnt to s@#%. I will say that it was due to hard driving but still it's an s4 they're meant to be driven hard.

A clutch and flywheel upgrade is a very cost effective upgrade at $1500.

[Lefthook]

Mine ate the second gear synchros somewhere around the 60k mark, and had to be replaced.

[burdoogo]

I'm going to try really hard not to beat the transmission to hell...but it's going to be difficult. I guess the moral of the story is love your S4, and she'll love you back. Also, a lot of the issues seem to be with the automatics. Hopefully Audi has addressed that.