Thursday 11th July 2002

New A8

...although you almost can't tell

---

[Twin Turbo]

Just a tad dull....

[spnracing]

Its looks more like an A4 than.. an A4.

And why no big diesel engine for the UK? Most of the A8's I see abroad are 2.5 TDi's, you need a second mortgage to buy the petrol for the 4.2 Quattro.

[davidy]

The whole point about the A8 is that it's understated thats why I owned one over a big BMW, Merc etc.

At the time I owned one I was a director of a computer distribution company and I wanted a comfortable car capable of doing 500+ miles in a day without giving me physical grief and the A8 just fitted the bill. I also wanted something that would not p**s my clients off, they would look at it and think its only an Audi, not its a big BMW/Merc/Jaguar/etc.

They drive well, are cheap to buy secondhand and very economical even in petrol form. I used to regularly get 30+mpg on long runs with a 3.7 V8!!! If only they were cheap to run and Audi dealers were....

davidy

[Roadrunner]

One major point missing above. The new "S8" will have a W12 engine producing 550bhp!!!! Feck me. Get the latest Auto express for more details.

[DIGGA]

quote:
The whole point about the A8 is that it's understated thats why I owned one over a big BMW, Merc etc.

If only they were cheap to run and Audi dealers were....

davidy

I think you're right - keeping a low profile is part of the niche the A8 has carved for itself, and as you rightly point out, in may industries, people get green eyes if you turn up in flash wheels. (Hence why I don't use the Griff' on a dialy basis).

Interesting you mention the dealers - I seem to remeber another PHer (JSG?) having traded an S6, for the Jag S Type R, because he was dissatisfied. Then there's the rather poor customer satisfaction results that Audi get in the motoring press too.. What's the story here?

[JMGS4]

quote:
Interesting you mention the dealers - I seem to remeber another PHer (JSG?) having traded an S6, for the Jag S Type R, because he was dissatisfied. Then there's the rather poor customer satisfaction results that Audi get in the motoring press too.. What's the story here?

No it wasn't the dealer, he was/is brilliant, he did everything he could. But the arrogant shits at AUDI + Abt who had given a written guarantee, on their tuning, welshed on it. Consequence 27 AUDI/VW chopped out of my organisation and are now all FordOrg (mine Jag). Court case is running and my lawyer is rubbing her hands with glee as they've no chance, but'll try to extend everything endlessly no doubt........
My next Audi was going to be the A8 with the 3,3l V8 Diesel....... thats €70000 less turnover on one car alone. The other 26 vehicles would have brought them around (1.5millionDM) €780000.... wonder if it was worth their while for DM10000/€5000 damage????
Needless to say I'm a rather favoured customer at the local Ford/Jag/Volvo dealers........

[davidy]

See this thread for comments on Audis and their dealers

www.pistonheads.net/gassing/topic.asp?t=12635&f=23&h=0&hw=stealership

davidy

[spnracing]

quote:
I used to regularly get 30+mpg on long runs with a 3.7 V8!!!

Mmm, exactly. I chose an E320 CDi in the end (though I would have loved an A8) because the performance is almost as good but it goes half as far again on every gallon..... - and possibly twice as far round town.