Erwin

I consider to buy an A8 3.7 Quattro with 129,000 km (80,000 miles). The car is from January 1997 and is a European car. Could anyone tell me how long the automatic tiptronic gearbox will last. I have heard that a replacement of the automatic gearbox costs around 12,000 Dutch guilders (approx. USD 5000). Are there any further risks in buying this car with this mileage?
Thanks,
Erwin
The Netherlands

April

Since there is less torque than the 4.2, I would say a very long time. Average should be at least 150,000 miles if not abused.

KjellA

Agreed, there are very few problems with the top-end Tiptronic boxes, they have proven their quality. 200.000 Km and even more should not be an issue at all.

I have heard that the older 4-speed ones (1994-1996) was less durable, but I do not know if this is true.

BTW. Anyone that knows who makes the A8/S8 boxes?


Regards,
Kjell A
Oslo, Norway
'97 A8 4,2 qt sport

April

ZF makes the Tip.

KjellA

I know ZF was involved in the original design (with Porsche) and that they makes these types of boxes, but i read somewhere that Audi went elsewhere for their tiptronic.

Really hope it is true, ZF does not have a very good reputation for making durable boxes....


Regards,
Kjell A
Oslo, Norway
'97 A8 4,2 qt sport

April

requirements. To my best knowledge, ZF does not make very good fwd auto boxes. The tranny that goes into rwd or awd is another matter.