Audi Multitronic gearbox

[fermerboy]

Going to look at a used Audi A4 tomorrow.

It has a multitronic auto gearbox in it, its a7speed CVT apparently.
Google finds a lot of different opinions on this gearbox, some bad some ok.

It seems quite a complicated arrangement, planning to run this car to 100k+ if I buy it so it needs to be solid good job. Always had manual VW till now, not that bothered about a auto, just happens this car has it.

Anybody had any experience ofthis box in a Audi car?
Opinions good or bad?
This is not the later S tronic or DSG box.

 

[How much]

Is it a twin clutch job or a proper automatic ? I've never heard of multitronic and my last 5 cars have been Audi and latterly VW s' with both DSG and s tronic boxes i'm not sure what the difference is ? and only had one issue with a computer on an Audi DSG computer /valve ( they where combined and only available as a pair apparently) the would not hold on hill without running backwards that was fixed under warranty oldest one had 98k on it when i part x'ed it and i would be happy enough to run any up to to 100k+ as long as the servicing has been done , with oil and filter changes done you should be ok.

 

[stellify]

It's a fantastic gearbox - I miss it! It was the best thing about my old Audi IMO. Super smooth and always seemed to be in the right 'gear' and at the right revs no matter what you was doing.

I bought the car with 15k on the clock and then added another 75k. It never missed a beat and when it left it drove as good as the day I bought it.

I wouldn't want to pick up the bill if it did go bang! But saying that, I wouldn't want to pick up the bill for any gearbox from any of premium brand!

 

[milkloss]

I'd prefer a car with proper cogs myself. Could be a shitter if it goes bang.

 

[fermerboy]

Is it a twin clutch job or a proper automatic ? I've never heard of multitronic and my last 5 cars have been Audi and latterly VW s' with both DSG and s tronic boxes i'm not sure what the difference is ?

Its neither, its a CVT continuously variable transmission with computer controlled steps to mimick gears. Fitted to front wheel drive A4, A5, A6, and I think A8 too. Quattros all have the earlier tiptronic, or S tronic(which is called DSG in a VW)
The early ones were trouble but the newer ones are better according to what I can see on Google.

I'd prefer a car with proper cogs myself. Could be a shitter if it goes bang.

Tend to agree, with a bit of luck the Mrs wont like it (never driven an auto of any sort) and we will look for a manual.

 

[Timbo]

fluid changes essential despite them being sealed for life...

 

[Getnthair]

I'm on my second A6 Avant with a Multitronic gearbox.

First one was on a '54 plate car and I did worry about it. The clutch plates (or drive plates - I realise you don't have a clutch on an automatic) weren't strong enough on the earlier ones. It did get slow to take-off around 60k miles and I had the gearbox oils changed. Car was at 125k miles when I sold it and I had no further concerns about the gearbox. 130hp diesel engine - and I wanted to chip it but was told that extra power would break the gearbox.

New one is 18 months old - 177hp engine now - and it is faster. New Multironic has stronger drive and I am more relaxed about this one.

As a drive system they are very smooth and my wife and I both like it. There is an odd sensation when you accelerate - particularly noticeable when in "kick-down" - that the engine revs very hard and then the speed picks up as the CVT drive catches up with the engine. No sensation of changing gears at all - as there are none to change!!!

Audi now fitting S'tronic gearbox to new A6s - which is similar to the DSG? - but I don't know if that applies to the A4.

 

[fermerboy]

That's a good report getnthair, thanks.
Audi have stopped multitronic on all models now, think it's S tonic for all.
If only the budget would go to a 3.0 twin turbo tdi Black Edition Quattro. ....

 

[milkloss]

That's a good report getnthair, thanks.
Audi have stopped multitronic on all models now, think it's S tonic for all.
If only the budget would go to a 3.0 twin turbo tdi Black Edition Quattro. ....

Yea, RS4 all the way for me. So regret selling that car (probably not the potential repair bills though!)

 

[bravheart]

Smooth driver with paddles to play with if you want,think it may have had 8 gear steps, new one stronic not bad but you can feel the changes, also around 8 mpg better.

 

[Henery]

Ran an A4 with that transmission. Got to about 80k I think, started the dreaded judder under hard acceleration , got shut of it , if they fail its very expensive. Much prefer some cogs myself, auto though, can't be bothered with manuals.
Quattros all have a proper auto I was told.

 

[Downtrodden Dad]

Got an A6 with it here 56 plate really good to drive and would have another if I ever can afford one. Maybe an age thing. (me not the car)

 

[fermerboy]

Update for yhose who were kind enough to reply.
Went to see it on Sat, Audi main dealer, scared to sit down in case I dirtied something! !!
A4 Avant 2.0tdi SE. Very tidy car, whoever owned it didn't have kids like mine! Must admit I was very impressed with how it drove, gearbox is very smooth. Drives like 8 speed auto, push gear lever to the left and it acts as a sequential box. Main lever can be pulled back a notch into sport mode. Auto very cool in stop start traffic.
Don't think it will be a car for hustling cross country like Golf though
Mrs liked it too so it's bought! Fresh test and new front tyres to do and it will be home.
Hope it does as well as current Golf Tdi has.

