Hey everybody
First of all I have to say that I used to be BMW fan. After driving bmw 740d xdrive and a8 4,2 tdi I was overwhelmed by quality of interior and refinement of Audi. My salesman told me that new a6 is almost as good as a8 and is significantly cheaper so I do not know what to do. And I have the second question: has anybody seen quartz grey on a8 in person?

I have not been in the new A6, but the exterior is very attractive.

The interior of the a7 is (which I understand is similar to a6), is quite nice, but has a colder, slightly downscale feel than the interior of the A8. Maybe because the a7 has less wood and aluminum. On a scale of 1-10, the interior of the a8 is a 10, and that of a7 is an 8.

The quartz gray on the A8 is spectacular. I have several pics, but can't figure out how to upload them from my iPad..

Also, watch out for the twin turbo diesel recently announced for the A6 avant. No delivery dates, but I'm guessing end of the year. It's not got the torque of the biggie engine, but I hear that the sound is very unique and sporty.

I was pondering whether it'll make it into the A8. Quite a line up for the oil burners:

3.0 TDI = 204PS - 440NM - FWD Multi
3.0 TDI = 250PS - 500NM - 4WD 8-Speed
3.0 TDI = 313PS - 650NM - 4WD 8-Speed
4.2 TDI = 350PS - 800NM - 4WD 8-Speed

It makes you wonder what future the 4.2 TDI engine has, considering the R18 is a 3.7 single turbo wide angle V6 (albeit heavily reliant on aero for cooling of the engine and feeding it air).

Personally, stuck with the 4.2.

I personally believe that 3.0 tdi biturbo would be an ideal engine for a8. Although 4.2 tdi is a wonderful engine, the new one is much lighter, cheaper and with smaller fuel consumption.
jetinder: I have checked the a6 forum and read that you have already ordered a6 3.0 tdi. Do you as a8 d4 owner think that it is worth to pay extra money to purchase a8 instead of a6?

As I'll be driving the A8 (unless it snows), I think it's worth it.

But I'll reserve full judgement until we have it for a while. Driving the A6 did leave me wanting more "substance" to the car when driving it hard, especially when driving it harder. I like the way the A8 can be thrown around when having some fun, but is just a motorway crusher the rest of the time. I won't even mention the lack of cooling and massaging seats in the A6 (mrs wasn't willing to get an SE, she wanted an S-Line, no discussion there).

I have a fwd 3.0 tdi multitronic A7 for a few days this week whilst my A8's in for some bits and pieces (including it not wanting to start for several minutes on a few occassions). So we'll get a feel for the real world economy with this one, and see how good/bad the multi gearbox.

In my mind the A8 is a no-brainer. What the next car will be, I don't know... maybe the A9 if they do a convertible version ;-)

As I'll be driving the A8 (unless it snows), I think it's worth it.

But I'll reserve full judgement until we have it for a while. Driving the A6 did leave me wanting more "substance" to the car when driving it hard, especially when driving it harder. I like the way the A8 can be thrown around when having some fun, but is just a motorway crusher the rest of the time. I won't even mention the lack of cooling and massaging seats in the A6 (mrs wasn't willing to get an SE, she wanted an S-Line, no discussion there).

I have a fwd 3.0 tdi multitronic A7 for a few days this week whilst my A8's in for some bits and pieces (including it not wanting to start for several minutes on a few occassions). So we'll get a feel for the real world economy with this one, and see how good/bad the multi gearbox.

In my mind the A8 is a no-brainer. What the next car will be, I don't know... maybe the A9 if they do a convertible version ;-)
Don"t blame ur Mrs. New A6 cries for the S-line treatment. Just got back from the Audi A6 Driving Experience. A6 with normal package is just bland. That lower valance is just plain boring and disconnected from the rest of the car. Even more so in white color when it becomes more prominent and exposed. Just kills its looks. That needs to be gone ASAP, Audi. It works on A4 when is more aggressive, this time big NO.

I pointed out the rear valence on my A8 to the mrs this weekend (Abt stuff) and asked if she wanted something like that - she's up for it on the 6! I'm real lucky she likes cars :-) She was also suggesting getting an R8 as the next car for us .. I think she's gone slightly loopy in a good way.

A sad fact here in the U.S. is that diesel is more expensive than premium petrol. Part of this has to do with a higher government tax on diesel fuel.

This is part of the equation as to why car makers with fantastic diesel options (Audi and Mercedes) are slow to introduce these engines, or keep them out of mix altogether in the U.S.

It is a shame really.

It really is a shame. Diesel was traditionally less than regular gasoline up here in Canada. It's only recently that it's been hovering around par with regular octane. Still much less expensive than premium gasoline though. I, for one, would love to see the diesel A6 and A8 come on over here.

Didn't the AoA top man say that the A8 3.0 TDI is coming to North America? I remember it being mentioned :

http://car012.blogspot.com/2011/05/diesel-audi-diesel-audi-a8-a6.html

Hey everybody
First of all I have to say that I used to be BMW fan. After driving bmw 740d xdrive and a8 4,2 tdi I was overwhelmed by quality of interior and refinement of Audi. My salesman told me that new a6 is almost as good as a8 and is significantly cheaper so I do not know what to do. And I have the second question: has anybody seen quartz grey on a8 in person?

Your saleman was lying when he said the A6 was almost as refined as the A8, it ain't true. Road noise plays a major role in perceived refinement and in this the A6 isn't nearly as good as the A8.

That being said the quality of the two interiors are closer than ever before.