My New A8 W12!!!!
10-21-2012, 11:24 AM
#61
AudiWorld Super User
Thread Starter
Check my video I uploaded under the fog light replacement thread in my signature. They aren't necessarily brighter, just offer a whiter look to them. Purely aesthetic. Bulbs have a blue outer glass so when lit they achieve the bluer or white look vs the halogen standard yellow.
10-21-2012, 01:30 PM
#62
AudiWorld Wiseguy
Swapping the fog light bulbs out for whiter/bluer bulbs is very fast 'n' furious all show and no go, rather than optimizing them for what they're for which is to assist with poor visibility conditions.
If I were to swap the fog light bulbs out I'd purposely go for yellow bulbs as yellow light cuts through fog and low vis conditions FAR better than bright white light. There's a reason why many Le Mans 24 cars have yellow headlamps as they provide better visibility in the dawn mists that often appear.
What next, neons (sorry LED's) under the car and a twin sub set-up in the trunk?
If I were to swap the fog light bulbs out I'd purposely go for yellow bulbs as yellow light cuts through fog and low vis conditions FAR better than bright white light. There's a reason why many Le Mans 24 cars have yellow headlamps as they provide better visibility in the dawn mists that often appear.
What next, neons (sorry LED's) under the car and a twin sub set-up in the trunk?
10-26-2012, 07:35 PM
#64
AudiWorld Super User
Thread Starter
Had the car tinted. I think it looks really nice. Gotta say the price of plates and insurance is outrageous. $500 for plate in Mi (12 month) and $1500 for insurance under my dads name with a clean driving record. Ridiculous. That's $200 more on the title and plate and 400 more for insurance vs my 05 4.2. Drove the 4.2 back home today to save some gas and that thing is still a hoot to drive! Once I get my filler plate for the w12; all mods will be finished.
10-26-2012, 07:47 PM
#65
AudiWorld Super User
Had the car tinted. I think it looks really nice. Gotta say the price of plates and insurance is outrageous. $500 for plate in Mi (12 month) and $1500 for insurance under my dads name with a clean driving record. Ridiculous. That's $200 more on the title and plate and 400 more for insurance vs my 05 4.2. Drove the 4.2 back home today to save some gas and that thing is still a hoot to drive! Once I get my filler plate for the w12; all mods will be finished.
Hey be glad you didn't pay $2,560 road tax like I recently did.
Oh yeah, and then they BOHICA you again during the year when the tag is due - another $968 this month.
This on top of TT&L and registration.
Shop that insurance man, way too high - mines under $800/yr with low deductible with Allstate.
10-27-2012, 04:11 AM
#66
Audiworld Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
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So you're the fella who got it
Well done. I was about to buy that car and when I didn't hear back from the dealer a second time I called only to find it had sold. Great car, I especially like the Bang & Olafsan speakers in it.
I found a suitable alternative, 2006 A8l W12 in dark metallic blue and amaretto interior with individual back seats, 59,000 miles. I like your wheels and the fridge, but really wanted an amaretto interior so I am happy enough.
I will be shipping it up to Bloomfield Hills. I noticed you are in MI too. I have to have it serviced and the flashers changed for Europe inspection as I am shipping it to my winter home here in Spain.
How is that Audi dealership in Auburn Hills?
Pics of my W12.
I found a suitable alternative, 2006 A8l W12 in dark metallic blue and amaretto interior with individual back seats, 59,000 miles. I like your wheels and the fridge, but really wanted an amaretto interior so I am happy enough.
I will be shipping it up to Bloomfield Hills. I noticed you are in MI too. I have to have it serviced and the flashers changed for Europe inspection as I am shipping it to my winter home here in Spain.
How is that Audi dealership in Auburn Hills?
Pics of my W12.
First, I must thank all of the members for all their questions they have answered and experiences they have shared to make this purchase possible.
So first, the facts:
2007 A8 W12 with 56k miles.
Asking Price $40k
Bought For $36k
The Car: Fully Loaded, every single option. Phantom black exterior with black interior leather and four seat config. Just so you get an idea of how loaded it is, it has: the refrigerator, solar sunroof, adaptive cruise, B&O, full leather appointment upgrade, and the 20" 7 double spoke wheels, backup camera, and any others I haven't mentioned.
Condition:
Exterior:
Cosmetically the car is flawless. I thought that buying the used car would be something like my previous experiences condition wise, but overall the exterior had only one single scratch about an inch long, and it was touched up, besides that, flawless exterior.
Interior:
The car looks like it has never been sat in. All the seats' leather is tight and looks like it was never sat in. The buttons all click with that brand new feel and have no wear whatsoever, even on the mmi control ****!
So it was very hard not getting excited and overlooking the car, so I spent about two hours going over just about every single thing I could and testing everything. Took it to the Audi dealer in Chicago to have an inspection.
