1999 A8 2.8 Sport Auto - Would I be mad?
Discussion
Seeing as the search facility is out of action, I'm gonna post a quick question. I'm looking for a car to take the mileage hit that my BMW Z3MC is currently taking (as well as ridiculous speedbumps).
The common sense part of my brain tells me to get a Focus or Golf, the rest tells me to get a floaty luxo-barge like an A8 (or 7 series or XJ). Would I be nuts to consider buying a ten year old A8 2.8 Auto with over 100k on the clock? How much does servicing cost at independent specialists? Would it turn into a money pit or would it provide me with years of faultless motoring?
Cheers,
DC
The common sense part of my brain tells me to get a Focus or Golf, the rest tells me to get a floaty luxo-barge like an A8 (or 7 series or XJ). Would I be nuts to consider buying a ten year old A8 2.8 Auto with over 100k on the clock? How much does servicing cost at independent specialists? Would it turn into a money pit or would it provide me with years of faultless motoring?
Cheers,
DC
You can't do things by halves.Well, my ZMC does 20mpg and really doesn't like the crap roads and speed bumps on my route to work. If the A8 2.8 can return 25- 30 mpg and do it comfortably I'll be happy 
Basically, my ZMC is costing over a grand each year to service and maintain but my circumstances changed recently meaning I now use it daily instead of taking the trains. I don't want to add the mileage of a short crappy journey to it unecessarily, so something cheap, comfy and practical is called for. However, a slightly silly choice is still very appealing.
I think I'll have a look at one on the weekend
Basically, my ZMC is costing over a grand each year to service and maintain but my circumstances changed recently meaning I now use it daily instead of taking the trains. I don't want to add the mileage of a short crappy journey to it unecessarily, so something cheap, comfy and practical is called for. However, a slightly silly choice is still very appealing.
I think I'll have a look at one on the weekend
Yeah looks like you are looking for similar things to me.I also want comfy and wafty with the same mpg as your looking for.
Got offered a straight swop,my car for a mint 1999 Merc S320.I dont think its a deal I want though particularly because of the fuel consumption so will keep looking.Let us know how you go on.
Got offered a straight swop,my car for a mint 1999 Merc S320.I dont think its a deal I want though particularly because of the fuel consumption so will keep looking.Let us know how you go on.
Edited by macp on Tuesday 9th June 23:23
gearboxes are a cause of concern, mine went pop and you are looking at 2.5K ish to rebuild.
having said that they are lovely and comfy, mines 4.2 V8 and its reasonably quick. the sheer amount of toys etc on them is immense....
One thing though, they are totally anonymous. That can be good or bad depending on what you want. If you want people to look at it and recognise it as a 'nice' car they won;t. If you want a car that doesn't scream "drug dealer/Chav/aspiring footballer" then they are ace. to use words from a review I watched teh other day they are the thinking mans exec barge.
having said that they are lovely and comfy, mines 4.2 V8 and its reasonably quick. the sheer amount of toys etc on them is immense....
One thing though, they are totally anonymous. That can be good or bad depending on what you want. If you want people to look at it and recognise it as a 'nice' car they won;t. If you want a car that doesn't scream "drug dealer/Chav/aspiring footballer" then they are ace. to use words from a review I watched teh other day they are the thinking mans exec barge.
entwisi said:
gearboxes are a cause of concern, mine went pop and you are looking at 2.5K ish to rebuild.
having said that they are lovely and comfy, mines 4.2 V8 and its reasonably quick. the sheer amount of toys etc on them is immense....
One thing though, they are totally anonymous. That can be good or bad depending on what you want. If you want people to look at it and recognise it as a 'nice' car they won;t. If you want a car that doesn't scream "drug dealer/Chav/aspiring footballer" then they are ace. to use words from a review I watched teh other day they are the thinking mans exec barge.
To be honest I have read some bad things about Audi auto boxes mainly in the A4 and the A6 but they probably are very similar if not the same in the A8.having said that they are lovely and comfy, mines 4.2 V8 and its reasonably quick. the sheer amount of toys etc on them is immense....
One thing though, they are totally anonymous. That can be good or bad depending on what you want. If you want people to look at it and recognise it as a 'nice' car they won;t. If you want a car that doesn't scream "drug dealer/Chav/aspiring footballer" then they are ace. to use words from a review I watched teh other day they are the thinking mans exec barge.
I had one of these before I got my 4.2, and would say it's got enough power to be a relaxed cruiser but not much more. I didn't have the sport and unlike most Audi's it had a very soft ride. I think the sport was criticised for being too stiff, as one might expect.
MPG wise, I got low 30's at 75mph including the run out of London and on a long road trip down to the very south of Italy, but via the Alps and with lots of autobahn on the way, my average was 28mph, which included a 150lepton plus run on the autobahn.
I didn't have any mechanical issues with mine apart from normal maintenance. As has already been said, if the gearbox has been looked after, they seem fine, from what I've read, the gearbox is mainly the issue on v8s.
MPG wise, I got low 30's at 75mph including the run out of London and on a long road trip down to the very south of Italy, but via the Alps and with lots of autobahn on the way, my average was 28mph, which included a 150lepton plus run on the autobahn.
I didn't have any mechanical issues with mine apart from normal maintenance. As has already been said, if the gearbox has been looked after, they seem fine, from what I've read, the gearbox is mainly the issue on v8s.
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