Which A8? 3.0 TDI, 4.2 TDI or 4.2 V8?
Discussion
Hi all,
Am hoping that I can find the answer to my question here as the Audi forum I tried seems a little quiet!
I'm considering getting an A8 once I've got my Z4 fully paid for. I'd be keeping the Z4 as a plaything but have no doubt that the daily commute would soon fall to the Audi to take care of!
I'm wondering whether there is likely to be much real world difference in economy between the 3.0 and 4.2 TDI units? My commute is only 5 miles on a country lane followed by some short roundabout hopping on a dual carriageway, even the Z4 is only starting to get warm when I get there, a diesel will still be cold! This makes me think that the economy on a diesel under these conditions will be poor at best!
On the occasional motorway blasts over to Manchester I would imagine that the difference between the two diesel units may be a little more noticeable?
The 4.2 petrol is also tempting but I figure I'll be lucky to see 20mpg out of it in my commuting routine which is probably a bit excessive for my pocket.
A lot of people seem to mention the remapping of the 3.0 and 4.2, is this reliable with an automatic box? As I'd be buying an out of warranty vehicle I'm very worried about expensive things going wrong!
Is the 3.0 likely to have lower running costs and fewer expensive problems than the 4.2?
Basically if anyone has any experience of these cars I'd love to hear it!
Am hoping that I can find the answer to my question here as the Audi forum I tried seems a little quiet!
I'm considering getting an A8 once I've got my Z4 fully paid for. I'd be keeping the Z4 as a plaything but have no doubt that the daily commute would soon fall to the Audi to take care of!
I'm wondering whether there is likely to be much real world difference in economy between the 3.0 and 4.2 TDI units? My commute is only 5 miles on a country lane followed by some short roundabout hopping on a dual carriageway, even the Z4 is only starting to get warm when I get there, a diesel will still be cold! This makes me think that the economy on a diesel under these conditions will be poor at best!
On the occasional motorway blasts over to Manchester I would imagine that the difference between the two diesel units may be a little more noticeable?
The 4.2 petrol is also tempting but I figure I'll be lucky to see 20mpg out of it in my commuting routine which is probably a bit excessive for my pocket.
A lot of people seem to mention the remapping of the 3.0 and 4.2, is this reliable with an automatic box? As I'd be buying an out of warranty vehicle I'm very worried about expensive things going wrong!
Is the 3.0 likely to have lower running costs and fewer expensive problems than the 4.2?
Basically if anyone has any experience of these cars I'd love to hear it!
Hi,
I have had both the 3.0TDi and now running the 4.2TDi engine in my A8L.
The power of the 4.2TDi is absolutely phenomenal and on a run I get over 36mpg which is not too bad for a 2 ton car with quattro, auto and air-con running. The 3.0TDi used to manage about 44mpg.
Both of these have been remapped to help mainly with the economy as I do approximately 70k a year in them but it is always handy to have a bit more power at times
They are awesome machines, I think Dr G described them as the "fastest armchair on the road". I have had no issues with gearboxes or any other major components. The only problem I had with the 3.0TDi was the injectors as the 2005/early 2006 models had a "faulty" batch of injectors which cost £2500 to replace.
Both engines are superb and when I change again I will be going back to the 3.0TDi just for economy reasons. I have done the 4.2 thing, I just had to have one! The 3.0TDi is wonderfully smooth engine probably more so than the V8 if I am honest but the rush of power in the big engine is addictive.
Don't even consider the 4.0 TDi as it is older engine technology.
I have had both the 3.0TDi and now running the 4.2TDi engine in my A8L.
The power of the 4.2TDi is absolutely phenomenal and on a run I get over 36mpg which is not too bad for a 2 ton car with quattro, auto and air-con running. The 3.0TDi used to manage about 44mpg.
Both of these have been remapped to help mainly with the economy as I do approximately 70k a year in them but it is always handy to have a bit more power at times
They are awesome machines, I think Dr G described them as the "fastest armchair on the road". I have had no issues with gearboxes or any other major components. The only problem I had with the 3.0TDi was the injectors as the 2005/early 2006 models had a "faulty" batch of injectors which cost £2500 to replace.
Both engines are superb and when I change again I will be going back to the 3.0TDi just for economy reasons. I have done the 4.2 thing, I just had to have one! The 3.0TDi is wonderfully smooth engine probably more so than the V8 if I am honest but the rush of power in the big engine is addictive.
Don't even consider the 4.0 TDi as it is older engine technology.
That's brilliant thanks guys, I think I'll have to try and drive both cars at some point to make my mind up between the two.
I think that the lower fuel costs of the 3.0TDI are tempting given that my other car is a 3.0 petrol and has high fuel costs.
Dilligaf - I'm guessing that you don't do a lot of town mileage if you're covering 70K a year, but do you have any idea what the difference in fuel costs was between the two engines on non-motorway runs? I'm guessing at about 26-28mpg for the 4.2 and about 30mpg for the 3.0?
If there's not much difference then it'll make the 4.2 more or less as affordable as the 3.0 really, by the time I've split my miles between the two cars the A8 will be lucky to cover much more than 10K per year!
I think that the lower fuel costs of the 3.0TDI are tempting given that my other car is a 3.0 petrol and has high fuel costs.
Dilligaf - I'm guessing that you don't do a lot of town mileage if you're covering 70K a year, but do you have any idea what the difference in fuel costs was between the two engines on non-motorway runs? I'm guessing at about 26-28mpg for the 4.2 and about 30mpg for the 3.0?
If there's not much difference then it'll make the 4.2 more or less as affordable as the 3.0 really, by the time I've split my miles between the two cars the A8 will be lucky to cover much more than 10K per year!
