Gearbox lurching/knocking in 1st gear

[matthew.lewis2]

Add me to the list!!!

I'm a B8 RS4 owner, I have owned the vehicle from new (October 2013), it's been always serviced on time at the dealer and is currently at 86,766 km (53,900 miles), it has lead a pampered life, with launch control being used only 1 or 2 times. Unfortunately the car is out of extended warranty, I attempted to extend past the 5 years but was told this was not an option in this market on this vehicle (Middle East).

I have recently noticed a 'shunting' feeling through the steering wheel when turning at low speeds (I was hoping it would be steering rack related but suspected it might be the gearbox). My local dealer have tested the gearbox oil and there was no glycol contamination, they have determined a full gearbox replacement is required.

Dealer has offered 50% discount on the gearbox parts. I've spoken with the main Audi office here to see what further contribution can be offered from their side as well as courtesy car for the duration it is off the road. (When my B7 RS4 required a new engine (under warranty) the MD of Audi Middle East gave me his V10 S8, that was a nice fortnight !!).

[DrewR]

Matthew,

Did you ever get the gearbox issue sorted/replaced? or did you use a local specialist for a rebuild?

Ive just bought a similar spec and age car as yours here in UAE as well, I was going to try and purchase an Audi extended warranty but maybe a waste of time after the reading your post. I have a third party warranty from a local company here but who knows if they will cover anything if things go really bad!

[matthew.lewis2]

Hi Drew, I went ahead and had Al Naboodah Audi replace the gearbox, I decided a full new gearbox was the best option as I plan to keep this car forever (I didn’t know of any local specialist that I could trust). I relocated back to the UK in a December 2019 after spending 13 years in Dubai, should the problem ever reoccur my local UK Audi specialist has reassured me that DSG repair skills definitely exist in the UK.

I’m currently waiting for KW to manufacture me a set of V3 coil overs to replace the DRC as it finally became defective.

On a side note, I went to “caffeine and machine” recently in a B9 RS4, while the motor is fast and technically accomplished, I just didn’t really find any sense of occasion due to the shift away from the V8.

[DrewR]

ok wow! you took the car back to the UK?

How much did Al Naboodah charge for a new box?! Hoping mine doesn't go but you never know! Ive heard some good things about a few local specialists but as you say who do you trust with such a big job out here

Was it the actual tranny box or the mechatronic unit?

cheers
Drew

[matthew.lewis2]

ok wow! you took the car back to the UK?

How much did Al Naboodah charge for a new box?! Hoping mine doesn't go but you never know! Ive heard some good things about a few local specialists but as you say who do you trust with such a big job out here

Was it the actual tranny box or the mechatronic unit?

cheers
Drew

Hi Drew, I’m not sure of the diagnosis, that time period was all a bit of a blur as our focus was on the planning and execution of our relocation to the UK. I’ve just found the quote, it was AED 21,400 after significant contribution from Audi Middle East and Al Naboodah. I’ve been an RS customer of theirs since 2008, I don’t know what contribution would be available as a new customer/2nd hand car buyer.

[DrewR]

Yeah with that type of discount I don’t blame you for getting a new box with Audi, fair play!

Let me know how the KW V3’s go. I’m
sure I will be following suit on this, hopefully not too soon though.

Out of interest why did you decide for the V3’s?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[matthew.lewis2]

Yeah with that type of discount I don’t blame you for getting a new box with Audi, fair play!

Let me know how the KW V3’s go. I’m
sure I will be following suit on this, hopefully not too soon though.

Out of interest why did you decide for the V3’s?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I knew I would have kicked myself if the ride of the coil overs was not as good as I hoped, so KW or Ohlins were top of the list, I decided against ohlins as I’ve read that they are more ‘motorsport’ focussed and require more regular rebuilds. I went for the V3’s out of the KW range again to make sure I had as much adjustability in case they were not riding to my liking out of the box, that said they are setup in the box (height and stiffness) as KW recommend.