[spannerrash]

2002 Audi S8 D2 86000mls

Hello all

I have owned the above car for about 8 months and am spending a small fortune in trying to make it the best it can be (for a 15 year old car). I have already done lots to the car, new front susspension links, front brake pads and discs, new catt on one side, water ingress sorted, gearbox output shaft oil leak sorted etc, etc. I am now thinking about some preventative maintenance for the gearbox. I have changed the gearbox oil and strainer, to be fair, the previous owner told me that it had been done previously 20,000 mls ago. The oil actuall looked pretty good and I could see evidence that some one had at least had the pan off at some point. So to my question. Would you guys recomend preventative valve body work? the car has absolutley no gearbox issues at this point, well none that I can pick up on anyhow. I have an official version of VCDS and there are no transmission codes. All is good.

Would you?
leave well alone?
Remove the front lower valve body to have the pressure regulator valve upgraded (aprox £350) with new valve body?
Replace the whole valve body assy for a new genuine part (aprox £1200)?

I am prefering the latter as clearly this will also incl new springs, seals, stariners, dampers, solenoids etc. What do you guys think? is swapping a complete valve body whilst the tranny is still in the car as easy as it looks? If I go just for the lower front valve body only, can this be removed whilst leaving the rest of the valve body still in place?

Any help / points to other threads much appreciated.