Gearbox life survey

[Rupert]

I'm in two minds about getting my car chipped, having just had my gearbox replaced I am worried about the lifespan of the box when running at higher torque figures.

In order to allay my fears I'd like to hear from everyone, either with standard power or remapped, about the life of your box.

Could those with remaps also indicate how many miles they have been running the map for? Thanks

1) Rupert (2004) Standard power, failed at exactly 60k miles
2)

[NumberoftheBeast]

Though not entirely relevant to the thread, I had to chuckle at the title's accompanying image of ticking bomb!

[crazymazy225]

I really want to chip mine but the box worries me to. Is there anyway to strengthen the box ?

[Daveperc]

1) Rupert (2004) Standard power, failed at exactly 60k miles
2) Dave (2003) MRC Stage 1+ at 80K, still going strong at 110K

[paulm846]

1) Rupert (2004) Standard power, failed at exactly 60k miles
2) Dave (2003) MRC Stage 1+ at 80K, still going strong at 110K
3) paulm (2002) mrc Stage 1 at 40,000 ish. tc failed 42,000 mls (going manual)

[gorwanvfr]

1) Rupert (2004) Standard power, failed at exactly 60k miles
2) Dave (2003) MRC Stage 1+ at 80K, still going strong at 110K
3) paulm (2002) mrc Stage 1 at 40,000 ish. tc failed 42,000 mls (going manual)
4) Gorwanvfr Standard power 39,000 mls still going strong (Never touched)

[CliveH]

I think it would be useful to add whether the car has had any gearbox services during its life, rather than Audi's recommendation of none (ie lifetime fluid).

[el_ringo]

1) Rupert (2004) Standard power, failed at exactly 60k miles
2) Dave (2003) MRC Stage 1+ at 80K, still going strong at 110K
3) paulm (2002) mrc Stage 1 at 40,000 ish. tc failed 42,000 mls (going manual)
4) Gorwanvfr Standard power 39,000 mls still going strong (Never touched)
5) el_ringo (2003) STD until 55,000 mi (Oct08) CCode 1, a 'box service at 60,000 (Mar09) now at 75,000mi (Feb10)

[Daveperc]

1) Rupert (2004) Standard power, failed at exactly 60k miles
2) Dave (2003) MRC Stage 1+ at 80K, still going strong at 110K, box serviced at 80K
3) paulm (2002) mrc Stage 1 at 40,000 ish. tc failed 42,000 mls (going manual)
4) Gorwanvfr Standard power 39,000 mls still going strong (Never touched)
5) el_ringo (2003) STD until 55,000 mi (Oct08) CCode 1, a 'box service at 60,000 (Mar09) now at 75,000mi (Feb10)

[CliveH]

1) Rupert (2004) Standard power, failed at exactly 60k miles
2) Dave (2003) MRC Stage 1+ at 80K, still going strong at 110K, box serviced at 80K
3) paulm (2002) mrc Stage 1 at 40,000 ish. tc failed 42,000 mls (going manual)
4) Gorwanvfr Standard power 39,000 mls still going strong (Never touched)
5) el_ringo (2003) STD until 55,000 mi (Oct08) CCode 1, a 'box service at 60,000 (Mar09) now at 75,000mi (Feb10)
6) CliveH (2002) AMD code since mid 06 55k, gearbox service at 60k (Oct06), still going strong at 90k

[RS6Steve]

1) Rupert (2004) Standard power, failed at exactly 60k miles
2) Dave (2003) MRC Stage 1+ at 80K, still going strong at 110K, box serviced at 80K
3) paulm (2002) mrc Stage 1 at 40,000 ish. tc failed 42,000 mls (going manual)
4) Gorwanvfr Standard power 39,000 mls still going strong (Never touched)
5) el_ringo (2003) STD until 55,000 mi (Oct08) CCode 1, a 'box service at 60,000 (Mar09) now at 75,000mi (Feb10)
6) CliveH (2002) AMD code since mid 06 55k, gearbox service at 60k (Oct06), still going strong at 90k
7)RS6Steve (2003) Standard 63K still okay (Gearbox full service 62k, No debris)

[Rupert]

I think it would be useful to add whether the car has had any gearbox services during its life, rather than Audi's recommendation of none (ie lifetime fluid).

I think I have been unlucky in that my gearbox has had two oil leaks, around 30k and again at 50k. Oil changed under warranty both times, BUT the only reason I noticed the second leak was because of an occasional whine in first gear. I then noticed a small amount of oil on the garage floor but a fair amount splashed over the underside of the car.

When it failed at 60k the technician said it was the worst he had driven, which was wierd because up until that point I would have said it was fine. It just suddenly started slipping in 1st 2nd and 3rd, I limped 5 miles home, no warning lights.

[CliveH]

I'm sure there's many factors influencing the lifetime of the C5 gearbox, but I'll certainly be ensuring that mine has another service very soon.

[Shoppinit]

The leak is prob what killed your box. Pump whined because starved of ATF.

Mine's on 75000 with no problems. ATF changed at 70k and will be at every service now. ATF was clear and clean.

Can someone add me to list please? I'm on an iPhone.

[gorwanvfr]

1) Rupert (2004) Standard power, failed at exactly 60k miles
2) Dave (2003) MRC Stage 1+ at 80K, still going strong at 110K, box serviced at 80K
3) paulm (2002) mrc Stage 1 at 40,000 ish. tc failed 42,000 mls (going manual)
4) Gorwanvfr (2203)Standard power 39,000 mls still going strong (Never touched)
5) el_ringo (2003) STD until 55,000 mi (Oct08) CCode 1, a 'box service at 60,000 (Mar09) now at 75,000mi (Feb10)
6) CliveH (2002) AMD code since mid 06 55k, gearbox service at 60k (Oct06), still going strong at 90k
7)RS6Steve (2003) Standard 63K still okay (Gearbox full service 62k, No debris)
Shoppinit 75000 mls with no problems. ATF changed at 70k and will be at every service now. ATF was clear and clean.