so i replaced the A8L...

well i did it. the A8L went back and i amazingly made some money on it. i traded in another unused BMW and ended up with a Q7. neat car/sav, loaded v6. the only option missing is the V8 but after driving them both the V8 wasn't enough more power to justify the jump in price.

the stds. nav, bluetooth, electric options up the wazoo. infotainment pkg which has this neat rearview camera for backing up and parking. very close to the A8 in options but lacking the suede covered interior. and the kicker is the tow package, now i need to find something to tow.

it's in SF right now so i'll post pics when it gets in tommorow.

color, sage green metalic

woops sycamore (ed)

 

price wasn't too bad. i paid way under msrp only becouse i've bought a few cars from them. they range from 49k~70k depending on trim and options. we spec'd a fully loaded 3.6 premium and msrp is 61.8k

the 3.6 has the new FSI so you can now use 87~89 octane and acheive 17~20mpg. oddly as good as the A8L. however my A8 got around 19~32mpg. highway cruising was ovcourse the best mpg. i'll let you know how the mpg goes. the price diff to the new 4.2v8 is 8k. v6=280hp v8=350 for a 70hp diff or $114 per hp. you'd think the 70hp would be big diff but the only time you noticed it was under flat out acceleration from a stop and passing above 80mph. but even then it wasn't a whoa thats better, more like a okay that was a bit easier.

coming from the A8 though it's slow in eithier form. but it has to be heavier too. the v6 with the tow package they claim tows 6,600lbs! i'm tempted to test it i'm going to put it to the winter test this december in mammoth, hopefully we'll have snow then and i can see how it handles unpaved dirt roads covered in snow/slushie.

if i can get/borrow a trailer i'll tow the mondi down to NB later this yr for a CC event.

 

here's a ? that i couldn't get answered. why is the Q7 $900 cheaper in base price to the A6?

 

it's long sorry. Part 1
it's a mixed bag really. here is my experiance.
2004 A8L
every option in the book.

2yrs 39k miles

the MMI is better than the Idrive from BMW, easier to navigate and intuitive. the climate control is it's own seperate nav system so you don't have to troll thru the cars other systems.

long distance cruising is where this car shines! eats up highway miles effortlessly. get the active massage seat and you'll be pressed to stay awake, okay maybe thats not a good thing. yes it's 2tons but the aluminum body makes it feel lighter. it can be tossed around turns and curves better than most std. sporting saloons. you'll need the adaptive air suspension though. cruising in the tripple digits feels like 50mph so watch your speed!they have provided 2 count them 2 speed warning settings. it'll beep at you when you hit them.

the park assist is helpfull for a car you can't see the corners on. the room of the L is worth the extra $$ if your 6ft or better, otherwise pass. the interior lighting is amusing at first then you forget about it. the shade options are great for kids and privacy. i also opted for the security pkg which has the dual pane glass and that makes the cabin as quite as a den on the highway. once again great for sleeping kids.

i loved the understated look. loads of luxery but doesn't go screaming about it.

the issues are the electronics. the drivers seat had to be replaced twice due to it deciding to be possesed and adjusting itself when it felt like it. the MMI fried out twice and effectly left the car stranded. the self opening and closing trunk also worked when it felt like it which was almost never. the A/C which is 4 zone climate would decide to completly turn off zones on it's own and would require re-setting the the MMI and cycling the car off-on. great when it's 100+* out side. it also has an electric parking brake, it would cycle itself off-on after you parked, always made me nervous to park on slopes.

the service for the A8 has to go thru specilized techs which are in severe shortage. so minor problems became big issues and took a min of 2wks. i'd then have to rent a car on my dime. if god forbid you got in an accident or needed any body work minor or otherwise, it has to go to a certified A8 body shop. the closest to me is in SF a 3hr drive away. so check the locations of these. don't by the BS the sales guys throw at you, go talk to the service dept and body shop.

i'd avoid the W12 as i've not heard good things about them. the std 4.2 or S8 is the better choice. almost bought the S8 but the wife wanted more room for the kids gear and the Q7 wins out there.

the early release of the new body style i.e. `04 has to many bugs go for the `05~`06 a majority of issues were resolved.

all in all i did like the car and it spoils you rotten. very hard to look at other cars after that one. you have to move farther up the ladder. maybach, bently you get the picture. the alcantera suede option is crazy. our a-pillars head liner dash, everywhere that noramaly is some type of fabric was covered in suede. over the top luxery. the A/C seats were also great for my need to stay frozen. the doors open W I D E so watch out when you park.

deprecation is brutal, so buy used if you want to save $$. i don't understand why the hit becouse the car really is better than the competition. my opinion. the quattro is great for snow/mountian trips or living but not needed in the socal type of lifestyle.

to sum up, great car. watch out for the `04s and try and get one with all the options as it makes it really worth it.

as we were looking over the Q7 i was despondent becouse of the A8. the Q7 is a nice car/sav but the difference is huge to the A8. still the Q7 can be expensive so it's a mixed bag for the A8. the price point is odd for the A8 in my opinion. it starts high 60's and tops around 130k i wonder if it would hold more value if it were starting the 100k mark and moving forward? great car for the money.

