Old A8 - very scary moneypit?
Discussion
My X300 XJ6 winter snotter has just failed it's MOT on emissions, a bit of rot and the handbrake. It's probably not worth fixing - I don't have time to do it myself, and it's definitely not worth paying labour to get it done.
I'm now tempted by a cheap A8. I watched Ronin too many times about 12 years ago. I quite fancy a look at this one:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/used-cars/audi/a8/used-audi-a8-4-2-quattro-4dr-auto-colchester-fpa-201210454718237
or this one:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280873565017#ht_1163wt_1185
It'll probably last a year, then get changed for an XJR. Or should I buy an XJR now?
I'm now tempted by a cheap A8. I watched Ronin too many times about 12 years ago. I quite fancy a look at this one:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/used-cars/audi/a8/used-audi-a8-4-2-quattro-4dr-auto-colchester-fpa-201210454718237
or this one:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280873565017#ht_1163wt_1185
It'll probably last a year, then get changed for an XJR. Or should I buy an XJR now?
Lovely understated class.
These old beasts really demonstrate how Audi has completely lost its direction.
Mechanically they ain't gonna be cheap but no worse than an xj6.
The big advantage is of course thanks to that lovely aluminium space frame you don't have to worry about rot or rust.
This was the main reason for me buying my Audi a2 - all audis from that era are exsquisitly engineered and have a handsome understated charm about them - think original a6, a8, a4 and a2
These old beasts really demonstrate how Audi has completely lost its direction.
Mechanically they ain't gonna be cheap but no worse than an xj6.
The big advantage is of course thanks to that lovely aluminium space frame you don't have to worry about rot or rust.
This was the main reason for me buying my Audi a2 - all audis from that era are exsquisitly engineered and have a handsome understated charm about them - think original a6, a8, a4 and a2
I have just picked one of these up (albeit the V6) for a measly Brewer stylee "Bag 'o' Sand" 
182k but dealer stamps and invoices for servicing and work plus new cambelt and discs/calipers/suspension bushes at the last MOT.
MOT till next April and tax till Xmas.
It's too nice to be a shed really but it wafts along bloody lovely
If it goes seriously Pete Tong, I could probably weigh the body shell in and get my money back on the ally.
182k but dealer stamps and invoices for servicing and work plus new cambelt and discs/calipers/suspension bushes at the last MOT.
MOT till next April and tax till Xmas.
It's too nice to be a shed really but it wafts along bloody lovely
If it goes seriously Pete Tong, I could probably weigh the body shell in and get my money back on the ally.
DrTre said:
Gearbox is the main issue I understand. But only on certain models I think and only before a certain year.
I'm not trying to be as vague as possible, contrary to appearances.
Thats's perfect, thanks very much! It's this kind of insightful, finely honed information that makes Pistonheads great. I'm not trying to be as vague as possible, contrary to appearances.
No, what makes ph great is the level of gratitude when someone posts something (which is then confirmed by the next poster) that might be a pointer to you googling for further info.
Type "a8 gea" and it's the second option down.
You're welcome.
Type "a8 gea" and it's the second option down.
You're welcome.
Edited by DrTre on Thursday 12th July 11:13
R0B. said:
Agreed, a friend had 2, S8 and an A8 4.2 Sport, both had major gearbox issues requiring rebuilds
ETA: I remember reading or being told - can't recall which now - that the D2 A8s were handbuilt by Audi and sold at a loss. Audi was sufficiently keen then to break into the luxo-barge market that it was prepared to do this.
I have no idea how much, if any truth there really is in this, but it's fair to say that ours still feels remarkably well put together.
Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 12th July 11:26
DrTre said:
No, what makes ph great is the level of gratitude when someone posts something (which is then confirmed by the next poster) that might be a pointer to you googling for further info.
Type "a8 gea" and it's the second option down.
You're welcome.
It was a bit of a joke, honest. Unfortunately, I don't like smilies, or whatever they're called. I appreciate the heads up.Type "a8 gea" and it's the second option down.
You're welcome.
Edited by DrTre on Thursday 12th July 11:13
s2sol said:
It was a bit of a joke, honest. Unfortunately, I don't like smilies, or whatever they're called. I appreciate the heads up.
In that case, soz for my overreaction! I couldn't work out whether you were serious or not. I had a look at these a few months ago and the gearbox thing really put me off. Beautiful cars.Most failures like gearboxes etc on most cars are often as a result of poor maintenance and abussive driving - most garages dont bother checking or adjusting routine service points on the service schedule and the cars fail as a result - see it all the time working in the trade - often when I'm correcting the mistakes made by other garages
I believe the gearboxes were supposed to be sealed for life, so the Audi service schedule didn't include a gearbox oil/filter change. It is recommended to have a gearbox service - think it's 60k then every 40k after that. Sure this only affects the D2, but if they've been serviced you should be alright.
I recently sold my 1999 4.2V8 D2 (newer shape with sat nav and S8 wheels) for less than both of those. Mine had the gearbox service at 60k, and I had the cambelt/water pump/thermostat changed before I sold it. (Was expecting to keep it).
No point going for the 3.7V8 - less powerful, and no more economical than the 4.2V8.
I recently sold my 1999 4.2V8 D2 (newer shape with sat nav and S8 wheels) for less than both of those. Mine had the gearbox service at 60k, and I had the cambelt/water pump/thermostat changed before I sold it. (Was expecting to keep it).
No point going for the 3.7V8 - less powerful, and no more economical than the 4.2V8.
A bit of research has convinced me the gearbox is a potential dealbreaker. If I'm reluctant to spend £600 on the Jag, I'm definitely not going to want to spend £2k on an A8 gearbox.
It's a shame, I really fancy one, but I can't justify spending more than about £2000 on what is essentially a toy.
If anyone knows of a good one about that price, I could still be convinced. Would need to be 4.2, and I'd prefer black.
It's a shame, I really fancy one, but I can't justify spending more than about £2000 on what is essentially a toy.
If anyone knows of a good one about that price, I could still be convinced. Would need to be 4.2, and I'd prefer black.
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