2011 onwards A8 Tdi.....experiences/opinions please

[turboman786]

Having sold my 535d f10 I'm on the hunt for a new car

My eye sis drawn the current shape Audi a8 3.0 tdi which seems like phenomenal VFM with 2011/12 cars being around the £20k mark

Can anyone share any ownership experiences please as reviews seem to be a bit thin on the ground for these cars

Also options/must have etc etc would be gratefully received!

[ALTO77]

eye sis you say, very suspicious.

[john banks]

I had a 2013 3.0 TDI (250) and loved it. Changed for the S8.

[Dr G]

Bigger wheels and a 'bold' colour combination make for a good start. There are a fair few around that look a bit grandad with small wheels and washed out colour schemes that can be difficult to sell but on the flipside might net you a bargain.

They're very well specified as standard but if you want to message me your email I'll send you a period brochure so you can have a surf through the vast array of options that were available. I personally really rate the comfort seats.

[turboman786]

Thanks DrG....v helpful as always

Is it possible to easily change the horrid 4 spokesteering wheel to the nicer 3 spoke item?

Are they nice to drive or just big floaty barges...does it have any real driver appeal?

[rassi]

turboman786 said:

Thanks DrG....v helpful as always

Is it possible to easily change the horrid 4 spokesteering wheel to the nicer 3 spoke item?

Are they nice to drive or just big floaty barges...does it have any real driver appeal?

I just changed the "horrid 4 spoke steering wheel" on my A6 to a flat bottom one. It is literally a process that takes 20 minutes: turn the wheel 90 degrees and at the back (use a small mirror) there are two metal tabs that can be released on each side, after which the airbag block can be pulled out and the two connectors released. Then use an M12 bit (not a torx) to remove the centre bolt, and slide the wheel off.

Only problem is that the 4 spoke steering wheel uses a different airbag to the 3 spoke one, so you need to buy a complete steering wheel, which does pop up on ebay.de, but you are looking at 700 euro for this.

[charge]

Best luxury car out there for the money (a few years in)
Just sold a 2012 4.2 tdi with some goodies in Havana black and cream interior with the 20 inch wheels, led lights etc.
One of the meanest looking cars on the road.
The V8 packs a stunning punch that still shocked after two years of ownership.
Got into a year old 4.0 bi turbo petrol last month.
Gutless below 2,500 (where the diesel would be trying to rip itself out the engine bay with the torque) but has a turn of speed that is gobsmacking if you nail it, which in a quiet confortable car feels sort of wrong?
A LOT quiter and refined, but I miss the grumbly punchy diesel lump.
Thought things were turning against Diesels in general hence the shift to petrol, and I am sure as a longer term ownership proposition I wouls feel happier running a leggy petrol than diesel, but all in all the diesels do it all for 50-65% of the running costs of the petrol.
Both the A8's grip well and are very quick point to point, with Dynamic still confortable in the suspension setting, but reins in most of the wallow. Definately one of the more driver focused big saloons out there.

Get the 4.2! The six pot sounds like a routemaster! You only live once, enjoy it!

[WinstonWolf]

I've got a 4.2 D3 with circa 110k on the clock and I absolutely love it. LED lights everywhere in the cabin, automatic everything and enough oomph to safely overtake HGVs on A roads. I know you're looking at the next generation but they definitely wear well.

You will definitely become an expert at parking if you get one