AudiRick

I just took delivery of my 2001 S4. Fabulous car, and since I have been driving a '94 S4 20V for several years, thought I would try a tiptronic. It's more fun than I thought, but it passes through first gear in an instant, relying on second gear to do all the work. For anyone else with a tiptronic, is there anything that can be done about this? Starting to miss my 5 speed 20V.<p>RickA
2001 S4 Black/Silver
Louisville, KY

George @ BostonAudi

Keep your foot down further, it'll stay in 1st until the redline...

AudiRick

OK, but do I have to do that every time to keep it in first or will the computer learn my habits and give me some slack?<p>RickA
2001 S4 Black/Silver
Louisville, KY

George @ BostonAudi

Nope, when you're over 80%, it'll stay in first.

NASA racer

you push the pedal past the "kickdown" spot (where there is suddenly ALOT of resistance). The tip launches poorly if you just floor it from a standing start (it will actually sit there for a second doing nothing - drive by wire). You can get really good launches holding the brake with your left foot (firmly) and revving the engine to 2300rpm (as high as it will go) and floor and release...initial acceleration is impressive.

Though it doesn't override any of the shift points, the GIAC tip chip does speed up the shifts and make them more "obedient". You'll notice a pause sometimes as the transmission aparently thinks there is too big of a gap between the speed you're going and the gear you're selecting. The tip chip seems to narrow that gap.

I virtually never drive in automatic mode because the transmission just shifts into 5th and you're putting along in 5th at 25 at 1600rpm, even with the S4, this is BOG territory.

Have fun! You'll soon join the debate about chipping when you get used to the torque! It's a joy to drive a car that pulls so far away from traffic it pisses people off...all at under 3000 rpm.<p><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/AudiWorldPics/2000/carssmall4.jpg">
00 S4 tip
Silver/Black
GIAC ECU/tip chips
V1

Craig Smith

Just test drove a Tip last night and discovered this -- this sucks! I can't believe they did this to the S4. Porsches don't do this -- the Passat doesn't even do this. No chips that'll change this behavior? Manual mode should be manual! Can a Porsche chip be used somehow?