1st Gen Phaeton/D3 A8
Discussion
Thinking 1st gen Phaeton/2nd gen D3 A8 here, but what are they like to live with?
I'm essentially thinking of switching the snotter I bought to get through the first 18 months of baby life to something I actually want to drive, and the exec saloon/luxobarge is one box I've not ticked yet. Not looking for other suggestions, but merely some advice on this platform.
It can be foolhardy to expect reliability from cars, especially ones that were pricey when new, after 10-12 years of service, but from what I've read they seem to have been well made and are rugged things. I'm a bit put off by the idea that they mostly seem to be 4WD (and I expect, Haldex), but I guess it's par for the course.
Any experience with these on here? I've dabbed with "premium" cars on a budget before, having previous spend £300+ pcm on parts to keep an older Boxster going, and I'm by no means thinking a £60k+ new car is going to be cheap to maintain, but it's a case of knowing if they are a nightmare or not?
I'm guessing the Euro4/DPF on the TDI comes in around 2005MY also? From what I've read so far, the A8 seems to be significantly better due to alu frame/body.
I'm essentially thinking of switching the snotter I bought to get through the first 18 months of baby life to something I actually want to drive, and the exec saloon/luxobarge is one box I've not ticked yet. Not looking for other suggestions, but merely some advice on this platform.
It can be foolhardy to expect reliability from cars, especially ones that were pricey when new, after 10-12 years of service, but from what I've read they seem to have been well made and are rugged things. I'm a bit put off by the idea that they mostly seem to be 4WD (and I expect, Haldex), but I guess it's par for the course.
Any experience with these on here? I've dabbed with "premium" cars on a budget before, having previous spend £300+ pcm on parts to keep an older Boxster going, and I'm by no means thinking a £60k+ new car is going to be cheap to maintain, but it's a case of knowing if they are a nightmare or not?
I'm guessing the Euro4/DPF on the TDI comes in around 2005MY also? From what I've read so far, the A8 seems to be significantly better due to alu frame/body.
Really nice cars, better looking than the D4 to my eye too.
I'd have a facelift (late 2008 on) 3.0 TDI Sport.
Torsen, rather than Haldex (although there's nothing inherently wrong with Haldex).
Quality/durability pretty good and they're of an age where used and aftermarket parts can soften the blow of anything big ticket anyway. Audi's V6 TDI is a hardy thing good for big miles (its few problems are well documented and not scary), 6 speed ZF torque convertor the same - they're not commonly problematic, four wheel drive system is no concern whatsoever, electrically by the end of their run they were pretty good but as a complicated car that's now getting older the odd gremlin comes with the territory.
The sort of car to buy on condition and maintenance first, then owners/miles/colour etc. going down from there. Fundamentally reliable but won't tolerate neglect.
I'd have a facelift (late 2008 on) 3.0 TDI Sport.
Torsen, rather than Haldex (although there's nothing inherently wrong with Haldex).
Quality/durability pretty good and they're of an age where used and aftermarket parts can soften the blow of anything big ticket anyway. Audi's V6 TDI is a hardy thing good for big miles (its few problems are well documented and not scary), 6 speed ZF torque convertor the same - they're not commonly problematic, four wheel drive system is no concern whatsoever, electrically by the end of their run they were pretty good but as a complicated car that's now getting older the odd gremlin comes with the territory.
The sort of car to buy on condition and maintenance first, then owners/miles/colour etc. going down from there. Fundamentally reliable but won't tolerate neglect.
Dr G said:
Really nice cars, better looking than the D4 to my eye too.
I'd have a facelift (late 2008 on) 3.0 TDI Sport.
Torsen, rather than Haldex (although there's nothing inherently wrong with Haldex).
Quality/durability pretty good and they're of an age where used and aftermarket parts can soften the blow of anything big ticket anyway. Audi's V6 TDI is a hardy thing good for big miles (its few problems are well documented and not scary), 6 speed ZF torque convertor the same - they're not commonly problematic, four wheel drive system is no concern whatsoever, electrically by the end of their run they were pretty good but as a complicated car that's now getting older the odd gremlin comes with the territory.
