Transmission Swap at 41k miles... 2015 B8.5 S4

[InVideo]

(since Audi customer support isn't available until Monday...)

I haven't been driving my car in little over a month while the dealership tries to figure out what the issue could be. They replaced the mechatronic unit only for the same issue to happen. So now they recommend replacing the entire transmission.

It's a 2015 S4 with 41k miles. Less than a year out of warranty and still under the 50k mile side of the warranty.


$13,958.02 is the quote.


I got only a 3 year note on it to keep interest paid to a minimum and managed to pay it off early... 2 months ago.


The dealership tried to see if Audi USA could cover some or all of the transmission due to the low mileage. They declined because my VIN was flagged TD1 due to an APR flash.


Which was done four months ago. And less than 500 miles put on because of covid.

[ManyAudis]

Good luck with this. You bought a car with a certain engine and transmission. The transmission Audi selected was designed to handle the power and torque output of the engine. Then you flash the ECU so the engine has more power and torque and those higher forces are going through a transmission which was sized for less power and torque. Now the transmission failed likely due to be over stressed. Don’t get your hopes up.

[19_hole]

Sounds like you are going to be out of luck with this one. The TD1 is going to be the deciding factor. Without the tune, and the resulting TD1, I would bet Audi would have covered it.

[ManyAudis]

There is a ZF transmission rebuilder in Connecticut who will probably fix it for much less but you will have to remove the tranny, ship it to him and be without your car for a while.

[wangshuo1989]

You gotta pay to play

[gj314]

There is a ZF transmission rebuilder in Connecticut who will probably fix it for much less but you will have to remove the tranny, ship it to him and be without your car for a while.

Eriksson Industries? I'm about to buy an auto B8.5 S4 they recently did work on (gear sensor).

[ManyAudis]

Yup. That is the company. I have visited them and got a tour by the owner. It is a good facility and they know their stuff.

[gj314]

Yup. That is the company. I have visited them and got a tour by the owner. It is a good facility and they know their stuff.

Glad to hear that. I have a 1-year warranty with them on my DSG, just need to figure out if a TCU tune would void that.

[JohnEnglish]

There is a ZF transmission rebuilder in Connecticut who will probably fix it for much less but you will have to remove the tranny, ship it to him and be without your car for a while.

.

Eriksson Industries? I'm about to buy an auto B8.5 S4 they recently did work on (gear sensor).

The B8.5 uses a VAG designed and manufactured DSG, not a ZF

Glad to hear that. I have a 1-year warranty with them on my DSG, just need to figure out if a TCU tune would void that.

It absolutely will.

[gj314]

.

The B8.5 uses a VAG designed and manufactured DSG, not a ZF


It absolutely will.

Well yeah, the DSG is made by VAG. They are still a skilled transmission shop which is why they were able to do work on the DSG. And I’m planning on having the car stock for a year anyways so I’ll wait till warranty is up.


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[frankjcrow]

Well, it might not be any consolation, but you can get these nifty decals...

[weagle1856]

Did ZF manufacture the S4 DCT?

Edit: genuinely curious. Started searching for the answer, and found this link https://andybucks5.blogspot.com/2018...epair.html?m=1 , that may help add to OPs side of the transmission giving out.

The stronic transmission should be able to handle stage 1 for longer than 500 miles. However, if you're tuning it you should also consider the TCU tune as well. Sorry OP, what a shit situation to be in.
Maybe consider this an opportunity to put a manual in it if you're not considering repairing?

There is a ZF transmission rebuilder in Connecticut who will probably fix it for much less but you will have to remove the tranny, ship it to him and be without your car for a while.

[Kruzzr]

Sounds like the same thing I'm experiencing now in my 2014 S5 with an APR stage II chip. The tranny is clicking when shifting down from around 50 to 40 kph and have changed oil and filter but made no difference. Dealer is saying same thing....might need whole new tranny. Quote $14k plus labour. Yikes!! not liking this.... Any thoughts guys???

[gj314]

Sounds like the same thing I'm experiencing now in my 2014 S5 with an APR stage II chip. The tranny is clicking when shifting down from around 50 to 40 kph and have changed oil and filter but made no difference. Dealer is saying same thing....might need whole new tranny. Quote $14k plus labour. Yikes!! not liking this.... Any thoughts guys???

Any codes? Could be gear sensor (happened to my car before I bought it), I think mech failure is less common on the 2013 and up (gen 2) DSG trannys.


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[Kruzzr]

Don't think they even did a 'code' check so I'm going to follow up with them as ask. I've heard that the DSG trannys are pretty bullet proof so surprised they're telling me that the 4th gear clutch is burnt out and I need a new tranny. Do you know if a 2014 S4 tranny would fit my 2014 S5 ? Just in case there is a bit issue here. Thanks.

[ManyAudis]

Don't think they even did a 'code' check so I'm going to follow up with them as ask. I've heard that the DSG trannys are pretty bullet proof so surprised they're telling me that the 4th gear clutch is burnt out and I need a new tranny. Do you know if a 2014 S4 tranny would fit my 2014 S5 ? Just in case there is a bit issue here. Thanks.

I would really question the dealer. If you have a DSG there is no “4th gear clutch”. There is a clutch for the odd number gears and a clutch for the even numbered gears and both of these clutches are built into one large clutch pack.