Discussion
OK, reading the best barge bargains thread in general gassing has really got me going now... I might plump for an Audi A8/S8. Parkers guide says these (and S-Class etc.) are prohibitively expensive to run, can any owners shed some light on what to look out for on a 10 year old car with 100k miles+. Are there any well known faults or things that need replacing at that mileage?
One of the oddest things to look for is the radio aerial. Audi have stopped making them and they have an aluminium housing so as not to cause issue with the aluminium body.
Other than that the amount of electronics in the car mean that if something electronic goes it can be very expensive to fix, they are enormously complicated electronically you see.
On the whole a magnificent car but worth shopping around and seeing a few first. Some of them have done massive mileage, which shouldnt be an issue as the engine is pretty much bombproof but high mileage affects price and the lower priced examples are more likely to have been neglected over time and its a car that will reward you if you keep it in tip top nick.
On the whole highly recommended though.
Other than that the amount of electronics in the car mean that if something electronic goes it can be very expensive to fix, they are enormously complicated electronically you see.
On the whole a magnificent car but worth shopping around and seeing a few first. Some of them have done massive mileage, which shouldnt be an issue as the engine is pretty much bombproof but high mileage affects price and the lower priced examples are more likely to have been neglected over time and its a car that will reward you if you keep it in tip top nick.
On the whole highly recommended though.
Plotloss said:
One of the oddest things to look for is the radio aerial. Audi have stopped making them and they have an aluminium housing so as not to cause issue with the aluminium body.
Other than that the amount of electronics in the car mean that if something electronic goes it can be very expensive to fix, they are enormously complicated electronically you see.
On the whole a magnificent car but worth shopping around and seeing a few first. Some of them have done massive mileage, which shouldnt be an issue as the engine is pretty much bombproof but high mileage affects price and the lower priced examples are more likely to have been neglected over time and its a car that will reward you if you keep it in tip top nick.
On the whole highly recommended though.
Other than that the amount of electronics in the car mean that if something electronic goes it can be very expensive to fix, they are enormously complicated electronically you see.
On the whole a magnificent car but worth shopping around and seeing a few first. Some of them have done massive mileage, which shouldnt be an issue as the engine is pretty much bombproof but high mileage affects price and the lower priced examples are more likely to have been neglected over time and its a car that will reward you if you keep it in tip top nick.
On the whole highly recommended though.
Mine hasn't had an aerial for about four years, and hasn't been on the road for 12 months due to ecu/tcu/gearbox electronic shenanigans. For the nine years it moved under its own steam it was motoring nirvana, but after the last year I'd find it hard to recommend - I've thrown thousands and lots of time at it trying to resolve the problems but I still have a car which should be worth £5k but is in effect worth a tenth of that for scrap. I still can't bring myself to end its misery though.The main problem with these cars is the "autobox" high mileage un-serviced gearboxs can give up, sometimes a fluid change cures it but in many cases it's a re-build or renewal and that can prove expensive.
There are many "Petrol" models with low mileage on the market for Modeo money, and are indeed a bargain if you look for the right one.
I have owned three so far. 1/ S8 1999 model ran it for 147K needed a re-build box at 136K which cost £2600 and I got that done under warantee.
The other Two have been diesels, last years model 2005 3.0TDI SE, nice quick reliable car, this year I bought the Sport 4.2TDI 2007 model with Pax system amongst all the extras and it's the "Dogs"
There are many "Petrol" models with low mileage on the market for Modeo money, and are indeed a bargain if you look for the right one.
I have owned three so far. 1/ S8 1999 model ran it for 147K needed a re-build box at 136K which cost £2600 and I got that done under warantee.
The other Two have been diesels, last years model 2005 3.0TDI SE, nice quick reliable car, this year I bought the Sport 4.2TDI 2007 model with Pax system amongst all the extras and it's the "Dogs"
Electrics, Electrics and Electrics!
These are complex cars, and the electrics are complicated with a lot being routed through the ECU. I (as Mr Meldrew) knows owned one from 73k miles to 94k miles (I hoped to get 200k plus out of it), it was great when it worked but a nightmare when it went wrong (Audi Stealerships didn't help!). I had a number of intermittent electrical faults, none of which were sold when I px'd the car (wipers, hazard, indicators, etc) and I've got a degree in electronic engineering!!!!
Great cars when they work, shed loads of trouble hwne they don't!
But a good one will do mega miles, A local guy has one on 275k miles and its caused him no real problems apart from an apetite for suspension bushes.
davidy
These are complex cars, and the electrics are complicated with a lot being routed through the ECU. I (as Mr Meldrew) knows owned one from 73k miles to 94k miles (I hoped to get 200k plus out of it), it was great when it worked but a nightmare when it went wrong (Audi Stealerships didn't help!). I had a number of intermittent electrical faults, none of which were sold when I px'd the car (wipers, hazard, indicators, etc) and I've got a degree in electronic engineering!!!!
Great cars when they work, shed loads of trouble hwne they don't!
