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Anybody know what the expected lifespan of the tiptronic gearbox is, or how we might go about extending it's life?
I'm a bit concerned that there seems to be quite a few failures under the 40k mark from what I've read in previous topics, which lead to a conversation with a local transmission specialist.
He gets a fair few of the more mundane audis in for repairs, usually between the 80k and 120k mark and said audis policy of suggesting the atf need not be changed is merely a marketing ploy and that although it is a reasonably high quality atf, which shouldn't degrade as fast as some, swarf is still produced in the gearboxes and this can eventually lead to blockages in the integral filter leading to restricted oil flow, damaged valves, and ultimately one knackered gearbox. Also overheating of the atf can lead to the production of carbon deposits and a more rapid breakdown of the atf.
The suggested aid to longevity was a maximum 36k between atf changes, preferably 24k in a highly stressed gearbox as in the rs6.

I'm going to have my atf replaced soon, and hope I'll be able to tell you that I can feel a difference to the shift quality, or at least that it's given me a bit of peace of mind.
Is there anybody on the forum who has had a gearbox failure and actually been informed which part failed?

A question for W8PMC, did your gearbox fail before you had the sportec transmission cooler fitted? Do you think the cooler was a worthwhile addition?

Also, anybody tried using or found a fully synthetic high temperature atf which is suitable for the zf tiptronic?

All the gearboxes i have replaced have been replaced due to the faulty "wet" clutch mechanism in the torque converter.
Unfortunately i dont know whats different mechanically inside an RS6 gearbox over any other 5 speed tip. I had an S8 tip and an RS6 tip on the floor next to each other and visually they were identical in every way. The S8 only has 360 bhp and no where near as much torque as a 6 so what have they done on the inside? Possibly not enough.

I'd certainly reccommend that all you guys change your ATF fairly regulary. We all know that fresh oil in anything modern wont do any harm.

The symptoms of the faulty gearboxes have been a temporary loss of drive. I've been able to rev all of them to around 4k with no movement in "D". Then out of no where you get a bang as drive engages and away you go. If this fault occurs for to long the ECU selects the emergency map and you get stuck in forth gear. The ATF also comes out black as its been roasted by the clutches working over time!!

All the gearboxes i have replaced have been replaced due to the faulty "wet" clutch mechanism in the torque converter.

Is this due to overheating of the ATF, prolonged abuse, or a possible manufacturing defect?

The symptoms of the faulty gearboxes have been a temporary loss of drive. I've been able to rev all of them to around 4k with no movement in "D". Then out of no where you get a bang as drive engages and away you go.

Prior to this are there any other symptoms we should look out for?

mbedford wrote:I'm going to have my atf replaced soon, and hope I'll be able to tell you that I can feel a difference to the shift quality, or at least that it's given me a bit of peace of mind.
Is there anybody on the forum who has had a gearbox failure and actually been informed which part failed?

A question for W8PMC, did your gearbox fail before you had the sportec transmission cooler fitted? Do you think the cooler was a worthwhile addition?

Also, anybody tried using or found a fully synthetic high temperature atf which is suitable for the zf tiptronic?

IIRC, it failed before the Sportec Coolers were fitted, so i guess the coolers may have helped the new box somewhat, but as said above the RS6 gearbox is defo the weakest point of the car.

I have had all my Audis tuned over the last 22 years and I have never broken a drive train. I begin to wonder if it occurs because the less reputable tuning companies who don't have access to Audi technical try and get the most out of the engine to attract customers but this also causes mechanical issues. My old RS4 which was tuned to 440BHP is still running after 100k miles and just normal servicing.