Round town mpg is surprisingly similar really. My mileage is a mixture of motorway and town mileage, just lots of hours behind the wheel. (See profile) If I really play I can get the mpg just into single figures but it's quite hard to do really. I suppose low to mid 20's if I was around town all the time
I don't think the values will drop much because of the new model if at all. It will be a while before they really start coming onto the market as a used bargain and the A8's tend to depreciate heavily in the first two years. My latest one was just over £80K new but under £30K after 2 1/4 years.
I don't think the values will drop much because of the new model if at all. It will be a while before they really start coming onto the market as a used bargain and the A8's tend to depreciate heavily in the first two years. My latest one was just over £80K new but under £30K after 2 1/4 years.
Well after doing a lot of research I've decided that I don't care which engine I get any more!
The 4.2 TDI is going to be a beast but has less choice, the 3.0 will actually offer some economy should I take it anywhere far flung and I figure that the V8 petrol will at least make a pant-creamy noise and be cheaper to buy (may also LPG convert too)
Either way, after looking through the thread of crash pictures in General Gassing I'm definitely set on a large German barge as the second car!
The 4.2 TDI is going to be a beast but has less choice, the 3.0 will actually offer some economy should I take it anywhere far flung and I figure that the V8 petrol will at least make a pant-creamy noise and be cheaper to buy (may also LPG convert too)
Either way, after looking through the thread of crash pictures in General Gassing I'm definitely set on a large German barge as the second car!
I have an A8 4.2 Tdi Sport, tried a few different ones to find the best one with spec etc, got one with soft close doors and active cruise control but took some finding for the right price. I liked the sport because the seats are much nicer and supportive and the suspension is a bit firmer, I found the SE a bit soft even in dymanic mode.
You will not be dissapointed with power or economy and on a long run, there is not much in it between the 4.2 or 3.0. I managed to get 700 miles from a tank the other day, fill is about £90. I haven't had mine remapped, even in standard form it has plenty of grunt. Do not consider the 4.0 TDI it is crap - noisy and thirsty.
Running costs aren't that excessive considering what you're driving, just had main dealer service for £400 which I didn't think was that bad including all fluids etc, tyres can be pricy as all 4 need doing at the same time.
Best thing of all was this morning, with 6" of fresh snow on the road it just grips so well, makes you wonder what all the fuss is about, got in to work no problem at all.
You will not be dissapointed with power or economy and on a long run, there is not much in it between the 4.2 or 3.0. I managed to get 700 miles from a tank the other day, fill is about £90. I haven't had mine remapped, even in standard form it has plenty of grunt. Do not consider the 4.0 TDI it is crap - noisy and thirsty.
Running costs aren't that excessive considering what you're driving, just had main dealer service for £400 which I didn't think was that bad including all fluids etc, tyres can be pricy as all 4 need doing at the same time.
Best thing of all was this morning, with 6" of fresh snow on the road it just grips so well, makes you wonder what all the fuss is about, got in to work no problem at all.
Monty4rt said:
I have an A8 4.2 Tdi Sport, tried a few different ones to find the best one with spec etc, got one with soft close doors and active cruise control but took some finding for the right price. I liked the sport because the seats are much nicer and supportive and the suspension is a bit firmer, I found the SE a bit soft even in dymanic mode.
You will not be dissapointed with power or economy and on a long run, there is not much in it between the 4.2 or 3.0. I managed to get 700 miles from a tank the other day, fill is about £90. I haven't had mine remapped, even in standard form it has plenty of grunt. Do not consider the 4.0 TDI it is crap - noisy and thirsty.
Running costs aren't that excessive considering what you're driving, just had main dealer service for £400 which I didn't think was that bad including all fluids etc, tyres can be pricy as all 4 need doing at the same time.
Best thing of all was this morning, with 6" of fresh snow on the road it just grips so well, makes you wonder what all the fuss is about, got in to work no problem at all.
Hi,You will not be dissapointed with power or economy and on a long run, there is not much in it between the 4.2 or 3.0. I managed to get 700 miles from a tank the other day, fill is about £90. I haven't had mine remapped, even in standard form it has plenty of grunt. Do not consider the 4.0 TDI it is crap - noisy and thirsty.
Running costs aren't that excessive considering what you're driving, just had main dealer service for £400 which I didn't think was that bad including all fluids etc, tyres can be pricy as all 4 need doing at the same time.
Best thing of all was this morning, with 6" of fresh snow on the road it just grips so well, makes you wonder what all the fuss is about, got in to work no problem at all.
Looked at one of these myself, I like the barges......700 from a tank, how big is it and was this at a fair motorway pace (ie 70-80's) or a 55mph driving miss daisy outing?
M
Just to give a petrol 4.2 owner's perspective, I get mid 20's on long runs, and if you're sensible you can get 28mpg when you're at 75 leptons or so.
The noise is fantastic for what is otherwise a very civilised car, and as we all know it warms up a little quicker than a diesel so may suit your commute perhaps.
Using mine in the snow today makes me love mine even more. I've had mine for 3.5 yrs and it's on an '04 plate and it's been fine. Check my profile for ownership experiences, but in summary it's never produced any unexpected service nasties that you wouldn't have on any other car (touchwood....)
The noise is fantastic for what is otherwise a very civilised car, and as we all know it warms up a little quicker than a diesel so may suit your commute perhaps.
Using mine in the snow today makes me love mine even more. I've had mine for 3.5 yrs and it's on an '04 plate and it's been fine. Check my profile for ownership experiences, but in summary it's never produced any unexpected service nasties that you wouldn't have on any other car (touchwood....)
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