BillR

We just took our 2012 A4 in for its 8000Km service. The dealership said that the car had been flagged for a software upgrade. Since new is usually better, why not?

I found out that for me new is definitely not better! Gone are those beautiful, crisp, firm, upshifts! In their place are sluggish, slushy ones!

I spoke with the Service Manager and asked that the software upgrade be backed out. He told me that it can't be done - at least not by them. It turns out that the dealerships don't even do the upgrades. They just plug the car in and some computer in Audiland pushes the upgrade across the net.

The Service Manager is a kindred spirit and also appreciated the way that the transmission used to shift, but he explained that the transmission was changed because so many people were complaining about "harsh shifting". He even grinned when I told him that if I'd wanted a Buick, I would have bought a Buick. For me, this upgrade has spoiled the car! It was the only automatic that I'd ever driven that I liked! I test drove it that way, I bought it that way, and now they've changed it!

The Service Manager advised me to all Audi Canada, complain, and see if the old software can be loaded into the car again. I'm now waiting for them to get back to me.

This upgrade applies to all Audis that use the 8 speed auto. All new vehicles that are unsold will be upgraded, and any that come in for service will be also. If you like a good firm shift, ask to test drive a car with the upgrade and see if you like it before you let them "improve" yours. If you like to drive and barely notice the transmission shifting - you're in luck.

PhinX404

well that's disappointing to hear... i dont even have a 1,000kms on mine yet and love how it drives.
just wondering if they said or you have done any research to see what ever the software update does besides the smoother shifting?

BillR

The shifting was the only thing that the Service Manager mentioned. I'm sure that there were other changes as well.

It's been 2 full days now and no call back from Audi Canada. I'll give them a call back tomorrow afternoon if they don't call before then.

Bill

PhinX404

Keep us posted. I know I'm following as I have same car myself.

BillR

I got a call from Audi Canada Friday afternoon. They said that I should make an appointment at the dealership and involve the Service Manager. With help from Toronto they are going to try to restore the old version of the software. My appointment is for the 17th. I'll report the results.

Hope it works.

PhinX404

Well happy to hear they called you back. Sucks it took so long! Best of luck and looking forward to hearin how it goes

BillR

I took the car back to the dealership today where the local techs worked with people in Toronto to try to load the original software into the car's computers. No joy They're still saying that it can't be done.

I've called the Audi Canada help line again to see if they can find the person, wherever they may be, that can do this. I worked in the computer field for nearly 40 years and I've run into cases where "new and better" software fixes some problems, but introduces other ones. I've had to "convince" computers to accept older versions of software even though they don't want to. I'm still hopeful that it can be done, I just have to find the right person.

To sum up my disappointment with the new software: The transmission used to feel like a perfectly executed upshift with a manual transmission. Now it feels like the clutch on that manual transmission is worn out and slipping. It takes noticeably longer for acceleration to resume and what used to be "engage the next gear/lock up the torque converter/reapply the throttle" in one quick action is now "engage the next gear - pause - lock up the torque converter - pause - reapply the throttle" You can actually feel the three separate actions where they used to happen all at once.

The real kicker is that the car that I test drove and bought is no longer the car that I have. It's almost as bad as if they'd painted the car a different colour as an "upgrade".

I hope I have happier news later.

Bill

PhinX404

sorry to hear bout your luck. im thinking id like to get mine done just for the fact that when i get stuck in traffic that's slow in 1st-3rd gears just feel the thud or pull back when i let off the accelerator. hope that makes sense.

BillR

And the final answer is: like it or lump it!

I went back yesterday and had a long talk with the Service Manager. He and the Tech people from Toronto tried everything that they could think of to remove, overlay, undo, rip out the recent software upgrade. Can't be done!

He did say that in talking with the Tech guys, they mentioned that as part of the upgrade that the shift elapsed time had been "elongated" due to customer feedback. So many people had complained that they didn't like to feel the transmission shifting that the did what they could to smooth the shifts out. The annoying thing is that I didn't ask for mine to be "fixed", but every owner will get this "improvement" whether they want it or not, unless they sign a document stating that they don't want the software upgrade put on.

The only ray of hope from Audi is that they may, if they get enough feedback, create an upgrade to the upgrade for those drivers who want the original shifting returned. My call to the Audi Canada help line is part of this process. I've also asked our sales guy to call whoever he can on that side of the house to see what can be done.

On another front, I've contacted the StaSIS people to see if they offer transmission software to match their engine software. Still waiting on that.

If I can't find any joy from Audi or StaSIS, my only options are to learn to accept the sluggish upshifts or to vote with my wallet and look for another vehicle. Too bad because I really liked the car.

Bill

Axel

I would bitch and complain so much that they'd hate me. I don't know what I'd exactly do as I haven't given it much thought but I'd complain along the lines that my car was broken by the dealership and you guys fix it at whatever cost and I'd for sure go to the media (like the Star's wheels and other stuff like that). Probably wouldn't amount to anything but I'd try it all. That's just horrible.

Good luck!