Gearbox life survey

[RS6-4dr911]

Interesting, I realize it's not completely scientific but it's held pretty steady throughout at 2:1, unfailed to failed

[ecain63]

Come on then, Who wants to be number 13 on the 'Never failed' list.
Not me!
I'm going to drive carefully tomorrow and report after someone else has taken that unlucky number!!
Maybe we should miss 13?

Im number 8 on the list - the luckiest number according to the Chinese. If true then it must be worth someone offering to buy me out of my position. Gearbox: £5700, Lucky No.8: Priceless.

Form an orderly queue please.

[bazza]

Failed
1. Rupert (2004) Standard power, failed at exactly 60k miles
2. paulm (2002) mrc Stage 1 at 40,000 ish. tc failed 42,000 mls (going manual)
3. batty (2004) STD 61k, gearbox replaced at 57k, no fluid change prior to that.
4. paul23 - STD till 30k, gearbox service at 25k, failed TC at 26k. MTM remap at 30k and on 31k now.
5. Mooch - standard when bought at 20ishk but box started to slip around 22-25k, grizz mapped it and it failed fairly soon after, (it was actually hunting only) gearbox replaced by Audi and not done well- lost oil due to ALL sump nuts only finger tight- grizz sorted.. serviced at 40k all fine. TCU mapped and all ok until 80k. now running big torque and box does not like it. 89k. but still going well if handled with care!
6. skyegtb - New box at 25,000 miles was running MTM 535 then, not sure of failure (previous owner). Now 52,000 miles and been MTM 568'd at same time as box replaced. G/Box service at 40,000 miles, all good, no issues so far, smooth as silk.

Never Failed
1. Dave (2003) MRC Stage 1+ at 80K, still going strong at 110K, box serviced at 80K
2. Gorwanvfr Standard power 39,000 mls still going strong (Never touched)
3. el_ringo (2003) STD until 55,000 mi (Oct08) CCode 1, a 'box service at 60,000 (Mar09) now at 75,000mi (Feb10)
4. CliveH (2002) AMD code since mid 06 55k, gearbox service at 60k (Oct06), still going strong at 90k
5. RS6Steve (2003) Standard 63K still okay (Gearbox full service 62k, No debris)
6.Shoppinit 75000 mls with no problems. ATF changed at 70k and will be at every service now. ATF was clear and clean.
7. Steve Cuz (2003) STD 77k, Gearbox ok, (2 gearbox services in 2009)
8. ecain63 - bought at 50k. MTM1 on ECU and TCU @ 51k. Box serviced every 20k since. Still tight as a Nunns chuff and hit 90k mark today.
9. RS6-4dr911 – 48k mi on original, MTM TCU at 35k, fluid changed at 40k, flushed at 46k, clean fluid on both, will flush every 20k hereafter, just now flashed ECU to Eurocharge Stg.1,
10. woodlum (2002) STD 48k, no probs and works fine, never been serviced, undecided as to service or not??
11. RS6_Dave (2003) Std til 27,500, then MRC Stage 1+ , box map with Service, not a glitch but only on 33k now...
12. MoRS6+ RS6plus, STD, 26k, original ATF, smooth as ice.
13. Bazza (2003) Oettinger remap on ECU/TCU @ 29K (2006) now 39k...fingers crossed all OK

[jd_hants]

Failed
1. Rupert (2004) Standard power, failed at exactly 60k miles
2. paulm (2002) mrc Stage 1 at 40,000 ish. tc failed 42,000 mls (going manual)
3. batty (2004) STD 61k, gearbox replaced at 57k, no fluid change prior to that.
4. paul23 - STD till 30k, gearbox service at 25k, failed TC at 26k. MTM remap at 30k and on 31k now.
5. Mooch - standard when bought at 20ishk but box started to slip around 22-25k, grizz mapped it and it failed fairly soon after, (it was actually hunting only) gearbox replaced by Audi and not done well- lost oil due to ALL sump nuts only finger tight- grizz sorted.. serviced at 40k all fine. TCU mapped and all ok until 80k. now running big torque and box does not like it. 89k. but still going well if handled with care!
6. skyegtb - New box at 25,000 miles was running MTM 535 then, not sure of failure (previous owner). Now 52,000 miles and been MTM 568'd at same time as box replaced. G/Box service at 40,000 miles, all good, no issues so far, smooth as silk.

