Discussion
I'm looking to chop in my diesel A6 for a mad A8 petrol as my office is moving round the corner from me, currently doing large commute.
I was looking at the 4.2 V8 and have seen a nice one. But there are also a couple of W12s available, albeit higher mileage.
IS there anything massively different to consider between these? I am guessing servicing is going to be a lot more? I am also concerned about the W12 being nicked (by breaking into my house) where as the V8 is a bit more discrete (the W12 has massive square exhausts and W12 plastered all over it),.
Either way I am excited to have a massive luxo barge with a massive petrol engine. Driven sensible diesels for years.
I was looking at the 4.2 V8 and have seen a nice one. But there are also a couple of W12s available, albeit higher mileage.
IS there anything massively different to consider between these? I am guessing servicing is going to be a lot more? I am also concerned about the W12 being nicked (by breaking into my house) where as the V8 is a bit more discrete (the W12 has massive square exhausts and W12 plastered all over it),.
Either way I am excited to have a massive luxo barge with a massive petrol engine. Driven sensible diesels for years.
Short or long wheelbase? They're surprisingly different to drive (including different gearing) and you rarely come across well specced W12 SWB.
There was one for sale recently with the desirable B&O stereo upgrade, but when the S8 launched at about the same time as B&O became available as an option, sales of W12 especially in SWB fell off a cliff.
Depends a lot on budget as well.....
In terms of 4.2 vs 6.0 the former requires regular time based cambelt changes, which the latter does not. The W12 has the potential to require an engine pull for some potentially very small jobs, but many specialists now know ways around common problems that don't require engine removal.
There was one for sale recently with the desirable B&O stereo upgrade, but when the S8 launched at about the same time as B&O became available as an option, sales of W12 especially in SWB fell off a cliff.
Depends a lot on budget as well.....
In terms of 4.2 vs 6.0 the former requires regular time based cambelt changes, which the latter does not. The W12 has the potential to require an engine pull for some potentially very small jobs, but many specialists now know ways around common problems that don't require engine removal.
Can't really help with the 4.2 bit but I have a LWB W12, was originally looking for an S8 but couldn't find one with the spec/price combo I wanted. I went for the LWB for the acres of room in the back for the occasions when ferrying family about and the nice fact that the kinders can't reach to kick the front seats. Never came across a SWB one when I was looking although I have heard that they are more of a drivers car.
As mentioned above, there are quite a lot of small jobs that can necessitate an engine out which can be potentially very expensive in labour costs, I got a warranty that covers the exorbitant Audi main dealer rates that should hopefully cover me if anything goes wrong...
The B&O stereo is a must, it really is an excellent system and I never grow tired of the speakers rising up. Mine is debadged on the rear, has the W12 badges on the wings and grill, guess it wouldn't be too onerous to remove them for a more stealthy look.
Being sensible, a well specced 4.2 would probably do everything the W12 does but my inner 12 year old always smiles when on the odd occasion you get to put your foot down. If you have any other questions on the W12 then happy to help if I can, the a8 parts forum is a good place to ask questions as well, a wealth of knowledge on their forum.
As mentioned above, there are quite a lot of small jobs that can necessitate an engine out which can be potentially very expensive in labour costs, I got a warranty that covers the exorbitant Audi main dealer rates that should hopefully cover me if anything goes wrong...
The B&O stereo is a must, it really is an excellent system and I never grow tired of the speakers rising up. Mine is debadged on the rear, has the W12 badges on the wings and grill, guess it wouldn't be too onerous to remove them for a more stealthy look.
Being sensible, a well specced 4.2 would probably do everything the W12 does but my inner 12 year old always smiles when on the odd occasion you get to put your foot down. If you have any other questions on the W12 then happy to help if I can, the a8 parts forum is a good place to ask questions as well, a wealth of knowledge on their forum.
I looked at an V8 today but it had some issues. I have seen this W12, its high mileage but I guess they are all going to be. Insurance is nowhere near as bad as I thought it would be. £480 / year compared with the £250 I currently pay for my A6 TDIe. Also the tyres are only £20 a corner more than my current car.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
Its been debadged front and sides. When its reversed on my drive it will look like any other A8. Got a personalised plate as well which hides the age.
My wife thinks I'm an utter tit for looking at these cars, but having a huge luxo barge with all the toys, 4 wheel drive. and a 0-60 time of 5.2 seconds gives me a hard on.
I've never taken a risk in my whole life and this is not a major one. Worse that can happen is I get a huge bill and the wife says I told you so.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
Its been debadged front and sides. When its reversed on my drive it will look like any other A8. Got a personalised plate as well which hides the age.
My wife thinks I'm an utter tit for looking at these cars, but having a huge luxo barge with all the toys, 4 wheel drive. and a 0-60 time of 5.2 seconds gives me a hard on.
I've never taken a risk in my whole life and this is not a major one. Worse that can happen is I get a huge bill and the wife says I told you so.
944fan said:
I looked at an V8 today but it had some issues. I have seen this W12, its high mileage but I guess they are all going to be. Insurance is nowhere near as bad as I thought it would be. £480 / year compared with the £250 I currently pay for my A6 TDIe. Also the tyres are only £20 a corner more than my current car.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
Its been debadged front and sides. When its reversed on my drive it will look like any other A8. Got a personalised plate as well which hides the age.
My wife thinks I'm an utter tit for looking at these cars, but having a huge luxo barge with all the toys, 4 wheel drive. and a 0-60 time of 5.2 seconds gives me a hard on.
I've never taken a risk in my whole life and this is not a major one. Worse that can happen is I get a huge bill and the wife says I told you so.
If you bought a new diesel car you'd lose more than £6500 driving it out of the showroom.http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
Its been debadged front and sides. When its reversed on my drive it will look like any other A8. Got a personalised plate as well which hides the age.
My wife thinks I'm an utter tit for looking at these cars, but having a huge luxo barge with all the toys, 4 wheel drive. and a 0-60 time of 5.2 seconds gives me a hard on.
I've never taken a risk in my whole life and this is not a major one. Worse that can happen is I get a huge bill and the wife says I told you so.
944fan said:
Hmm, been reading about the 4 cats and engine out. Years ago I had a 2001 A6 V6, both cats on that went and they were £800 each and that killed that car.
The V8 only has two and whilst they would still bee £800 at least I could change them myself.
In that situation I would be looking to buy a couple of O2 simulators and a drink for the tester at a friendly MOT station, after all, you'd probably still be pumping out fewer pollutants than a modern diesel VAG. The V8 only has two and whilst they would still bee £800 at least I could change them myself.
youngsyr said:
In that situation I would be looking to buy a couple of O2 simulators and a drink for the tester at a friendly MOT station, after all, you'd probably still be pumping out fewer pollutants than a modern diesel VAG.
True, especially as my current A6 has one of the engines affected by the whole "cheat device" mess.I've had a SWB W12 for nearly 2yrs now and it's still loads of smiles per mile. It is a sports saloon, not a limo and has a lower geared final drive and a slightly firmer suspension than the LWB for stunning acceleration. This 'poor man's Bentley' is very rare, only about 60 RHDs were sold in the UK around 2005 before it was replaced by the less torquey raucous V10 S8. The powertrain is likely to be reliable as the unturboed engine is unstressed and the ZF box reasonably bulletproof. Hope you are enjoying yours. It is astonishingly nimble and reminds me of my old series 1 XJ6 but with an extra 200bhp to the front wheels! And unlike other old mere two wheel drive 12cyl uberbarges it is all aluminium so should last longer.
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