Audi A8 / S8

[John]

So 367 days ago, strangely, I posted on another forum that I was looking at possibly buying an Audi A8 or S8 as the successor to my E55K. However, it was only in passing and the usual 'get used to the squeal of understeer' which I know is the case - but I've moved on from practicing powersliding on the roundabouts in Bracknell in a 325i nearly 15 years ago.

I didn't know exactly when I might change but I am thinking now probably when I've had mine for 5 years and I've done it to death (2.5/3 years time probably). I considered Anils BIL's one he was selling a couple of months back which reminded me, as well as someone in the family I think are buying a similar model.

I still love my E55K but I am getting to the point where the idea of rapid pace isn't quite so exciting as it once was - I'm not going to say I've got used to it because it the E55K is devastating and I've yet to be seen off by anything (although that's luck in part because I've not come up against really quick stuff like GT-Rs or some of the crazy stuff at Vmax). I think I would miss it though - hence the S8.

It's difficult to decide which I will be interested in but I love the idea of a V10, as juicy as it maybe, as well as the space (I'm not a small chap in height or weight) and I find most cars just don't have enough estate round them.

The A8 4.2TDI would be the alternative and I'd be looking to source whichever with B&O so I don't have to fork out to have anything installed - subject to it being as good as it is made out to be - failing that I will buy one with the standard BOSE and upgrade as necessary - the idea of a massive V8 diesel appeals.

I know most if not all German stuff had issues with Piezo injectors but I imagine they will have been resolved by now / then.

So I guess I am looking for some objective comments if you know about them or have owned one. My MD has had a 58 Q7 from new without issue I understand and I know you have a Q7 Lee albeit a short time.

Also are there any good forums for Audis like this one - this is probably not the right place to ask but not everyone on here has an MB.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

I'm out at the minute, I'll give you a better write-up when I get home.

As a taster, the V8 twin-turbo TDi is very easily tuned to 400+bhp with (iirc) 800lbs/ft torque, standard is 330bhp and 560lbs/ft torque.

 

[Vilus]

You are looking for RS246.com for the petrol, not sure about diesel?

 

[flango]

SWMBO had a 450 bhp A8 V8 (although I suspect the model before the one you are looking at) all the talk of understeer on both models is rubbish decent set of polybushes and a good set up from WIM and they are perfect never experienced any understeer in ours either in road use or track use and I did the ring 3 times with it I think.

V8 4.2 tdi well diesels aren't my thing but I have to admit this is a good one it does make that car move well however you can watch the petrol gauge go down when you run it hard I have a mate that has one and he hits just over 25mpg around town and 30 -32 mpg on a run for comparison thats about exactly half of what a BMW 535d will do. Audi is a big luxo barge that cruises well in comfort and can do it very quickly it corners well but no where near the agility of an E55 or BMW 535

My big gripe with the A8 is my same gripe with MB you can't get a manual gearbox but thats just personal preference. That said the autobox on the audi with tiptronic and flappy paddles is much better than the MB 5G or 7G and bombproof

Weak points on A8 power steering pump, they also go through O2 sensors fairly regularly,there was also a problem on some of these cars for the airbag which was done under a recall so check chassis number against recall list. Cars with sunroof also develop leaks through blocked channels or broken drain tubes so check near interior light for any water staining.

I'm still in touch with the guy that bought iurs over a year ago he's put another 20k on it and apart from routine servicing it still not had a spanner on it. The reason we bought our was so SWMBO could drive her elderly parents around in comfort sadly they are no longer with us so she went back to a small sports hatch which are the type of cars she loves.

Would I buy another A8 yes definitely but to be honest the BMW 535 does have the edge if you want a more sporty feel.

Hope that helps

 

[Conquistador]

Try the 'A8 parts forum'. Very informative website and unofficial club that I've always found answers to any questions I've had in the year of owning mine.

 

[flango]

Another thing I forgot heater flap control motors go past their stop point and burn out any clicking from the centre dash and you have a problem > £1k to change them all and get it back to working order.

