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Audi A8
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Comments
Thank you in advance for any input.
You mentioned that you'd like to get the car to 160. All W12 A8s will push 160 with limiter on, but that's it. The S8 got to 189 before the redline killed the engine power, and we're still talking about a 4000lbs car!
On the winter tires, I too wanted to stick with my 20's, but I got tired of looking and went to Audi and picked up a set of 18" A8 wheels w/ Pirelli snow shoes. As sure footed as these cars are without snow tires, you'd be amazed at how much it really takes to break the traction in these cars, even in our snow covered streets.
But the regular-length A8 is still 4" wider and about 8" longer than a A6. Thus, this provides more interior space and comfort over the A6, but the A6 is roomy enough, more so than a 5-Series.
As to performance, the A6 4.2 and A8 4.2 are matched in acceleration, but the A8 rides much better albeit due to higher weight and better road isolation and given the fact that is made mostly of aluminum. And the A8 outweighs it on amenities also.
Now that being said, the A6 is still an awesome ride. But the A6 4.2 can get pricey, in fact with few options, it nips at the heels of the almighty A8. But most people don't need the space of the A8, so they don't mind. But the A8 does drive smaller than it appears.
We're not getting the A8.
We're not even getting a new car.
Instead, she has pushed me into buying a new house. We have a four-bedroom now, with only one kid left at home. She doesn't seem to care- she's getting a house that is a lot more spacious, to the tune of about 1000 sq ft.
Of course, we're excited.
But hopefully, the mortgage won't overwhelm my bank account, and I'll be able to buy her a new luxury sedan next year. Perhaps an S-Class is in the cards; she wants the prestige. But I'd always be happy with an A8.
'06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet • '04 Lexus RX330
This will also signify Audi's move to the new MLP platform to get rid of the nose heaviness associated with Audi cars right now.
Hope all goes well with the bigger house. I know all to well when what the "wife wants, the wife gets, OR ELSE!!" When we moved to L.I. from Maine, we found a nice quaint 4000 square ft. home with 5ba/4.5bths. Naturally it wasn't big enough, and remained that way until I bought my 12 acre estate to house a 6500 sq.ft. home and room enough for her diamonds and my vehicles.
With a sticker of $80,474, I paid $79,125. I wanted more off, but the problem is that there just aren't many A8Ls in the Chicagoand area. I got a .00280 money factor on a 36 month lease.
Still learning about all of the features, but I have already used the Bluetooth, the Bose stereo and the ride adjustment feature. The backup camera is a hoot!
The car feels big, but I am quite surprised on how peppy it is...I was expecting a slower car. The tiptronic comes in handy - I never use it on the A6 turbo, but it really adds to drivability on the A8L.
The '07s features Audi's new 350hp direct-injection V8 that squirts a bit more power than the 335-hp traditional fuel-injection engine it replaces
Yes, with any car, it depreciates. But boy this is one good looking, well driving piece of depreciative machinery.
I had to laugh as I read hikerjimmy's msg, because I could have said exactly the same things! After waiting for 4 months, somewhat nervously because of a fear of inclement weather any day, my 2007 A8L finally arrived 2 Sat.'s ago at the dealer's. Since I was having it detailed (paint, fabric and leather protected), and it was just before New Year's, the car couldn't have been ready right away, but I at least rushed over there to view it - and retrieved it the following Sat.
Well, needless to say, there are many features which I have not yet mastered, many of them tied into the MMI. However, I amazed myself in getting the Bluetooth connection to work tonight, and as I sat in front of the local Cingular store, I was calling folks and chatting with them, handsfree, using the car's Bose speakers.
I am equally impressed by how the car drives, the keyless technology, the camera-assisted reverse, and on and on. The leather upgrade and Alcantera are comfortable and sumptuous. Just 2 inches longer than my former M-B S-class, the car DOES seem very long - I guess I'll get used to that. But it drives so effortlessly, it doesn't drag its tail.
More on this, at a later time!
shrinkrap
The keyless entry is a bit weird, but I am getting used to it.
Does anyone know if you can program this A8L to unlock the doors when you put the car in park? My GMC Yukon does that and it is very convenient, especailly when there are other passengers in the car.
I will say to anyone considering this car - the ride quality adjustment feature really works well. Unlike in other cars I have tested, you can really feel the difference between the comfort setting and the dynamic setting - even more so when driving around the city on older streets.
Following the manual I was able to program the doors to unlock when in park.
The S8 and W12 are still running strong. I've convinced my wife that the W12 is "not an old man's car", so much to the point where she actually loves to drive it.
She disliked it so much that she never even figured out all of the controls until now. She loves MB's, what can I say.
Eric, stranger if you're still around, would love to know how you're loving that green A8. Tony, I always follow you on the HELC board. Everyone else, how are you?
