Kelly says $39K Edmunds says $45K on trade-in of my A8. I don't know who is correct.

On a related note, I test drove a 2007 Lexus GS 350 AWD. Here are my comments:

Pros:

- 303 HP from a V6 - better power to weight ratio than A8. Power delivery was silky smooth.

- Nice ride and handling although the run flat tires felt a bit hard.

- Control of amenities and Nav system more intuitive than MMI.

- Fantastic bluetooth integration.

- Fit and finish was superb as expected.

- The leather seems a bit nicer (softer and less shiny) than in the A8

Cons:

- Tighter inside than A8 (no duh - it's a different size class, stupid :-))

- Less head room

- Interior not up to Audi standards

- Tiny trunk

- Meh on wood steering wheel

Dealer couldn't have been nicer. Started by offering me $38K for A8 and $50K for the Lexus based upon a $52K MSRP. The value of my trade has me perplexed. This was the first round and she appeared willing to deal further. I can only assume that she lowballed my trade to make the less-than-MSRP first offer look attractive.

Any opinions and observations are welcome. I have NOT made any hard decisions to ditch my A8 as I am still "sleeping on" the anger over my recent service fiasco.

Running 36-40k for above avg cond similar miles on auctions in last 4 weeks.

38k is wholesale, prob. flipping it to wholesaler and not keeping on lot.

50 on a 52 Monroney is BS. Try 38 for yours and 10k trade diff. Should be doable, tell them you can wait 'til end of month, or shop it elsewhere.

God I love buying cars.

I am not sure what your trade in value is, but my 2004 A8L has 52,000 miles and I have had no problems except the trunk auto closer. I have thought about the Lexus GS 350 AWD ( I live in snow country) and it will probably be my next car. However, sinceI a still getting trouble free service I am going to keep my A8 for a while longer- I bought an extended warranty from my dealer that is good until 86,000 miles. If my car stays trouble free I'll keep it two more years then get a Lexus. If it becomes unreliable before that I will get it fixed and then trade it. They are going to make an LS 460in AWD so I might consider that, but I think I am tired of spending so much on a caar and seeing it depreciate so fast.

but the value of the A8s has them beat!!!! The value is probably closer to the Kelly Blue Book, sorry to say. I went through this two months ago on an 06 Carrera S. What I was offered on an 04 A8L with 16K on the clock was disappointing to say the least. If you need assistance at Thompson?, send me an e-mail. BTW, I had the A8 inspected today and, lo and behold, they discovered a bad RF wheel bearing, the second one in 3K!!!! They wanted to sell me another car and you can imagine my response. Its sitting next to the Bill of Rights in Independence Hall!

...If I thought I could change dealers and he happy, I would. But both Princeton and Flemingtom Audi are not good. And I wouldn't touch Willow Grove or Don Rosen with a ten foot pole.

I am sorry that your experience with Audi has been horrible. Good luck with the 328xi. Best Bangle/Van Hooydonk BMW by far. I hope it is as reliable with the same quality as the platinum standard (better than gold standard) pre Bangle/Van Hooydonk BMWs (E46 3 Series/M3, E39 5 Series/M5, etcetera), whose quality and reliability were first rate.

If you don't mind me asking greenie, if the numerous Audi dealerships that you dealt with and Audi of America had treated you the same way most Lexus dealerships and Lexus of North America treat their customers (which, unfortunately, was not the case as I am fully aware of), regardless of whether or not you had problems with your 2004 A8L 4.2 (which you had many problems with, made far worse because of scum bag Audi dealerships and the scum bags at Audi of America as I am also fully aware of), would you still be jumping ship from Audi to BMW and/or other brands?

Also, if Audi of America and North American Audi dealerships considerably improve in every conceiveable way (especially how they treat their customers) with Audi considerably improving their quality, reliability and everything else that is conceiveable, would you ever comeback to Audi? I honestly believe that these considerable improvements to Audi, AoA and Audi dealerships will happen someday. But I don't know for sure. We can only hope, right?

and I must say that I was a bit sad. I tried to convince myself that the new cars would be different. I almost sold myself on that idea but what remains is AoA and I refuse to deal with them anymore. Even the dealer dislikes them!!! YES, if I was treated by Audi the way Acura has treated me and the way Lexus WOULD treat me, I would have an S8 in the driveway. Just convince me that 40 months spent behind this keyboard hasnt been in vain!!!!!!!!!!!

I just bought one of these. I also have an A8. I test drove everything in the M45 class and nothing touches it. It is by far the most bang for the buck. The Lexus to me wasn't even close.

just my opinion.

in the industry. I agree with your assesment of the M series

CPO RS6 is sold to me with wrong size and load rating tires. I order Michelin PS2s from Tire rack (at my own expense) and have them delivered to the dealership in time for a service scheduled for a few days later. Service manager refuses delivery since he didn't sell them. I make him buy me the correct tires for the RS6. Purchasing orders the wrong tires TWICE.
Second time in, service advisor assures me that she verified the correct tires herself. I say, "Show me."
Of course they were incorrect.
Third time in, they did in fact order the correct tires. I refused installation.

You really need to look at them before you buy. The M45 hauls ass and has this killer tech package. Everything is voice command. You don't even need to use the buttons.

Have you tried Schneider/Nelson in Eatontown? I seem to be having good luck with them...their A8 Tech seems to be on top of things....

I love the newer Audis, Greenie. But, you are 100% right, the North American Audi dealerships and AoA in genral are so scummy that I am forced to stick with Japanese vehicles. I hope this changes for the better in every conceiveable way someday. But the changes for the better (again, in every conceiveable way and absolutely nothing less) all have to be significant with all capital letters and ten exclamation points.

If Consumer Reports/Consumers Digest/Consumer Union are any indication, Mercedes is at the top of the list of brands to avoid.

I hope BMW treats you the same way Acura treated you. And the same way Lexus generally treats their customers.

BTW, I apologize sincerely for ridiculing you awhile back about Audi's, or, shall I say numerous North American Audi dealerships' and Audi Of America's piss poor customer service and treatment and general stupidity.

to this forum and Im sure many have learned much.

If the Audi dealerships and AoA treated you the same way that Lexus dealerships and Lexus NA generally treats their customers (I am fully aware of the fact that this has NOT been the case for you and many other North American Audi customers, both on and outside of AudiWorld), would you stay with Audi? Or, would you still be jumping ship from Audi? I asked greenie the same question a few days ago.

I love the newer Audis. But the generally shoddy North American dealer network and the improters for Audi in North America (AoA, AoC, etcetera) generally being as shoddy as they are make me a bit nervous. Alright, a lot nervous.

Anyway, I hope you have an excellent experience with whatever vehicle you buy as your next vehicle, Wowdi. Always keep us informed.