02 3.0 Quattro Sport w/Tip: Transmission TSB issue
 

I took my car in for routine service and they loaded a new program into the tiptronic transmission computer to fix some issue. I like to keep the transmission in sport mode for better response because in normal mode the 2-3 shift is like dropping an anchor. Previous to the "fix", the transmission would shift into 5th gear around 55-65mph in sport mode. After the "fix", I've taken it up to 80 mph, and it won't shift into 5th in sport mode. The service advisor thought it was broken when I took it back in and said he'd research. Now he says that he contacted a ZF transmission engineer in Auburn Hills, MI and was told that is how it is supposed to behave, that it was broken before the fix. It doesn't seem right that the car should be cruising at 4K+ rpm in 4th gear at 80mph when not accelerating. Now I have to shift from Sport to Drive once I'm cruising at highway speed to get into 5th gear. Can anyone verify this behaviour as normal? I sure wish I had gotten the manual transmission, this slushbox is a dog!

just cant go wrong with a manual gearbox

Behavior is confirmed. I have been shifting to Normal mode for overdrive since the upgrade.

I have had the same reflash of the Tip and experienced
 

the same outcome. I would always drive in sport for the same reason that you did. Before the reflash, my Tip would go into 5th around 60mph, or when holding a certain speed. Now the thing will not go into 5th at all. Very disappointing. I too talked with my service tech and he said the tip is designed to be driven at high speed before going into 5th. That's BS. Cause it simpily will not go into 5th. I will be asking for another reflash when I go in for my next scheduled oil change.

Re: I have had the same reflash of the Tip and experienced
 

My service advisor says he can't undo the flash.