A8 Quattro Sport 3.0TDI - Good car?

[GameOverMan!]

Hi gents,

I'm looking at purchasing either a 2007, A8 Quattro Sport 3.0TDI or a BMW 730D SE/Sport of the same age. It's going to be doing around 20K miles per annum and needs to be comfy and reliable.

So the questions are; is the A8 reliable, have reasonable service costs, how long between services and what sort of MPG can I expect?

Thanks in advance,

GoM

Edited by GameOverMan! on Monday 22 February 20:16

[jasperwade]

i've got a 2005 3.0 tdi A8.

Get around 34 ish average mpg.

Service intervals are around 20k on variable servicing or 10/12k fixed.

Mines on variable, but you can get national tyres or someone to change the oil in between for £35.

I've had mine 6 months now, and touch wood, nothing's gone wrong on it, ever.

Ring Audi customer service with the reg and they'll tell you the service history. Mine's an ex Audi leasing car. now on 83k and if you put a bit of tape over the odometer you'd think it was more like 10k. Not one squeak, rattle, or noise.

The only thing i've found that doesn't work is the keyless lock button on the nsf door, everything else is 100%

[james S]

Amazingly capable car. Never more so than on snow, when nothing seems to wrong foot it, except possibly braking on deep snow when nothing will grip.
30mpg round town - 40 on a run. long term average 34-35

My only criticism is that its absolute briliance makes it a somewhat boring drive. Imagine driving the BMW on a dry warm day. The A8 will feel similar, however its the same in the wet, in the snow, etc. It feels the same at 20mph as it does at 70 and at 140 (abroad).

And whilst all this makes it objectively the best car I have ever owned, it is quite boring and I can't get attatched to it at all, in the same way I did with my old Jag which was deeply flawed but I loved it.

I would certainly have an A8 over a 7 series, having just lived through the winter we have had, RWD BMWs are hopeless in the snow

Edited by james S on Tuesday 23 February 10:32

[Dr G]

Can only agree with the above, they're very good at just about everything and fantastic value too.

[OliPolo]

My Dad has one (Long wheelbase), very nice car imo, fuel consumption same as above really, average's aound 36. Great to be driven around in, and not a slouch either considering its size and economy.

My dad's is used for his chauffeuring company and it has clocked up a little under 20k from new. The rest of the fleet comprises of a 730D and S class, both of which very nice, but in his opinion and mine as a regular passenger i think the A8 is the nicest to be in and also to look at.

Good luck

Oli

[GameOverMan!]

Thanks gents for the feedback, much appreciated. It certainly sounds like the right car for the job. Not too worried about it being boring as good tank range, useable in snow, reliability and comfort will hopefully make up for it.

How many miles are you getting to a tank of juice?

[james S]

About 600-700 depending on the type of driving. I filled it up once after a long trip and it promised about 880 - it was lying however.

You won't go too far wrong, good luck. I bought mine from Oscar Goldman in Watford. Very good price and its been great so fa

[VictorMeldrew]

mine was from oscar g as well, recommended, he does seem to get the cream. JC famously did London-Edinburgh-London on a tank in one of these. If you need to they will get 45mpg on a motorway run, and you will struggle to drop below 34mpg average, which is decent enough. They seem to be as economical at steady 80 as steady 60.
Faultless in recent weather, provided you remember that it will need to stop again (easy to fool yourself with the traction available). Massively quick a-b if needed, even (especially?) on b roads due to monumental grip. Mines on 105k, 2004 model, and looks and drives as new, only fault is passenger armrest loose.

I'm actually worried that I might stuff my TVR when I get on the road this year trying to match the A8's pace (which I did do a few years back at the cost of a wheel and wishbone.

I'm unlikely to replace the A8 with anything other than my third A8, which will be the 4.2 tdi (just wish it could be the red one Oscar has at the moment!). They are a class act.