 

[DSB SL AMG]

Hey John,

Surprised to hear your thinking of moving on...but its inevitable I suppose. Bear in mind that in the not too far distant future W211 E55 will be very rare, only aprox 600 were sold uk market...

Back onto the A8 you mention V10, how about a W12? rare car indeed with a naturally aspirated Bentley GT derived engine, I don't think much variation in running costs between V8/V10/W12

Audi A8 6.0 QUATTRO VERY RARE 6.0 W12 ENGINE FASH RECENTLY DONE 4dr 2005

 

[Simon_M]

Why not the V10 RS6?

 

[Oli]

Stop this diesel nonsense and buy the RS6.

 

[gIzzE]

Every single Audi I have owned has understeered like a good 'un.

Only when you press on though and find you have to back off to get it round the corner, but that is a natural reaction so not really an issue.

I like the A8, a lot, big safe crusiers is the one type of car that doesn't tend to disappoint with Audis.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

The A8 4.2TDI would be the alternative and I'd be looking to source whichever with B&O so I don't have to fork out to have anything installed - subject to it being as good as it is made out to be - failing that I will buy one with the standard BOSE and upgrade as necessary - the idea of a massive V8 diesel appeals.

From inside the cabin you can't tell it's a diesel, although it's obvious when stood outside...

The Bose sound is very good, very clear and the MMI is very easy to navigate and sub-navigate; mine has Bluetooth (downloads your phonebook direct to the car, also shows dialled calls, received calls, missed calls and phonebook) and has an MP3/iPod adapter under the armrest. The reverse camera has been a revelation, it's somehow turned my wife into a master at parking.

Now for the important bit (and keep in mind the A8 will be sharper than my Q7); the power that the 4.2 V8 TDi kicks out is addictive, there is no let-up in the acceleration all the way up to three figure territory and beyond. The six speed gearbox is smooth enough and relatively responsive for its purpose.

I'm planning on trying out a couple of 0-60's just out of interest, but it's more potent from 30-70. I'm still enjoying finding out the sweet spots.

Things that bug me are very few; it's got the turning circle of a tanker and I've experienced more road rage from other users in the short time I've owned it compared to the RR Sport, not sure if it's an Audi thing...

One thing I will say though is that I doubt I could have a 4wd car as my 'toy', in my opinion once you've enjoyed the drama of RWD a 4wd feels numb...

Also are there any good forums for Audis like this one - this is probably not the right place to ask but not everyone on here has an MB.

I've joined VW AUDI Forum - VWAF - VW Audi Forum but not really had chance to explore it too much just yet, looks decent on first impression.

 

[bob6600]

So 367 days ago, strangely, I posted on another forum that I was looking at possibly buying an Audi A8 or S8 as the successor to my E55K. However, it was only in passing and the usual 'get used to the squeal of understeer' which I know is the case - but I've moved on from practicing powersliding on the roundabouts in Bracknell in a 325i nearly 15 years ago.

I didn't know exactly when I might change but I am thinking now probably when I've had mine for 5 years and I've done it to death (2.5/3 years time probably). I considered Anils BIL's one he was selling a couple of months back which reminded me, as well as someone in the family I think are buying a similar model.

I still love my E55K but I am getting to the point where the idea of rapid pace isn't quite so exciting as it once was - I'm not going to say I've got used to it because it the E55K is devastating and I've yet to be seen off by anything (although that's luck in part because I've not come up against really quick stuff like GT-Rs or some of the crazy stuff at Vmax). I think I would miss it though - hence the S8.

It's difficult to decide which I will be interested in but I love the idea of a V10, as juicy as it maybe, as well as the space (I'm not a small chap in height or weight) and I find most cars just don't have enough estate round them.

The A8 4.2TDI would be the alternative and I'd be looking to source whichever with B&O so I don't have to fork out to have anything installed - subject to it being as good as it is made out to be - failing that I will buy one with the standard BOSE and upgrade as necessary - the idea of a massive V8 diesel appeals.

I know most if not all German stuff had issues with Piezo injectors but I imagine they will have been resolved by now / then.

