I'm not scare-mongering, but my 02 S8 did the same thing twice over the priod of two weeks, 15 months ago.
It is the gearbox going into limp mode and not a good sign. This happened 4 weeks AFTER I'd had the gearbox serviced as a precaution. The box subsequently failed and I needed a 2.5K rebuild. Ian will recall that it started a debate about whether you should bother with oil changes on a sealed for life unit, as mine was fine until I 'disturbed' it with a service. Chester Auto Transmissions said I had probably upset the balance of old oil, crud and the seals!
At best, you might have a gearbox ECU fault or a dodgy solenoid, but looking at the amount of 'boxes that have failed here after the all red display, I'd be saving my pennies. VAGCOM will give you a great steer with a gearbox fault code.
Really hope it's something minor, but I no longer trust ZF 'boxes with or without pre-emotive servicing.
Fingers crossed for you mate.
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