Reliability of Audi A8 D3 (pre-facelift)?

[nwgermancarguy]

I'm potentially considering buying a used A8 (D3 facelift, without the new Audi family "mouth") and wondered how reliable they are compared to the 7-series E65 which I've heard and read so many bad things about especially for the 2002/2003 early models? Anything specific to look out for with a used A8 D3, 2003/2004 model year?

[RichardW]

I bought a late 2003 D3 4.0TDi just over 2 years ago (part exchanged my facelift D2 S8) and I am in no way disappointed with the swap. Performance is very similar (oodles of torque and great 6 speed paddle tiptronic) but economy is up to 50% better (27/28 around town and 34mpg motorway. I had some problems with water ingress into the compartment under the battery, about 2 years ago, which screwed up the electrical systems. Fortunately the car still had a full Audi warranty which sorted this out - I suspect this was very much a one off fault and no hint of recurrence even though the car is not garaged when parked. The only other fault I have had is a flashing glow-plug light and the engine in limp mode. Driveable but without the usual amazing performance. The Audi tech identified a failed pressure sensor on the intercooler. Part cost £30+vat labour £200+vat. That was just over a year ago and the fault recuured 3 weeks ago. This time I decided to buy VAGCOM and check for myself. Surprise, surprise it was the same sensor!(Manifold pressure/Boost Sensor (G31): Implausible Signal P0236 - 001 - Upper Limit exceeded - Intermittent). I could have returned the car to the dealer (2 year warranty on Audi parts) but decided to clear the fault and see what happened. Fault has not recurred and since the part is covered by warranty until next June I am going to wait and see. Otherwise no problems with the car and no fault codes shown on VAGCOM. That said the car has only covered 45K.

My advice would be to get someone to VAGCOM any purchase for fault codes before purchase and ensure that every electronic system works perfectly this could take quite a bit of time if you have such options as keyless go and figerprint recognition. Also, make sure the air suspension is working correctly and that the MMI selections work.

If you are going to buy a petrol car do not forget that a cambelt change is expensive (front of car off) circa £900 at an Audi Stealer (80K miles?) the 4.0 TDi has a chain not a belt.

There were a few recalls for items such as drivers airbag/battery management computer and telephone system but depends on exact construction date. I have not heard of the gearbox problems that many D2 owners have suffered (different box) but I am going to change my gearbox oil soon as a precaution ( at 43K miles the oil in my S8 gearbox was black rather than golden when I changed it).

If you are thinking about one of the smaller engined D3 cars with the multitronic box I would be more cautious - regular oil changes are essential and people have had problems with that box in other Audi models. In my view not a patch on the tiptronic box for the driver.

Hope this helps. Not many D3 owners post on this forum although now that they have become much more affordable I expect that to change. If you get a good one, you will not be unhappy.

[gibbo37]

I just sold a 2004 D3 3.0 Multitronic with a 100,000 miles on it, which I owned for just over a year. In that time I had problems with the gearbox which resulted in new clutch plates at a discounted cost of £1,200 at an Audi dealer..It should have cost a lot more but I kicked up a fuss with Audi UK and they subsidised the repair.

I also had a knocking noise from the front suspension when going over bumps, which no one could get to the bottom of despite changing various parts = £'s...!!

Apart from the above it was a fantastic car with loads of room for the kids and surprisingly economical for such a big car, 35mpg on a run but bloody awful around town.

There are some very cheap D3's about now but I still think if you are buying a car that costs around £40 to £50k when new, the running costs are going to be relative i.e you can't run a champagne car for lemonade money.

I guess the costs will come down as more and more become available at affordable prices and I think that when that happens there will be a lot more advice on how to look after the car on forums like this.

If I bought one again I'd go for as new a model as I could afford with some Audi warranty left on it.

[alera]

Loads of the high speced ones had full 5 years service and mantenance packages.All you pay for really is the tyres. My 05 12 has it and its still got another couple of years to run.

I have had mine for over a year and so far touch wood its needed nothing doing on the warranty.

[A8 Doc]

Loads of the high speced ones had full 5 years service and mantenance packages.All you pay for really is the tyres. My 05 12 has it and its still got another couple of years to run.

I have had mine for over a year and so far touch wood its needed nothing doing on the warranty.

Mine is an 03 A8 4.2 Quattro converted to LPG and no major problems at all. Cracking car

Cambelt etc. all done easily enough and the engine is super smooth. Really pleased with the car. The extras are just superb.

If you get one update the MMI software (you can do yourself) and the Nav system to 3D mode. Much better as you get the TMC too.