Audi A8 buying guide?
Discussion
Evening,
I am looking at replacing my Jaguar with an Audi A8, but before I go ahead I just want to know if there are any common problems with these cars. I went on a test drive in a 4.2 TDI over the weekend, and was generally impressed with its drivability but was concerned with small problems like the folding/sliding satellite navigation which did not sound too well, nor did it seem that it would continue to function as it did. Are there problems with this failing?
I am looking at a 2006 onwards registered A8 3.0 or 4.2 TDI – are there any issues with these engines.
Finally, are there any essential extras that I must have? How is the ride of the air suspension compared to the standard drive?
What are servicing costs like? Does the car need servicing annually or is it dependant on use?
Any other advice is much appreciated.
Many thanks in advance.
I am looking at replacing my Jaguar with an Audi A8, but before I go ahead I just want to know if there are any common problems with these cars. I went on a test drive in a 4.2 TDI over the weekend, and was generally impressed with its drivability but was concerned with small problems like the folding/sliding satellite navigation which did not sound too well, nor did it seem that it would continue to function as it did. Are there problems with this failing?
I am looking at a 2006 onwards registered A8 3.0 or 4.2 TDI – are there any issues with these engines.
Finally, are there any essential extras that I must have? How is the ride of the air suspension compared to the standard drive?
What are servicing costs like? Does the car need servicing annually or is it dependant on use?
Any other advice is much appreciated.
Many thanks in advance.
I came from an XJ to my A8 nearly 3 years ago. Incredibly capable car with great economy in 3.0 guise ( >35mpg average and 40+ is easy on a run) though it does lack the soul of the XJ. I still think the v8 jags are massively underrated.
Anyway the screen beiing anythng other then smooth probably means its on is way out and is expensive to fix - 400-600. Mine is currently knackered
In fact I find quite a lot of electical niggles with mine, nothing serious but could be annoying if you are a perfectionist.
There is a problem with faulty injectors in the 3.0, which is very expensive to fix (£2.5k) though it was resolved I think and I'm not sure which years it affected.
Good luck
Anyway the screen beiing anythng other then smooth probably means its on is way out and is expensive to fix - 400-600. Mine is currently knackered
In fact I find quite a lot of electical niggles with mine, nothing serious but could be annoying if you are a perfectionist.
There is a problem with faulty injectors in the 3.0, which is very expensive to fix (£2.5k) though it was resolved I think and I'm not sure which years it affected.
Good luck
EVOeng
The screen can be a problem - mine jammed, but was fixed under warranty - I understand that they replace the plastic gear mechanism with a more robust mechanism when then do this. The only other problem I have had was a dodgy sensor on the touch opening on one of the doors - again, fixed under warranty.
My A8 is on classified at the moment - it is in for its MOT tomorrow and will get 4 new tyres as well. It seems to fit your spec.... http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2474645.htm
Steve
The screen can be a problem - mine jammed, but was fixed under warranty - I understand that they replace the plastic gear mechanism with a more robust mechanism when then do this. The only other problem I have had was a dodgy sensor on the touch opening on one of the doors - again, fixed under warranty.
My A8 is on classified at the moment - it is in for its MOT tomorrow and will get 4 new tyres as well. It seems to fit your spec.... http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2474645.htm
Steve
Edited by sjmmarsh on Wednesday 16th February 21:47
Air suspension is standard and rides extremely well with the focus on refinement (which is truly outstanding) rather than out and out dynamism although the mix of big torque and big grip will let you cover ground very fast anyway.
3.0 TDI is a first rate allrounder but 4.2 is a seriously rapid sofa if you're feeling silly.
Servicing is >2yrs/20k by use and will squawk at you when it wants one. Both engines are chain driven so a fuel filter is as big as a job gets for routine servicing.
3.0 TDI is a first rate allrounder but 4.2 is a seriously rapid sofa if you're feeling silly.
Servicing is >2yrs/20k by use and will squawk at you when it wants one. Both engines are chain driven so a fuel filter is as big as a job gets for routine servicing.