So I guess I am looking for some objective comments if you know about them or have owned one. My MD has had a 58 Q7 from new without issue I understand and I know you have a Q7 Lee albeit a short time.

Also are there any good forums for Audis like this one - this is probably not the right place to ask but not everyone on here has an MB.

I read your post and it was like duplicating exactly what I was thinking, even down to the same models! Would love the S8 but will most likely be the 4.2 TDI, hopefully next year for me as the W210 will probably not last too many more years rust wise and I don't see it viable to spend the money involved to put it all right.

The W12 is as fast as the S8, cheaper and softer (almost a comfortable version of the S8)

Drove a 4.2 TDI few years back and have wanted one ever since, just not been the right time for me.

As for forums, I'm a member here

Audi-Sport.net

 

[Deleted member 37751]

The W12 is as fast as the S8, cheaper and softer (almost a comfortable version of the S8)

The W12 has 450bhp as does the S8 which for flagship Audi models seems 'low' to me...

 

[mct_cars]

Must admit to seriously looking at the A8 4.2 TDi. They go through the auctions for stupidly low money. Road tax won't be cheap (unless it's a new one).

As has been said, can be tuned to really silly LbFt numbers from a little over tickover!

 

[brigadier]

+1 for the A8 parts forum mentioned above - good site.
I'm surprised no one mentioned air suspension when talking about weak spots.
It's better than airmatic in terms of reliability afaik, but still needs to be checked when buying a8. Also a good idea to connect vcds and read error memory, as these cars are full with electronics.
Now as far as the car itself - It really does well what it was intended to do.
Safe, roomy, comfortable, quiet and the interior materials and finish is ahead of both 7 series and w220's of same era imo. I like it's elegant, understated design which was main selling point to me. I'm not a fan of diesels, especially since I don't do a lot of miles, so went for 4.2 petrol, which is a brilliant engine - very simple, bulletproof and provides plenty of power (340 PS). It's not a sports car after all.

 

[HB]

I had a D3 A8 3.0tdi and ran it totally fault free for 100k. No joke. Totally brilliant car. I've always said, it pisses on an Sclass. Before anyone says I'm talking crap. We have 3 Sclass in the family w221s including my late fathers. He would not drive anything but a Merc. When he tried the A8 for a while he was bowled over.

 

[John]

Hey John,

Surprised to hear your thinking of moving on...but its inevitable I suppose. Bear in mind that in the not too far distant future W211 E55 will be very rare, only aprox 600 were sold uk market...

Back onto the A8 you mention V10, how about a W12? rare car indeed with a naturally aspirated Bentley GT derived engine, I don't think much variation in running costs between V8/V10/W12

Audi A8 6.0 QUATTRO VERY RARE 6.0 W12 ENGINE FASH RECENTLY DONE 4dr 2005

Evening fella,

It won't be for 2 or 3 years yet. I always regretted selling my M3 Evo so soon so I am not getting rid yet - I want to do the E55K thing to death (and I want to do the headers in it as well) - and there is no guarantee I will change even then. However, I know me and I reckon after 5 years I will probably be a bit bored of the E and there is little to follow it's benchmark to be honest. I am a fussy get as well.

Your right about the classic thing - hopefully they will maintain or appreciate and mine is a minter and well below average mileage.

Not sure about the W12 - might have a look. I feel like this car would be a compromise anyway - so I think I'd be happy with the V8/V10.

Why not the V10 RS6?

Since the days when I took on an RS2 in my M3, I've never really been into RS*.*. Bit like when I had a Manta - I never really got into Capris.

 

[bob6600]

The W12 has 450bhp as does the S8 which for flagship Audi models seems 'low' to me...

I agree - it's the biggest car they do (not counting SUV's) and ok the new ones are 500bhp (W12) and 520bhp (S8) which is probably just about 'acceptable' these days. 450bhp was certainly not enough, at least on paper.

I used to wonder why they never put the 5.0 V10 diesel in there but I guess the 4.2 is more than enough and has plenty of power, it's the pertols that seemed a bit weak