Looking at C5 corvettes would prefer a manual but a lot of autos pop up and in a lot of descriptions it says it needs a new tranny or it just got a new tranny.

 

This is a very interesting question and I also looking for what folks here will reply. My own experience looks like an horror story. I think I becoming an expert of removing the tranny on jack stand in my garage. I might have done it more than half of a dozen time. Bought the car at 44k miles and sellers had seal replace because it was leaking. A few years after around more 50k miles, blew the clutch for 3 and 4th gears. Had the tranny rebuilt. But I was tracking the car at that time. Tracking an auto is not only not fun because it shifts in turns and we loose the rear end, but moreover, it heats a lot. Tranny oil temp comes to 575 degrees (that might be where the gauges ends) within 3-4 laps. Good for drag strip thought. Anyway, a couple of years after, maybe 30k miles, same thing clutch 3-4 gave up. Had it rebuild. This time I had another core rebuilt because I was suspecting something wrong with something in the core. Then a few years after maybe 30k miles, 3-4 gear clutch again. Had it rebuild under warranty, but guess what, 20k miles same thing. Now you will tell me the shop how was rebuilding it missed something. Well, I cannot disagree with it. They told me they felt it was not shifting hard enough like there was not enough pressure. They suggested I install heavy duty clutch and a shift kit. Which I did. They paid for the rebuild and I paid for the shift kit. It was a couple of years ago. I might have 25k miles on it now and it is still holding. Well, I need to replace the rear seal because it is leaking. I have not track the car for several years. Only drag strip once or twice a year if any. I must say that I’m not gentle with the car and do not drive it to save anything.

I have heard about manual pop up and clutch issue, but believe me, my next vette will not be auto. Not only for durability, but also for fun to drive. And in case I decide to go to the track again.

I hope we will see post for auto longevity records.

 

All mechanical things wear out.
I have a 2001 Automatic Vette with over 130,000 miles with no transmission failures.
I assume at some point I will need the tranny serviced.
The other side is, clutches in manual cars usually wear out long before a well maintained automatic.
If you're going to track a car, then a stick is the only way to go.

 

Mine is a M6, I have no experience with the A4, so I can't directly answer questions about A4 durability. I have searched about M6 durability, and have come across numerous articles written by corvette mechanics/specialists who say that the M6 is not very robust and that 'almost every used M6 on the market needs to be rebuilt'.

Is this really true? I don't know. My conclusion is that if abused, both will eventually fail. I'm sure there are plenty out there that haven't been beat to death.

 

I had a Lexus once that had 300k on the original Tran and I have gone 200k on a original BMW clutch before it needed replacement.
I'm just trying to see if I buy a C5 will I be constantly replacing transmissions

 

I think the A4 is the same transmission that is used in lots of other GM vehicles. My 97 Tahoe has the 4L60E. The midsize (lighter) Trailblazer also uses it. I had to replace mine in 2012. I've been told that it is too light weight for a vehicle as heavy as a Tahoe, but in the lighter weight trailblazer it is fine. I think the 2500 series trucks use a heavier duty transmission.

Like I said, I no experience with it in a corvette, but it died in my Tahoe after about 120k miles.

 

Phanni, I'll bet you change the fluid on a regular basis, possibly before the recommended change time.
I had a 96 Jeep that had a Chrysler transmission. I changed the fluid every 30 to 40K, not 60 K as they recommend. It was going strong when I traded the car last Sept. with over 180K on it. I expect my A4 to last a long time, longer than I'll own it and I'll change the fluid every 30K or 5 years whichever comes first.

 

97.000 miles, 9 track days, 600 miles at WOT or hard on the brakes, A4.

On track it is in 3, not DR.

I do run Redline D4 ATF and change the fluid and filter frequently.

So far it is fine.

So far.

I will say that it is a pain to keep cool on track, I have a B&M finned aluminum pan, DeWitts radiator and an auxiliary trans cooler with oil thermostat.

 

Mine failed at just under 60,000 miles, I purchased it @ 56,000 miles. However I have no idea how the previous owner maintained or serviced it. Everything else about the car is pristine. Had it rebuilt and now 82,000 miles and doing fine. I do not track it, weekend driver so I'm assuming it should be good for some time to come.

 

My A4 has been good to me. I drag race once or twice a month with 430whp. With a Trans cooler, it never gets above 170*.

Sounds like the ones failing take a lot of abuse. An auto shouldn't be getting much over 220*. The guy getting it up to 500+... You are surprised the clutches go out? That's an insane temp to take a transmission to. And to keep rebuild the same one that's having problems.. Obviously it's time for a new transmission. Rebuilding the same one and having experts say it's not shifting right.. No surprise you're having issues.

Transmission fluid is supposed to be changed between 75k to 100k depending on driving condition. So if you are hard on it. Don't wait that long. I changed mine at 58k. A raced car is supposed to be done every 20k.

Take care of your transmission properly and it won't fail you. Run a cooler if you are racing.

 

I agree, that was a lot of abuse and I did not have the additional cooler installed. But if you read my post carefully, you will see that I quit tracking the car after the first tranny failure. Only the subsequent failures surprised me. On 3rd failure, I brought a core from a 2002 to be rebuild. And this is the experts that were telling me it was not shifting right. And they came out with the fact that a shift kit would help. Maybe I should have been more clear in my writing. Sorry.

 

Both of my trucks had 4L80e trannies and they ran great. The 2500hd had a planetary gear go out and was rebuilt at 175k and it's still solid at 214k.

My c5 is an m6 but M is what I wanted.

 

98K, DD, no track time, changed fluid and filter at 85K, no problems. Can't wait to get the A8 on a new 2018 C-7 (will still keep the C-5!)