Bit of a long shot but...

[Deleted member 37751]

...has anyone here owned the 6.0 W12 Audi A8 by any chance? Tried googling but advice is a bit thin on the ground which is understandable with such a rare car.

If so, is there anything I should know? I know it's the same lump in the Bentley but was just wondering if there's any particular common faults that when they go cost £5m to replace?

 

[Peter DLM]

Colleague of mine had the 4.2 diesel. Didn't stay around long, had constant brake issues. Changed it for an F10 M5 after 6 months.

None of this is any use to you lol.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

None of this is any use to you lol.

Lol, it's better than getting no replies whatsoever!

All I've found so far is the temp sensor is an engine out job on the W12 it's that much of a ball-ache to do!

 

[Red C220]

This is the same engine used by Bentley in the continental and flying spur.

Stumpy will have experience of this, he has a Flying Spur with this engine. Money pit doesn't quite cover it completely I think.

Frankly the new V8 Bentley is a better car (that's the engine from the Audi S8 pretty much). Pretty much as fast, more economical and easier/less expensive to repair.

If you're looking at Big Audi's an S8 (the V8tt ones not the V10's) is a much better proposition than the 6.0 W12.

 

[zipdip]

I have not owned one but a mate did for 3 years only sold it because his wife would not drive it so he had to stay sober when they went out,the only problem he had as I remember was coil packs,cannot ask him as he is on holiday,but I know he moaned as any work on that beast cost money,but apart from services I think that was the only big bill he had in 3 years.

 

[grober]

Evidently 2 VW CorradoVR6 narrow V6 engines clapped together. Advantage being its much shorter than a conventional V12 which would be two straight sixes clapped together a la Mercedes M120.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

If you're looking at Big Audi's an S8 (the V8tt ones not the V10's) is a much better proposition than the 6.0 W12.

Needs to be a bit more waft than the S8, always found them a bit too stiff, even when the suspension is in comfort mode.

 

[bob6600]

This is the best specced W12 D3 ever. Was for sale, still may be although price is a bit high even for the work gone into it. Some controversy with the owner and another forum but what a car.

Haven't seen many common faults although will be expensive maintenance when it comes to plugs/coil packs I guess. Not very helpful I know.

Audi A8L W12 6.0 2007 | eBay

 

[Spin_bowler]

Nah, there's nowt much to go wrong in there Lee, it'll be safe as houses, what's the worst that could happen? If it goes clunk fill it with sawdust and move it on

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Nah, there's nowt much to go wrong in there Lee, it'll be safe as houses, what's the worst that could happen?

Good lord it's not for me, it's for our old man, a Maserati is about the maximum of craziness that I'll go to!

 

[Red C220]

Needs to be a bit more waft than the S8, always found them a bit too stiff, even when the suspension is in comfort mode.

I didn't like Audi's at all. The suspension was horrendously hard and I once took a test drive that lasted no more than 100 yards. I just stopped and got out, it was like a go kart.

That's why I owned 6 MB's in a row.

Then last year I test drove an S6 which comes with air suspension as standard. It rode better than our E class and was approaching S class levels of comfort, that was on 20" rims too.

So at some point in the not too distant past Audi addressed the horrendously hard ride in their cars. Not quite sure when that was when it came to model years. If you can stretch to a C7 S6 saloon (which seem a lot cheaper than Avants) it might be just what you were looking for. It certainly surprised me enough to order one.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

LPG conversion AND W12 engine AND budget maintenance.

Avoid the rose coloured spectacles when contemplating a W12 Engine that has had an LPG conversion, lots of signs of low budget maintenance, and a curiously low mileage figure, given all the comments about wear and usage.

The good news is that the same W12 is used in Bentley and the VW Phaeton. Even in perfectly serviced, always garaged form, the W12 will be a seriously expensive engine to maintain. (See all the complaints about Mercedes V12's). Nothing in this listing suggests that this has been cosseted or well maintained.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

I'm trying to push him towards the 4.2 TDi, mostly because by going down in levels he will get a newer car; a good W12 is north of £10k which is very close to the current shape A8.

 

[John]

I spoke to a specialist called 4 Rings once.

They recommended the 4.2TDI over all others on that vintage (including the FSI).

I wouldn't touch a W12 in light of what I've read on here in the last couple of weeks about those engines.

I have a small hankering for a V10 TDI Phatone but it's a very small hankering - but I normally wear pants and trousers / shorts so it can't be seen anyway.

 

[brigadier]

Another vote for 4.2tdi, I drive D4 4.2 tdi and sometimes even I forget it's a diesel, it's so refined and then there's that torque. Very good on fuel compared to w12, maybe not as smooth, especially at idle. I don't get why there's no V8 diesel in the S-class.

 

[John]

I don't get why there's no V8 diesel in the S-class.

I don't get why BMW didn't do one either over here either.

E38 740d is the only one I know of but left hooker only.

 

[Doodle]

I don't get why there's no V8 diesel in the S-class.

There was in both the 220 and 221, just not in the UK.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Sensible chap that he is went for this instead, it's 4.4 V8 of loveliness:

 

[clk320x]

Sensible chap that he is went for this instead, it's 4.4 V8 of loveliness:

Looks very nice indeed..

What year?

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Late 2005 facelift, 2006MY with the Jaguar V8.