[A8] 97-00 suspect transmission

[David Giannandrea]

Regarding the bad years of A8 transmissions:

When I got my 97 A8 I assumed that the transmission was adequate but the US
coding in the TCU shifted at too low RPM. I've got 185,000 miles on my 97 A8
with only the scheduled 60K transmission services. It's doing fine.

BUT, I do the shifting. 

I make sure the engine is above 2000rpm before up-shifting. My theory is
that the transmission's fluid pump can't provide enough pressure to properly
engage the clutches when stupidly up-shifting a few 100rpm above idle. Not
to mention that the engine has no torque at that rpm. I also recoded the
transmission to 10 (Canadian/European code) but didn't notice any remarkable
difference from the US coding.

My friends 99 A8 shifts MUCH BETTER. I want to try his TCU in my car to see
if it will transform the shift points, maybe the ECU too. And if any of you
out there have upgraded your 97 TCUs, please log it in.

David