Audi A8

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  • emaussemauss Member Posts: 151
    The same as before. It will be in before the end of the year. The dealer will call with the VIN as soon as he has it.

    I asked about the cradle for my phone, and he said I will be getting a call when the car is "closer" and he will try to sell me all that stuff....

    (E)
  • anthonypanthonyp Member Posts: 1,860
    Hi Emass Do let me know about the phone---not just the cradle but what type of phone to get..My wife and I have been waiting for several years to get a new phone as we want them to work with the new car...Her car is the bmw 530 satationwagon....I have stayed away from the car as it has idrive and I don`t want to get too familiar with it as it may confuse me with the mmi in the audi....No need to learn too much..I rarely ues a phone in the car, but today I wanted to make a call, and if you don`t have your glasses on with the tiny numbers on the even smaller screne, you could easily get in a wreck....Tony
  • emaussemauss Member Posts: 151
    I have a Motorola V600, which I am told works wonderfully with the implementation of bluetooth in the Audi. I had a bluetooth headset (until I lost it) and it worked very well.

    When I asked about the cradle in another forum, I was told that not only does it charge the phone, but it allows the phone to use the built-in antenna, thus dramatically increasing the range of the phone.

    I've heard that the Motorola Razor works well, too.

    (e)
  • anthonypanthonyp Member Posts: 1,860
    Lets re visit this subject nearer Thanksgiving, as I don`t want to make a mistake...It seems as though I make more mistakes with electronics, as I don`t spend the time researching.....I wonder just how does a phone cradel(sp?) work? Can`t you just turn the phone on and the blue tooth pickes it`s signal up and keep the actual phone in your pocket or in the glove box? So much to look forward to Tony
  • emaussemauss Member Posts: 151
    Tony - Bluetooth allows you to keep the phone wherever you wish. The car will be aware of it (you have to run the "discover" program once, and you might want to turn the bluetooth "seek" off (on the phone) when you are not in the car to preserve battery life. It will look for a bluetooth connect all the time if you let it and that will drain your battery.

    The cradle does 2 things...
    1. It charges the phone
    2. It redirects the phone antenna to the car's antenna, which is a lot more sensitive, thus giving a stronger signal.

    If neither of those two items are important to you, then there is no need for a cradle. All other functions should work the same (phone book, voice id, etc)

    The cradle appears to be a snap-in item in the center console.

    (E)
  • anthonypanthonyp Member Posts: 1,860
    Where does it get power?? The Lexus has a plug in the center armrest inside where you store things....I just plug my current phone in there to recharge, and then the cord sort of holds the little trap door open...Does audi have a plug in the glove box? Tony
  • emaussemauss Member Posts: 151
    The connector is in the center console. If you want to see what it looks like, go to the D3 conference and search for CRADLE
    D3

    There are two short threads, both me asking questions about the cradle.

    (e)
  • anthonypanthonyp Member Posts: 1,860
    Thanks....That further is a nice site...I went there one time but didn`k know about the d3 part.....Mostly about our cars to be, and also a bit encouraging to hear about the longer term ownership....In persuing one article, a person had the alcertera(sp) inserts...I have the same material on the headliner of the Lexus and it is like suede...It wouldn`t hold up in that application and the picture showed that it wouldn`t-----Further the one time I drove a right handed steering car, it was very confusing and I had to concentrate every minute so I wouldn`t get in a wreck Tony
  • anthonypanthonyp Member Posts: 1,860
    Man--today was a big one for Audi adds...I saw two of them while waiting for the flu shot....One was in Condenes(sp) ..I further saw one on the n y times on, line, It`s amazing how few adds they run...I never see one on tv...Tony
  • emaussemauss Member Posts: 151
    I'm taking my granddaughter to Orlando right after Thanksgiving and have rented an A6 from Hertz. It's not an A8, but while I wait for my A8L, the A6 will be fun to rent for a few days.

    (e)
  • anthonypanthonyp Member Posts: 1,860
    That sounds like a good idea....I am going to Miami around Thanksgiving and plan on renting...Who did you rent from? Tony ps I still haven`t seen one audi on the road--did see a tt-
  • emaussemauss Member Posts: 151
    I have been looking and have not seen any 2006 A8s on the road.

    I will be renting from Hertz. It is one of the cars in their prestige program. I have rented Volvos from then in the past.

