2005 Audi A8 3.0 for a 2005 Lexus GS430?

[bimmer528]

Hey guys (and girls)

I'm a typical barge lover, and for 3 years prior to getting my A8 (January this year) I ended up settling for a 2000 e39 and then an XJ Jag (2003)

Now I have the A8, I'm not so keen on it. past 100k miles, worry about the multitronic stories as well as expensive air suspension.

So my question,

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

Looking at this Lexus, similar price to my A8, but with more gadgets, would it be a good swap?

I believe Lexus are renowned for reliability. Beside swapping a V6 for V8 would i enjoy/benefit from it?

Oh and insurance is also £10 a month less!

Cheers.

[Grenoble]

I though the A8's were tiptronic? Or does that vary by engine?

[dave_s13]

Are you expecting the dealer to literally swap cars? The Lexus for your Audi with no cash changing hands?
They don't do that unless the car you have is considerably more valuable than the one you are after.

The Lexus looks like a nice barge - never been in one though.

[Bitzer]

Grenoble said:

I though the A8's were tiptronic? Or does that vary by engine?

Only the quattro versions. The multitronic is fitted to the FWD A8 3.0.

[bimmer528]

dave_s13 said:

Are you expecting the dealer to literally swap cars? The Lexus for your Audi with no cash changing hands?
They don't do that unless the car you have is considerably more valuable than the one you are after.

The Lexus looks like a nice barge - never been in one though.

I'm not expecting to give the dealer the Audi. I always sell privately.

3.0 is FWD and a terrible gearbox unfortunately.

[RZ1]

I would keep the A8, amazing cars!

[PJ S]

Do it!
Never liked Audis - interior made me want to get out as soon as I'd got in.
Awfully drab boring places.

If you're lucky, that A8 won't cripple you with expensive fixes to keep it running or just pass the new MOT criteria.
The 430 was the last of the cambelt engines, so that will need doing (and most like to do the water pump while they're at it for all the extra it costs on parts) - other than that though, a nice wafter, with all the toys fitted as standard.
Only came in one spec, and that was to the hilt - adaptive suspension, Mark Levinson (designed - made by Pioneer apparently) audio system, sunroof, radar distance control (£2K option only on the 450h & 300 SE-L models).
Pre- March 23rd 2006 VED band for CO2 level - so only £270 currently.

The only disappointing element, is if you've experienced the cooling function on the E65 Comfort seats, then the Lexus is akin to a nonchalant asthmatic blowing through a tube, even on position 3.

[bimmer528]

Going to do it in January. Which will be 1 year since I bought the A8. Just want to see the price come down a bit first they're still probably a bit higher than what I'd get for the Audi.

[PJ S]

The Lexus has been holding its value quite well, even the V8s, and some of the hybrids have been selling for silly money given their mileage.
For that mileage, that's actually a very decent price - I suspect you'll find the price won't change that much come January next year, assuming there are even any 430s being sold.