Dector22

There were no codes for the transmission. Fluid level should have been perfect since I had a transmission service done 2 weeks ago. Also, I believe the transmission is a 5HP19FLA.

turbo510

$4,500 plus $1000 labor pretty much exceeds the value of your car, so don't put more into it than you need to. In '08 I got a Passat FWD trans from this outfit:

Engine and Transmission Store
Parts Specialist1-888-775-2100 ext. 3743
jmalvarado@lkqcorp.com
www.engine-transmissionstore.com

It's been in the Passat since then, works great. Shop around and get a fixed quote on the install, I didn't and got ripped off by a "friends" referal.

Harddrive2000

Search for Audi/VW breaker yards and see if you can get a used tranny removed from an accidented vehicle or search ebay (i found two EKD trannies for you on ebay under 3 minutes, see links below, i would suggest the second link, since it has low milage and an A grade, meaning it was unbolted from the vehicle, not damaged or rebuilt). Thats what i did when mine packed up last year (i have the same vehicle and EKD tranny as you). Worked perfectly till date.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TRANS...Q5fAccessories

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/00-01...Q5fAccessories

4Driver4

Assuming is not the way to go. Check the level.

5v/cyl

Agree. Pretty clear by his description that the tranny is dead, but it would be interesting to see the fluid level. If the shop that did the fluid change f'ed up then they may have caused the failure. In that case they need to be fixing the tranny. Also would want to know what fluid they put in there.

Dector22

I had it towed to the shop that did the transmission service. They said that it was just this transmission's time to go and I had brought in the car for service too late. Before I had brought it in, I did feel like something had been changing with the transmission here and there (that's what prompted me to bring it in). Also, the shop said yesterday that there were shavings (metal or brass... can't remember) in the oil. They work on Audi's all the time and always use the proper fluids. They also told me it had not been leaking so fluid level was OK.

Dector22

I understand that it would exceed the value. I will look into the suggestions on this post.

-ZF
-Engine and Transmission Store
-Audi/VW breaker yards
-ebay

*However I would feel much better about putting a tranny in my car that is already rebuilt and has some kind of warranty.

I love the car. Out of all the cars I've had, it drives the best. I would like to keep it for a long time and will keep repairing it. My opinion is it would be cheaper than buying something else that I have no idea what could be wrong with it. At least this car has given me indications of what could go wrong. I know the cat's and sensors could be almost done. I know the timing belt was done at 94K and I'll be doing it again between 154-174K.

turbo510

I understand about wanting to keep that car. You're in Fallbrook, if you could get the car up the 15 to Riverside, there's an excellent and fair trans shop that our company uses, and they rebuilt my daughter's Jetta trans. On two occasions with company vehicles, they's replaced only what was needed, such as a solenoid valve. Riverside Transmission, Riverside CA.

Dector22

I chose to go with a new transmission. My mechanic told me to look online and research as much as I could... so I did.

First my mechanic said they could get rebuilt transmission through Audi direct for $4,425 and charge roughly $1,000 for installation.

I found that a rebuilt transmission after installation would be roughly $3,000 from a ZF distributor plus $1,000 through my mechanic for installation (Add on this shipping costs of $250 to/from San Francisco/San Diego and 1week+) --- Total = $4,250. --- 2 year warranty.

After much internet research, I decided to go with the dealer since they will charge roughly $5,500 for a brand new transmission from the factory and installation included and a 1 year warranty.

I noticed that ZF distributors are not getting good deals they once did as Audi now discourages them selling to anyone but Audi.

I think this is why it made my task difficult to try to find a good transmission with a good warranty.

There were plenty of EKD transmissions at salvage yards with many miles on them. In the end, I decided that since I would like to own my car for a long time, to choose a brand new transmission. Thank you everyone for the great suggestions and I know many people would have done something different.

If I had listened to family members, I would have bought a new (used) car. My perspective by keeping this car and fixing it is that I will be spending $5,500 and will have a new (used) car...

Any new (used) car someone I could buy most likely will have some future problems.. I just know I love this car and will keep paying cash for my little expenses here and there rather than expensive monthly car payments.