Dr G.. opinion if you'd be so kind..
Discussion
Hi Alex
I'm interested in a 2011 Audi A8 3.0 TDI Quattro SE Executive with high mileage 110k+. I'll be doing around 10k miles a year and intend to keep it for at least 5 years.
Can you give me any advice on high mileage ones / long term reliability?!.. I know the previous generation where pretty much rock solid so I'm assuming these are the same?!..
If anyone owe's one that can give me any experiences/advice that would also be of interest.. Thanks..
I'm interested in a 2011 Audi A8 3.0 TDI Quattro SE Executive with high mileage 110k+. I'll be doing around 10k miles a year and intend to keep it for at least 5 years.
Can you give me any advice on high mileage ones / long term reliability?!.. I know the previous generation where pretty much rock solid so I'm assuming these are the same?!..
If anyone owe's one that can give me any experiences/advice that would also be of interest.. Thanks..
While you wait for DrG to respond, the one thing I would query is how much life remains in the DPF. It won't have had any issues regenerating having covered that many miles, but it wouldn't surprise me if it reaches the end of its service life in the time you own it, and if A5 DPF replacement part cost of £1800 is indicative for the engine type that's a chunk of cash to be prepared to throw at a car with 110-160k miles on it.
If you're only doing 10k a year you might be better buying a lower miles petrol example with much less to go wrong?
If you're only doing 10k a year you might be better buying a lower miles petrol example with much less to go wrong?
Adrian E said:
While you wait for DrG to respond, the one thing I would query is how much life remains in the DPF. It won't have had any issues regenerating having covered that many miles, but it wouldn't surprise me if it reaches the end of its service life in the time you own it, and if A5 DPF replacement part cost of £1800 is indicative for the engine type that's a chunk of cash to be prepared to throw at a car with 110-160k miles on it.
If you're only doing 10k a year you might be better buying a lower miles petrol example with much less to go wrong?
Thanks for that Adrian. I'll check that out. My initial understanding was that newer cars with DPF weren't so much of an issue and was dependent on how your drove it - essentially giving it a good hoon on a regular basis would help as a preventative measure (maybe folk law?!)..If you're only doing 10k a year you might be better buying a lower miles petrol example with much less to go wrong?
In my experience of owning a 3.0TDI for 2 years:
Listen for any suspenson knocks from the front
EML light may come on for the manifold flaps sticking
Check rear washer works
Check both cooling fans work
Try and get a fault scan - mine had two permanent faults for the glow plugs and one for the engine mount solenoid
It was also a magnet for people knocking the bodywork
Listen for any suspenson knocks from the front
EML light may come on for the manifold flaps sticking
Check rear washer works
Check both cooling fans work
Try and get a fault scan - mine had two permanent faults for the glow plugs and one for the engine mount solenoid
It was also a magnet for people knocking the bodywork
As above, if a DPF is used properly it'll clean itself out through regeneration. However they still have a finite life, depending on usage, because not all the soot can be burnt out of the corners of the DPF and over time it will become increasingly inefficient to the point it'll be attempting re-gens all the time. It might be possible to then chemically clean it to restore it, assuming the catalyst itself is OK.
10k a year is pretty low miles to justify a diesel - we do about 11k a year across 2 cars, both of which are large petrol engines, and a diesel just wouldn't work for the types of journey we do
10k a year is pretty low miles to justify a diesel - we do about 11k a year across 2 cars, both of which are large petrol engines, and a diesel just wouldn't work for the types of journey we do
Diesel the best choice for an A8 and at 10k miles annually you'll be fine. That low down slug of torque suits the character of the car and the 8 speed box in these is excellent.
110k is not issue if the car has been properly maintained. I don't just mean oil changes, I mean serviced by someone that knows what they're doing and advise on additional items taken. An abused A8 could lead to all manners of bork!
Maracus said:
Listen for any suspenson knocks from the front
>>> Not yet seen a single suspension issue with a D4 A8.
EML light may come on for the manifold flaps sticking
>>> Not done a single one on a late 3.0 TDI
Check rear washer works
>>> There isn't one
Check both cooling fans work
>>> Not heard of this
Try and get a fault scan - mine had two permanent faults for the glow plugs and one for the engine mount solenoid
>>> Good advice if you're unsure of the dealer it's coming from.
