RE: Audi A8 4.2 (D2) | Shed of the Week

RE: Audi A8 4.2 (D2) | Shed of the Week

Author
Discussion

cerb4.5lee

30,534 posts

180 months

Friday 21st February 2020
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EggsBenedict said:
is nobody going to congratulate Shed on the 'wax off next to her' bit?
It does deserve praise I agree! thumbup

I'm also partial to a large chest too. biggrin

A great shed and I approve. cool

Rumblestripe

2,936 posts

162 months

Friday 21st February 2020
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Oddly this breaks all of my taboos. It's black, it's German (I'm particularly adverse to Audis) but I like it!

Wonderfully silly, huge, thirsty and (no doubt) expensive but in it's dotage has acquired a dignity of purpose it and its stable mates lacked when new.

sideways man

1,315 posts

137 months

Friday 21st February 2020
quotequote all
EggsBenedict said:
is nobody going to congratulate Shed on the 'wax off next to her' bit?

Nice motor this...
10/10 for both car and innuendo laugh

Water Fairy

5,498 posts

155 months

Friday 21st February 2020
quotequote all
30,000 miles without an oil change but spent £2500 on other bits?

Or am I missing something?

rollo

82 posts

159 months

Friday 21st February 2020
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I know I'm biased (I have an S8 D2) but these cars have fabulous proportions. Front-on is the only less-than-lovely aspect. All-aluminium (so no corrosion issues), four wheel drive, 5 valves per cylinder V8, double glazing, heated seats, the list goes on and on. Stretch to an S8 if you can (I paid £3k for mine three years ago) because they are just sublime, but a 4.2 V8 like this one will give you 80% of the S8 experience for a quarter of the price, based on current Pistonhead values.

anonymous-user

54 months

Friday 21st February 2020
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Also has the proper forged Fuchs lightweight alloys, not yer modern (lardy and weak) cast "alloys". In common with 7 series of a similar vintage, these cars were delightfully under-stated and never looked like they were trying too hard to make a big social statement.

PATTERNPART

693 posts

201 months

Friday 21st February 2020
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That made me laugh. The Postmistress bit!

adey

16 posts

235 months

Friday 21st February 2020
quotequote all
sideways man said:
EggsBenedict said:
is nobody going to congratulate Shed on the 'wax off next to her' bit?

Nice motor this...
10/10 for both car and innuendo laugh
It's a great line but it's not a shed original - it's one of my favourites by the late great Humphrey Littleton, on I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue. (Usually relating to Samantha and the old archivists in the BBC's basement record archives!)

NGK210

2,917 posts

145 months

Friday 21st February 2020
quotequote all
Water Fairy said:
30,000 miles without an oil change but spent £2500 on other bits?

Or am I missing something?
Indeed. It’s illogical. And weird. And a cruel way to treat a lovely car.

humphra

481 posts

92 months

Friday 21st February 2020
quotequote all
Water Fairy said:
30,000 miles without an oil change but spent £2500 on other bits?

Or am I missing something?
I picked up on this too. It doesn't convince me of caring ownership if there's been no oil changes during ownership. And if this hasn't been done, then presumably the recommended transmission oil change ("for those in the know") hasn't been done that would address the main concern with these being the gearbox?

carinaman

21,290 posts

172 months

Friday 21st February 2020
quotequote all
I was watching a motorcycle review lastnight and spotted what I thought was a Passat W8 in the background due to the colour and wheel size. Nope, it was an S8. I think these A8s are great looking cars.

I am glad others have mentioned the lack of service history on this shed.


sjtgeray

288 posts

187 months

Friday 21st February 2020
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An awful lot of car for very little money (biased as i have the same), and if you can stomach the fuel bills I don't think the running costs are too bad.
I updated a thread this week with info on the running costs of mine over 9.5 years and approx 100,000 miles.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Nothing overly scary has occurred, 2 x cambelt/water pump replacements probably being the biggest expense (but imagine the cost of an engine fix from a broken belt).
The digital dash display in middle of dials (shows doors open, radio station etc) are apparently prone to fail/lose pixels, and the air actuated central locking is known to die. Clicking of the HVAC/Heating/Air con system is also pretty common (on other Audi models too)
And the front grilles below the bumper fall out if you park into a curb. I have lost 3 of them and A8 replacements are not easy/cheap to come by

As long as you don't do high mileages then what better place to sit for £1500 ?

