Audi A8

[ultradub]

I recently sold my 1998 740i, and I doubt I will return to Range Rover anytime soon, despite the redesign. The reliability factor was simply horrid, and BMW has truly ruined the new 7 series....which leads me the Audi A8. I am seriously considering purchasing the A8, truly elegant and unique in many aspects, yet any problems I should be aware of. As A8's are no longer in production, I am not interested in either the A8L or S8, I am keenly interested in the 1999 A8. Any inherit problems I should be aware of? Thank You

[PaulW]

However, you will find that the timing belt will need to be changed at 75K miles, and with everything else, that's gonna be $1500 - $2000, you will also need a brake job on the car if it's a 99 within a year, rotors and pads installed at the dealer all the way around is gonna be almost 1K, and like your other cars, if it goes to the dealer, it's not necessarily cheap.

However, here are some tips:

1. Buy an extended warranty with your car, if you get an Audi Assured car, it's gonna cost about $3,000 more than a non Audi Assured car, and you will have to purchase the car at the dealer, so that's gonna cost you more.

2. Make sure you get a '99 with the convieniece package, which is the xenon headlights and auto dimming outside mirrors, they all come with the auto dimming inside mirror.

3. Hot weather package car has a solar panel in the sunroof, ventilates the car in the summer and has the side in the back and rear window shades in the car. I don't have that, but looks neat.

4. Make sure you get one with the 17" wheels, some did come with the 16" wheels, but that is rare, but something you could change easily.

If you look around, you could get a '99 with 40-50K miles for 30K or less, now that's a deal for a car that in my opinion, is one incredible car that has all wheel drive!

Good luck.

pw

[April]

and cleaned up front and rear bumper/decks. The L model became available at that time.

As of right now, the A8 is still on the '03 order guides, so I would say that the out of production rumor is not quite correct;-)

[AgA8]

What are the ride differences between the '99 and earlier and the '00 and later models? I've heard (I think) that the later models are somewhat softer to appeal to the American market. True or false?

AgA8

[April]

and improved the sound damping so that every little sound doesn't reverberate through the body like a snare drum.

[GusS]

As April mentioned the 2000 model came with a facelift and with a number of other improvements. Resale value is piss-poor so great deals on a wonderful car abound.

[ultradub]

I was told by two different Audi dealers in Los Angeles, that the A8 is not in production anymore as the factory is gearing up for the all new A8. Yet I was told I can order the A8L and the S8?

I am not sure as to the validity of this, yet I have found 1999 and 2000 A8 with 20k miles under $35K. I cannot understand the horrible resale value of these cars since they seem to be much more "car" than the 740i.