I've got a 4.2 Tdi, it is a thumping engine and I have had it for almost a year covering 18k miles.
Overall average MPG has been about 32mpg, doing quite a bit of motorway work and quick A and B road driving - once drove it like a granny and managed 700 miles from the tank with todays prices about £100ish to fill.
Had it serviced at main dealer cost £400, tyres all need doing at the same time because of quattro so budget £800-900 for that, mines on 19"
Only problems I have had is rear offside light steaming up and electronic handbrake fault. Handbrake got stuck on and had to be recovered and because it was a wiring issue and not covered under warranty costing £300, handbrake motor and light were replaced under warranty.
Grip is amazing and in snow I was getting about no problem, turning and stoping still an issue though - would love to try one on winter tyres.
Air suspension is good, mine is a sport model, so lowered a bit more on 19" wheels but with the state of the roads as they are I wish I had an SE with smaller wheels.
Other good points, adaptive Xenon's are good, auto boot and Bose sound is worth having together with DAB if you can find one.
If I was to pick again I would have a 3.0tdi for better fuel economy and I just don't need the extra performance really, well only now and then! - just need new model to come down a bit in price, I have driven one recently and it is very good indeed.
Overall average MPG has been about 32mpg, doing quite a bit of motorway work and quick A and B road driving - once drove it like a granny and managed 700 miles from the tank with todays prices about £100ish to fill.
Had it serviced at main dealer cost £400, tyres all need doing at the same time because of quattro so budget £800-900 for that, mines on 19"
Only problems I have had is rear offside light steaming up and electronic handbrake fault. Handbrake got stuck on and had to be recovered and because it was a wiring issue and not covered under warranty costing £300, handbrake motor and light were replaced under warranty.
Grip is amazing and in snow I was getting about no problem, turning and stoping still an issue though - would love to try one on winter tyres.
Air suspension is good, mine is a sport model, so lowered a bit more on 19" wheels but with the state of the roads as they are I wish I had an SE with smaller wheels.
Other good points, adaptive Xenon's are good, auto boot and Bose sound is worth having together with DAB if you can find one.
If I was to pick again I would have a 3.0tdi for better fuel economy and I just don't need the extra performance really, well only now and then! - just need new model to come down a bit in price, I have driven one recently and it is very good indeed.
I have had both variants and currently run the 4.2TDi version. Both extremely capable machines and in the real world the extra power of the bigger engine is rarely used in all honesty. (Chipped 3.0TDi is nearly as quick).
The MMI screen failed on my first one and was fixed under warranty, starts as a juddering when opening or closing so get it fixed or you cannot access anything. Servicing is at around 20k and local dealer charges about £350 which I don't think is too bad at all. (This one is just about to have its 3rd service since June 2010!!)
When I come to change again I will go back to the 3.0TDi for the economy, car does really high mileage, but the 4.2TDi was an itch I am so glad I have scratched1
Extremely comfortable cars, regularly do 500 miles in a day in ours without trouble or backache! Brilliant in adverse weather conditions, nothing seems to phase them, surprisingly agile for a big car. I have not had any issues with the air suspension at all, wonderfully smooth.
As you may guess I am a bit of a fan and with good reason.
The MMI screen failed on my first one and was fixed under warranty, starts as a juddering when opening or closing so get it fixed or you cannot access anything. Servicing is at around 20k and local dealer charges about £350 which I don't think is too bad at all. (This one is just about to have its 3rd service since June 2010!!)
When I come to change again I will go back to the 3.0TDi for the economy, car does really high mileage, but the 4.2TDi was an itch I am so glad I have scratched1
Extremely comfortable cars, regularly do 500 miles in a day in ours without trouble or backache! Brilliant in adverse weather conditions, nothing seems to phase them, surprisingly agile for a big car. I have not had any issues with the air suspension at all, wonderfully smooth.
As you may guess I am a bit of a fan and with good reason.
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