just today out of the blue first and I think second gear went on my 1998 A8 - 85,000 miles. the car accelerates really slow until I get to around 35 mph an then it works normally. anyone experience this trouble - have an idea what it is?? I would like to think of it as a computer problem but the horrible cluck I hear when it first happened leads me to believe it is mechanical. Ironically I am due to bring it into the shop (I think it really likes it there considering how many times it goes) so I just want to get some feedback on problems and repair costs.

Eric

 

If it doesn't have any faults it sounds like your transmission is done for. Although it could be your valve body sticking so get it checked out by a good tech.

 

If oil, gaskets and filter change doesn't fix the problem, and gearbox oil pan magnets contain little metal pieces then there is nothing to do but gearbox repair. Some gearboxes cannot be repaired and has to be changed. Talking about 5 gears automatic transmission. Very usefull link http://www.audipages.com/Tech_Articl...servicing.html.
And one thing you don't want to see in your gearbox