Other than that, the car is quite a pleasure to drive, fast enough for my needs, with an extremely comfortable and adjustable interior. I've had no snow in which to drive so far, but it's been handling the cold (single digits last night) well, between the heated seats and a good heating system. Keyless entry and start are great, as is the Bluetooth compatability with my cell phone and the sound system. I figure that I have mastered barely half of all of the car's features, so I have some additional gadgets to look forward to learning how to use. Space distribution is quite good, both in the back seat and the trunk.
Score of 9.8, I'd say.
Best wishes,
shrinkrap
I was curious as to how many mile you put on your W12? I am getting more interested in an Audi after having been away from them for awhile. I alway loved the Quattro AWD system in big Audis.
By the way, one of my vehicles is a RAM 4x4 CTD. I have seen that you also are partial to Ram PUs
Thanks for the reply. I guess I am trying to find out if anyone on this forum has been putting significant mileage on an A8. If I was to get one it would be the car that would be my primary driver and have serious mileage put on it.
I already have too many more specialized vehicles that I only use for very specific purposes but that are really not suited for significant long distance driving. When possible and time permits, my wife and I also prefer to take our luxury car on vacation rather than driving. In my case, I have to fly multiple days for business almost every week and getting on another commercial plane flight is not my idea of a vacation. Therefore, I am trying to find out how the A8 holds up to really racking-up the miles.
The only work that has been done are the factory updates, truck hinges and the like. Just took a 300 mile run from Scottsdale to Palm Desert in 3'10". My TC said it felt like we were driving only 50 mph. Love that woman! <(-;
I currently have about 29k miles on the W12, and it wouldn't have been that much if I hadn't let my daughter borrow it when she had my grandson. Her S4 Cab simply wouldn't do. But I did have fun driving the Cab tho.
And yes, I love Dodge Rams. While the class has definitely moved on, the Ram is still competitive. Especially the new 6.7L Cummins HD's.
A8 Short w/ premium, 19”, massage, Sirius
MSRP - $77970
Invoice - $72574 (according to KBB)
Offer - $73608
Residual – 44% (45% if I have them throw in the $599 maintenance program)
Money Factor – 0.00145
Payment with 7.75% tax - $1322.79
I’m in So Cal and wanted to know if the Residual and MF sound right for my region thru Audi Financial. A couple of posts back you stated that they were 46% and 0.0013. I just want to be sure that they are not marking these up. Also, do you think that there is room for further negotiation?
Thanks,
Tim-in-Cali
Be very careful who rebuilds this trans.
There are about 4 seal installers which are a absolute must. the trouble is the cost of these installers is so cost prohibitive that you wouldn't even think about buying them. I made them in my machine shop. Most rebuilders leave these seals alone and say that it wasn't leaking when it came in. I hate that kind of attitude. Do it right or don't do it at all. The reason these seals are so important is because there are actually three sumps in this transmission: Front differential; center differential; and transmission fluid. If they intermix it is big trouble and the trans won't last long.
Sorry for the confusion if any, I have 2001 A6/4.2L with 5HP24A trans, at 100K miles suddenly it misses 1st and launches in 2nd with a jerk (as if someone hit me from behind,I am not using the Car). Do I have a Valve Body Problem (should I send it out for rebuild, but where) or do I have a Trans OIL leak (some fluid light is ON, all fluid are new or changed except trans) , from the Post(s) I understand that 5HP24A is good for 600HP (same as RS6 450HP) and it doesn't appears that I have some broken parts(as demonstrated by 0-160MPH test)... someone suggested it was Trans CPU...so I did the infamous 0-160MPH & 160-0MPH test on the highway (no use of brakes to stop, did that at midnight) with this test the car took off like a bullet and did fixed the problem for 2-3 hours.. I just don't know what to check for expect send the Car for a Trans OIL chnage and/or Vavle Body rebuild? Does anyone has more input and suggest me the best trans shop in midwest or anywhere in USA ...much thanks in advance...
Is there any specific information I should ask the mechanic to look for? Do I actually need to replace the tranny, or can I get away with just the TC clutch and valve body? It seems that in 2002 model years, these problems subsided, as if the design was changed to eliminate this problem. Most of us on www.audiworld.com have the same exact problem.
Thanks again for the great post!
Get rid of the Pirelli P6's. They're pretty poor tires and numerous complaints can be found about them. Go to a place like tirerack.com and you can see all the reviews on every tire that will fit your A8.
Your A8 will ride a lot better with different tires.
The Lexus is smooth and not as much a drivers car in my opinion.
The website is autoweek.com/driverslog for more comments.
Enjoy ..... p.s. the Scottsdale Audi dealer is truly outstanding.