B6 transmission options

[MikeWire]

So I'm on the lookout for a B6 1.8TQ, but can't decide on what tranny to go with and wondering what the consensus is. From what I have seen there are three options:

1. Manual 5 or 6 speed (best IMHO)
2. Tiptronic - is there such thing as Sport mode?
3. Tip with steering wheel buttons (prob same a #2 right?)

So which is better/best for mostly highway driving and engine mods like stage 1 tuning, test pipe - max HP like 250.

Yes, manual is best, but I am trying to keep options open and the tip doesn't seem to be too bad.

If there is a Sport mode, how does it compare to reg or Econ mode?

[B6JoeS4]

There is 5 and 6 speed manual
--
Multitronic which is a 6 speed cvt- avoid this one at all costs
--
Tiptronic 5 speed with the sport package, includes steering wheel shifter buttons and a sport mode.
--
Tiptronic 5 speed without the sport package, which will have no steering wheels shift buttons or sport mode.

as for your other questions, you will regret tiptronic, especially since you are doing lots of hwy cruising. if you were going to be in lots of traffic, then go with the tip. do not get multitronic unless your are leaving your car stock. 250hp will tear the multitronic cvt to bits

all sport mode does on the tiptronic is it holds the gear you are in for longer and it downshifts alot faster. good for twisty roads.

[jessefrank]

6spd (quattro I assume) is best IMO, especially for highway driving.

Check out post #6:
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=260414

Then plug in the #'s here:
http://fatboyraceworks.com/gears/

The 6spd gives you a better overdrive at todays highway speeds.

[MikeWire]

Great advice thank you. I am considering the tip because I drove my parents Legacy GT with tip and sport mode and I was impressed. I always drive and have owned manual cars, but liked the smoothness of that tip, esp in sport mode. I assume the Audi tip would be close in performance, or better. I think I will focus on getting a manual, but if the right options come along I may need to go tip, but from what you just told me I would only go with the sport package, and that's a maybe.

Anyone with tip wanna chime in?

[rocketheavy]

i have TIP with sport mode. its a lot of fun. Im lazy and I dont like to shift all day so it works for me. Plus it keeps your chances for RH high. :)

[Papachristou]

girls love the stick... six speed is great on the highway, especially with 1+

[phantom b6]

There is 5 and 6 speed manual
--
Multitronic which is a 6 speed cvt- avoid this one at all costs
--
Tiptronic 5 speed with the sport package, includes steering wheel shifter buttons and a sport mode.
--
Tiptronic 5 speed without the sport package, which will have no steering wheels shift buttons or sport mode.

as for your other questions, you will regret tiptronic, especially since you are doing lots of hwy cruising. if you were going to be in lots of traffic, then go with the tip. do not get multitronic unless your are leaving your car stock. 250hp will tear the multitronic cvt to bits

all sport mode does on the tiptronic is it holds the gear you are in for longer and it downshifts alot faster. good for twisty roads.

spewing useless information that you've read before and have no facts to back up.. eh?

[mxrz]

Tiptronic 5 speed with the sport package, includes steering wheel shifter buttons and a sport mode.
--
Tiptronic 5 speed without the sport package, which will have no steering wheels shift buttons or sport mode.

That's not right. A non-sport Tip can have steering wheel shift buttons, and as far as I know, there is no such thing as a Tiptronic B6 without a sport mode, unless it's available outside North America, but certainly not here.

[MikeWire]

spewing useless information that you've read before and have no facts to back up.. eh?

Ok so whats the real information here?

FWIW I am looking between an A4 5 speed with 120K and another with 85K Auto with Tip. Any thoughts on which may be the better choice?

If the Auto has sport mode I may go for that, plus I could swap a 5sp in. Thoughts?

