Greetings,

I went through the same decision process for my wife's car before purchase. If you are not completely stuck on the A8(L), I highly recommend an A6q 2.7T of the same vintage instead. The A8 is roomy and handles like velvet, but insurance premiums are astronomical because of an all-aluminum frame as pointed out earlier. Plus, one could in theory outfit an A6 2.7T with aftermarket parts and produce an AWD speed demon with a luxury interior =^)

Of the mature AWD sedan manufacturers, I would rate the systems of Volkswagen AG (Audi) as most reliable, Nissan Motors (Infiniti) a close second, and Subaru third. Audi has performed more research and real-world testing of the quattro system than Mercedes for the relatively new 4matic.

Where did Nissan Motors come from? Many people incorrectly assume that the G35 AWD sedan is based on new technology. Just as the G35 platform is derived from the R34 Skyline, the AWD system is based on a 30-year old ATTESA design. Both Nissan and Subaru have proven their systems on the (rally) track for years.

Good luck with your decision!
-DM

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1995 E420 SE black/black
2004 Volvo V70R AWD