You are here: Forums Sedans Audi A8 Audi A8

Audi A8

1466 messages,  Last post on Nov 18, 2009 at 6:51 PM

You are in the Audi A8 Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens

What is this discussion about? Audi A8, Sedan

Messages Page 3 of 147 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ... 147 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

#21 of 1466 To syketa R.E. 540 vs A8 by billmillsva Oct 01, 1999 (8:30 pm)
Thanks for the input. Sorry, I understand the confusion based on my wording. I meant I was considering both used A8's as well as used 540's. I bought a '97 A8 yesterday with 9K miles on it (yes 9,000) for about $6K more that I could find a minimally equipped 540 of the same vintage with much higher mileage. I had an '87 BMW L-7 with a limited slip diff. so I have some idea what BMW's are like in winter driving conditions. I know I did the right thing for my driving needs.
#22 of 1466 Car & Driver comparison test by alib1 Oct 02, 1999 (12:09 am)
The November issue of Car & Driver has a 5-way comparison test of luxury sedans. Here is the order of finish: 1) BMW 740iL 2) Lexus LS400 3) Audi A8 4.2 quattro 4) Mercedes Benz S430 5) Jaguar XJ8 The A8 finished with 90 points, 3 points behind the winner and 1 point behind the LS400. The A8 had the strongest acceleration among the group, although all the numbers seem on the high side (A8 was fastest in 0-60 at 7.0 seconds). Lexus claimes that the LS400 accelerates to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds. Well in this test, the LS400 was about a full second slower. The A8 lost points for relatively harsh ride, weak brakes, excessive tire noise and lack of adequate room in the back for three passengers. The base and as-tested prices listed for the A8 seem to be about 5 grand too high ($67,500 base vs actual $62,000). Also, the vehicle weight is listed at over 4000 lbs. It was my impression that the '00 model weighs close to 3850 lbs with the additional use of aluminum suspension components. By the way, the revised interior of the A8 (as shown in one of the pictures) is simply gorgeous.
#23 of 1466 C & D comparison in the real world by billmillsva Oct 02, 1999 (4:56 am)
Well I can atest to the acceleration specs of the the A8. As I was driving home from work today, I happened to get on a two lane on ramp with a 740 right next to me. On the ramp there was a two lane toll plaza which we both passed through at the same time. Shortly after the plaza, the lanes merged down to one. The guy in the 740 went for it .... and so did I. He came in second, by about two and a half car lengths.
#24 of 1466 November - Car & Driver by 1999a8owner Oct 05, 1999 (9:07 pm)
It's always good to see our A8's stack up against the "chosen" big sedans. It seems that C&D and Motor Trend ( both owned by the same publisher ) never quite give the A8 that one final vote or votes to beat out the BMW or Lexus. I guess it just will never change. Even read the glorious words that Edmunds bestoes on the '00 740's then read the mundane ( but not critical ) words about the A8. I am surprised the '00 A8's MSRP is down about 10%, I guess the exchange rate is helping. Not a day goes by when at heads are turned to take a lookat my black beauty. There's always an idiot in the crowd though. I had this 20 something guy come to me a 40 something guy and asked me how I liked my Audi and inquired if it was as A4. I corrected him cordially and advised him it was an A8 & was all aluminium, he was still clueless. He then proceeded to relay a story of his older brother 1980 something Audi and all the problems he encountered. I asked him if he ever heard of any old german car of the early '80's vintage that didn't have problems with lots of maintenance costs. He just went da ! I further commented that my Audi has 3 years of free maintenance, he was surprised again. His last comment..as he walked away.." I would rather own a BMW ".....I said nothing but thought to myself, " people, really are narrow minded" but I must admit we are seeing more and more of the A4's & 6's on the roads these days. I can't wait to see that bad A6 with a V8 dropped under the hood. It surely will give the 5 Series a run for the money. I would then expect the horsepower to increase from the 310 to the higher 300's in the next couple of years for the A8, even though I've outrun a 740iL on the Interstate. I've read that the S8 won't meet EPA emission standards for the US. dat
#25 of 1466 Take heart dat..... by billmillsva Oct 09, 1999 (10:22 pm)
Take heart dave .... Concerning your 20 something experience all I can say is in a world full of lemmings, the A8 is not easily appreciated or understood. As far as the automotive press goes, I know where they are coming from. The A8 is a brilliant car. Many of the reviewers love the A8. (Perhaps you should read some of its' reviews in Automobile Magazine.) But as brilliant as it is, the car does have some quirks that give the automotive press pause to place the vehicle in front of everything else in it's class. Why does BMW end up in front in this comparison? For the most part, because they make the kind of product the auto press loves. A flawlessly executed rear wheel drive car that has tight steering and great road manners. I can't speak to the Lexus because I have never driven one but apparently they seem to have matched manufacturing benchmarks with the rest of the top 5. From what I can see in the point spread mentioned in alib 1 post #23 there is little difference between first, second and third ither than personal preference. As for the price drop I'm guessing that Audi has amortized the A8 R & D and has lowered manufacturing cost by going to a single engine drive train model. The exchange rate may be helping as well. By the way, in a recent small performance car shoot out in Car and Driver, (or was it Road and Track?) the Audi S4 came out on top of all others in class including their beloved BMW M3.
#26 of 1466 2000 A8 roadtrip by audiaudia8 Oct 15, 1999 (4:11 am)