Never Failed
1. Dave (2003) MRC Stage 1+ at 80K, still going strong at 110K, box serviced at 80K
2. Gorwanvfr Standard power 39,000 mls still going strong (Never touched)
3. el_ringo (2003) STD until 55,000 mi (Oct08) CCode 1, a 'box service at 60,000 (Mar09) now at 75,000mi (Feb10)
4. CliveH (2002) AMD code since mid 06 55k, gearbox service at 60k (Oct06), still going strong at 90k
5. RS6Steve (2003) Standard 63K still okay (Gearbox full service 62k, No debris)
6.Shoppinit 75000 mls with no problems. ATF changed at 70k and will be at every service now. ATF was clear and clean.
7. Steve Cuz (2003) STD 77k, Gearbox ok, (2 gearbox services in 2009)
8. ecain63 - bought at 50k. MTM1 on ECU and TCU @ 51k. Box serviced every 20k since. Still tight as a Nunns chuff and hit 90k mark today.
9. RS6-4dr911 – 48k mi on original, MTM TCU at 35k, fluid changed at 40k, flushed at 46k, clean fluid on both, will flush every 20k hereafter, just now flashed ECU to Eurocharge Stg.1,
10. woodlum (2002) STD 48k, no probs and works fine, never been serviced, undecided as to service or not??
11. RS6_Dave (2003) Std til 27,500, then MRC Stage 1+ , box map with Service, not a glitch but only on 33k now...
12. MoRS6+ RS6plus, STD, 26k, original ATF, smooth as ice.
13. Bazza (2003) Oettinger remap on ECU/TCU @ 29K (2006) now 39k...fingers crossed all OK

Failing!!!
1. JD_Hants (2003) Gearbox serviced 80K. MRC Stage 1+ @ 85K, 87K now slipping and clunking and not good!!!

[coullboy]

Failed
1. Rupert (2004) Standard power, failed at exactly 60k miles
2. paulm (2002) mrc Stage 1 at 40,000 ish. tc failed 42,000 mls (going manual)
3. batty (2004) STD 61k, gearbox replaced at 57k, no fluid change prior to that.
4. paul23 - STD till 30k, gearbox service at 25k, failed TC at 26k. MTM remap at 30k and on 31k now.
5. Mooch - standard when bought at 20ishk but box started to slip around 22-25k, grizz mapped it and it failed fairly soon after, (it was actually hunting only) gearbox replaced by Audi and not done well- lost oil due to ALL sump nuts only finger tight- grizz sorted.. serviced at 40k all fine. TCU mapped and all ok until 80k. now running big torque and box does not like it. 89k. but still going well if handled with care!
6. skyegtb - New box at 25,000 miles was running MTM 535 then, not sure of failure (previous owner). Now 52,000 miles and been MTM 568'd at same time as box replaced. G/Box service at 40,000 miles, all good, no issues so far, smooth as silk.

Never Failed
1. Dave (2003) MRC Stage 1+ at 80K, still going strong at 110K, box serviced at 80K
2. Gorwanvfr Standard power 39,000 mls still going strong (Never touched)
3. el_ringo (2003) STD until 55,000 mi (Oct08) CCode 1, a 'box service at 60,000 (Mar09) now at 75,000mi (Feb10)
4. CliveH (2002) AMD code since mid 06 55k, gearbox service at 60k (Oct06), still going strong at 90k
5. RS6Steve (2003) Standard 63K still okay (Gearbox full service 62k, No debris)
6.Shoppinit 75000 mls with no problems. ATF changed at 70k and will be at every service now. ATF was clear and clean.
7. Steve Cuz (2003) STD 77k, Gearbox ok, (2 gearbox services in 2009)
8. ecain63 - bought at 50k. MTM1 on ECU and TCU @ 51k. Box serviced every 20k since. Still tight as a Nunns chuff and hit 90k mark today.
9. RS6-4dr911 – 48k mi on original, MTM TCU at 35k, fluid changed at 40k, flushed at 46k, clean fluid on both, will flush every 20k hereafter, just now flashed ECU to Eurocharge Stg.1,
10. woodlum (2002) STD 48k, no probs and works fine, never been serviced, undecided as to service or not??
11. RS6_Dave (2003) Std til 27,500, then MRC Stage 1+ , box map with Service, not a glitch but only on 33k now...
12. MoRS6+ RS6plus, STD, 26k, original ATF, smooth as ice.
13. Bazza (2003) Oettinger remap on ECU/TCU @ 29K (2006) now 39k...fingers crossed all OK
14. Coullboy (2004) GregR1's old motor. Gearbox oil + Filter etc 57K(£360 Specialist cars Aberdeen) , seems to be fine. Engine Standard (59K now).

