I have 97 Audi A4 2.8(Auto).
I've been to dealer too many times to find out the problem of my car and even done a transmission service for $275 although I still have warrenty on my car. Here is the problem if any smart person can help me.
In the morning, when the car is cooled down there is very hard-shift from 1st. to 2nd., and little better at 2nd. to 3rd. Thereafter, it operates perfectly wheather you stop and run again. The hard-shift happens only once or twice in a few minute when engin(may be transmission) gets cold.
Several dealer has test drove the car but they are keep telling me "NO PROBLEM!" So, they recommended me to have transmission service even the transmission does not require any service for a life time. So, I payed $275 for it. It got just little better. Definitely there is some problem.
It seems like it's not getting enough pressure.
May be valve type problem? Or some kind of sensor problem? I don't know~

Oh~ and even I warm-up the car for like 10 minutes in the morning, it's still the same. I guess over 15 minute of warm up will eliminate the problem for the morning which is crazy. And also, if you warm-up the car about 3-4 minute, and drive the car just little bit(10 feet) and stop for about 20 second will also eliminate the problem.
Thank you so much for reading this message and I'll really appreciate if someone can help me.
"PLEASE HELP!"
Thank you again!!!

 

never heard of it happening to an auto tho...hrmmm..

 

What do you mean?
I also drive other manual cars.
But I never notice that in manual, since I'm actully changing the gear whenever I want.

 

"Normal" for Audi manuals. Some people have used BG Synchro Shift fluid for a big improvement.