But a good one will do mega miles, A local guy has one on 275k miles and its caused him no real problems apart from an apetite for suspension bushes.
davidy
I bought a W reg 3.7 sport quattro with 108k on the clock a couple of months ago. I paid £7k for it (it cost £50k new). I've done about 3k miles so far and it has been brilliant. I bought it for commuting, so as to keep the miles off my 911.
I did 780 miles in it last week - it averaged 33 mpg at 80 mph on the motorway. Not bad for a big V8.
It's currently in the garage having a brake calliper replaced (£150), which was picked up on the purchase inspection report. The only other things that were broken on it were the boot release switch (£10) and drivers mirror (£38). Everything else works well.
My advice is to find a good independent dealer. I paid £240 for the major service (Audi wanted £580). In short, it seems like a very well sorted car. Very comfortable, and handles well for a big car.
I did 780 miles in it last week - it averaged 33 mpg at 80 mph on the motorway. Not bad for a big V8.
It's currently in the garage having a brake calliper replaced (£150), which was picked up on the purchase inspection report. The only other things that were broken on it were the boot release switch (£10) and drivers mirror (£38). Everything else works well.
My advice is to find a good independent dealer. I paid £240 for the major service (Audi wanted £580). In short, it seems like a very well sorted car. Very comfortable, and handles well for a big car.
There are a few things to look out for, but most are not as expensive to fix as they first appear, but you never use a main stealer? Find a good local mechanic or independant and it will be fine. I was lucky I use a friend who is actually an Audi technician from my local dealer, but to be honest apart from the VAG Com its not a complex car to fix?
Things to look out for are Suspension arms, there are 4 on each wheel its complex and when they go the dealers want to replace them all and charge £1600 to do it, but using an indi means fitted they are only £100 each and you DO NOT need to replace all at the same time?
Rear brake calipers tend to cease and are expensive at between £120-£200 each side!
Also the gearbox is the achilies heal of the A8 if not looked after, so check that out, lookin the VAG com if you can it shows any faults.
If you are seriously after an A8 I have one for sale in about a week? Its a well sorted car, Silver with full black leather, 1998 and top spec so send me an email if interested and I can send pics. check out my profile, I look after my cars.
Happy hunting anyway.
Mike
Things to look out for are Suspension arms, there are 4 on each wheel its complex and when they go the dealers want to replace them all and charge £1600 to do it, but using an indi means fitted they are only £100 each and you DO NOT need to replace all at the same time?
Rear brake calipers tend to cease and are expensive at between £120-£200 each side!
Also the gearbox is the achilies heal of the A8 if not looked after, so check that out, lookin the VAG com if you can it shows any faults.
If you are seriously after an A8 I have one for sale in about a week? Its a well sorted car, Silver with full black leather, 1998 and top spec so send me an email if interested and I can send pics. check out my profile, I look after my cars.
Happy hunting anyway.
Mike
Well, you can buy a new car and lose a fortune in depreciation and it still be a money pit.
I run a 6 year old 911 and A8. I saved circa £80k avoiding depreciation on new costs, and both cars have cost very little to run. I won't lose much in depreciation now, and both cars are in great condition.
Well maintained cars like these often cause few problems.
You can ofcourse be unlucky......
I run a 6 year old 911 and A8. I saved circa £80k avoiding depreciation on new costs, and both cars have cost very little to run. I won't lose much in depreciation now, and both cars are in great condition.
Well maintained cars like these often cause few problems.
You can ofcourse be unlucky......
BillyWhiz said:
Well, you can buy a new car and lose a fortune in depreciation and it still be a money pit.
I run a 6 year old 911 and A8. I saved circa £80k avoiding depreciation on new costs, and both cars have cost very little to run. I won't lose much in depreciation now, and both cars are in great condition.
Well maintained cars like these often cause few problems.
You can ofcourse be unlucky......
I run a 6 year old 911 and A8. I saved circa £80k avoiding depreciation on new costs, and both cars have cost very little to run. I won't lose much in depreciation now, and both cars are in great condition.
Well maintained cars like these often cause few problems.
You can ofcourse be unlucky......
I agree if looked after they cost little to run, my A8 has been excellent and it has been a superb car. Like you say my car was £40k new and is now worth about 10% of that but I have had the car a few years and have not lost that much in depreciation. Compare that to a new Boxster S I had a few years a go (they offer the best depreciation or did) and as we had an unexpected arrival I had to sell it when it was 8 months old and I lost close to £8K so in reality these cars cost a LOT les to run than most cars in the real world.
Buy one and enjoy sooo much car for the money, Im only selling mine as we needed something more practical as we both have small convertibles so bought a 4x4.
IMHO
Mike
Thanks for all your replies guys, very helpful. I don't know whether I'm going to go for an A8 or S8 yet but I definitely would go for a V8 engine.
Just out of curiosity, have any of you on here owned a Merc S-Class (my alternative choice) and are they any more reliable than the Audi?
Just out of curiosity, have any of you on here owned a Merc S-Class (my alternative choice) and are they any more reliable than the Audi?
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