Failing!!!
1. JD_Hants (2003) Gearbox serviced 80K. MRC Stage 1+ @ 85K, 87K now slipping and clunking and not good!!!

[W8PMC]

Failed
1. Rupert (2004) Standard power, failed at exactly 60k miles
2. paulm (2002) mrc Stage 1 at 40,000 ish. tc failed 42,000 mls (going manual)
3. batty (2004) STD 61k, gearbox replaced at 57k, no fluid change prior to that.
4. paul23 - STD till 30k, gearbox service at 25k, failed TC at 26k. MTM remap at 30k and on 31k now.
5. Mooch - standard when bought at 20ishk but box started to slip around 22-25k, grizz mapped it and it failed fairly soon after, (it was actually hunting only) gearbox replaced by Audi and not done well- lost oil due to ALL sump nuts only finger tight- grizz sorted.. serviced at 40k all fine. TCU mapped and all ok until 80k. now running big torque and box does not like it. 89k. but still going well if handled with care!
6. skyegtb - New box at 25,000 miles was running MTM 535 then, not sure of failure (previous owner). Now 52,000 miles and been MTM 568'd at same time as box replaced. G/Box service at 40,000 miles, all good, no issues so far, smooth as silk.
7. w8pmc - had 2 boxes go during ownership. 1st at about 15K miles & the car was stock (had only owned it about 2 months) Soon after i had the car tuned to Sportec/AmD Stage 2-3 & was putting out over 560BHP & lbsft & the box (mapped during tune) was fine through to 40K miles when it failed again. Sold the car soon after that.

Never Failed
1. Dave (2003) MRC Stage 1+ at 80K, still going strong at 110K, box serviced at 80K
2. Gorwanvfr Standard power 39,000 mls still going strong (Never touched)
3. el_ringo (2003) STD until 55,000 mi (Oct08) CCode 1, a 'box service at 60,000 (Mar09) now at 75,000mi (Feb10)
4. CliveH (2002) AMD code since mid 06 55k, gearbox service at 60k (Oct06), still going strong at 90k
5. RS6Steve (2003) Standard 63K still okay (Gearbox full service 62k, No debris)
6.Shoppinit 75000 mls with no problems. ATF changed at 70k and will be at every service now. ATF was clear and clean.
7. Steve Cuz (2003) STD 77k, Gearbox ok, (2 gearbox services in 2009)
8. ecain63 - bought at 50k. MTM1 on ECU and TCU @ 51k. Box serviced every 20k since. Still tight as a Nunns chuff and hit 90k mark today.
9. RS6-4dr911 – 48k mi on original, MTM TCU at 35k, fluid changed at 40k, flushed at 46k, clean fluid on both, will flush every 20k hereafter, just now flashed ECU to Eurocharge Stg.1,
10. woodlum (2002) STD 48k, no probs and works fine, never been serviced, undecided as to service or not??
11. RS6_Dave (2003) Std til 27,500, then MRC Stage 1+ , box map with Service, not a glitch but only on 33k now...
12. MoRS6+ RS6plus, STD, 26k, original ATF, smooth as ice.
13. Bazza (2003) Oettinger remap on ECU/TCU @ 29K (2006) now 39k...fingers crossed all OK
14. Coullboy (2004) GregR1's old motor. Gearbox oil + Filter etc 57K(£360 Specialist cars Aberdeen) , seems to be fine. Engine Standard (59K now).

Failing!!!
1. JD_Hants (2003) Gearbox serviced 80K. MRC Stage 1+ @ 85K, 87K now slipping and clunking and not good!!!