    (e)
  • emaussemauss Member Posts: 151
    Tony -
    I saw an A6 loaner from a dealer in Manhattan the other day. It had a "Service Loaner" decal on it, so I knew it was a loaner. I asked the driver what his regular car was, since he was given a new A6 as a loaner. I was expecting to hear he had an A8 and was going to ask him a few questions...but he said he has an S6. I guess that is the older model since the new S6 is not available yet. Anyway, he was very impressed with the new A6, and all things he was talking about (fit and finish, 6-speed tranny) are there in our A8s in spades!

    (e)
  • anthonypanthonyp Member Posts: 1,860
    An audi 4 parked right in front of the house today....I couldn`t believe it...The first one I have seen down here----now get this ---another one parked around the corner...All this in one day....Tony
  • emaussemauss Member Posts: 151
    Tony - I am going to Baltimore this weekend on for a business conference...gonna drive down in my boss's Phaeton. I told I'll drive down, he can drive back. I'll let you know how it was when I get back on Tuesday.

    (E)
  • anthonypanthonyp Member Posts: 1,860
    Yesterday, while I was out, some one from the auto dealership phoned....That was the message....I phoned the audi people thinking by chance the car had come in...Turned out it was the Lexus as it was in for the repairs....Lexus is such a first class company...They know I am getting the audi ..as their new car won`t come for about a year, and then the wait at full price will be a bit longer...Still they didn`t charge for the broken laser speed control, which is about two thousand just for the part....I was there for them in the beginning, so I do get treated right ...now...I sure hope the audi experience is similar......Any way I am going to drive to Miami day after tomorrow, and take my wife`s 530xi...That is also a very nice stationwagon---need to carry some long cargo--and it has serios radio....I love the little bit I have experienced with her car, but don`t want to get too exposed to the idrive , then have to relearn mmi....The Pheaton should be a great eye opener.....Does it have the 12 cylander engine? Do try and compare the cls in your mind and get back to we few audi fans....Also remember I think Audi is coming up... Tony
  • emaussemauss Member Posts: 151
    The Phaeton is V8...same engine as the Audi.
  • emaussemauss Member Posts: 151
    It was very nice. I drove all the way, and the car rides GREAT. Can't wait for my Audi....shudda ordered the double pane glass!
  • anthonypanthonyp Member Posts: 1,860
    I too just got to Miami...It looks like a war zone and there was much more damage to the high rises than I was lead to believe...We were lucky and nothing happened to our spot....On the drive down--My wife`s bmw --the traffic tore along at a terrific pace...I found myself many time well above one hundred for pretty long stretches at a time...That car is meant for upper speeds as it was solid as a rock and the mpg average was twenty six,,,Nice....Now the interior of the car although nice is rather cheap..Alot of plastic and the leather truly leaves much to be desired---It should last forever---sort of a rubberized feel to it..Further the a/c heater vents seem to not open fully or something like that...I`l try and figure out if there is something I am not doing right...I saw many more audis the further south I got..Then finally an a 8....It looked great on the road..There were a good many Lexus H and they were going awfully slowly trying to get the good mpg...Then one reallly got on it and passed the hundred miles sn hour leader, so they can go fast if they want to....Tired Tony
  • emaussemauss Member Posts: 151
    Just back from Baltimore. Didn't go more than about 80MPH on the trip, but the Phaeton was marvelous. I really had very comfortable trip. 2-1/2 hours was nothing at all in that car.

    Can't wait for my A8!!!

    (E)
  • anthonypanthonyp Member Posts: 1,860
    Well my trip is around eight hours, and I am afraid no matter what car we were to have that is a long time....It is just something that when you get past Daytona Beach the road just is wide open and usually very little traffic until Melbourne...That is where the high spped takes place...It was reallly lucky not to get a ticket....The a 8 should be a bit quiter and ride as nicely, so I also am looking forward to it...In my case maybe just a few more weeks....Tony ps I told you before your trip to China to get it ordered---the wait seems much longer than they said
  • emaussemauss Member Posts: 151
    Well, they told be 2 - 3 months. That is very much in keeping with other German cars I have ordered. About 10 weeks seems to be typical.

    I ordered the car on or about 10-1, so I should get it sometime in December.