loafer123

15,430 posts

215 months

Friday 21st February 2020
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It is strange that all the photos of the car look like it has broken down at the side of the road, though!

grumpy52

5,577 posts

166 months

Friday 21st February 2020
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I have looked at these several times over the years and have never been brave enough.
Due to deterioration of health I probably only have a few years of driving left and I am looking at a barge or a 4X4 to end with . A big Audi is the only mainstream barge that I have never owned , I've had 80s, 100s , A4s, A6s and coupe so I would seriously consider an A8

Resolutionary

1,259 posts

171 months

Friday 21st February 2020
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I took the plunge on a 2.8 Quattro variant a few years ago as a daily - it has been unbelievably reliable considering the uber luxo barge reputation, except that in the last few months it developed some gremlins including a dead fuel pump and burnt out relay. Sods law.

For the price point here, and the relative rarity, and the incredibly smooth waftiness, and the V8, I can't think what's not to like. Facelift D2s are the way to go - few good resolutions to the pre-FL and a slightly more cohesive overall design. I for one think these have aged very gracefully - especially next to their contemporaries and subsequent A8 shapes.

carinaman

21,290 posts

172 months

Friday 21st February 2020
quotequote all
From the barge thread lastnight:

EarlofDrift said:
Just under thread budget, Dublin reg so it'll be another £70 getting the Paddy plates swapped for UK ones

https://www.usedcarsni.com/263893185

cannelldocam

45 posts

139 months

Friday 21st February 2020
quotequote all
Triumph Man said:
ooo I really like these, when Audis were understated classy machines, and extremely innovative.

One thing though, when did "lucked in" become a phrase?!
Anything involving luck is not something I'd immediately think of when driving a Kia is involved.

Water Fairy

5,498 posts

155 months

Friday 21st February 2020
quotequote all
humphra said:
Water Fairy said:
30,000 miles without an oil change but spent £2500 on other bits?

Or am I missing something?
I picked up on this too. It doesn't convince me of caring ownership if there's been no oil changes during ownership. And if this hasn't been done, then presumably the recommended transmission oil change ("for those in the know") hasn't been done that would address the main concern with these being the gearbox?
1st thing I did with my E46 currently on 168k was oil/gearbox/diff oil change. It gives me a certain (perhaps misplaced) peace of mind.

gapthree

8 posts

161 months

Friday 21st February 2020
quotequote all
I've had my S8 12 yrs from 130K to 235K now. Bought if after previous owner paid 2k for sealed for life gearbox recon & got scared. I've had the box oil changed every 33k fo £300 inc vat for a full flush of all 12 litres. You need a machine to pump & fill via the torque convertor, not just 6L via sump plug. Box feels good as new. The rest of the consumables are every 20K new front discs & 4 Pzero's and £700 Cambelt every 80k /5years. Other than that the engine hasn't had a spanner on it other than servicing. I can get 26mpg on a sensible motorway run but 23 is my average. Other bits an bobs go occasionally & £1,700 for entire front suspension arms springs and Bilstein B6's smarted but transformed it....I've almost got over that one.

With all 360bhp deployed via 4wd or 90bhp per wheel its an immense all weather long distance cruiser that lets you use all the power all the time. I run other stuff old & newer but never fail to be impressed at its abilities 19 years and a trip to the moon since it left the factory.

You won't regret buying it either if you collect Shell points!

Water Fairy

5,498 posts

155 months

Friday 21st February 2020
quotequote all
gapthree said:
I've had my S8 12 yrs from 130K to 235K now. Bought if after previous owner paid 2k for sealed for life gearbox recon & got scared. I've had the box oil changed every 33k fo £300 inc vat for a full flush of all 12 litres. You need a machine to pump & fill via the torque convertor, not just 6L via sump plug. Box feels good as new. The rest of the consumables are every 20K new front discs & 4 Pzero's and £700 Cambelt every 80k /5years. Other than that the engine hasn't had a spanner on it other than servicing. I can get 26mpg on a sensible motorway run but 23 is my average. Other bits an bobs go occasionally & £1,700 for entire front suspension arms springs and Bilstein B6's smarted but transformed it....I've almost got over that one.

With all 360bhp deployed via 4wd or 90bhp per wheel its an immense all weather long distance cruiser that lets you use all the power all the time. I run other stuff old & newer but never fail to be impressed at its abilities 19 years and a trip to the moon since it left the factory.

You won't regret buying it either if you collect Shell points!
I salute you sir, my E46 is clearly a mere sprog!