>>> Not yet seen a single suspension issue with a D4 A8.
EML light may come on for the manifold flaps sticking
>>> Not done a single one on a late 3.0 TDI
Check rear washer works
>>> There isn't one
Check both cooling fans work
>>> Not heard of this
Try and get a fault scan - mine had two permanent faults for the glow plugs and one for the engine mount solenoid
>>> Good advice if you're unsure of the dealer it's coming from.
Adrian E said:
how much life remains in the DPF.
They're inspected at 120k miles and then at every subsequent service. We sold an A4 and an A5 last year each closing in on 130k. Both left us mapped and owners have reported no issues with the DPFs, they're pretty good now unless you're properly mean to them. I bet you a car doing 40k motorway miles per year will have a healthier DPF than one with 40 on in it total over the same time.I do take your point but it's just too early to tell how long they last in the real world. We haven't replaced one yet...
Adrian E said:
10k a year is pretty low miles to justify a diesel - we do about 11k a year across 2 cars, both of which are large petrol engines, and a diesel just wouldn't work for the types of journey we do
I do ~8k per year and don't remember the last time I saw a DPF light come on. In the last few years they've been pretty good. Again, in an A8 they're just so well suited to the car that unless you've got S8 money there's no point in petrol.It's absolutely down to usage in terms of whether DPF issues occur - lots of short journeys/failed re-gens will cause issues, but if the mileage is accrued mainly on long runs there's no issue.
I was in my local TPS when an A5 Coupe 3.0tdi owner came in to collect his new DPF at £1800 so clearly they do fail, so aren't immune to issues. I didn't ask what caused his to go!
There's a few 3.0 supercharged '8s about which will give a similar punch to the diesel, but they are far rarer than the tdi. The 4.2 petrol is obviously higher tax bracket and will keep pace with the diesel, but with very much less punchy power delivery.
I was in my local TPS when an A5 Coupe 3.0tdi owner came in to collect his new DPF at £1800 so clearly they do fail, so aren't immune to issues. I didn't ask what caused his to go!
There's a few 3.0 supercharged '8s about which will give a similar punch to the diesel, but they are far rarer than the tdi. The 4.2 petrol is obviously higher tax bracket and will keep pace with the diesel, but with very much less punchy power delivery.
Dont mean to hijack thread, have similar question but with regard to sourcing a decent D3 A8 (?pre-2010 I believe).
Specifically to Dr G, are you aware of a good source for these cars (specifically the TDIs), and also are you aware of anyone offering the service of inspecting them pre-purchase?
Regards
Malcolm
Specifically to Dr G, are you aware of a good source for these cars (specifically the TDIs), and also are you aware of anyone offering the service of inspecting them pre-purchase?
Regards
Malcolm
I can't point you to one particular source; very late stuff will mostly be in the dealers then filtering through specialists and every and anywhere once they've de-valued suitably.
Any main dealer will carry out a pre-purchase inspection but they're fairly expensive and are often uneccesarily critical re wear items.
An Audi specialist will be able to give you probably a more realistic appraisal but A8s are bloody complicated and not everywhere will be experienced working with them.
The biggest part of purchase should be making sure stuff works; the quality of these cars is generally excellent but the level of complexity makes repairs expensive when they do crop up.
If you aren't sure what you're looking at go and visit a few that are in your area; not with a view to buying but to give you a feel of good/bad. See what the interior surfaces should look like, what they should smell like, panel gaps, paint finish etc.
What sort of age/budget are you considering?
Any main dealer will carry out a pre-purchase inspection but they're fairly expensive and are often uneccesarily critical re wear items.
An Audi specialist will be able to give you probably a more realistic appraisal but A8s are bloody complicated and not everywhere will be experienced working with them.
The biggest part of purchase should be making sure stuff works; the quality of these cars is generally excellent but the level of complexity makes repairs expensive when they do crop up.
If you aren't sure what you're looking at go and visit a few that are in your area; not with a view to buying but to give you a feel of good/bad. See what the interior surfaces should look like, what they should smell like, panel gaps, paint finish etc.
What sort of age/budget are you considering?
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