Tiptronic sucks (2002 S6 Avant)
05-23-2007, 09:27 PM
#1
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Tiptronic sucks (2002 S6 Avant)
Okay, we've had this '02 S6 Avant for about three months now.
Tiptronic sucks.
Okay, it's no worse - a bit better - than those in E39 and E46 BMWs I've driven but it still sucks.
To wit:
a) In 'D' mode, it seems to want to start in second gear, which is a stupid idea to begin with. But it won't stay in second; even modest acceleration causes it to downshift to first just as the car starts rolling, making starting off from a stop jerkier than it needs to be.
b) In 'S' mode, it's smoother launching, but even at almost no throttle opening it won't upshift until over 3000RPM.
c) Even in 'S' mode the engine management backs off the throttle to 'ooze' the upshifts, which drags out the shift process uncomfortably long.
d) Manual upshifts and downshifts happen someday. Pop the lever or push the button and it starts thinking about it and then you get an upshift or downshift something like 100 feet down the road.
It is, at least, easier to get it to do a part-throttle kickdown than most Steptronic BMWs I've driven, and of course BMW screwed up the direction of the lever sometime after 2000.
The GM 4L80E in my old Suburban shifts better than the Audi: upshifts are clean and crisp, downshifts happen as soon as you move the lever, poking the gas pedal gets a downshift NOW.
Is there a fix out there somewhere?
Tiptronic sucks.
Okay, it's no worse - a bit better - than those in E39 and E46 BMWs I've driven but it still sucks.
To wit:
a) In 'D' mode, it seems to want to start in second gear, which is a stupid idea to begin with. But it won't stay in second; even modest acceleration causes it to downshift to first just as the car starts rolling, making starting off from a stop jerkier than it needs to be.
b) In 'S' mode, it's smoother launching, but even at almost no throttle opening it won't upshift until over 3000RPM.
c) Even in 'S' mode the engine management backs off the throttle to 'ooze' the upshifts, which drags out the shift process uncomfortably long.
d) Manual upshifts and downshifts happen someday. Pop the lever or push the button and it starts thinking about it and then you get an upshift or downshift something like 100 feet down the road.
It is, at least, easier to get it to do a part-throttle kickdown than most Steptronic BMWs I've driven, and of course BMW screwed up the direction of the lever sometime after 2000.
The GM 4L80E in my old Suburban shifts better than the Audi: upshifts are clean and crisp, downshifts happen as soon as you move the lever, poking the gas pedal gets a downshift NOW.
Is there a fix out there somewhere?
05-24-2007, 05:11 AM
#6
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Also changes the behavior of the 2002+ as well...
...more like a hybrid somewhere between D and S, still can hold 1st longer in tip mode, and on 2002 models will make the tip buttons work in D and S mode (shifter does NOT have to be in the tip mode for buttons/paddles to work).
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05-24-2007, 05:24 AM
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Did you not notice those issues when you test drove it?
I also have a '02 S6. Yes, the Tip is annoying at times but I'm going to try the recode. Shifting is not quite as nice as my 95 UrS6 with manual but hey, this is an automatic. I knew that when I bought the car. Try the recode. Find out when the transmission was serviced and filter changed.
After reading this post and your previous post (two down) I wonder why you bought the S6 at all. The steering, suspension, and transmission are pretty big factors for me when I buy a car and if I didn't like them I wouldn't buy it. But that's my .02 cents. Good luck with the car. I'm sure you'll find a happy buyer if/when you sell it.
After reading this post and your previous post (two down) I wonder why you bought the S6 at all. The steering, suspension, and transmission are pretty big factors for me when I buy a car and if I didn't like them I wouldn't buy it. But that's my .02 cents. Good luck with the car. I'm sure you'll find a happy buyer if/when you sell it.
05-24-2007, 05:41 AM
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I've had one for 4 years, and it does not start in 2nd gear. The S6 tip recode differs, in
my experience. Search as I just posted my combo last month on this forum. No behavior change in D or S, just tip toggle switches become active all the time.
This is really not the right place for sympathy about Audi hatred, I think. See post below equating Audi to Oldsmobile, to further your GM commentary. Maybe try a BMW forum?
This is really not the right place for sympathy about Audi hatred, I think. See post below equating Audi to Oldsmobile, to further your GM commentary. Maybe try a BMW forum?