A8 - Anyone NOT have trouble?
06-28-2015, 01:22 PM
#21
Le Mans Master
Now that being said, lots of people on here never had any shift issues with their '15 A8. Guess they are lucky.
Last edited by Flame Red; 06-28-2015 at 01:24 PM.
06-28-2015, 01:23 PM
#22
Instructor
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No problems at all with mine...5K miles...4 months old. In fact, I thought long and hard about getting the A8 as my first 2 vettes were manual. I find the A8 amazing....an absolute "hoot" to drive as its faster than the manual (regardless of the driver's skill set) and add's a layer of additional confidence when pushing the car on the open road. I am particularly enamored and down right thrilled about the A8's performance shift mode as it really takes advantage of the C7's torque and HP straight through the gear ladder. Mind you, I never tracked the car and don't intend to as I realize that all auto's tend to overheat when tracked as opposed to manual tranny's. Besides, if something does go wrong with my A8, I have over 4 years and over 90K miles of standard warranty coverage so I'll just have it fixed.
BTW....I would try to get a 2015 as I believe the 2016 warranty has been significantly reduced...
06-28-2015, 01:36 PM
#23
Racer
I'm sure there are people out there who have not had problems with this transmission. The blanket question of if "anyone" has not had problems is the wrong way to think about this. Some will have problems and some won't.
The bottom line is this is a newly developed transmission. It's bound to have some bugs, quirks, and items Chevy is going to have to fix or tune to make it just right. Including the overheating which still baffles me. Also, this is a complicated transmission, lots of gears, modes, technology, etc went into it. This is good and bad for all the aforementioned reasons.
You just have to ask yourself if this is what you want to deal with. For me, I thought about it and went the other direction and got the M7. No issues there, no overheating, etc.... This gave me peace of mind.
The fact you're asking if anyone has not had problems leads me to think it is of great concern to you, and rightfully so.
Good luck.
The bottom line is this is a newly developed transmission. It's bound to have some bugs, quirks, and items Chevy is going to have to fix or tune to make it just right. Including the overheating which still baffles me. Also, this is a complicated transmission, lots of gears, modes, technology, etc went into it. This is good and bad for all the aforementioned reasons.
You just have to ask yourself if this is what you want to deal with. For me, I thought about it and went the other direction and got the M7. No issues there, no overheating, etc.... This gave me peace of mind.
The fact you're asking if anyone has not had problems leads me to think it is of great concern to you, and rightfully so.
Good luck.
06-28-2015, 01:44 PM
#24
Le Mans Master
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Finalist 2020 C7 of the Year -- Unmodified
OrioleFan good points and noticed we both joined the forum the same month and year cant wait to get the the 10 year yellow member logo on my avatar in a few months. From a Football Patriots Fan!
06-28-2015, 02:37 PM
#25
Le Mans Master
06-28-2015, 03:03 PM
#26
Melting Slicks
9k on mine since I bought in Jan this year. Love it, no problems, just quirks as have been fully expressed by others already. I don't track my car, so the potential overheating is a non-issue for me.
06-28-2015, 03:06 PM
#27
Burning Brakes
Bought April 6th and now have about 2,100 miles on including some WOT performance shifts. Haven't experienced any of the clunky downshifts or other low-speed problems. No overheating, either. 
06-28-2015, 03:11 PM
#28
Melting Slicks
I already commented on the other thread but I'll pipe in again. Based on five months with my A8 I would have to say that although it has exhibited a few minor quirks, none would make me decide against it if the decision were to be made again. Keep in mind that my last eight cars over 35 years have been manuals and that I had qualms about even buying a slushbox, but decided to try something different for a change. A few notes:
1. At about two months old, on three occasions in as many days it failed to shift into Reverse from Park when cold. The shift lever moved as expected but it did not engage Reverse, and while in this position the "R" on the DIC flashed about once or twice per second. After shifting to Neutral and back to Reverse it reverted to normal behavior and it never threw any codes. A discussion ensued with the SM of a local dealer who specializes in Corvettes and it was decided that it might be an "adaptive learning" quirk, but it quit doing it before I could attempt a TCM reflash. I've never heard of anyone else reporting this quirk.