    (e)
  • martin12martin12 Member Posts: 1
    A bit late now but my 97 A8 quattro has just packed up... following a oil/strainer change to cure a sqeeling noise I got all the thunks and short downchanges and now 5mph at 2500 rpms apparently A8 4.2 with triptonic boxes can only last 75k max!!!! a problem reported to me by a qualified transmission expert who has replaced several allready this year what has happened to yours? (replace cost about £2500-£3000)
  • anthonypanthonyp Member Posts: 1,860
    Emass---Over in the parking lot of the grocery store we use, came a hard run (maybe 12 cyl) low slung A, with a laid back sporty looking driver...I noticed a fair amount of smoke coming out the two exausts....Have you ever heard about an Audi enging using more oil than usual? Could the catalitic converter po,ssibly be bad , for a noticable amount of exaust smoke...The sun was shining rather brightly, so that may have enhanced the situation....I also noticed a 600 Mercedes doing the same thing...At least there are a lot of high end cars I usually don`t see down here, in fact really alot Tony
  • emaussemauss Member Posts: 151
    I haven't heard of it before.
  • anthonypanthonyp Member Posts: 1,860
    Down here in Miami , you get to see all the high end cars, all the time, everywhere....I have seen more Bentleys and Ferrari, Porsche(big and fast looking) than I see in a year normally....There are many Audis also---all models--

    I should blend right in shortly Tony ps Does anyone know how to shield the wheels from the break dust?
  • emaussemauss Member Posts: 151
  • anthonypanthonyp Member Posts: 1,860
    Emass-----It`l do your heart good to see the number of Audis down here...There appear to be almost as many as mercedes and bmw, although I know not....I wonder why they are so popular down here in Miami? Tony
  • emaussemauss Member Posts: 151
    ...There appear to be almost as many as mercedes and bmw, although I know not.

    I guess a lot of people there have good taste!

    (e)
  • a_k_15a_k_15 Member Posts: 5
    Folks,

    Got a call from my dealer last night.My car is coming in tonight and should be picking it up Friday evening. This has been a 3 month wait. Northern Blue, Platinum, Wood/Leather Steering, 19" All Season, Dual Climate Control, etc...

    Will keep you updated on the delivery process and comments. Dealer experience (Chicagoland) has been fantastic. Got a $ 2000 discount on the list price.

    A
  • emaussemauss Member Posts: 151
    LOL. Keep us posted....and post some pics!

    ...mine is still about a month off...(Green/Cream)

    (E)
  • anthonypanthonyp Member Posts: 1,860
    I haven`t heard a word from my dealer---I`l check him tomorrow...Please do keep us updated...Tony ps I spent the day in my wife`s bmw and I can tell you I don`t care for the idrive...
  • a_k_15a_k_15 Member Posts: 5
    I visited the dealer today and had a detailed look at my car. It had 5.1 miles on it and had just got off the truck. The goes to a detail shop tonight, waxed and will be ready for delivery at 2.00 pm tomm. It looked great from the outside. The seats were all covered with some kind of plastic covers.

    Will keep you all posted.
  • jmjinnjjmjinnj Member Posts: 15
    Couple of days ago, on homepage of Edmunds.com, there was a report about most & least reliable cars. A8 made the least reliable car list. Could this be true? I think highly of A8. IMHO it is a great car. I am sure there are minor problems in each & every car, but to make a list of least reliable car!!! I hope not. :surprise:
  • anthonypanthonyp Member Posts: 1,860
    Keep up the good work---Excitement must be running high in your neck of the woods....I also think the car I ordered is in, but not available until Monday....Emass is coming up quickly....Keep the posts coming Tony
  • anthonypanthonyp Member Posts: 1,860
    I would suggest that when your car comes in to get the instruction book a day or so before you get the car...In my case I read up over the weekend so when I picked the car up today I had a head start --which I need--.For me there is just to much to learn in a quick period of time...All the functions worked as they were supposed to, but on the first drive home if I were fiddling with all the stuff it would be easy to get in trouble... I found the car to have plenty of aceleration, and feels much more tight than the previous car...Only a few miles home and I am tired from all he details....Tony
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    and come back and tell us all about it. Congrats!! :)
  • emaussemauss Member Posts: 151
    Glad to hear you picked up your "baby"! As soon as you have a chance, tell me all about it....

    ..and PICs if you can....

    (e)
  • anthonypanthonyp Member Posts: 1,860
    Well just an update as I remember....As this is a new brand for me, after the Lexus, the learning curve is steep...It is a challenge to approach the car as there is so much to learn and get familiar with..Just to start it, push the start button once and it turns everything on...I think you have to agree with the mmi, then push it a second time, really sort of hard or the starter won`t engage...Maybe they listened to markcincinnati and rethought the button...As I got the sport suspension, it takes a very light foot to start out with dignity...I can just imagine what the S would be like...I have mastered the heating and cooling system...You set and adjust it from the knobs above the mmi knob...All this is a bit confusing to start out with, but I think it will become much easire with time....The negatives----A little small in the rear seat for a passenger. The Japanese have the electronics beat by a long shot as I think the number of functions are way overdone,,,The German long suite has always been engineering..Strange but the trunk is a little too big..Good points---There are many, but the driving is very nice, and I think balanced...You wouldn`t know it has four wheel drive..The solar panel cooling worked a little today and that will be nice on hot days..Like the way the upper part of the back seat tilts o mould your body to seat..Tony
  • emaussemauss Member Posts: 151
    ..I appreciate it all. Sounds like you are, overall, very happy. Keep the mail a'comin'.

