BiTDi and ZF gearbox 2nd gear

[ukgroucho]

Anyone else with a BiTDi seeing the occasional 'nasty' downshift into 2nd?

I'd noted that when slowing down to an intersection the drop thru 2nd was not as smooth / indiscernible as all of the other downshifts - but remembered reading that other folks had seen this behaviour and it just seemed to be "the way these boxes are".

What I've seem over the last couple of weeks is a slightly different behaviour which bothers me a bit.
Typical scenario is you slow for a left turn into a side road where just as you start the turn in the car drop from 3rd to 2nd - but you have power on as you're just past the slowing down point and starting to accelerate. The car drops to 2nd but with a noticeable 'lurch'.. almost like dumping the clutch a bit.

Does not happen every time (I suspect that you need to get the timing of when you apply power 'just right') and it does not feel strong enough of a lurch to warrant immediate concern... but it's just not the smooth executive driving machine experience that you expect. Wondering if I should have a word with my Audi dealer.

[SGH1]

Hi, I've noticed this happening very occasionally with mine, but never happens when in sport mode, which I usually flick it into when approaching junctions for better throttle response etc. I'd assumed that it was a gearbox quirk, but haven't been concerned as it's not severe and doesn't feel damaging. I'll let you know if it changes at all. S

[ukgroucho]

Thanks... yeah I suspect the firmware is not as 'sorted' as it should be... sounds like dropping to sport mode changes the timing of the whole event and stops it happening.

[retired99]

‘They all do that sir’

I too have noticed an occasional slight ‘thump’ as the car changes down at low speeds, probably on a trailing throttle although to be honest I haven’t taken that much notice as it isn’t particularly bad and feels more like a s/w feature ( some unusual combination of parameter values) than a hardware problem.

[razor77]

Typical scenario is you slow for a left turn into a side road where just as you start the turn in the car drop from 3rd to 2nd - but you have power on as you're just past the slowing down point and starting to accelerate. The car drops to 2nd but with a noticeable 'lurch'.. almost like dumping the clutch a bit.


Almost that last week, the gear just dropped down and I decided to drive through the turn harder than normal, in my case the lurch or dance of each wheel was requested. In a rear wheel drive Merc I'd expect the back end to skid out, but in the BiTdi I could feel every wheel in a coordinated grasp for grip, it felt very mechanical not smooth, yet very effective.

[Crasher]

I asked a friend (can't go further than that BUT NOTHING to do with VAG, further back into the Tier 1 than that) and he looked into this earlier today for me with some chaps int Der Fatherland and it is an Audi specific software issue, a known one, that is being worked on right back to the point of origin and as yet there is no flash available and no date as to when it will be BUT it is being worked on. Software on modern cars isn't a matter of checking a few boxes in a GUI front end, it is people with extraordinary abilities to think in HEX and it takes time.

[ukgroucho]

Thanks Crasher, most appreciated.

[wanderingsegalo]

New to this site, but have had similar issue clunking issue with my A7 biTdi. Also had funny gear behaviour at low speed, engine runs fast and appears to slip clutch when accelerating gently. Took the car to Ipswich Audi on Wednesday and after a test drive with a tech, they admitted they had another BiTdi in with the same issues. Just off to collect the car - apparently they have reset the gearbox programme and done an update? Will let you know if problem gets fixed.

[Johnny31]

Very interesting... I did some 300 miles in 5 series with the same gearbox a few months back... It is a very different proposition altogether! And not a single problem to writhe home about. On the other hand, I'm even more pleased with the choice of a humble 245PS mated to the S-Tronic... (read: must find the excuse for not getting BiTDi)
Anyway, hope they will sort it out for you guys. That engine absolutely deserves the best!

[ScottyA6]

The 245 may be humble compared to a BiTDI but the S-Tronic is a generation ahead as an auto box, it doesn't feel like an auto, more like a psychic manual.

(And I have driven both)

[wanderingsegalo]

The 245 may be humble compared to a BiTDI but the S-Tronic is a generation ahead as an auto box, it doesn't feel like an auto, more like a psychic manual.

(And I have driven both)

Had an A7 245 with the S-tronic previously and my wife has an A4 245 S-Tronic, both were excellent gearboxes - as you say almost psychic.

Anyway audi dealer confirmed a software patch on my gearbox and the drive home seemed normal. More testing to follow.