2. On two occasions it has downshifted harder than normal from 2>1, as many have observed, but it has not done this in a couple of months. Adaptive learning again?
3. For the first few hundred miles it would flare a bit on the first 1>2 shift when cold, but this has mostly gone away.
4. Tranny OT has always stayed well below engine OT (generally <200°), but this car will never see a track, so that's not an issue.
Again, I wouldn't categorize any of these quirks as deal-breakers for me, not even close, even as a die-hard manual lover. It's actually growing on me.
1. At about two months old, on three occasions in as many days it failed to shift into Reverse from Park when cold. The shift lever moved as expected but it did not engage Reverse, and while in this position the "R" on the DIC flashed about once or twice per second. After shifting to Neutral and back to Reverse it reverted to normal behavior and it never threw any codes. A discussion ensued with the SM of a local dealer who specializes in Corvettes and it was decided that it might be an "adaptive learning" quirk, but it quit doing it before I could attempt a TCM reflash. I've never heard of anyone else reporting this quirk.
2. On two occasions it has downshifted harder than normal from 2>1, as many have observed, but it has not done this in a couple of months. Adaptive learning again?
3. For the first few hundred miles it would flare a bit on the first 1>2 shift when cold, but this has mostly gone away.
4. Tranny OT has always stayed well below engine OT (generally <200°), but this car will never see a track, so that's not an issue.
Again, I wouldn't categorize any of these quirks as deal-breakers for me, not even close, even as a die-hard manual lover. It's actually growing on me.
Last edited by iclick; 06-28-2015 at 03:17 PM.
06-28-2015, 03:14 PM
#29
Le Mans Master
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The title of the thread suggests that out of the 34K Corvettes produced in 2015, the 23K that opted for the 8 Speed Auto have problems. Farthest thing from the truth!
06-28-2015, 03:15 PM
#30
Le Mans Master
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St. Jude Donor '15-'16,'18
Based on five months with my A8 I would have to say that although it has exhibited a few minor quirks, none would make me decide against it if the decision were to be made again. Keep in mind that my last eight cars over 35 years have been manuals and that I had qualms about even buying a slushbox, but decided to try something different for a change. A few notes:
1. At about two months old, on three occasions in as many days it failed to shift into Reverse from Park when cold. The shift lever moved as expected but it did not engage Reverse, and while in this position the "R" on the DIC flashed about once or twice per second. After shifting to Neutral and back to Reverse it reverted to normal behavior and it never threw any codes. A discussion ensued with the SM of a local dealer who specializes in Corvettes and it was decided that it might be an "adaptive learning" quirk, but it quit doing it before I could attempt a TCM reflash. I've never heard of anyone else reporting this quirk.
2. On two occasions it has downshifted harder than normal from 2>1, as many have observed, but it has not done this in a couple of months. Adaptive learning again?
3. For the first few hundred miles it would flare a bit on the first 1>2 shift when cold, but this has mostly gone away.
4. Tranny OT has always stayed well below engine OT (generally <200°), but this car will never see a track, so that's not an issue.
Again, I wouldn't categorize any of these quirks as deal-breakers for me, not even close, even as a die-hard manual lover. It's actually growing on me.
1. At about two months old, on three occasions in as many days it failed to shift into Reverse from Park when cold. The shift lever moved as expected but it did not engage Reverse, and while in this position the "R" on the DIC flashed about once or twice per second. After shifting to Neutral and back to Reverse it reverted to normal behavior and it never threw any codes. A discussion ensued with the SM of a local dealer who specializes in Corvettes and it was decided that it might be an "adaptive learning" quirk, but it quit doing it before I could attempt a TCM reflash. I've never heard of anyone else reporting this quirk.
2. On two occasions it has downshifted harder than normal from 2>1, as many have observed, but it has not done this in a couple of months. Adaptive learning again?
3. For the first few hundred miles it would flare a bit on the first 1>2 shift when cold, but this has mostly gone away.
4. Tranny OT has always stayed well below engine OT (generally <200°), but this car will never see a track, so that's not an issue.
Again, I wouldn't categorize any of these quirks as deal-breakers for me, not even close, even as a die-hard manual lover. It's actually growing on me.