 

Part 2
the driving experience.
the 4.2 offers loads of torque and speed. the W12 is faster but not worth the upcharge. S8 now were talking. V10 goodness. back to the 4.2.

stoplight gran prix is fun as most people do not expect a car of that size to haul azz from a dead stop. never timed it but the 6.5secs to 60 is way conservative. passing is a breeze, put foot down; hold on. set the adaptive suspension into sport mode and the sweepers and response will improve. auto mode is mix between caddy smooth and sporting. however any speed above 75mph will automaticly default to sport.

good mpg averaged 22mph between city/highway. trunk space is massive but limited for a faimly of 4. the step mode of the trans is pointless, drive in 'S' mode for better response. 'D' has far too much lag and jumps to 6th gear to fast. it manages to turn heads in LA/OC which was suprsing to me. the drivers position is good but if your over 6'3" it can be a little off. the seat doesn't drop as far as the passenger seat for some odd reason so you sit a bit higher. and the lumbar support is to low. otherwise it's very comfy. the neatest thing is the MMI option to move the passenger seat to match the driver or move it back and down to get the passenger out of you view for side traffic or passing. the passenger has no overide control at that point, great fun to get the wife into an argument. crazy germans

a bit big for the city and takes some nerve to use in the drivethru. check your garage space as it is one very long car in L wheelbase and wide. insurance is oddly cheap, at least for me.

night driving is great due to the very bright headlights. you'll get the 'flash' fro mothers thinking you have brights on. the high beams are brutal.

more later, i've got to attend to a sick baby now.
cheers

 

S600 is not as big, my buddy is the lead tech at mercedes and told me it was good choice not to get the S class due to its electric issues. for all i know i had the oddball. there were not that many A8's going in for problems. the biggest issue is the auto trunk feature. Audi even did an update and recalled ours to replace the hinges in hopes of fixing it. it didn't.

not sure i understand the 4place seating on W12. if your reffering to the fridge console in the back seat. thats an option on any of the A8s from `05 on. i'd rather have the seat then the console.

here is what my car was optioned as,
http://www.audiusa.com/config_summary/0,4840,atmosId-0_intId-62662_options-28130%253A28132%253A28133%253A28135%253A28137%253A28141%253A28142%253A28146%253A28148%253A28150_extId-16684_price-85285_modelTypeId-141_msrp-72090_modelId-14196_,00.html?bodystyle=a8sedan
hope that works, it's an '07 or something on the audi website but you get the idea. loved the options. the paddle steering wheel is a waste of money. i tried the s-line Q7 with it. pointless!

you might still be able to deal on new. mine stickerd for 83k and i paid 70k. at the time they needed to get sales going on them. but i'd expect you get under msrp easy. or save 30~40k and buy used. gamble though on the warrenty issue. i paid up front like 3k for a 10yr warrenty thru audi. so whoever buys my old one used gets the deal of the warrenty. look for that when buying used.

 

here's an option i tend take on buying highend cars new. prepaid lease. interest rate or money factor is really low and you pay less than a month to month lease. you ofcourse need the scratch up front but it's better than the traditional lease. i was quoted 28~32k for a 2yr 30kmiles prepaid lease on a '07 A8L sticker of 98k. credit will vary the numbers as always. that's total drive off cost. monthly is somewhere between 1200~1800.

do the homework research on used though. repair and maintence cost will KILL you.

Safety of the car is amazing. 3 days after picking it up my wife was rear ended on the highway. she was stopped in traffic and the moron behind her didn't notice and plowed into her at 70mph. the A8 didn't budge, the gal driving the pontiac went into the windsheild and was transported to the hospital. the pontiac was totaled. my wife drove to the dealer where i met her and the car only suffered a broken rear tub for the spare (fiberglass) and bumper damage. no bent frame or damage to the quater panels. even my wife was suprised she didn't suffer any bruises or strains.

 

1st pic, more tommorow when the suns up. the flash kept screwing with the color. i just love the green on this one. to give you an idea on size, the rims are 20"s and still look smaller.

the interior is ivory/green with the burl wood. it's very classic in color and finish. i love the understated nature. the dealer experianced a utility outage just before i got there to pick it up so they were unable to do the PDI. they'll be coming by the house later this week to finish it, detail and replace the front plate with the fancy blank chrome one.
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better pics for those interested. the panoramic glass is real nice, do wonder about roll over but if that's happening i've got other issues. apparently it redirects power and adjusts the air suspension if it senses the car tipping. the 'back back' (from my vista cruiser days) has A/C so you don't broil the poor amputes in the 'back back'.

the glove box is refrigerated, found that out last night it also has voice reconigtion to control the MMI, it's wierd getting used to but nice that you don't have to take your hands off the wheel. six pot calipers all around. switch in the back to raise/lower the car for loading and hitching. burber carpet, about time they started to use carpet up to the task of kids and wet weather.

on with the pics...
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yup, 275/45 R20! monster wheels that look right on this car. the 18"s look hokey and the 19"s are passable. but the 20"s are just right. 22"s would give it the bling/bling look and to me wouldn't fit the car. add more bright work and stuff in the V10 from the S8 and i'd be all over it
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it's hard to see in the pics but the contrasting color to the ivory or whatever they call it. has a slight green hue to it to match the exterior. looks real nice. add piping like the A8 and this would be one sweet ride.

personally it's very close to the A8 in trim and options. bump up the level to the A8 and it would be perfect in my opinion. then again i'm coming from the A8. if you were stepping in from the A4/A6 then it's a nice jump.

 

Ryan, you should check out the 04'~05' models. bigger, faster and more leather than a vegas strip club. not sure what that means...

the 04' we had was a blast but the reliabilty made me move on. at this point it's come down to cars being disposable. 2yrs is safe beyond that they start to have issues. the amount of electronics today is staggering. makes me enjoy my 26yr old ferrari everytime i go out for a drive

frank, thanks for the heads up, i'll check the policy and print.