Second hand Audi A8: worryingly tempting

[Pyrolysis]

Do it!

If you like them then go for it. I have a BMW 640d Gran Coupe and do alot of motorway miles. There are more economical cars, there are faster cars but it is a joy to soak up the miles in. Much more luxurious than a 3 or 4 series, i'd imagine the A8 is a nice place to be compared to an A4/A6.

[KungFuPanda]

I've got a 2015 S8. Absolutely love it. Smooth, comfortable and a joy to drive.

[AdeTuono]

What did you do, OP? Reason I ask is that I've just bought a '16 A8 after a short test drive today. I've had an XJ in the past, which I loved, and have just traded my CLS for this A8. I wanted something which has depreciated enormously already, and that could soak up a few long trips in luxury, whilst not being a 7 Series or an S Class, and there weren't many other options. I'd like to think I've hit the sweet spot, price-wise, but will probably only keep it a year or so.

As per the original post, any other ownership comments?

[TorqueDirty]

AdeTuono said:

What did you do, OP? Reason I ask is that I've just bought a '16 A8 after a short test drive today. I've had an XJ in the past, which I loved, and have just traded my CLS for this A8. I wanted something which has depreciated enormously already, and that could soak up a few long trips in luxury, whilst not being a 7 Series or an S Class, and there weren't many other options. I'd like to think I've hit the sweet spot, price-wise, but will probably only keep it a year or so.

As per the original post, any other ownership comments?

Bottled it in the end because of the size and the fact that in all honesty I really ought to buy an estate so that I can also get the dogs in the back.

Still looking wistfully at them though. They seem such good value for what they are and the 4wd is a huge bonus up here in Scotland.

A 5 series xdrive estate makes more sense but they are much more expensive and I read conflicting reports about the sensitivity of the xdrive system to tyres and tread depth differences.

I'll probably procrastinate for ages and then buy something less luxurious and more practical - as always!

[covmutley]

I keep looking at barges too. My mileage means i need diesel, and so if I'm not getting a car with performance, avoiding something dull means heading toward luxury.

And the fact that the 3/5/7, a4/a6/a8 xf/xj are so closely priced just pushes me toward the bigger car. Although then running costs put me off a bit.

The correct answer for me is probably a 335d touring in reality.

Still, most of the fun is probably in research on autotrader, rather than ownership

[Stevieg158]

I've gone from a 996c4s then Audi A7 to an Audi A8 (2018 3l diesel). Had the car for 5 months, have a similar distance commute of 70 miles. Wanted something comfortable, kind of quick with space for family (son is 6ft2 so rear space was a factor). I'm the first couple of months I was not sure I made the right choice (on the list were FFRR, S Class, Cayenne - would have loved a Panemerra but 3rd gen out of budget). But using the sport mode has sharpened the handling and I can make swift progress. Great in the wet, although strangely the wing mirrors get covered in grime so I'm constantly cleaning them. Economy on motorway touches 40mpg, in town traffic early 20s. For value for money, relatively speaking, it's a good choice but one from the head not the heart. Find myself looking at SL55 AMGs atm to bring a bit of fun back to diving!

[Stevieg158]

[HardtopManual]

TorqueDirty said:

Talk some sense in to me folks.

Sorry, no.

TorqueDirty said:

And that is where the frankly ridiculous thoughts about an A8 started.

How about a Phaeton? Fulfils the same sort of brief as an A8, but is over-engineered and a rarer sight.

[ilikepeas]

Today I was asked the same thing by my friend: diesel A8 or 535d if they're the same price? Is there a reason the A8 is the same price?

[sunnyb13]

ilikepeas said:

Today I was asked the same thing by my friend: diesel A8 or 535d if they're the same price? Is there a reason the A8 is the same price?

A8 should really be compared to the 7 class


535d should be compared to an a6

[AdeTuono]

sunnyb13 said:

ilikepeas said:

Today I was asked the same thing by my friend: diesel A8 or 535d if they're the same price? Is there a reason the A8 is the same price?

A8 should really be compared to the 7 class


535d should be compared to an a6

Having had both, I'd take the A8 every time, despite the 'legendary' 535 status on PH.

[ilikepeas]

sunnyb13 said:

A8 should really be compared to the 7 class


535d should be compared to an a6

I know but they are the same price, same age, same mileage, diesel 6 cylinders, but the Audi seems to be much more car for the money and can even be had with a V8 in that price bracket.

Edited by ilikepeas on Thursday 4th May 11:00

[MYOB]

ilikepeas said:

I know but they are the same price, same age, same mileage, diesel 6 cylinders, but the Audi seems to be much more car for the money and can even be had with a V8 in that price bracket.

Edited by ilikepeas on Thursday 4th May 11:00

One would suspect the difference is that the Audi A8 depreciates faster than the BMW, as it’s a large vehicle that is more expensive to maintain and thus, a vehicle that is more difficult to sell compared to the BMW.

[ilikepeas]

MYOB said:

One would suspect the difference is that the Audi A8 depreciates faster than the BMW, as it’s a large vehicle that is more expensive to maintain and thus, a vehicle that is more difficult to sell compared to the BMW.

That is fair. When you put the two side by side though it's hard to argue which one is more for the same money. I think the air suspension of the A8 would be the main difference in cost over a 535 should it go wrong.

[ZX10R NIN]

ilikepeas said:

MYOB said:

One would suspect the difference is that the Audi A8 depreciates faster than the BMW, as it’s a large vehicle that is more expensive to maintain and thus, a vehicle that is more difficult to sell compared to the BMW.

That is fair. When you put the two side by side though it's hard to argue which one is more for the same money. I think the air suspension of the A8 would be the main difference in cost over a 535 should it go wrong.

The more complicated suspension & more potential borkage mean the A8 depreciates at a greater rate.

[DanQyou]

Not sure if the engine would be the same, we have just picked up a 69 A7 50 TDI (3.0 286hp.)

It has decent shove but really never feels that quick, my housemate has a 21 E220d coupe which feels marginally slower despite a supposed 100HP difference. Kickdown for overtakes or quick junction exits are terrible but its not too bad if you manually gear down with the paddles.

In the previous shape they did a 4.2 TDI A8 which should do 30 mpg on a run and give you decent performance, I'm feeling let down by the V6 and the gearbox is beyond dimwitted. It might be because im coming down from a 40i ZF8 BMW but honestly I comfortably prefer the E220 to mine, don't think I will be keeping it long to say the least.

One other thing if the audio options are the same there are 2 Audio upgrades the 7-800 ish watt variant sounds OK but pretty muddy without tuning, miles behind Meridian in Range Rover or Burmester in Merc, they did do a second upgrade (I think it was something daft like 4 grand and 1800-1900watts) Where the speakers rise up from the dash and supposedly sound really good if you can find one with it specced I would go for it!

[Rob 131 Sport]

ilikepeas said:

sunnyb13 said:

A8 should really be compared to the 7 class


535d should be compared to an a6

I know but they are the same price, same age, same mileage, diesel 6 cylinders, but the Audi seems to be much more car for the money and can even be had with a V8 in that price bracket.

Edited by ilikepeas on Thursday 4th May 11:00

Whist the cars are all different in terms of performance and driving dynamics, can you really go wrong with any 3 Litre Diesel powered Audi, BMW, Jaguar or Mercedes.