1999 Audi A8 4.2, what are they like?

[paul261267]

Hi all, new to the forums...

I currently own a BMW 740iL and I am considering a 1999 A8 Quattro 4.2. The car is marked up at around £5000, I am considering taking a look around it sometime tomorrow.

The dealer (trusted by me, as I have bought my last 2 cars from him which have been perfect) informs me that the car has had a complete new engine fitted, along with new cats (All VAG) All I want to know at this stage is just what are these cars like to own? The mileage is around 128000 with a full Audi service history. What are they like to live with, what's the MPG of the 4.2V8, although I am no stranger to petrol stations with the 740 I am starting to take a lot more notice of the rip off fuel prices these days! I have seen figures of around 24mpg for the A8 4.2? What is the handling like, comfort, space etc?

I have done a few searches on this model which has provided some very useful info, but I like to hear it from the horses mouth, so if anyone can offer any useful info I would be very grateful for any replies.

Apparently the fuel economy is not too bad for a car of this size (the BMW will average just 18mpg round town) and they are a superb drive, very powerful and very smooth.

Sorry for such a long first post! I just want to find out as much I possibly an so I can be armed with all the facts when (IF) I look at it!

Thanks in advance for any info

By the way, fantastic forums!

Regards

Paul

[cruiser647]

Coming from the BM, I would think you'd want a 'Sport' model. It has lower suspension, wider and bigger diameter wheels to name a few differences

It has the best seats (electric Recaros) and handles as if on rails.

Mpg - depends upon your foot! Cruising? you might see 28, aroudn town? Probably 20 or so.

Why has it had a new engine? And if you do buy it - get the gearbox fluid changed by an Audi stealer.

Good luck!

[paul261267]

Thanks Cruiser.

I know what you're saying about wanting a 'Sport' model. However the 740 is hardly a sports motor, far from it in fact (it's the iL limo model, aka the barge!) I see where you're coming from though and I may look for a sport model instead.

As for the new engine fitted in A8, I have really no idea as to why this would be. This fact alone is making me have second thoughts (The BMW suffered Nikasil bore problems, but this was common knowledge, I have heard of no issues regarding Audi 4.2 engines) I may or may not take a look tomorrow and see what the score is...as yet undecided though.

Oh and the MPG, sounds pretty much like the BM, I may hunt down a decent 4.0 litre diesel V8 version yet.

Cheers

Paul

[ghemmings]

My last car was a 1998 535i (virtually the same M62 engine as your 4.4 7 series) with the M-tech suspension. The handling, which I thought was ok at the time, is not a patch on the A8. It is a different car altogether. Great fun to drive with excellent handling in the wet or dry. The 5 series should be reasonably comparable with the 7 series, but probably sportier, but I've never driven a 7 series to compare. The Audi is better built using higher quality trim materials.

If you buy an A8, check the gearbox fluid and strainer has been changed regularly, otherwise, I would be warey. Although excellent when working properly, the gearboxes are the weak point on these cars if not serviced regularly. You will see many threads on this subject here in TSN.

I would definately buy the sport model, but I bet the non-sport would knock the socks off the 7 series in both handling and drivability (if the 5 series is anything to go by).

My 5 series engine and gearbox were as good as new at 160k miles when I sold it. My A8 engine is great now at 150k, but the gearbox started hunting at 108k, and has got worse over time, although a recent transmission service improved things considerably.

IMO, if the A8 gearbox is not absolutly perfect, look for another one.

Don't let this put you off though, these are great cars (certainly the best car I have ever driven) and always brings a smile to your face.

I run on LPG, so can't comment on mpg.

[NickGUK]

The BMW you have is great car, i nearly bought one to, but the A8 is just that little bit better, the 4 wheel drive did it for me. The BM has 286hp, and the 99' A8 if its a facelift has 310hp.

Its a beautiful car to drive.....i relly dont think you will regret it. As far as MPG well if your heavy footed round town, it aint worth working it out, however i can get 28-30 mpg from mine on a run.

As with any car check EVERYTHING works, all the electrics as there is lots of em. The gearbox issue as mentioned is a concern for some owners, but its hard to pin point which models / mileage etc it affects. Mines on 130,000 and hasn't missed a beat. (touchwood)

[JonK_UK]

I too have had an E39 5 Series - a 525i which I loved on the whole. Vs the A8 I would only add the Audi 4.2 with quattro is safer with amazing traction, excellent on the motorway and fairly nimble round town. The A8 doesn't feel any bigger on the road to the 5 series in my opinion.

Audi build quality is excellent. Mine is a 97 model with 110k and there is not a single rattle. Every electric goody works also. Fantastic cars, keenly priced - I would do it every time.

[texas2201]

I have an early 1994 4.2Q originally spec-ced for the MD of VAG - it has nearly every extra - plus 18" alloys and sport suspension

on a recent trip to Scotland over a weekend of fast driving and picking up a BMW auto gearbox and driving back with it in the boot I averaged 29.7mpg!

we have had it 6 years and have done 90000 miles in it without major problems - touch wood

great car

[paul261267]

Well, I have been and looked at the A8, and that's all I did do, look at it.

As car enthusiasts we all know about 1st impressions right? Well, the very first thing I noticed was a piece of trim missing on the wing, and the front bumper had been touched up in places, though not very well in my opinion,it looked to me as though it has had a hard life. This has made my mind up for me, I will not be buying the A8. The interior looked ok enough, if a bit scruffy but then a good clean would have sorted that in no time.

I may have been a bit harsh here, however as I have already mentioned, first impressions...maybe the car drives perfectly, maybe the engine and gearbox are a gem, but I made my mind up on what I first saw, my 740iL is in a LOT better condition and it's 4 years older than the A8, says everything to me!

Thanks to all who have taken the time to reply, your words have not been wasted as I will keep up the search for a decent example. Maybe I will consider a nice A6 3.0 Quatrro, or even a 530i/528i BMW if I can find a decent example!

Regards

Paul