I drive a 99 A4 2.8qm, and it seems like the gearing is incredibly short on my car. First gear will get me to about 22 mph, second will get me to 40, third goes to 60, fourth goes to 75 or so, and I haven't maxed out fifth, but at 45mph in fifth it's at 3000rpm and at 75 it's at 5000 rpm. I still get around 25.5 mpg, and the only tranny issue I'm aware of is my first gear synchro. I know this can't be normal, so does anyone have any ideas on why it runs so high? I don't think the clutch is slipping either. Thanks!

 

and this is WOT,and is it an automatic?
i know my 5 speed isn't at 5k at 75mph.....i don't think

 

Yeah it's WOT and a 5 speed manual. I know it's not normal, I just don't know why it's like that at all. Especially since gas mileage is still good and the clutch seems fine.

 

hmm,
i don't know if this will help any but check it out.

post:
http://forums.audiworld.com/showthread.php?t=2783510

Calculator:
Speed/RPM Calculator

 

Thanks, I actually used the exact same sites earlier to confirm that the car is being weird. I watched some videos of people doing 0-60/90 or whatever runs in the same car to see what speed each gear got them to, and it was about what the calculator said. It's odd that my mechanic has never mentioned anything about it, considering he's driven my car multiple times, and it's always been this way. I'll have to ask him.

 

that is definetely odd, i will see what else i can find out for ya. Different differentials maybe, any real aftermarket done to it prior to your ownership?

 

Thanks man. There are no mods that I know of. I was wondering if at some point someone had to swap the tranny, but I can't imagine they would have put in one so different from stock. I've put off doing anything about it since it still drives fine, but it's odd for sure. I wonder if the carfax would reveal anything...

 

My '99 2.8 5-speed is at 3300 at 60 mph. The 2.8 has taller gears than the 1.8T. If yours is revving higher, perhaps at some point, a po replaced the tranny with one from a 1.8T. If you look at the sticker in the spare tire well, there should be a transmission code and you could look up what the ratios are supposed to be.

 

Alright, I'll check that out. Thanks!

 

Neither of those are right according to what I've seen. My 2.8L 5-speed is at 2700 around 65 and 3000 at about 70mph, as are all the other 5-speed 2.8s I've driven. Looking through the archives, prior posts from other members confirm these speed/rev numbers.