[500bhp]

Failed
1. Rupert (2004) Standard power, failed at exactly 60k miles
2. paulm (2002) mrc Stage 1 at 40,000 ish. tc failed 42,000 mls (going manual)
3. batty (2004) STD 61k, gearbox replaced at 57k, no fluid change prior to that.
4. paul23 - STD till 30k, gearbox service at 25k, failed TC at 26k. MTM remap at 30k and on 31k now.
5. Mooch - standard when bought at 20ishk but box started to slip around 22-25k, grizz mapped it and it failed fairly soon after, (it was actually hunting only) gearbox replaced by Audi and not done well- lost oil due to ALL sump nuts only finger tight- grizz sorted.. serviced at 40k all fine. TCU mapped and all ok until 80k. now running big torque and box does not like it. 89k. but still going well if handled with care!
6. skyegtb - New box at 25,000 miles was running MTM 535 then, not sure of failure (previous owner). Now 52,000 miles and been MTM 568'd at same time as box replaced. G/Box service at 40,000 miles, all good, no issues so far, smooth as silk.
7. w8pmc - had 2 boxes go during ownership. 1st at about 15K miles & the car was stock (had only owned it about 2 months) Soon after i had the car tuned to Sportec/AmD Stage 2-3 & was putting out over 560BHP & lbsft & the box (mapped during tune) was fine through to 40K miles when it failed again. Sold the car soon after that.

Never Failed
1. Dave (2003) MRC Stage 1+ at 80K, still going strong at 110K, box serviced at 80K
2. Gorwanvfr Standard power 39,000 mls still going strong (Never touched)
3. el_ringo (2003) STD until 55,000 mi (Oct08) CCode 1, a 'box service at 60,000 (Mar09) now at 75,000mi (Feb10)
4. CliveH (2002) AMD code since mid 06 55k, gearbox service at 60k (Oct06), still going strong at 90k
5. RS6Steve (2003) Standard 63K still okay (Gearbox full service 62k, No debris)
6.Shoppinit 75000 mls with no problems. ATF changed at 70k and will be at every service now. ATF was clear and clean.
7. Steve Cuz (2003) STD 77k, Gearbox ok, (2 gearbox services in 2009)
8. ecain63 - bought at 50k. MTM1 on ECU and TCU @ 51k. Box serviced every 20k since. Still tight as a Nunns chuff and hit 90k mark today.
9. RS6-4dr911 – 48k mi on original, MTM TCU at 35k, fluid changed at 40k, flushed at 46k, clean fluid on both, will flush every 20k hereafter, just now flashed ECU to Eurocharge Stg.1,
10. woodlum (2002) STD 48k, no probs and works fine, never been serviced, undecided as to service or not??
11. RS6_Dave (2003) Std til 27,500, then MRC Stage 1+ , box map with Service, not a glitch but only on 33k now...
12. MoRS6+ RS6plus, STD, 26k, original ATF, smooth as ice.
13. Bazza (2003) Oettinger remap on ECU/TCU @ 29K (2006) now 39k...fingers crossed all OK
14. Coullboy (2004) GregR1's old motor. Gearbox oil + Filter etc 57K(£360 Specialist cars Aberdeen) , seems to be fine. Engine Standard (59K now).
15. 500bhp (2003) Grizzed, CC Stage2 + TCU, Gearbox oil + Filter etc 95K. All fine

Failing!!!
1. JD_Hants (2003) Gearbox serviced 80K. MRC Stage 1+ @ 85K, 87K now slipping and clunking and not good!!!

[ecain63]

Failed
1. Rupert (2004) Standard power, failed at exactly 60k miles
2. paulm (2002) mrc Stage 1 at 40,000 ish. tc failed 42,000 mls (going manual)
3. batty (2004) STD 61k, gearbox replaced at 57k, no fluid change prior to that.
4. paul23 - STD till 30k, gearbox service at 25k, failed TC at 26k. MTM remap at 30k and on 31k now.
5. Mooch - standard when bought at 20ishk but box started to slip around 22-25k, grizz mapped it and it failed fairly soon after, (it was actually hunting only) gearbox replaced by Audi and not done well- lost oil due to ALL sump nuts only finger tight- grizz sorted.. serviced at 40k all fine. TCU mapped and all ok until 80k. now running big torque and box does not like it. 89k. but still going well if handled with care!
6. skyegtb - New box at 25,000 miles was running MTM 535 then, not sure of failure (previous owner). Now 52,000 miles and been MTM 568'd at same time as box replaced. G/Box service at 40,000 miles, all good, no issues so far, smooth as silk.

