*flame suit on*



Found an absolutely beautiful 2004 A8L w/ approx 60K miles for a good price. 6 speed auto, 4.2L V8, xenon headlamps.

This generation of the A8 in my opinion has hands-down the most gorgeous interior this side of a Bentley. Absolutely flawless design - in my opinion.

Anyone have real experience or knowledge on this vintage A8? I'm quite tempted by this car as it's well priced in comparison to a similar S klasse. Besides, that generation of S doesn't really do it for me.

Thoughts?

We have never done any body work on an A8, as they have the all aluminum structure. I believe that any body work of any consequence HAS to be done by dedicated shops who have the equipment and training to work on those cars. But with past experience on other Audis we have worked on, parts are usually a problem and our supplier did tell me that if we ever did see an A8 hauled in,,, turn and run in the other direction.

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95 SL500 Smoke Silver, Parchment 64K
07 E350 4matic Station Wagon White 34K
02 E320 4Matic Silver/grey 80K
05 F150 Silver 44K

http://forums.audiworld.com/a8d3/ here is a link to the Post 2003 A8 site. Earlier A8s had trans problems (pre 2001 i believe). The timing belt which needs to be done sooner than later is 2 grand + at the dealer. They will do the water pump at the same time since it is in there with the belt and most of the cost is labor. My wife has a 98 A4 with the V6 that has been a great car. From all that I have read and heard is the A6 4.2 and the A8(also the 4.2) have a heavy feeling and though they are 300 + hp they can feel sluggish in the city and suffer poor fuel econo because the gearing and weight. Goggle the weight , might surprise you. With that said they are suppose to be GREAT road cars and the owner's I have talked with rave about that esp if you in a snow region. Hope this was of some help. http://forums.audiworld.com/a8d3/msgs/45898.phtml

My brother has an S6 Avant wit the 4.2L V8. Great car, just watch the t-belt/H20 pump service. Audis are known for electrical glitches too, but they have come a long way.

He's looking at getting a chip, nicer rims and an after-market exhaust. Lotsa' go-fast parts for the Audi.

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'07 Yukon 2500
'13 Subaru Outback 3.6R
'13 Orbea Carpe 9-speed

Currently Benzless
Formerly: 300TD, S600, E55, 560SEL

---= The forest breathes, listen.
-Native American elder

Just my $.02:

Lexus = Toyota on steroids
Infiniti = Nissan on steroids
Audi = VW on steroids

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08 W251 R350
97 W210 E320
91 W124 300E
86 W126 560SEL
85 W126 380SE Silver
85 W126 380SE Cranberry
79 W123 250
78 W123 280E
75 W114 280

This is pretty funny. I was thinking about the same car. I have been watching the prices on them for a month or so now. I plan on getting one maybe late next year. I joined one of the Audi forums and posted a newbie question. Well, it has been almost a week and there are no replies. It seems I got more info about the car right here on a MB forum. That is why this place rocks!

Anyway, I have learned (as said above) to look for timing belt, water pump service with anything over 60k. Also the transmission on the older models (as said above) and I also read something about owners having problems with the front control arms.

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'85 300SD (formerly california emissions)
'08 Chevy Tahoe
'93 Ducati 900 SS
'79 Kawasaki KZ 650
'86 Kawasaki KX 250
'88 Kawasaki KDX200
'71 Hodaka Ace 100
'72 Triumph T100R