    (e)
  • anthonypanthonyp Member Posts: 1,860
    Today I further practiced with the mmi, and really what the deal is that there are two mmi you have to think about..One the main mmi and the other the comfort mmi....The car drives great and the firmness settings are responsive...I got the warm air to re-circulate after the engine is off. For me you have to push the button fairly hard to get it to come on...I kept pushing and the red light could flash on for a second and then go off...but after firmly pushing it it stayed on and the fan came on..Push it again and the fan goes off...I like the two buttons on the steering wheel.Very easy to use...I have a bit of trouble with the voice recognizition ...I`m not sure what happens with the recirculation setting..The book says it will automatically open and close if it senses polllution....We`l see....All in all You are in for a pleasant time when yours comes in Tony
  • emaussemauss Member Posts: 151
    Thanks...Happy Thanksgiving

    (e)
  • anthonypanthonyp Member Posts: 1,860
    We are alittle short on special storage spots...As I don`t use a cup holder--and further if I did and it spilt , it would short the mmi out--I found the plastic insert will come out..That opens up a nice sized , and nicely finished, little cubby hole which could easily store the phone and its power cord...On a previous post you had some thoughts about the phone....I plan on replacing mine so would appreciate some imput on what to get??

    On a further note, I just got back from Florida, so I have put maybe fifty miles on the car since last Monday so I am looking forward to a drive...It is an amazing difference from the Lexus, which is a great car , but just different. I am making headway with the mmi, and although it is logical it will take some time to get use to...I was further delighted when I found out I could push the seat setting button while driving ad the seat would adjust....I am a little concerned ---but don`t know this to be a fact--that if the car is in drive and you were to push the stop button that the engine would turn off..That could be bad... I did try it while stopped in the parking space with it in drive and it did turn off....I put a couple of coats of Zano on it today, and I would suggest you get some as it has to be delivered from Zano Brothers in New Jersey...I have used it in the past and it is a good product...Tony
  • anthonypanthonyp Member Posts: 1,860
    How about a further update, and I hope life has been fun for you..Tony
  • anthonypanthonyp Member Posts: 1,860
    Hope your pickup went o k...Not another word from you...Tony
  • audiproblemaudiproblem Member Posts: 4
    Still fighting with Audi to give me another car. They never have found the problem only that a brake sensor was replaced. The problem has not happened thus far. My wife however refuses to drive the car I bought for her. Love the car just want them to replace it for another one.
  • anthonypanthonyp Member Posts: 1,860
    It`s been a long time since you last spoke of this problem...In the mean time I have gotten my car so emass is still waiting--but not much longer--...I have happily not had any problem at all...Lucky me...If I understand you right, your engine problem happened a few times and now has not happened again?? Did the dealership have to re-compute the car?? and if so so you think that possibly stopped the problem? Tony
  • emaussemauss Member Posts: 151
    Tony - just got back from Orlando. 80 degree weather! Brought the greanddaughter down there to see Barney. Life is good!

    Anyway, I wll call my dealer tomorrow and see when my car will come in.

    I just realised (on Thursday) that I did not have the title to my BMW, so I sent for a new one. I did an "on-line" thing that NY State has. They say it should take between 1 and 2 weeks for me to get the new title. That should work out just right.

    (e)
  • snowbirdsnowbird Member Posts: 120
    I also would like to hear some comments on A8's "reliability". Thanks. Jason
  • anthonypanthonyp Member Posts: 1,860
    From me personallly, the car was delivered it great running order, and after very careful inspection, the body was as good as any car I have ever checked...So far there have been no problems---and I have enjoyed figuring out the German logic.....A few other previous posters have had problems, but apparently most have bben dealt with, as they have not continued to post...Tony ps if CR is consumer Report, then the troubles are aged...Further sometimes their opinions are not shared by me, but do offer the chance to be on guard---I further think that the choice of a dealer is very important, and would not buy any brand unless the dealership is reliable.
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