A8 - 4.2 Quattro - Any Views?

[Graham B]

I'm thinking of chopping my everyday Omega in for an A8. Looking at spending around the £10k mark and it looks like I can pickup a high mileage 4.2 Quattro for that money. Has anyone got one? What are they like to run (expensive?), any gotcha's to be aware of? Does high mileage = problems?

Other thoughts were a Jaguar XJR but having sat in one I was amazed at the lack of room.

Nubbin, have you still got yours?

Cheers,
Graham

[Trefor]

Mileage shouldn't be a problem. Servicing won't be cheap at a main dealer though. Insurance is not super cheap either since they are a specialist repair.

I think the main problem you could have is electrical gremlins. I'd try and borrow the car for a weekend to make sure everything works as it should. A6s and A8s are great cars, but some do have these gremlins.

I'd love an A8 but they're just a bit large for my liking (I'm thinking parking/country lanes).

[mustard]

Now dont crucify me for this suggestion but the toughest, cheapest(to maintain) big car you can possibly buy is a Lexus LS400, you might just secure a mk IV 5spd model ..... these cars are indestructable.

All they ever want extra when they go in for servicing is tyres and brakes

Try one, you might surprise yourself!

PS 20+ mpg no worries too!

>> Edited by mustard on Wednesday 25th February 16:12

[clapham993]

They'll do very high mileages easily and they are very nice to drive. They are thirsty (18-22mpg) and expensive to insure (group 19) If you hear a clonking from the front suspension, either walk away or take a grand off the asking price (Thats what it'll cost to replace all the linkage arms because some of the sealed in bushes have failed & if you only do some of them you actually make it worse) Also, make sure that the power steering rack has either been replaced or is in good order as its a nearly £2k job to replace.

£10k should get you a good one if you shop around

[davidy]

I had an 1997 A8 3.7, when it worked it was great, but there were issues and big bills. Do a search on A8 within the forums there are plenty on threads with info in (You might want to do a search on Stealership to find out what PHers think of many Audi dealers!!!). Also have a look at my profile.

Beware the electrics/ECU........

davidy

[nubbin]

Still got mine, and it's going fine. It certainly is a bit thirsty, but tyre wear seems good so far. I've a few bits that need warranty work (two headrest motors, rear demister a bit "stripey", a bit of "looseness" from the front suspension) but it's basically sound and so far, trouble-free. Great ride, limousine like inside, and fast!!

[Graham B]

Thanks for all the comments guys. I'll probably start seriously looking in March. Haven't driven one yet so that's the first thing.

I've just spent a bloody fortune on my daily use Omega and that was supposed to be a cheap runaround, so unfortunately I'm used to the costs. I guess with any big luxury barge things aren't going to be cheap.

Insurance doesn't seem too bad through Tesco's, about £150 more than my Omega.

Out of interest whats' the diffence between a 4.2 Quattro and a 4.2 Quattro Sport?

Cheers,
Graham
Ps. Not keen on the Lexus, probably a very good car but doesn't do anything for me am afraid.

[tuffer]

[quote=Graham B]
Out of interest whats' the diffence between a 4.2 Quattro and a 4.2 Quattro Sport?
quote]

The suspension.




And maybe a couple of other bits.

[davidy]

Didn't the Sport car have 18" wheels as standard and the non-sport have 16s. The suspension is definitely different.

Tyre cost is also not insignificant with the 18" wheels! and they don't last forever!!

davidy

[workshy fopp]

Have a look here, some useful info

www.honestjohn.co.uk/index.php?url=/carbycar/index.htm

[Ahonen]

A friend of mine has had a 4.2 A8 Quattro for years and loves it to bits. He regularly drives it deep into France/Switzerland and consequently it has done many, many thousands of miles. The only hitch has been an airbag light that refused to go out and required a few trips to the dealer before it was sorted. Servicing costs are quite reasonable when you consider how much car and mechanical kit there is. I'm sure he said £400 for a main service and £200 for a small one, though I may be mistaken.

He keeps thinking of upgrading but three things stop him: his car is now worth sod all to part-ex, he loves his current one too much, he can't see the advantages of spending a fortune on something else that wouldn't really be that much better. When he does spend the cash it'll doubtless be on new A8.

Drawbacks? The aluminium construction means that you need to lower a window to use a hand-held mobile phone - although that would only apply to passengers these days. Strange, but true.

[timshap]

I have a 3.7 quat sport 2001
The main difference between the non sport is the suspension which is much firmer and the car is lower.
Runs on 18 inch wheels (245x45)
It looks lower and sits squatter on the deck as well.

Great car and i must say the gearbox is excellent...so intelligent esp in snow and muck.

MPG urban about 23.5 and 27 on longer runs..not bad for the size of her.

[Bee_Jay]

Ahonen said:

Drawbacks? The aluminium construction means that you need to lower a window to use a hand-held mobile phone - although that would only apply to passengers these days. Strange, but true.

I didn't find this at all - my handheld worked fine in mine, and I had the double pane glass...

The Sport means that you have lowered, stiffened suspension (worth it), usually 18" wheels, but more importantly you get the Recaro Sport front seats which are the best seats I have EVER had in a car.

Try and find one with SatNav Plus, this means you get one of the better built-in satnav systems with a TV feature which is great when stuck in jams etc. But you shouldn't get stuck in them because the system now has TMC working which will drive you round the jams.

In my opinion a good buy, but worth getting a decent warranty on as big things can go wrong (see my profile). Main dealer servicing with Audi will sting you (£45 for an MOT!!) but find a specialist to service it for you. Have a look at www.motoreasy.com for an interesting scheme I have just signed up to for my Range Rover, worth the money on the bigger cars I feel.

Stunning acceleration and handling for a car of that size will amaze you, good luck and I hope you enjoy it.