Topic: Used Vehicle Review: Audi A8, 2004'2010

[Autos_Editor]

Commonly reported problems with Audi's second generation flagship A8 sedan include overheating, radiator leaks, faulty air suspension, and worn suspension bushings, reports Contributing Editor, Chris Chase.  Like most big German cars, it can be expensive to maintain, he says.

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[Gardiner Westbound]

The Black Book Pricing "Year" column requires editing. All years are shown as 2010.

[purple43]

A sobering reminder of why luxury German marques should be off the wish list of all but the most affluent--something I learned in the 1970s, when I complimented an acquaintance on his beautiful high-end BMW, about three years old at the time.  "Thanks, but maintenance is brutal." he moaned to me. Nothing's changed!

[toolatecrew]

I'm surprised used values are even that high. If you need to save money by purchasing used A8s you probably don't have the money to afford the repairs.

[tpl]

Right!  The best  ways to own a car like this:

Live in Germany  where skilled help is easier to find.

or

Just lease for 3 years and take it back

Just own for 3 years and trade for another one.

I think this may apply to MB-S class and BMW 7-er as well possibly even to Porsches

[blur911]

The key to keeping old German iron (or aluminum in this case) on the road is to be able to fix things yourself and to have a good parts source.  Oh, and it can't be your only vehicle.

Usually the people who buy these sort of cars used haven't a clue, my sister occasionally (when it works) drives a 740il, she forgot to ask my opinion about them before her boyfriend convinced her it was a great deal (he can't fix anything either)

At least sometimes you can get a great deal if you are handy, I once picked up a near perfect 5000CS turbo quattro for a song as the check engine light kept coming on and the owner was too scared to go to the dealer to have it checked. I basically fixed it for free with a bit of soldering.  I loved that car, especially after adding that other spring to the wastegate.

Dunno if I'd like to tackle an A8 although, I would like to shoehorn the V8 into my Coupe quattro.

[Spheric]

Who buys a used A8 ? I know there's a market out there but still....

Based on that review, I'm wondering if I would be better off getting the short-lived VW Phaeton.

[new age group]

"Early models have an engine coolant line that runs directly in the way of the space needed to remove the oil filter. The solution is to remove/replace the coolant line every time the oil needs to be changed, or simply bend it out of the way. The downside to the bend method is that if the coolant line begins to leak as a result, the engine might need to be removed to fix it."

Who ever designed the engine and made the decision to put that engine coolant line should be put into jail in German!   

Reason - This person (or this group of engineers) ruined the image of the entire German country which can build excellent vehicle with state of the art engineering.

with over 100 years of experience of building/engineering world class automobile, putting an engine coolant line in the space needed to remove oil filter is just not acceptable. 

[que]

Blur911 you hit the point on the nail.  If you do your own repairs, used German rides make total sense, or else your stuck with new entry level vehicles or paying mad coin for repairs for used one.  But this one, from what I read is too complicated.  Oil changes are the most frequent service, and if you have to remove a coolant line everything, that alone would keep me away from this car.  I am a BMW fan for many reasons, one being balance.  This A8, like most Audis have their entire engine in front of the front axle, and using an A4 suspension on a car that would experience great loads, makes me wonder where else they commonized to safe money.  Yes I agree to save on cost, you require large economy of scale, but it should be the other way around.  The A8 parts be used on the A4.  I know on some bimmers, parts will be shared from a 7 series on to a 5, which I think is a safe approach, but have a recall, and 2 family of cars are effected.Just my $0.02

[JSCC]

Right!  The best  ways to own a car like this:

Live in Germany  where skilled help is easier to find.

or

Just lease for 3 years and take it back

Just own for 3 years and trade for another one.

I think this may apply to MB-S class and BMW 7-er as well possibly even to Porsches

Yes, and most owners have a business to write them off.

[Schmengie]

'According to Canadian Black Book, used A8 values range from a low of $23,050 for a 2004 A8L to a high of $121,100 for a 2009 A8L W12. Suggested prices for the S8 start at $83,025 for a 2007 model to $99,625 for a 2009.'

Holy Moneybags, Batman. Does anyone with that kind of cash actually spend it on a USED car?  Without a full warranty??  Considering what you can get at the higher end of this scale these days, that's NUTS.