[AudiA4_20T]

Hey Mike, our tiptronic transmissions suck, they are very laggy and slow... A manual (5 or 6spd) will be fine. A few people have gotten B6s and swapped in the B5 2.8 transmission which has longer gearing for the highway and obvioulsy you can stay in gear longer

[MikeWire]

Hey Mike, our tiptronic transmissions suck, they are very laggy and slow... A manual (5 or 6spd) will be fine. A few people have gotten B6s and swapped in the B5 2.8 transmission which has longer gearing for the highway and obvioulsy you can stay in gear longer

That's useful info - so the question is...would you buy a higher mileage car (an 03 with 120K) because it's a 5 speed over a lower (an 02 w/ 85K) with tip? I have spoken to the guys selling the 120K and it sounds like a decent deal...about 8K plus I would have to get it shipped so just about 9K total. A few scratches, a couple of seeping seals underneath (tranny and rear diff...nothing I cant handle R&R myself). Deal or no deal? or

I'm getting the info about the t-belt and water pump etc. as well, because that would need to be changed, plus other service info I need.

[a4husslin]

I have a tip and l enjoy it. It basically comes down to what you like. Alot of people talk shit on the tip simply because it is an automatic. I have owned many automatics and my tip feels better than the previous automatics I have had. It is all a matter of personal preference. Not trying to start and auto vs. manual debate. Either you want to shift manually or not. simple.

[MikeWire]

Either you want to shift manually or not. simple.

I agree with this. ---^

So, more info on the tip - is there a diff between the package with wheel buttons and the one without? Is there a sport mode with all tips, and how do you put it in sport mode? Can the tip handle 250whp if I mod it?

Thanks so far guys - all comments have been a big help.

[mxrz]

Is there a sport mode with all tips, and how do you put it in sport mode? Can the tip handle 250whp if I mod it?

Yes.
You move the shifter to position "S".
Most likely.

[a4husslin]

Yeah every tip has a sport mode, it is simply the S position on the shifter. All that does is lock the torque converter. The tip can handle 250 whp. Im sure you can find the specs on the trans somewhere on here if you search. Horsepower is not what kills a transmission. it is the torque.. I believe the max torque recommended on the tip is 300. So I would consider this before choosing upgrades. But there are several Big turbo tips on here. I will soon be a member. Any q's Pm me and mod wisely.

[MikeWire]

You move the shifter to position "S".

Yea dum question...and I deserved that. I don't have an A4 yet so I don't even know where the 'S' is...lol. But that answered my Q so thank you.

[audi til I die]

Im not sure if ALL but most sport B6's have the steering wheel shifters. You can go into "Sport" mode by switching down from D mode. A tip will be able to handle 250whp but I'd recommend a torque converter upgrade. Valve body is optional but will definetely help with shifting smoothness. Research Level10 or IPT for these upgrades. There is nothing wrong with a tip tranny, but a manual transmission gets you so much more involved with your car. I have tp and I'm selling it and losing hundreds just because I was impatient and didnt wait for the right manual. my .02

[diagnosticator]

The 5 speed tip trans is a high tech transmission. It performs excellently if the engine is stock, but so far, no tuners have provided remaps for the tip trans to work right with a engine remap. If you get a tip be sure to change the fluid a couple of times to help minimize wear, it's not really a maintainence free item as Audi cliaims. Almost all of the derogitory comments you will see, are from guys who don't own a tip, without real knowledge to make that assertion, other than personal opinion based on ignorance and hear-say.

[a4husslin]

Truth!

[jessefrank]

I've driven my 5spd manual A4 in it's flavors from bone stock to where it is today at a full 1+ setup. Drove a couple other B6's on several other occasions (frineds' cars) including:
03, Tip, 1.8t, Quattro, sport, stock (engine wise)
03, Tip, 3.0, quattro, sport, stock
04, 6-spd, 1.8t, quattro, non-sport, stock
05, 6spd, 1.8t, quattro, USP, stock

IMO the automatic isn't bad (better than other stock auto's I've had), but as has been stated i felt somewhat disconnected with the car and less in control especially when you decide to have a little fun with it. When driving it spirited the Tip just didn't give me the gear i wanted at teh time I wanted it(in Sport mode or not) and there was nothing I could do to it...so I wouldn't even consider a Tip B6 as I like the connection and feel of the manual trans. Go drive them as see for yourself. I haven't driven any (engine) modified Tip B6's but hear the shifting is worse as diagnosticator eluded to(...and I know I didn't like the shifting stock!)