C5 tranny reliability??
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Pro
Joined: Jul 2014
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C5 tranny reliability??
Been looking ata lotta early C5s and was leaning towards a stick, but lately am also considering an auto. question is what is the reliability of an automatic and how well do that hold up, thanx
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2013
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From: Vancouver BC
The automatic on my 2003 had to be rebuilt at about 85,000 km (52,000 miles). People are telling me that is unusual. The transmission shop had no real explanation other than "bad luck". I am the third owner and the car seemed well cared for but you never know how previous owners treat them I guess.
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IMO, a lot depends on how well the car is maintained and the driving habits of the owner. Constant harsh treatment, as with anything mechanical, can cause premature wear and breakage.
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Le Mans Master
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From: Anaheim CA
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Visalia CA
For me anyway, transmissions seem to be the only part that doesn't fail in any of the cars and trucks that I've owned over the years.
The TH350 I had in my C10 truck lasted over 100K miles and I expect my A4 to last just as long.
The TH350 I had in my C10 truck lasted over 100K miles and I expect my A4 to last just as long.
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From: Knoxville Tn
Safety Car
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From: Houston TX
The amount of torque management GM has to add to protect them during their 100k power train warranty says everything you need to know about the transmission. For what it is worth, my truck has 0% torque management.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 457
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From: Rockville MD
Mine has been very reliable, close to 160,000 miles on it now, and it has been going to the track for over 6 years... hundreds and hundreds of track passes ( and it has stretched it's legs on the street for almost 10 years). No problems so far
Pro
Joined: Aug 2014
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From: Michigan
How many times have you changed the fluid?
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,862
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From: Prescott, Arizona
My A4 got it's first fluid change at 74,000 miles when I bought the car.
Now at 97,000 miles, I've done 9 road course track days, over 700 miles at WOT or hard on the brakes.
I drive sedately on the street "most" of the time.
But I run Redline fluid and change it and filter every two years because of track use.
Because the A4 is challenging to keep cool on a road course track, I also have an extra capacity B&M finned aluminum transmission pan, a DeWitts aluminum radiator with integral trans cooler and an auxiliary transmission cooler with fluid thermostat.
It is fine so far.
Now at 97,000 miles, I've done 9 road course track days, over 700 miles at WOT or hard on the brakes.
I drive sedately on the street "most" of the time.
But I run Redline fluid and change it and filter every two years because of track use.
Because the A4 is challenging to keep cool on a road course track, I also have an extra capacity B&M finned aluminum transmission pan, a DeWitts aluminum radiator with integral trans cooler and an auxiliary transmission cooler with fluid thermostat.
It is fine so far.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Tustin California
I ran 600 HP through mine for several years until I went with an RPM level V. I drove it the way the car was meant to be driven and it never missed a beat. I only did the level V because I was in there doing a converter and 3:42. The trans looked like new and probably would have gone several more years.