Purchase:
I purchased the car!!! One of the coolest parts is after I purchased the car, I was talking with one of the salesmen who said that it was very frequent for "celebrities" or sports players to come in and buy cars and that one was coming in to have dinner with the owner in a few minutes...
As I drove away, I saw a Range Rover pull behind me as I was backing up. Got a call about a minute later telling me to come back that someone liked my car and wanted to talk to me/see me and it would definitely be worth my time. Well guess who it is!
For all you NHL fans/followers it was no one other than Marian Hossa!! I spoke to him about the NHL lockout and what not trying to keep my cool and even complimented him on his Range Rover (even though it's not my style) he replied and said no, the car you just purchased is a very nice car, nice choice. Man did that feel cool, being told by a multimillion dollar athlete, that my car is cool! Long story short, he invited me and my friend to dinner and I spent about an hour longer in Chicago with a member of the Chicago Blackhawks just hanging out.
So excitement level back down to normal and now the other bad thing about this story. On my way home I noticed that the radio kept cutting out every 15-25 seconds, then would resume and do the same thing, regardless of AM/FM. It happened during the test drive but I thought it was the reception of Chicago, and the salesmen said so as well. Well it wasn't and this problem also interfered with the navigation as well and would return me to the main menu every time I tried to input an address. So for the 5 hour drive I was so frustrated by the radio I used my iPhone for music as well as directions.
Cons
The cons/ things wrong with the car:
1. Driver and passenger soft-door close is disabled or not working, although I don't hear it trying to work that is why I don't think it is broken necessarily. To be honest I could care less about this feature.
2. The scan showed the battery was old and didn't pass the load test, although it could also be due to the fact it sat for a while not being driven.
3. The coolant was "dirty"
4. TPMS sensors were dead/near dead
4. One more thing later on... continue reading..
So after this I decided that these are miniscule things that I can ignore/ repair on my own, as the car is in near perfect shape I didn't let this little thing sway my decision.
Recently: Took it into my local Audi Dealer here in Michigan, and it was the bluetooth module that went bad and caused havoc on the rest of the items. $796 later it was fixed and everything is working fine, I pickup the car in the morning. I contacted the dealer I bought the car from and told them that I understand wear and tear or dead TPMS (i guess..) but not for one of the main components to go out, he said to e-mail him the invoice and I'm almost positive they are going to cover the cost.
Mods/Changes Done:
So overall I have done this to the car so far:
1. Flush coolant $165
2. Update MMI to newest version $225 (was on 27.4 and I know its pricey but I just wanted it over with)
3. Bluetooth module replaced $796 (soon to be paid for by dealer)
4. Bought LED's for all doors, trunk, glovebox, and license plate lights. $90 in total
5. Purchased HOEN xenonmatch fogs $37
6. Purchased a set of four new TPMS to be installed (great price and thanks to K9 Cop for the referral. $177 incl. shipping http://oewheelsllc.com/TPMS-Sensors_...re-Sensors-SET
7. Install AMI out of my 4.2L V8
8. Hardwired my Escort 9500ix Radar detector
9. TBD, tinting the car, which film as well as what darkness?
Conclusion:
So overall besides the setback of the radio glitch this car is AMAZING! I love the power, the getup and go on the highway, and the radar cruise is a great feature. Also I got 20mpg avg on the way home from Chicago to Michigan going about 78-85mph near the whole way, including being stuck in Chicago traffic :/. I love this new car, hopefully it treats me well. I still absolutely love my 4.2L v8. Will post impressions of the difference between the two cars once I drive it more, but I can say that the W12 with the wider tires definitely drives more snug and feels more connected to the road, but it does seem a tad more touchy to road imperfections vs. the 18" wheels on my 4.2L. Cool thing is that I am not getting rid of the 4.2L, it will stay in the family and be driven mainly by my father (just not to work so it doesn't get dinged, his words not mine lol), and also driven by me for shorter trips when I still want to look classy but don't want to fire up the W12 powerplant, to save a bit of gas
Picture time:
Me and Hossa!!
So first, the facts:
2007 A8 W12 with 56k miles.
Asking Price $40k
Bought For $36k
The Car: Fully Loaded, every single option. Phantom black exterior with black interior leather and four seat config. Just so you get an idea of how loaded it is, it has: the refrigerator, solar sunroof, adaptive cruise, B&O, full leather appointment upgrade, and the 20" 7 double spoke wheels, backup camera, and any others I haven't mentioned.
Condition:
Exterior:
Cosmetically the car is flawless. I thought that buying the used car would be something like my previous experiences condition wise, but overall the exterior had only one single scratch about an inch long, and it was touched up, besides that, flawless exterior.
Interior:
The car looks like it has never been sat in. All the seats' leather is tight and looks like it was never sat in. The buttons all click with that brand new feel and have no wear whatsoever, even on the mmi control ****!
So it was very hard not getting excited and overlooking the car, so I spent about two hours going over just about every single thing I could and testing everything. Took it to the Audi dealer in Chicago to have an inspection.
