Looking at an 03 A8 with trans problems
02-03-2014, 06:23 PM
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Looking at an 03 A8 with trans problems
I've poked around the forums quite a bit but didn't find a definitive answer on the D3 transmission problems. I found a ton of D2 transmissions. So pardon this thread if the info is out there and I just missed it, I know how frustrating it can be when people constantly ask a question that has been answered 1,000 times.
So, on to my question. There's a 2003 A8 for sale near me. It has 117k on it and the listing says it has trans problems. It won't go forward or reverse at all. I haven't gone to look at the car yet but plan to this weekend. They only want $2k for the car which is why I'm considering it and having it repaired. What's likely the problem with the D3s? I've read a lot about dirty fluid and filters being a problem and other things like software, valve bodies, etc etc. I'm waiting for a call back from the dealer to see if there's service records for the car. I'm hoping the timing belt has been replaced in the not too distant past. If it hasn't I'm not sure the car is worth the gamble. I don't want to end up over the $5k mark when it's all said and done.
What do you guys think? Getting the luxury and performance of an A8 at a cheap price is veryyyy tempting.
So, on to my question. There's a 2003 A8 for sale near me. It has 117k on it and the listing says it has trans problems. It won't go forward or reverse at all. I haven't gone to look at the car yet but plan to this weekend. They only want $2k for the car which is why I'm considering it and having it repaired. What's likely the problem with the D3s? I've read a lot about dirty fluid and filters being a problem and other things like software, valve bodies, etc etc. I'm waiting for a call back from the dealer to see if there's service records for the car. I'm hoping the timing belt has been replaced in the not too distant past. If it hasn't I'm not sure the car is worth the gamble. I don't want to end up over the $5k mark when it's all said and done.
What do you guys think? Getting the luxury and performance of an A8 at a cheap price is veryyyy tempting.
02-03-2014, 06:36 PM
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If in Chicago, you need to try the D2 board
A 2003 A8 in the U.S. is still a D2. Lots of tranny issues w/ D2's. But, it's not a D3 as a 2003 in the U.S. In Europe the D3's were intro'ed as 2003's, but not here. The board year titles are a bit misleading here depending on the country you are in.
02-03-2014, 08:08 PM
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oops,looks like I do have the wrong generation. I'm trying to find a way to delete the thread but not having much luck. But maybe since it is a D2 and there seems to be lots of horror stories about the transmissions, I might have the answer to my question and skip this car.
02-03-2014, 10:10 PM
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The tranny is the weak spot of that whole D2 drivetrain generation...
and its counterpart, the C5 A6 4.2. I owned the C5. Blown tranny by 100K. Common. About $4500 for a ZF rebuilt with R&R. Old D2 was nice, but D3 a big leap ahead from there. The D3 will still feel pretty contemporary, the D2 more dated. D3's have the much more reliable 6 speeds, along with a step up in performance at the margin.
You have to ask for editing rights BTW; if you join a board for a while no big deal.
You have to ask for editing rights BTW; if you join a board for a while no big deal.
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