I am thinking about moving to C7 but need Automatic trans because of bad back. What are the issues with A8 and are there different years to look out for. Good or Bad?

 

Shuddering A8s. No years to avoid.

 

Some have had the fluid flush, I have not, zero issues in 4 years with anything whatsoever.

 

You will find some people have issues with shuddering and others do not. If you do end up having problems with shuddering, it can likely be fixed with a transmission flush using the new improved fluid or by using the LubeGard additive. Keep in mind that most people have no problems with the A8 transmission. It may not seem like it when you start looking for people posting problems, but those results are biased to look worse than they actually are since most people do not post about NOT having any problems.

I have a 2018 Stingray with A8 and I love it. It shifts super fast without backing off the throttle, 1st gear is low enough to give awesome off the line power to the tires and 8th gear lets the engine loaf along on the highway saving gas and reducing engine wear.

If you use the paddles to shift manually, you will find there is a big lag (up to about 1 second) between clicking the paddle and when the trans actually shifts. This is not a DCT! But - you can learn to get around this lag (the lag is still there - you just need to click the paddle sooner) and fully enjoy driving the car in manual mode. I drive mine 100% of the time in manual mode. You also get Rev Match when downshifting which is both super cool and also helpful to not upset the balance of the car if you are driving it aggressively.

Mine is 5 years old with no problems at all. Did not have fluid flush or use lubegard. I also autocross in it about 9-10 times per year. A8 is fantastic for autocross!!

 

Our 2016 ragtop A8 developed the shudder at 19K. A DFW dealer performed the triple flush under powertrain warranty at no cost to us. (According to the dealer service rep at the time, the procedure would have cost about $400 had it not been covered under the warranty).

We are now at 31K with no further problems.

We trudge on (smoothly).

 

If you want an A8, then be sure it has had the triple flush on the transmission if it shows any signs of shuddering. Otherwise look for an A6 transmission car (2014) which does not have that problem.

 

Slam the loud pedal to the floor and you will find out how fast those paddles respond.

 

Keep the "R's" up, no lag! Triple Flush the Tranny is important, make sure it was done or have it done.

 

Sorry but they are still slow even in Track mode and wide open throttle. If you launch hard in 1st gear and you don't click the up shift paddle almost as soon as you start moving, you will hit the rev limiter before the transmission shifts to second.

For a full launch, I roll on the throttle to avoid too much wheelspin off the line and as soon as I get to wide open I click the upshift paddle and the trans shifts at 6000 or a bit higher. That shift is glorious as the engine makes a quick backfire sound during the shift and then 2nd is pulling hard towards 3rd. 3rd is easier to time for the paddle shift since the engine is not increasing revs as quickly as 1st does. If I leave traction control off, the tires start to spin in 1st and again in 2nd but the car just rockets ahead. And yes this is so much fun!!!!!

If you do the same launch in Drive instead of manual mode, the transmission shifts right at 6500 every time. It is impressive, but not as fun and engaging as doing it yourself. For drag racing leaving it in Drive would be the obvious best choice.

 

Spoken like a true drag racer. While some think the car is super fast there are others that feel otherwise. .

 

With Stingray's/GS's top speeds reported at over 190 MPH and 0-60 in under 4.0 seconds anyone who says C7s are "slow" is playing a few cards short of a full deck.

 

Nothing really to worry about at worst case most articles, reports put A8 failures at less than 5% of total C7 A8s, and now the Triple-Flush process has been very successful in resolving those.

 

Who said a C7 is slow? Did you even read the thread? What I said was the paddles are slow when shifting in manual mode.

 

The A8 is better than a lot of people give it credit for. In full auto it shifts very fast and if you want to just cruise around it is easy and gentle shifting. The best of both worlds, it is not all about racing with a car built for performance and road driving. I have had fast high power cars that were great to race but a pain in the *** to daily drive.

 

So you are locked into an A8. It is overwhelmingly probable you'll buy one without the shudder issue. And if you do it is highly probable the triple flush will fix it. I have two A8 C7s, and neither one has had that issue. My Z06 version had a torque tube replacement and differential replacement under warranty. I have a lot of miles on each one.

 

I would be more concerned about a torque tube failure or cracking wheels on a GS then a trans failure . BTW, if you're still concerned, look for a 2014. Different trans.

 

Few bad most are problem free. Mine has been great so far!

 

Flawless A8 in mine.

 

The dealer flushed the transmission when the shudder started at about 15,000 miles and it solved the problem. My car now has 30,000 miles and the shudder is back. Has anyone else experienced the problem coming back?

 

Just curious, did you get the triple flush (TBS 18NA-355)? I ask as GM had a previous flush (PIP5405B) for the A8 that was not near as a successful fix.