Never Failed
1. Dave (2003) MRC Stage 1+ at 80K, still going strong at 110K, box serviced at 80K
2. Gorwanvfr Standard power 39,000 mls still going strong (Never touched)
3. el_ringo (2003) STD until 55,000 mi (Oct08) CCode 1, a 'box service at 60,000 (Mar09) now at 75,000mi (Feb10)
4. CliveH (2002) AMD code since mid 06 55k, gearbox service at 60k (Oct06), still going strong at 90k
5. RS6Steve (2003) Standard 63K still okay (Gearbox full service 62k, No debris)
6.Shoppinit 75000 mls with no problems. ATF changed at 70k and will be at every service now. ATF was clear and clean.
7. Steve Cuz (2003) STD 77k, Gearbox ok, (2 gearbox services in 2009)
8. ecain63 - bought at 50k. MTM1 on ECU and TCU @ 51k. Box serviced every 20k since. Still tight as a Nunns chuff and hit 90k mark today.
9. RS6-4dr911 – 48k mi on original, MTM TCU at 35k, fluid changed at 40k, flushed at 46k, clean fluid on both, will flush every 20k hereafter, just now flashed ECU to Eurocharge Stg.1,
10. woodlum (2002) STD 48k, no probs and works fine, never been serviced, undecided as to service or not??
11. RS6_Dave (2003) Std til 27,500, then MRC Stage 1+ , box map with Service, not a glitch but only on 33k now...
12. MoRS6+ RS6plus, STD, 26k, original ATF, smooth as ice.
13. Bazza (2003) Oettinger remap on ECU/TCU @ 29K (2006) now 39k...fingers crossed all OK

And we have a winner. I'd be crossing more than your fingers at No.13 mate. lol.

[Rupert]

I am very encouraged by this!
Thanks for all the responses, I thought it would be worse!

[CliveH]

I agree. Although it's by no means conclusive on such a small sample, there is certainly some evidence that servicing of the gearbox prolongs its life.

[SteveCuz]

I would also suggest it is how it is driven.

Def wait for the gearbox to warm up, manually drop a gear or put it in S before you overtake and not too many drag races from the lights!!

S works a treat for me, when I was having issues I started doing this and now do it everytime automatically. I know some guys always use manual but I am lazy!! When behind a car drop it into S in anticipation, wait a few seconds then plant it.

Flooring it in D when you are say 40mph in 5 gear is not great.

Steve

[CliveH]

Good advice there Steve

[paul_23]

The torque is what stresses the box and the RS6 torque peaks at about 3000rpm for a tuned car. If you keep it in gear and have max boost at this rev range then you are putting max stress into the box - however it is tough driving it without using full whack at this rev range.

On RS6.com it appears an Audi tech strongly recommended ATF is regularly changed if the car is chipped but no need if it is not....
MTM Dubai said to me that every RS6 they have done ECU and TCU has ended up with the gearbox failing.
MTM UK said there is no pattern with some failing and others going strong even with max stage 4 and over 100k miles

I think it depends on driving style, maintenance and luck!

[CliveH]

The link below is an interesting post on the topic of servicing our good old 5 speed ZF gearboxes. Apologies for not being able to find an Audi story, and the link is quite "BMW-centric" as its a BMW forum, but nevertheless a good read. BMW, Jaguar, Range Rover etc all use the same range of ZF gearboxes that Audi do.

It is certainly an eye opener as the normal gearbox service, when requested, will consist of no more than an ATF and filter change. A more knowledgeable auto transmission centre will go the extra mile, carry out a complete flush and clean the pan, but the interesting concept here is the idea of servicing the 'shifter brain' which makes more sense when you read this link and marvel at the work involved (all for €400).

Taken at face value, the life of the gearbox is portrayed as almost infinite, if it is routinely serviced in this way......

http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/527361

[MoRS6+]

The inside of these 'boxes are more complicated than M-theory and The Standard Model of elementary particles put together!

So that guy actually went to the ZF factory itself to get the service?