Just got back from a 1000 mile roadtrip in my new 2000 A8 in Montana and Wyoming. The driving experience was incredible with only minimal gripes. A few specifics: Everything about the car is designed for driving fast (I mean 100-130mph - the electronically limited top end). The handling feel gets better the faster you go. With your hands off the wheel, the car tracks superbly at speed. Due to the great aerodyamics, there is minimal wind noise even when bucking a 40mph headwind that we get out here. The new control locations are excellent. The cd changer and radio can all be controlled off the steering column without taking your eyes off the road. Acceleration is very quick even on steep mountain roads, although acceleration from standstill in normal drive mode has a slight lag. However the tiptronic allows you to eliminate this lag and keep the transmission in the sweet spot of the torque curve and really move this car. Emergency handling is incredibly good although a quick back and forth lane change at speed will produce some body roll while maintaining good control (this roll is nonexistent however on even the tightest curves). The xenon headlights turn night into day and are so tightly focussed that you can generally use high beams even with opposing traffic. I've seen all the reviews and can give you my comment on some of the negatives you may have read. First, the backseat definitely is not for 3 adults and leg room is tight if the front seats are all the way back. However, any normal legged driver will have the seat forward enough that back seat leg room for 2 adults or 3 children will be more than adequate. My car came with Goodyear Eagle H-rated LS tires on 17" rims. I have not heard a single squeal out of them and am very happy with their overall performance. I don't know if the 16" rims are getting the Continental tires that were panned in Car and Driver. If you are a driver, this car is exactly the right stiffness. One reviewer downgraded the A8 due to too stiff a ride but I wouldn't want it any other way. At night, the control lamps now blend red for the radio and center console with white lights for the speedometer and tach, a really cool combination. The interior appointments couldn't be better and seat comfort is excellent for long drives. Of course in snow country, quattro is the only way to go.Bmw's and mercedes don't cut it at all -- a feature which is really downplayed in all the reviews I've read. In summary, if you need a fashion statement and are hauling trophy wives in the backseat to the opera, go get a bmw or mercedes. If you want a great driving car, have a place to let it run and need a top-handling snow car to get you to the west's top ski areas, get an audi a8.
#27 of 1466 2000 A8 roadtrip by audiaudia8 Oct 15, 1999 (4:12 am)
Just got back from a 1000 mile roadtrip in my new 2000 A8 in Montana and Wyoming. The driving experience was incredible with only minimal gripes. A few specifics: Everything about the car is designed for driving fast (I mean 100-130mph - the electronically limited top end). The handling feel gets better the faster you go. With your hands off the wheel, the car tracks superbly at speed. Due to the great aerodyamics, there is minimal wind noise even when bucking a 40mph headwind that we get out here. The new control locations are excellent. The cd changer and radio can all be controlled off the steering column without taking your eyes off the road. Acceleration is very quick even on steep mountain roads, although acceleration from standstill in normal drive mode has a slight lag. However the tiptronic allows you to eliminate this lag and keep the transmission in the sweet spot of the torque curve and really move this car. Emergency handling is incredibly good although a quick back and forth lane change at speed will produce some body roll while maintaining good control (this roll is nonexistent however on even the tightest curves). The xenon headlights turn night into day and are so tightly focussed that you can generally use high beams even with opposing traffic. I've seen all the reviews and can give you my comment on some of the negatives you may have read. First, the backseat definitely is not for 3 adults and leg room is tight if the front seats are all the way back. However, any normal legged driver will have the seat forward enough that back seat leg room for 2 adults or 3 children will be more than adequate. My car came with Goodyear Eagle H-rated LS tires on 17" rims. I have not heard a single squeal out of them and am very happy with their overall performance. I don't know if the 16" rims are getting the Continental tires that were panned in Car and Driver. If you are a driver, this car is exactly the right stiffness. One reviewer downgraded the A8 due to too stiff a ride but I wouldn't want it any other way. At night, the control lamps now blend red for the radio and center console with white lights for the speedometer and tach, a really cool combination. The interior appointments couldn't be better and seat comfort is excellent for long drives. Of course in snow country, quattro is the only way to go.Bmw's and mercedes don't cut it at all -- a feature which is really downplayed in all the reviews I've read. In summary, if you need a fashion statement and are hauling trophy wives in the backseat to the opera, go get a bmw or mercedes. If you want a great driving car, have a place to let it run and need a top-handling snow car to get you to the west's top ski areas, get an audi a8.
#28 of 1466 re: 2000 A8 Roadtrip by billmillsva Oct 17, 1999 (2:09 am)
Glad to hear the 17" Eagle LS works better that the 16" model. Perhaps it's the lower profile side wall or maybe Good Year has improved the tire since '97. I am buying 17" rims to replace my stock 16's and I'm going to Michelin Pilot XGT 4's for the rubber. Have you had any serious bad weather driving experience with the Eagles yet? (Just clarify, I mean have you driven in bad weather with these tires, not have you had bad experiences driving in bad weather but feel free to share in either event)
#29 of 1466 bad weather driving by audiaudiaudia8 Oct 18, 1999 (3:58 am)
billmillsva: I have not driven the Eagle LS's on wet or snowy roads yet. I've just ordered a set of the H-rated Michelin Pilot snow tires on 16" rims for winter driving. I opted for the 16" rims since the higher tire profile will plow thru deeper snow before hitting the wheels where my experience has been that packed snow in the wheel can sometimes temporarily throw the wheel out of balance. Let us know how you like the XGT 4's.
#30 of 1466 re: snow tires by billmillsva Oct 19, 1999 (4:55 am)
OK on the XGT 4's. I like your point about the snow tires on the 16" rims. (At what speed do you start to notice that?) I will still have my 16's so if the 55 XGT's don't cut it this winter I can always use the smaller rims for dedicated snow tires. Although I doubt I'll get the kind of snow here that you probably see, so I may be fine. Happy motoring!

Messages Page 3 of 147 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ... 147 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

You are here: Forums Sedans Audi A8 Audi A8