2019 a8
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 718
Likes: 67
From: Catonsville Maryland
2019 a8
I know there are many threads on this, but in particular, I just want to know how much has changed in the A8 from 2015? I had a Z51 A8 which was lemoned because of the A8. Back in the market, but want to know if things have changed since then for 2019. Considering a Z06 A8.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 3,340
Likes: 2,084
From: Lehigh Valley PA
I'll let others who know more chime in...but I think between a RANGE device (that disables AFM) and the Triple Flush (Service Bulletin) - you can pretty much negate most if not all risk of the shudder. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 921
Likes: 345
yes the new fluid which came out I think came out in feb of last year should fix the shudder. Keep the auto in manual mode and do not have to worry about V4 mode or get the device other have mentioned. The main reason I went with the manual was because the shifts using paddles was to slow for what I was use to and expected. My trade for the C7 was a PDK car.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 718
Likes: 67
From: Catonsville Maryland
yes the new fluid which came out I think came out in feb of last year should fix the shudder. Keep the auto in manual mode and do not have to worry about V4 mode or get the device other have mentioned. The main reason I went with the manual was because the shifts using paddles was to slow for what I was use to and expected. My trade for the C7 was a PDK car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,648
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From: NW Indiana
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '24
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2018
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,426
Likes: 3,611
From: Commerce Texas
Some A8s had problems, certainly not all...have friends with '15 A8s with more than 80K trouble free miles. I'm confident enough in the A8 that I traded my '15 with MN7 (96K+ miles) for a '19 A8....
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 9,160
Likes: 4,009
From: 2019 CMG Z06
The new programming and upgrades on the 19 Z06 make it an absolute joy to drive. If the car you're buying is built before Feb 1 2019, you drive it a bit and drive to a dealer you trust and say you notice a shudder. That's all, GM requires nothing else. They will triple flush your system and fill it up with the new blue label Mobil1. The latest TSB id March 30, 2020, but the date and fluid mandate did not change. Post Feb 1 2019 build does not require anything.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 15,049
Likes: 1,613
From: Holly Springs NC
St. Jude Donor '16-'17,'22,'24
Since the introduction of the new fluid in 2019, the number of new threads complaining about the shudder problem have dropped dramatically. That's a great indicator that the flush with the new fluid must be working.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 426
Likes: 197
From: Boston
My 2019 GS A8 has been great since the weather warmed up. I have the Range device in it since the 80 mile mark or so before I got it only had it in manual mode.
Here in the northeast when I took it out below 50 degrees the first shift from first to second was always a bit wonky. Since the weather has been 50+ the last couple weeks that seems to have gone away.
The shift at redline in track mode is unbelievably smooth. Way smoother than both my DCTs.
Here in the northeast when I took it out below 50 degrees the first shift from first to second was always a bit wonky. Since the weather has been 50+ the last couple weeks that seems to have gone away.
The shift at redline in track mode is unbelievably smooth. Way smoother than both my DCTs.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 426
Likes: 197
From: Boston
Yup, my build date was June 2019.
I’ll add that I was a freak about following the manual instruction of not cruising in any gear for too long. Most of my 500 breakin miles were on the freeway and constantly flipping through the gears.
I’ll add that I was a freak about following the manual instruction of not cruising in any gear for too long. Most of my 500 breakin miles were on the freeway and constantly flipping through the gears.
Last edited by ShadyVette; May 27, 2020 at 11:04 PM.
Pro
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 586
Likes: 36
From: Venice, Florida
St. Jude Donor '07
My 2019 A8 Grand Sport, 5000 miles, built April 2019. On the first start of the day, the 1st to 2nd shift is very Clunky,rough, feels kinda like it has a 1 second miss or something. After that first shift it gets better and after 2nd or 3rd shift completly gone, Rest of the starts that day are all good. Is this the shudder or is this something else. I live in South Florida, cold is not the issue for sure. Any thoughts?
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,503
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From: Pittsburgh PA
2025 C8 Stingray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I had a 2016 A8 on a car built end of Oct 2015 and never had a single issue with the transmission. Rear end and "warble", yes. But nothing transmission related.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,359
Likes: 604
Welll... I am not even going to say my 19 A8 GS is kicking *** at 19K, but I won’t because **** happens when I celebrate 
I went thru the T/C issue on my 16 from shudder to full replacement was 2 days !! With a loaner and a dealer that knows/cares what they are doing ..mine was not the horror story that I have heard others have reported. The trick is to know the tell tale signs Shudder , erratic RPM’s that are disconnected from what your foot is asking ...slam dunk
I went thru the T/C issue on my 16 from shudder to full replacement was 2 days !! With a loaner and a dealer that knows/cares what they are doing ..mine was not the horror story that I have heard others have reported. The trick is to know the tell tale signs Shudder , erratic RPM’s that are disconnected from what your foot is asking ...slam dunkLast edited by bbrown450; May 28, 2020 at 04:36 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 2,073
Likes: 1,306
From: Midwest
Originally Posted by PDQ;[url=tel:1601578965
1601578965[/url]]My 2019 A8 Grand Sport, 5000 miles, built April 2019. On the first start of the day, the 1st to 2nd shift is very Clunky,rough, feels kinda like it has a 1 second miss or something. After that first shift it gets better and after 2nd or 3rd shift completly gone, Rest of the starts that day are all good. Is this the shudder or is this something else. I live in South Florida, cold is not the issue for sure. Any thoughts?
to eliminate the jerk. Still mine shifts proper with even the older fluid. I have never had a rough shift with my car like I did with the earlier ones I had.
Pro
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 586
Likes: 36
From: Venice, Florida
St. Jude Donor '07
OK this is so strange, I had a 2017 GS that would have a very rough shift from 1st to 2nd first thing in the morning then it would be fine after that. My 2019 built in January of 2018 2nd week of 2019 production shifts flawlessly without that 1 to two jerk. Your car should have the second generation trans fluid in it that is supposed
to eliminate the jerk. Still mine shifts proper with even the older fluid. I have never had a rough shift with my car like I did with the earlier ones I had.
to eliminate the jerk. Still mine shifts proper with even the older fluid. I have never had a rough shift with my car like I did with the earlier ones I had.