I have a 2001 Audi A8 Quattro

Still sounds like low transmission fluid to me. The Audi transmission is supposed to be maintenance free, so it has no dipstick or reservoir. So if there is or has been a leak It may be low. Unfortunately, unless you want to crawl underneath the vehicle you will need to take it to a shop experienced with Audi to have the level checked. When I buy a used vehicle I always have all the fluids changed as preventative maintenance. I would suggest that you have the transmission fluid completely changed and checked for leaks as soon as possible. As leaving it in this state could cause further damage.

Sounds like your car may be low on fluid. Don't drive it that way as you will ruin a very expensive transmission! Most cars have a dipstick for checking the transmission fluid level but no reservoir. Your owners manual will show were it is and how to check the fluid level.

Hopefully he's right- and a little fluid will fix it- but.......those cars are notoriously crappy with short-lived engines and trannys- and super expensive to fix- amazing that it still runs- your "friend" must know this if he has owned it for any time and is super relieved to unload it at any price- with "friends" like this, who needs enemies?

It hank you for your answered. There is no dipstick to check. I believe I learned (from YouTube) that it has to go up on a hoist, to a pan that must be dropped to access where the transmission fluid is.

I need to get mine up in the air to check. It's going to cost around $100 for the fluid., and items to pump it in there., but oh well. that's what it takes. pumping it up there with a special curved tubing, and a pump. HarborFreight usually has stuff like this, to help this attempt. I will let you know if it works for me. Wallace

My 2000 A8 is currently suffering similar problems. Unfortunately, I may have missed the warning signs and am currentlly crossing my fingers. The warning signs are slippage, rough shifting and or a sound that is a bit like a belt slipping. My car has 143K miles. Don't - repeat - Don't just add fluid. Have the fluid AND filter changed. From what I have read, many times the shifting problems are caused by a restrictive or clogged filter. Also, only use Audi transmission fluid, it will cost more than $100 bucks for this. The specs for the fluid are very specific and thus far, only one of the authorized rebuilders for these transmissions have found a suitable fluid that's actually a bit more in price. This is a ZF transmission and although Audi says it's a lifetime trans. ZF has stated they never told Audi that. (?) Transmission replacement for this car can cost about $10K Hopefully it's not too late for you.

Mines is similar but makes a,winning sound upfront, gonna buy a new gearbox cooler and have installed with new filter/ fluid before I buy a transmission

I had a mechanic drain all the old stuff out, pulled it all apart and replaced the filter - them reassembled and pumped in new fluid. It was $120 for the stuff and another $100 for this guy to perform the work. He did it just like some people describe and how I viewed in the youtube videos. It just did the same. I’ll need to ha e it towed into the shop and diagnosed. Thank you for the answers— Happy New Year 2020!