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Audi A8

1483 messages,  Last post on Jul 23, 2010 at 11:27 AM

You are in the Audi A8 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Audi A8, Sedan

Messages Page 41 of 150

#392 of 1483 juniorrdc by mbnut1

Aug 22, 2003 (9:30 pm)

Well the gerneal feeling on this board is that nobody should own an Audi without the warrenty. The guys on the Audiworld board are like me and are more mechanically inclined, who feel that with proper mainatinance the A8 is reasonably reliable sans the transmission issues. I'm not suggesting you should keep it but if you were to I would definitely make sure that the timing belt , water pump and tensioner were replaced before you got out of warranty if it hasn't been done already.
 
I see the A8 as more car than the E class but less car than the S class. Audi's in general are a better deal. I'd love to have a used S Class but in my opionion the 2000+ models certainly carry more than their share of maintainance cost risk. They have had more than their share of problems with the air suspension. The E Class being simplier has lower risk. I am currently thinking of looking hard at one but to be honest I haven't been overwhelmingly impressed when I have driven them. But they are beautiful so they are still on my list.

#393 of 1483 A8 Transmission Issues by robertsona8

Aug 25, 2003 (4:23 am)

My A8 had a transmission failure last night, right in front of my house after a 1 1/2 hour ride home. A loud clunk, and the trans went into safe mode. The car would move, but only 5 mph at 2,500 rpm. Any other similar experiences? The car is 6 month out of warranty with 75k miles, and I'm reluctant to take it to the dealer. I've seen the audiworld, and audipages sites. Maybe a Z-F transmission? The local trans shop?
 
Thanks for your input,
 
Steve

#394 of 1483 reply to jstyle by paul1266

Sep 07, 2003 (3:10 pm)

Thanks for the input on delivery time. I am now told it looks like a firm delivery time of late Oct, from my June 12th order date. went over to dealer to check out a floor model with the same exterior and interior color scheme of Charcoal and amaretto, very sharp combination. Trying to be patient. Good luck on getting yours in soon

#395 of 1483 dwongswong by markcincinnati

Sep 08, 2003 (11:11 am)

I don't know if Audi will push its Ultra Sport option up to the A6 or A8 models -- but my dealer had a new A4 with the Ultra Sport option -- which added ground effects (spoilers chin and rear deck), fully painted and matching rocker panels, bigger wheels and tires and sport seats (I think). I believe it had the Audi A4 sport suspension but it was lower by yet another 10 0r 15mm over that.
 
It had a 6spd manual and was equipped with a 3.0L six. The dealer mentioned that it is available on the 1.8T too.
 
It makes the car look cool (even the rear tail pipes emerged from a new rear valence with the grid look); presumably the car will handle better (due to the lower, firmer suspension and larger more aggressive wheels and tires) and the overall performance feel of the car should be improved too. I cannot remember if the final drive ratio was shorter (larger numerically) which would serve to quicken the 0-XX times, but this would seem to be in the spirt of ULTRA sport. The price was $3,495 on the sticker. It was metallic black with black leather (no alcantara, however) interior.
 
It would be an Audi AS4 -- looks more sporty than stock, handling improvements, slightly quicker; not the same grunt as the S4 but over $10,000 less. Perhaps the kind of thing you were looking for in an A6 -- kind of a cross between an A6 and an S6 (saloon) -- heck maybe the engine sound option that is on the RS6 at my dealer's could be applied to an A6 2.7T or 4.2 and you could enjoy many of the performance goodies, but not the big one and many if not most of the good lookin' goodies.
 
The true Audi Aficionados would still know it wasn't an RS6, but that's OK as you say you are getting it for YOU and YOUR tastes not to fool someone into thinking it is an $85K car. Heck, I'll bet that most people who see an RS6 have no clue what they list for.

#396 of 1483 markcincinnati by dwongswong

Sep 10, 2003 (9:07 pm)

Thanks for the message. I don't know if Audi will ever have an A6 with the sports body kit of an RS6, but I hope so. I've been checking out the new 2005 A6, and I can honestly say that if they make the grill that big and ugly, this will be my last A6.
Any car nut out there like me? I sometimes can't wait to get my auto magazines (losing sleep anticipating the first of each month). I love to see better and more beautiful autos. Don't know how to fix any car, but I just love to drive, look, and read about them. I also like more modern cars, don't have a passion for classics.

#397 of 1483 One Nut Here by mbnut1

Sep 11, 2003 (4:27 pm)

Ditto your comments plus I know how to work on them.

#398 of 1483 I am lookind at an A8 by 300eguy05

Sep 11, 2003 (8:58 pm)

as a possible option for my next car purchase. If any of you here could shed light on the new A8 for me, that would be great. I am quite fond of the car from the looks but, I am cautious because the car is an Audi and they have had problems in the past. I am also considering the S430 and the XJ. So, to any of those out there with a new MY04 A8, it would be great to hear your experience with the car so far. Thanks in advance:)

#399 of 1483 I have no concerns about buying Audis. . . by markcincinnati

Sep 18, 2003 (1:43 pm)

. . .so I do not relate to the "because it is an Audi comment."
 
I must tell you that ANY of these high buck European cars must never be possesed out of warranty, unless you have a printing press that creates $20 bills.
 
This characterization from one point of view is accruate if stated without the name Audi or is most accurate when stated "high buck European cars" instead of simply inferring that Audi is alone in this regard.
 
Make no mistake, I am not saying that the spirit of what you are implying is untrue, merely that it is not limited to Audi. I would have no greater or lesser concerns with a Bimmer or a Merc or a Jag, etc.

#400 of 1483 markcincinnati by jstyle

Sep 22, 2003 (5:48 pm)

I completely agree. Never, I repeat, NEVER keep a high end (S-Class, 7Series A8 etc..) car past the warranty on the car. The costs become huge because the cars are getting so complex. I know of one associate that had to replace the COMAND system in the S and it cost $6600US total and a friend who had a 2001 7 series had a minor bump with his garage door and the bumper repair with the sonar parking system cost $3100US. These cars are very expensive long term if things go wrong.

#401 of 1483 Considering a New A8 by oriente

Oct 20, 2003 (7:58 pm)

In response to 300eguy05 and others, I am considering the new A8; however, I will wait for the standard model to come along, I believe A8N is the designation. I trust Audi USA will be importing it sometime in 2004. The N is nearly 500 lbs lighter, which translates into faster, less gas, better handling, etc., albeit less expensive.
In any case, if one plans to keep the car past 4 yrs, one should consider an Extended Warranty. I seem to recall my Credit Union offering 7yr/100k mi for just over $2K. By the way, this was the same for the BMW 7, but I could not find anyone at the time that would offer extended warranty on the XJ8, a bad reflection on the Jaguar quality.

Messages Page 41 of 150

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