Dilemma

[paulcallender]

After a year of ownership, I have started looking at other cars and I've found a 1997 'P' reg Audi A8 4.2 quattro. I've had a good look at it and I can't really fault it, and the price is good too. But, it seems a little dull.

I have a 1990 W124 230TE and 1976 W114 280CE, and I'd have to sell both of these cars (I'd sell privately) to fund the Audi.

I know the Audi won't be there for long, so I need to decide soon or else the decision will be made for me. What do you guys think? (Anyone with experience of the Audi A8 compared to W124 Mercedes?)

 

[pascal]

Paul

You mention the word Audi or BM, the response is usually little or none.

Opinion on Audi's, you sure.

They are VWs (short and concise)

A8 4.2 Q, = fast tank = panzer. = will be costly to maintain

 

[echo200]

heart v wallet decision?

Like you, I was once tempted by the Audi A8 4.2 Quattro. The main problem is that you are considering a flagship model and the two things all flagship models have in common are;

1. They cost a fortune to service; and,

2. You need to evaluate and itemise your body parts, so that you know which to sell when your A8 4.2 Quattro needs repairing.

Seriously though, my only experience of AWD ownership was a 1994 Subaru Legacy, and I was shocked to discover that it was cheaper to run a 1995 Mercedes E200 - a lot cheaper!

If you haven't already, try this web site;

http://www.carsurvey.org/model_Audi_A8.html

 

[paulcallender]

I'm not that worried about servicing. I would be looking at keeping this car for 5+ years, and doing any work myself. I've checked, you cannot sell body parts on ebay, but my local newsagent doesn't have a problem with it - not as good exposure though. No seriously, I am reckoning £2000 for the W124 and £4000 for the W114, if I haggle the A8 down to £5500 then this leaves me with £500 to pay the difference in the insurance. Prices of parts seems comparable to Mercedes and ECP do parts for them...

 

[peterchurch]

Just a thought...

Once you sell your MBs they are gone I am running round in a 300e at the moment. Its 18 years old, there is rust all over it but its still one of the best rides I have had...

I would love an A8 myself but I wonder if its the sort of engine you can work on without the toys... other peoples perceptions are not involved in this equasion because at the end of the day you have to be happy driving it...

good luck

 

[Ramius]

The A8 is a great looking car......but I couldnt argue with the Panzer tank description.....Sounds like a beast to fuel :neutral:

 

[paulcallender]

I had the opportunity to take the Audi A8 out for an extended test drive today. I'll be keeping my Mercs!

Strangely, despite 225/55R17 tyres, 4 wheel drive, aluminium construction and no doubt a number of electronic gizmos working in the background, the car felt soggy. You could never really drive it in an enthusiasic way and enjoy it - it just felt dull. The acceleration was okay, but only if you persuaded it to kick down. But it never really pinned you into the seat. The V8 is so quiet that any advantage in having it (over the 6 cylinder 2.8) is negated, in terms of listening pleasure. And the brakes were terrible - my 124's brakes are far tighter in operation, these were plain soggy. Oh, and the ride was jiggly too, I'd read about this in reviews but I thought it would be better than my W124. I'd say its worse.

I don't know if the one I drove (150,000 miles) was a bad example (I suspect it needs a new set of discs and pads and probably a brake fluid change, at least) or if its simply a function of the size of the car (which would of course also rule out Jaguar XJ, Merc S class, Lexus, etc).

Maybe my dream car is a W124 E500 - or maybe my dream car is actually the one sitting on my drive right now?

 

[davidsl500]

it was well overpriced for that sort of mileage anyway.. A8's are invariably company directors/MD's cars and they have a lot of toys but they are oh so complex. My old boss had a few A8's from new and they are nice cars but servicing costs were up to £2000 a visit.....

The only good thing about an A8 is the staggeringly quick depreciation on them if you are buying a 2nd hand one - which is also the bad point if you are selling !