carmudgeons.com  

Go Back   carmudgeons.com > Automotive Forums > Car Talk

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 11-12-2012, 03:47 PM   #1
equ
Alphanumeric
 
equ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Carmudgeonly Ride: 981S, 340i
Posts: 9,580
A8L Loaner

It's an 09, so nearly the tail end of the last generation that ended in '10... I haven't driven the 7er or the S in a year or two, but from what I dimly remember, the a8 is much less of a barge.

Quite a good car, this. Seems to get better mpg's than the croc, about equivalent to most 6-cylinder audi and bmw's. The interior/Nav/MMI is partially behind that of my a4, but it certainly doesn't matter much in this leathered living room in a bank vault. Very comfy with quite acceptable handling (not something I though when I last drove a 7er). I wish I could have sampled the sports seats/suspension on tires that were not pirelli p6's. No car that I have ever driven has been so quiet on the highway. Also the door close thunk is otherworldly... So much so that despite the autotragic (which really doesn't matter much in a car like this other than reliability to my mind) I found myself doing some searches to see where the numbers are at, and you know what you get a lot of car for your money if you spend $40k on a last gen a8. The plutocrat feeling is pretty cool, though it might wear off around Christmas (as it makes the expectations rise). You might have to visit the extended family in the ole' e39.

I would definitely go for the short wheelbase, I currently have no person or thing to place in those awesome rears. Pity that they don't fold, which would have made this the ultimate 1st class ski trip car. I'd most likely want the sports package though I'd have to try it to be sure it doesn't ruin anything.

(The photo is not fair to the a8L's length.. Viewing angle + cayman is in front of a couple of motos. It is longer by several feet.)
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	a8.jpg
Views:	540
Size:	38.6 KB
ID:	8062  
equ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-12-2012, 04:10 PM   #2
equ
Alphanumeric
 
equ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Carmudgeonly Ride: 981S, 340i
Posts: 9,580
Also full-sized spare! Take that bmw! Haven't seen that since my e39.
equ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-12-2012, 04:17 PM   #3
JST
195
 
JST's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 24,588
Quote:
Originally Posted by equ View Post
Also full-sized spare! Take that bmw! Haven't seen that since my e39.
I've always really liked the prior gen A8/S8. Have on a number of occasions found myself sifting through autotrader listings, automatic aside.

EDIT: Speaking of cars I might buy if I could tolerate an automatic, the Phaeton is another one, though the reliability on those kind of terrifies me.
JST is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-12-2012, 04:19 PM   #4
equ
Alphanumeric
 
equ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Carmudgeonly Ride: 981S, 340i
Posts: 9,580
Have you driven an a8? Very decent (as long as you're not expecting M-like experience). Just think of the range... 24mpg hwy with a 23 gallon tank.
equ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-12-2012, 04:21 PM   #5
equ
Alphanumeric
 
equ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Carmudgeonly Ride: 981S, 340i
Posts: 9,580
How is a Phaeton less reliable than comparable bmw's & merc's? I'd venture that it's at least as good. I've been in and driven one, the build quality is insane. VW really took it to the next level for that model.

However, the a8 is much better to drive. Hated the phaeton's disconnected chassis and steering, true Limo. The a8 actually has a tiny bit of character, drives pretty similar to an e39 sport from what I can see. Bit more cornering grip, a good bit less steering feel but still a modicum of it is there.
equ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-12-2012, 04:31 PM   #6
wdc330i
dogged
 
wdc330i's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: '22 M440 xDrive GC
Posts: 13,237
http://ca.answers.yahoo.com/question...9204223AA0ROom
http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...n..Reliability
wdc330i is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-12-2012, 04:43 PM   #7
equ
Alphanumeric
 
equ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Carmudgeonly Ride: 981S, 340i
Posts: 9,580
Those links actually don't have much info. If one is so inclined, some good data is at truedelta.com... If you actually bother to read the commentary for the d3 a8, there is nothing "serious" that I see (and quite a lot of cars with 100k miles). Avoid air suspension (but that's true for merc's as well) get engine with timing chain, not belt so that needs to be 07+ I think.
equ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-13-2012, 07:17 PM   #8
equ
Alphanumeric
 
equ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Carmudgeonly Ride: 981S, 340i
Posts: 9,580
Day 2:

The novelty faded. Pulling in and out of spot (with the motorcycle wedged in) became a real chore. Sure it would be awesome on those few days a year I drive 300+ miles, but those are few and far between... So the big boat gets a 'Meh'. But it sure impresses at first.

The braking of the a8 did not feel great at all. Sure this was a loaner with nearly 40k miles, craptastic tires and overdue for a fluid flush, but I really had that braking an old Mercury feeling. Engine sound is underwhelming when you do hear it (sort of like most Audis). At low revs, moderate throttle it sounds like a Crown Vic. At high revs, it's a bit jarring.

Yes, I do like the a8's heated, ventilated and butt-massaging seats better. But then the s4/s6 seats are better yet (though with less blingy adjustments). The steering/chassis feel certainly go to my a4 sport and I was happy to be back in it.

Last edited by equ; 11-14-2012 at 08:46 AM.
equ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-13-2012, 08:17 PM   #9
bren
lawn boy
 
bren's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: e46m3, f25x3,C5 Z06, C4 Vette, 06 CTD Ram, and a trailer
Location: Maryland
Posts: 14,029
Quote:
Originally Posted by equ View Post
Day 2:

The novelty faded.
bren is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-14-2012, 02:44 AM   #10
lip277
The old cranky SOB....
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: several cars... way too many....
Location: Near Seattle
Posts: 4,798
I still like my E38's.

Just put new shocks/struts and H&R springs in the '01 (got rid of the EDC system).



Very nice....
__________________
Kevin


1970 2800CS - - 2001 740iL - - 2006 997.1 - - 2012 Escalade
1968 Mustang GT Convertible - - 2003 Ford F250 PSD - - 1985 728i
lip277 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
I won the loaner lottery JST Car Talk 25 09-26-2010 11:50 AM
Cayenne loaner equ Car Talk 12 05-28-2010 12:18 PM
My BMW loaner Sharp11 Car Talk 5 02-02-2010 09:48 AM
cobalt loaner lemming Car Talk 2 07-01-2009 06:01 PM
09 e90 loaner equ Car Talk 13 05-20-2009 11:03 AM


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:42 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Forums © 2003-2008, 'Mudgeon Enterprises - Site hosting by AYN & Associates, LLC