06-28-2015, 03:24 PM
#31
Melting Slicks
It's a base with ZF1. I would not hesitate to recommend the A8 based on my experiences so far. The biggest drawback for me is the cost.
Last edited by iclick; 06-28-2015 at 03:28 PM.
06-28-2015, 04:40 PM
#33
Instructor
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Seven months and over 5K miles on my 2015 A8 Coupe with no transmission related problem. It shifts smooth and quiet. Still cannot get Pandora to work though.
06-28-2015, 05:46 PM
#34
Racer
The only teams I hate more in professional sports are the Steelers and the Yankees.
At least you're a Corvette fan.
06-28-2015, 08:15 PM
#36
No problems for about 6K miles. Some slow speed quirks. Otherwise an excellent transmission. I also drive a Porsche Macan w PDK transmission. It has similar low speed known problems. All in the programing I think.
06-28-2015, 11:15 PM
#37
I've been on the fence about upgrading from my '08 to a 2015 C7 coupe for a few weeks now. Also, really wanted to go with the A8 trans this time as this could very well be my last Vette for a long time, (my wife says she's heard this before..
)
After lurking on the C7 Gen sub-forum for a while I'm really becoming concerned that the A8 is not ready for prime time. Yikes, I would be pizzed as hell if my new Corvette had trans issues out of the gate.
Looking ot hear from A8 owners who have some miles on their cars and NOT had a problem.
) After lurking on the C7 Gen sub-forum for a while I'm really becoming concerned that the A8 is not ready for prime time. Yikes, I would be pizzed as hell if my new Corvette had trans issues out of the gate.
Looking ot hear from A8 owners who have some miles on their cars and NOT had a problem.
I have read all of these A8 threads with great interest, and seen lots of advice to race into the dealer for a reflash. Instead, I might suggest to those who have experienced this to give it some miles and let the learning process work itself out. Just my 2 cents, I am no expert. Thanks
06-28-2015, 11:25 PM
#38
Race Director
A8s are actually available in a lot of cars/trucks now but GM's are the ones that seem to have the most complaints. I have an A8 in my 14 Durango Citadel and it works perfect. It does "go thru the gears" but it is smooth. Hearing about the A8 overheating is also a concern, track driving or not. Most Corvette owners never see near the top potential of the car even on a track. Climbing up a 7-10% mountain grade in 100 degree weather can be just as tough on a car keeping cool.
Hopefully GM does fix these potential issues before I pull the trigger on a C7.
Hopefully GM does fix these potential issues before I pull the trigger on a C7.
06-28-2015, 11:28 PM
#39
Melting Slicks
I've been on the fence about upgrading from my '08 to a 2015 C7 coupe for a few weeks now. Also, really wanted to go with the A8 trans this time as this could very well be my last Vette for a long time, (my wife says she's heard this before..)
After lurking on the C7 Gen sub-forum for a while I'm really becoming concerned that the A8 is not ready for prime time. Yikes, I would be pizzed as hell if my new Corvette had trans issues out of the gate.
Looking ot hear from A8 owners who have some miles on their cars and NOT had a problem.
) After lurking on the C7 Gen sub-forum for a while I'm really becoming concerned that the A8 is not ready for prime time. Yikes, I would be pizzed as hell if my new Corvette had trans issues out of the gate.
Looking ot hear from A8 owners who have some miles on their cars and NOT had a problem.
06-28-2015, 11:41 PM
#40
Racer
2015 Z51 with 3,000 miles. Built Sept. 2014. I love my A8. I had a C6 with the A6 and ALWAYS used the paddles. Tried doing the same with my A8 and then also decided to try it in fully automatic mode for awhile. I now really like the way it performs in full automatic mode. Wide open upshifts must be experienced! The sound alone is worth it. I also experienced the start up issues and cold shifting issues that others have mentioned but those have pretty much gone away as the miles went by. This A8 is a complicated beast and an engineering marvel as far as I am concerned. The only negative is that they did not see fit to allow the A8 to NOT go into V4 mode when in fully automatic shifting mode. I hate the constant change in exhaust sound when it changes back and forth between V8 and V4 modes.