Reconditioned Audi S3 2.0 TFSI Gearbox

S tronic 6 or S tronic 7, manual or automated: the Audi S3 2.0 TFSI did not use the same gearbox from 2006 to 2020

The timeline is crucial here. On the 8P generation (2006–2012), the 2.0 TFSI with engine code CDLA or CDLB was fitted with the 6-speed S tronic or, in certain configurations, a 6-speed manual gearbox. The 8V generation (2013–2020), with engine code CJXC, switched to the 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch with wet clutch pack. These three gearbox families cannot be substituted from one generation to another, nor between the saloon and Sportback versions, which may feature different ratio variants.

Key points to watch for each transmission

The 6-speed S tronic (DL501) is known for juddering in urban driving and premature wear of the wet clutches on early model years. The 7-speed S tronic (DQ381), introduced on the 8V, addresses some of these issues but remains susceptible to overheating under repeated hard driving. The 6-speed manual, less common on the S3 2.0 TFSI, features a limited-slip differential on certain versions: check the exact reference before ordering. The S tronic gearboxes on this page are supplied without the mechatronic unit, with a new dual-clutch pack included.