 

[Farma Parma]

A Rep I use for Inputs has always had Audi or VW cars for aslong as I can remember, anyways he does 40k miles yearly, & currently has a Audi Q3 which has the 177hp TDI Engine in & is Quattro & is 7 speed Auto or S Tronic whatever it is but mind its a cracking gbox
its done 110k now & never one gbox issue & he doesn't hang about mind.

 

[stellify]

Update for yhose who were kind enough to reply.
Went to see it on Sat, Audi main dealer, scared to sit down in case I dirtied something! !!
A4 Avant 2.0tdi SE. Very tidy car, whoever owned it didn't have kids like mine! Must admit I was very impressed with how it drove, gearbox is very smooth. Drives like 8 speed auto, push gear lever to the left and it acts as a sequential box. Main lever can be pulled back a notch into sport mode. Auto very cool in stop start traffic.
Don't think it will be a car for hustling cross country like Golf though
Mrs liked it too so it's bought! Fresh test and new front tyres to do and it will be home.
Hope it does as well as current Golf Tdi has.

You'll never look back after using a decent auto... plus it's so much easy to enjoy a coffee whilst on the move!

 

[Old Codger]

Going to look at a used Audi A4 tomorrow.

It has a multitronic auto gearbox in it, its a7speed CVT apparently.
Google finds a lot of different opinions on this gearbox, some bad some ok.

It seems quite a complicated arrangement, planning to run this car to 100k+ if I buy it so it needs to be solid good job. Always had manual VW till now, not that bothered about a auto, just happens this car has it.

Anybody had any experience ofthis box in a Audi car?
Opinions good or bad?
This is not the later S tronic or DSG box.

Run - as fast as you can, It's a nasty CVT box, generally hated by the trade.

Going to look at a used Audi A4 tomorrow.

It has a multitronic auto gearbox in it, its a7speed CVT apparently.
Google finds a lot of different opinions on this gearbox, some bad some ok.

It seems quite a complicated arrangement, planning to run this car to 100k+ if I buy it so it needs to be solid good job. Always had manual VW till now, not that bothered about a auto, just happens this car has it.

Anybody had any experience ofthis box in a Audi car?
Opinions good or bad?
This is not the later S tronic or DSG box.

Avoid the multitronic like the plague, the trade does.
It's OK when new but very expensively troublesome with a few miles on.

I know two people who owned A4 multitronics, both had very expensive transmission replacements at about 75/80k.

The DSG boxes last a little longer - they generally fail at 120k or thereabout.
My old A4 Avant manual is still on the original clutch and gearbox at 148k

VAG are using the ZF HP8 in their premium models now - for a reason!

 

[fermerboy]

Run - as fast as you can, It's a nasty CVT box, generally hated by the trade.


Avoid the multitronic like the plague, the trade does.
It's OK when new but very expensively troublesome with a few miles on.

I know two people who owned A4 multitronics, both had very expensive transmission replacements at about 75/80k.

The DSG boxes last a little longer - they generally fail at 120k or thereabout.
My old A4 Avant manual is still on the original clutch and gearbox at 148k

VAG are using the ZF HP8 in their premium models now - for a reason!

Well you fairly know how to make my day!!

I know the earlier ones were bother but have been led to believe the latest 7 plate clutch/8 speed ones are good.
Might trade it a bit sharper than my 100k+ usual.

 

[Mursal]

That's a lovely car you just bought, good luck with it ...........
@farmerboy

No they'll invoice you if you dirtied anything ...............

 

[Timbo]

Get the fluid and filter changed.

 

[Chae1]

Update for yhose who were kind enough to reply.
Went to see it on Sat, Audi main dealer, scared to sit down in case I dirtied something! !!
A4 Avant 2.0tdi SE. Very tidy car, whoever owned it didn't have kids like mine! Must admit I was very impressed with how it drove, gearbox is very smooth. Drives like 8 speed auto, push gear lever to the left and it acts as a sequential box. Main lever can be pulled back a notch into sport mode. Auto very cool in stop start traffic.
Don't think it will be a car for hustling cross country like Golf though
Mrs liked it too so it's bought! Fresh test and new front tyres to do and it will be home.
Hope it does as well as current Golf Tdi has.

Did you buy it from Audi dealer in Aberdeen? I just bought a evoke from them for Mrs chae and was very impressed with service from them for a second hand car. They brought the car out too our house for test drive and delivered it too. Couldn't recommend them highly enough.

Couldn't say same for land rover dealer.