The sort of car to buy on condition and maintenance first, then owners/miles/colour etc. going down from there. Fundamentally reliable but won't tolerate neglect.
Thanks, good info there.I'd have a facelift (late 2008 on) 3.0 TDI Sport.
Torsen, rather than Haldex (although there's nothing inherently wrong with Haldex).
Quality/durability pretty good and they're of an age where used and aftermarket parts can soften the blow of anything big ticket anyway. Audi's V6 TDI is a hardy thing good for big miles (its few problems are well documented and not scary), 6 speed ZF torque convertor the same - they're not commonly problematic, four wheel drive system is no concern whatsoever, electrically by the end of their run they were pretty good but as a complicated car that's now getting older the odd gremlin comes with the territory.
The sort of car to buy on condition and maintenance first, then owners/miles/colour etc. going down from there. Fundamentally reliable but won't tolerate neglect.
I assumed Haldex, and had a Haldex concern, based on the fact that I recall the service intervals for the coupling being some 29k miles, although that may have been model specific.
I wouldn't mind a V6 TDI that is DPF free, to avoid any issues when I'm only doing a short commute.
All D3 diesels left the factory with a DPF - if your commute is short I'd avoid the diesels, although they do far outnumber the petrols unless you're looking at very early ones.
D3 S8 an option, or out of budget?
Only engine to avoid in the D3 is the 4.0 diesel - it's a hand grenade with the pin pulled - and the S8 suffers from carbon varnishing of the inlets, like a lot of VAG direct injection engines, and manifold flaps break off inside the inlet.....
The '8 is a far nicer thing than the Phaeton, and there's loads more about to choose from. I wouldn't say no to a V10 tdi Phaeton, but most are 2wd with a small soot chucker, which makes them much less interesting.
D3 S8 an option, or out of budget?
Only engine to avoid in the D3 is the 4.0 diesel - it's a hand grenade with the pin pulled - and the S8 suffers from carbon varnishing of the inlets, like a lot of VAG direct injection engines, and manifold flaps break off inside the inlet.....
The '8 is a far nicer thing than the Phaeton, and there's loads more about to choose from. I wouldn't say no to a V10 tdi Phaeton, but most are 2wd with a small soot chucker, which makes them much less interesting.
Adrian E said:
All D3 diesels left the factory with a DPF - if your commute is short I'd avoid the diesels, although they do far outnumber the petrols unless you're looking at very early ones.
D3 S8 an option, or out of budget?
Only engine to avoid in the D3 is the 4.0 diesel - it's a hand grenade with the pin pulled - and the S8 suffers from carbon varnishing of the inlets, like a lot of VAG direct injection engines, and manifold flaps break off inside the inlet.....
The '8 is a far nicer thing than the Phaeton, and there's loads more about to choose from. I wouldn't say no to a V10 tdi Phaeton, but most are 2wd with a small soot chucker, which makes them much less interesting.
The S8 would be overkill for what I'm after. I don't really have any interest in performance at this stage, and would purely like to sample the "Transporter" style luxury barge category, mostly for its massaging comfy seats and other motorway benefits.D3 S8 an option, or out of budget?
Only engine to avoid in the D3 is the 4.0 diesel - it's a hand grenade with the pin pulled - and the S8 suffers from carbon varnishing of the inlets, like a lot of VAG direct injection engines, and manifold flaps break off inside the inlet.....
The '8 is a far nicer thing than the Phaeton, and there's loads more about to choose from. I wouldn't say no to a V10 tdi Phaeton, but most are 2wd with a small soot chucker, which makes them much less interesting.
I've read the Phaeton is almost a ton heavier, which is obviously undesirable unless you're entering a sledging competition, but might have better options on spec.
I don't think the short journey aspect is much of an issue with the diesels. Essentially the o/h's family have a second home that i do some work on for them on occasion, as well as visits to the o/h's uni friends. If I had something that make the journey less horrific, but still somewhat economical, then I'd probably find myself doing it more regularly (potentially negating any of the short journey downfalls).
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