Audi A8

MarKoBrow · 12-22-2008, 03:23 PM

Any thoughts about the A8 from anyone???

lildavid · 12-27-2008, 08:12 AM

Well, i own an audi A6, which is a bit inferior to the A8. On the whole i love my car, its safe, fast and stylish. If you are interested in amore deep information, try this Audi A8 article.
It will tell you details such as recalls, engine etc.

MarKoBrow · 12-27-2008, 10:49 AM

I agree the A6 is a great car we have two in our family now, a sedan and a wagon both quattro. One of them is even the 2.7 TT model. I think what is happening is that every now and again I keep thinking it would be nice to enjoy a little bit bigger car and that great V8 torque anyway I digress, there is a 2000 for sale up the street from me and I really want it. I just was looking for some feedback first. Thanks for the link I wil read at once

therotman · 01-23-2009, 01:54 PM

I bought a 2000 A8L a year ago to lug my growing family around in. Loaded with problems that are a PIA to fix yourself and cost an arm and a leg at a shop.

Have most everything fixed now. I have a slight coolant leak from some oil cooler washers. Supposedly takes 7 hours to replace!

I love the car though.

Pre-facelift (prior to 2000) have lots of tranny problems. The facelift cars have some too but they seem to be much less frequent.

Did you buy the car up the street?

MarKoBrow · 01-23-2009, 02:27 PM

That's dissapointing to hear, I have had 3 A6's the current ne has 320K miles on it to date and is still driving without incident I have had it since new, well slightly 2100 miles

therotman · 01-23-2009, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarKoBrow

That's dissapointing to hear, I have had 3 A6's the current ne has 320K miles on it to date and is still driving without incident I have had it since new, well slightly 2100 miles

Some owners claim 250k+ miles on their a8's and they are still going strong. The motors are great- some of the trannys start to slip and thump, mostly the pre-facelift ones though.

The cars seem to have lots of little things that need repair that are hard to get to. Control arms go out all the time.

Here is a checklist of some thing to examine at before you buy. http://www.audipages.com/usedA8/usedA8items.html

I have replaced the control arms (twice, first set were a bad part), greased the steering column (it squeaked), disconnected a climate control regulator (it clicked 7-9 times every few minutes), replaced a c/v boot (next time i'll just replace the entire axle- PITA!), replaced the timing belt, water pump, t-stat, a coolant temperature sensor, MAF sensor plus the normal 80k maintenance items (plugs, filters, etc.). I need to change the transmission fluid soon too but waiting until it warms up a bit.

I was looking for a6's for a while but my wife did an internet search for all audi's. When I found out the advertised prices for the a8's were what they were actually valued at I bought one of them instead!

I still love the a8 and I love that I can fit my wife, 2 kids in car seats, large dog, stroller and lots of additional stuff in the trunk without needing an SUV!

Make sure it has navigation disks too- Mine does not an entire set of all 12 disks is more than $200 and has not been updated since 2002! If you buy the a8 and want to sell disk #2 for a good price you know where to turn!

atlair · 01-24-2009, 04:04 PM

Used A8s are the best kept secret on the market. Yes they require maintenance and parts are expensive. However, Porsche parts do not come cheap either! You can buy a used A8, fix everything and still come out cheaper than a 80s 911. I like the big Audi with a 4.2 V8, all wheel drive, lots of heated leather (front & rear), and light weight alum construction. I will always love the 911, but my A8 has no problem keeping a smile on my face.

atlair · 01-24-2009, 04:10 PM

I can testify the Audi gets much less attention from the guys with blue lights and a ticket book.

MarKoBrow · 01-24-2009, 04:24 PM

I am leaning on buying an preface lift A8 in the next couple of days and getting everything fixed. I suspect that the ZF trans are a weak link but there are permanent repairs for these now and I am thinking the rest can be sorted out relatively easy

therotman · 01-28-2009, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarKoBrow

I am leaning on buying an preface lift A8 in the next couple of days and getting everything fixed. I suspect that the ZF trans are a weak link but there are permanent repairs for these now and I am thinking the rest can be sorted out relatively easy

Did you get it.

To add to my saga my power steering now leaks too!

atlair · 01-28-2009, 04:32 PM

So that is all of the A8 owners, just us 3?

MarKoBrow · 01-28-2009, 05:27 PM

I got it and an A4 avante wagon

atlair · 02-06-2009, 05:56 PM

MarKoBrow, 2 Audis in the family....well done.
Do not let the PPA get them...ha ha

therotman · 02-07-2009, 01:29 PM

Just got my new steering rack and the electrical plug is broken so I can't fix that yet.......

MarKoBrow · 02-07-2009, 05:48 PM

I am up to 4 now I have had a 98 A6 Avante and 05 2 7T Sedan for some time. I have two kids that just started driving so they are all in good use.

atlair · 02-11-2009, 03:07 PM

The A8 is a great "sleeper"

I love out running Mustangs and fart can Hondas, while enjoying miles of leg room and heated leather seats.......