Purchase:
I purchased the car!!! One of the coolest parts is after I purchased the car, I was talking with one of the salesmen who said that it was very frequent for "celebrities" or sports players to come in and buy cars and that one was coming in to have dinner with the owner in a few minutes...
As I drove away, I saw a Range Rover pull behind me as I was backing up. Got a call about a minute later telling me to come back that someone liked my car and wanted to talk to me/see me and it would definitely be worth my time. Well guess who it is!
For all you NHL fans/followers it was no one other than Marian Hossa!! I spoke to him about the NHL lockout and what not trying to keep my cool and even complimented him on his Range Rover (even though it's not my style) he replied and said no, the car you just purchased is a very nice car, nice choice. Man did that feel cool, being told by a multimillion dollar athlete, that my car is cool! Long story short, he invited me and my friend to dinner and I spent about an hour longer in Chicago with a member of the Chicago Blackhawks just hanging out.
So excitement level back down to normal and now the other bad thing about this story. On my way home I noticed that the radio kept cutting out every 15-25 seconds, then would resume and do the same thing, regardless of AM/FM. It happened during the test drive but I thought it was the reception of Chicago, and the salesmen said so as well. Well it wasn't and this problem also interfered with the navigation as well and would return me to the main menu every time I tried to input an address. So for the 5 hour drive I was so frustrated by the radio I used my iPhone for music as well as directions.
Cons
The cons/ things wrong with the car:
1. Driver and passenger soft-door close is disabled or not working, although I don't hear it trying to work that is why I don't think it is broken necessarily. To be honest I could care less about this feature.
2. The scan showed the battery was old and didn't pass the load test, although it could also be due to the fact it sat for a while not being driven.
3. The coolant was "dirty"
4. TPMS sensors were dead/near dead
4. One more thing later on... continue reading..
So after this I decided that these are miniscule things that I can ignore/ repair on my own, as the car is in near perfect shape I didn't let this little thing sway my decision.
Recently: Took it into my local Audi Dealer here in Michigan, and it was the bluetooth module that went bad and caused havoc on the rest of the items. $796 later it was fixed and everything is working fine, I pickup the car in the morning. I contacted the dealer I bought the car from and told them that I understand wear and tear or dead TPMS (i guess..) but not for one of the main components to go out, he said to e-mail him the invoice and I'm almost positive they are going to cover the cost.
Mods/Changes Done:
So overall I have done this to the car so far:
1. Flush coolant $165
2. Update MMI to newest version $225 (was on 27.4 and I know its pricey but I just wanted it over with)
3. Bluetooth module replaced $796 (soon to be paid for by dealer)
4. Bought LED's for all doors, trunk, glovebox, and license plate lights. $90 in total
5. Purchased HOEN xenonmatch fogs $37
6. Purchased a set of four new TPMS to be installed (great price and thanks to K9 Cop for the referral. $177 incl. shipping http://oewheelsllc.com/TPMS-Sensors_...re-Sensors-SET
7. Install AMI out of my 4.2L V8
8. Hardwired my Escort 9500ix Radar detector
9. TBD, tinting the car, which film as well as what darkness?
Conclusion:
So overall besides the setback of the radio glitch this car is AMAZING! I love the power, the getup and go on the highway, and the radar cruise is a great feature. Also I got 20mpg avg on the way home from Chicago to Michigan going about 78-85mph near the whole way, including being stuck in Chicago traffic :/. I love this new car, hopefully it treats me well. I still absolutely love my 4.2L v8. Will post impressions of the difference between the two cars once I drive it more, but I can say that the W12 with the wider tires definitely drives more snug and feels more connected to the road, but it does seem a tad more touchy to road imperfections vs. the 18" wheels on my 4.2L. Cool thing is that I am not getting rid of the 4.2L, it will stay in the family and be driven mainly by my father (just not to work so it doesn't get dinged, his words not mine lol), and also driven by me for shorter trips when I still want to look classy but don't want to fire up the W12 powerplant, to save a bit of gas
Picture time:
Me and Hossa!!
10-27-2012, 09:05 AM
#68
AudiWorld Super User
Thread Starter
There isn't a dealership in auburn hills. The closest one is the Rochester hills one or Farmington hills. Rochester is nice but seems a lot more expensive than the others. You'll love the w12.
As per the other post I do have Allstate its just a big increase with 12 cylinders.
As per the other post I do have Allstate its just a big increase with 12 cylinders.
10-27-2012, 02:49 PM
#69
AudiWorld Super User
I have gone the self-insured route for all vehicles now thanks to an 18 and 16 year old in the household. Otherwise I'd have to give up food or cars or the house. Besides, insurance COmpaNies are your friend until something goes wrong.
10-28-2012, 07:42 PM
#70
AudiWorld Wiseguy
self insurance
Self insured....how do you manage the financial risk you're exposed to taking that route? Not sure I could sleep at night knowing that a simple accident could very easily result in financial ruin for me and my family.