Audi Multitronic and S Tronic - How reliable?

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Fuma

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Been working for almost 10 years and I would like to "spoil/reward" myself by driving a nice car and I'm very interested in the Audi A5 (S5/RS5 :love:), BUT I heard some horror stories about the multitornic/S tronic gearboxes packing up after 100 000KM. Replacing one would rear end over R100k.

I would like to buy one with warranty/motor plan (since I can't afford new), but I want to drive it for a couple of years and enjoy my hard work - after paying off all my debts.

Does anyone have a multitornic/S tronic Audi and how is it?
 
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Gaz{M}

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Fuma said:
Been working for almost 10 years and I would like to "spoil/reward" myself by driving a nice car and I'm very interested in the Audi A5 (S5/RS5 :love:), BUT I heard some horror stories about the multitornic/S tronic gearboxes packing up after 100 000KM. Replacing one would rear end over R100k.

I would like to buy one with warranty/motor plan (since I can't afford new), but I want to drive it for a couple of years and enjoy my hard work - after paying off all my debts.

Does anyone have a multitornic/S tronic Audi and how is it?
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I have a 2010 Multitronic, so it's still newish, but so far no issues whatsoever. I believe the new Multitronic boxes are much stronger than the previous generation. I also recently received an email that Audi is offering 7yrs/200 000km maintenance plans now.

I haven't heard any stories from colleagues or friends about multitronic/s-tronic gearbox failures lately, so perhaps the previous issues are resolved.

That said, if I had a choice, I would go S-Tronic. Multitronic is a bit strange and I prefer a normal automatic gearbox, which should be more reliable.

Definitely get a warrantee or maintenance plan extension and you should have no worries.
 
S

Simowalla

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TCM (Tranmission control Module) is (could be) problimatic. Not cheap to replace. Get warrantee as mentioned.
 
Naks

Naks

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S-tronic - very reliable, but make sure the transmission fluid is changed when specified.
 
Hemi300c

Hemi300c

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I wouldn't suggest the RS5 in multi/Stronic as they engine is too powerfull for the g/box. A friend has had 2 replaced in his RS5 which has less than 20K on the clock and he doesn't rip the ring out of it either. It is a beaut of a car though.
 
Chevron

Chevron

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Fuma said:
Been working for almost 10 years and I would like to "spoil/reward" myself by driving a nice car and I'm very interested in the Audi A5 (S5/RS5 :love:), BUT I heard some horror stories about the multitornic/S tronic gearboxes packing up after 100 000KM. Replacing one would rear end over R100k.

I would like to buy one with warranty/motor plan (since I can't afford new), but I want to drive it for a couple of years and enjoy my hard work - after paying off all my debts.

Does anyone have a multitornic/S tronic Audi and how is it?
Click to expand...

Why not rather get a cheaper brand new car like a civic or a focus?
 
Naks

Naks

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Update: there seems to be an issue on the 7-speed S-tronic units, see http://www.autoevolution.com/news/faulty-volkswagen-dsg-gearboxes-reported-in-europe-46766.html

We have been informed that owners of Euro-spec VW cars (Polo, Golf and Scirocco) are reporting similar problems to the ones that caused a massive recall in China (500,000-strong). The issue has been reported in France, where owners of the aforementioned cars started reporting hearing strange noises coming from the gearbox, which lead them to believe that there may be a design flaw which wears the mechanisms inside it prematurely.

The culprit is VW’s latest twin-clutch setup, the seven-speed DSG7, which reportedly makes the ‘strange noises’ when shifting from 4th to 3rd, 3rd to 2nd and 2nd to 1st, inside the car. However, outside, a different sound is audible, a metallic and repetitive sound which is made when the car goes over speed-bumps. Whatever it is, it sounds serious, especially since owners first began to hear it “a few weeks after delivery” (of the car) - nothing should wear out that quickly.

Also, since the problem in China was never really solved, as they just increased the warranty coverage to 10 years, it will be interesting to see how VW handle this problem in a market very close to home - France. Furthermore, the angry group of French VW owners claim that Seat, Skoda and Audi drivers are also reporting the same problems, so If this report turns out to be accurate, it will spark further outrage and may dent VW’s famed ‘bulletproof’ reliability record.
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Chevron

Chevron

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Naks said:
'cos they're rubbish compared to an A5 ;)
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Yeah, but an expensive second hand car means expensive to fix when something breaks. Brand new car shouldn't have any issues and under warranty for 5years.

Guess it depends on how much you value peace of mind.
 
Naks

Naks

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Rouxenator said:
Perhaps, but they still have way better and more exciting styling.
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Yeah, maybe. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, neh?

The A5 is somewhat bland IMHO, but by being so it will not date quickly.
 
SmartKit

SmartKit

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Fuma said:
Been working for almost 10 years and I would like to "spoil/reward" myself by driving a nice car and I'm very interested in the Audi A5 (S5/RS5 :love:), BUT I heard some horror stories about the multitornic/S tronic gearboxes packing up after 100 000KM. Replacing one would rear end over R100k.

I would like to buy one with warranty/motor plan (since I can't afford new), but I want to drive it for a couple of years and enjoy my hard work - after paying off all my debts.

Does anyone have a multitornic/S tronic Audi and how is it?
Click to expand...

Just remember Stronic =/= Multitronic. An Stronic gearbox, the 7 speed in the A5, is a dual ten part multi-plate clutch electronic system (automatic gearboxes do not have clutches). Multitronic is also not an automatic gearbox (it is a seven part multi-plate clutch, continuously variable transmission gearbox).

Yes, neither are automatic gearboxes, but both technologies are vastly different. The Stronic handles up to 600 Nm of torque (compared to the 400 Nm on the multitronic)! So you will have no issues.

I had a 2.0T with a DSG for 6 years and an A5 with an Stronic for 6 months and neither has given me a days' issue. It must be noted that the Stronic is a big improvement over the DSG.

(Oh and you have paddles if you're up for changing gears yourself ;))

So go for it!
 
Last edited:
ands45

ands45

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Old thread, but also wondering on the reliability of the multitronic. Am looking at a 2015 A4 multitronic and that is my main concern. Any updated info on this?
 
M

MR.C

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ands45 said:
Old thread, but also wondering on the reliability of the multitronic. Am looking at a 2015 A4 multitronic and that is my main concern. Any updated info on this?
Click to expand...
From what I've heard, stay away.
 
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