Audi A8 (D4) - What to look out for?

[Helicopter123]

Thinking about an early D4, probably 2010 or 2011 and would appreciate any guidance on what to look out for. Are the diesels the best bet? Any reliability issues with either 3.0 or 4.2 units? Should I rule out a petrol? Mileage only 12k per annum.

[Astylishmonk]

Lucky enough to have had two.

Reliability issues? None as yet.

Petrol v diesel? I suspect resale will prefer diesel and it's pretty well suited to the car.

I tried both the 3.0 and 4.2 diesels - I have the 3.0, and never found it wanting, though sometimes I do wish I'd give for the bigger engine, but probably only 5% of the time.

Bigger thing is perhaps the options - some I have found more useful than others;

Massage seats good
Head up display handy
Soft close doors surprisingly useful
Adaptive cruise good if you can use cruise where you drive
Top down parking camera good
Sunroof is, well, a sunroof (unless you get the solar one)

Lane assist never used
Park assist never used
Foot operated boot never used

I''m sure others will be along shortly!

[john banks]

I've had two, 3.0 Quattro Exec (250) and 4.0 S8 (520). Both 63 plate so no long term reliability experience but the S8 has been back because the carbon fibre on the MMI screen was catching when opened. Also the touch handle to lock has been intermittent. I am not aware of any well known faults.

Both fabulous cars in every imaginable respect blending a range of abilities and value that I cannot find anything else that remotely matches them.