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Newbie needs general A8 advice


AU51 ART
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Hi,

Nice injection of cash coming my way in the next month and I'm looking at buying a D3 A8L (2003/04 4.2 petrol) but would appreciate some advice before I take the plunge as I'm looking at spending the most I've ever spent on a motor so need to go in with my eye's open :rolleyes:

Firstly, I am lead to believe the engine is chain driven, is this correct? If this is the case, what mileage is recommended for the tensioners/chains to be replaced? Furthermore, I'm assuming it's an engine out job so would appreciate a vague idea of costs involved in that so I can start saving now :eek:

Secondly, I've been in touch with AmD Tuning to enquire after a full system cat back (including cat.) but have been advised that Milltek no longer make a system for the A8, only for the S8. Soooo, anyone any idea where I can look at getting the above?

Lastly, any major known issues that I should be looking out for when I go a huntin'?

Thanks in advance :)

Edited by AU51 ART
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LWB A8's dont handle as well as the normal ones

if MPG is not an issue the 4.2 petrol is great

but if it is go for the 3.0 tdi or 4.0tdi which is as quick as 4.2 petrol with more MPG

as for the cam chain advice give AVPerformance a call on 01283548483 ask for ben

MILTEK dont do exhausts only for S8 i tried several times finally got mine done at POWERFLOW

look on AUDI'S websits and haggle like mad on any second hand A8

i once got £4000 discount !!!! for cash

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LWB A8's dont handle as well as the normal ones

Aye, I gathered that to be the case, simple physics ;) Only reason I'm going for the LWB is because we have a dog that sometimes gets in the car so the extra few inches will make all the difference there. If the right S6 Avant comes up, however, then the A8 will be a second choice. S4 was the original intention but too small, S6 better for size but A8 is a gadgeteers [me] dream :notworthy:

if MPG is not an issue the 4.2 petrol is great

but if it is go for the 3.0 tdi or 4.0tdi which is as quick as 4.2 petrol with more MPG

The A8 dervs have been, and still are being considered but typically just out of my price range :( I've calculated an approximate cost of £60-70 a week at the pump based on about 15MPG, that's about £20-30 more than I spend now which i reckon I can account for ;)

as for the cam chain advice give AVPerformance a call on 01283548483 ask for ben

MILTEK dont do exhausts only for S8 i tried several times finally got mine done at POWERFLOW

look on AUDI'S websits and haggle like mad on any second hand A8

i once got £4000 discount !!!! for cash

Thanks for that information, and especially the nice discount you wangled. I'll defo. be giving that a go then +++

Anyone else any useful info that I can take away with me? Also, still would like to know the mileage for actually changing the tensioners and chains ;)

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Sorry, this post will be of no use, just a story it reminded me of when you mentioned dogs.

I once saw a post on a detailing forum (can't find it now) of a guy that left his dog in his car for a few mins and in that time he had sprayed the nasty stuff in liquid form all over the interior. It was horrible. He had pictures where he'd taken the seats out and everything to try and clean it up but it was in the vents and everywhere and never got rid of it all. Made his car worthless, and it was an expensive car.

Anyway, just a cheery thought. Sorry about that.. We have an estate for our dogs, it's just not worth the effect in a nice car on the leather and door sills from them scrambling around IMHO.

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Sorry, this post will be of no use, just a story it reminded me of when you mentioned dogs.

I once saw a post on a detailing forum (can't find it now) of a guy that left his dog in his car for a few mins and in that time he had sprayed the nasty stuff in liquid form all over the interior. It was horrible. He had pictures where he'd taken the seats out and everything to try and clean it up but it was in the vents and everywhere and never got rid of it all. Made his car worthless, and it was an expensive car.

Anyway, just a cheery thought. Sorry about that.. We have an estate for our dogs, it's just not worth the effect in a nice car on the leather and door sills from them scrambling around IMHO.

You said it TrundleFly, no use thanks but a nice story nonetheless ;)

Seriously, the dog may go in the car maximum 3 times in a year, do I want to sacrifice the luxury of an A8 to an S6 because of a possible few journeys with the dog in the car........na! Anyhow, kids'll be in the back so he'd be on the floor and won't have a chance to get upon the hide. If on the rare occasion that he needs a trip to the vets and the kids aren't also in the car, I'm pretty sure I'll be protecting the leather anyhow :)

Add to that, the missus is gonna learn to drive in the not too distant so it'll be her car for the doggy trips :lol:

Soooo, any useful information anyone can chuck my way?

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hi, first of all your avatar, i dont know if anybody over here in the uk has drank a v8 juice, but as i'm from the states i grew up on it, so they don't know the solgan "you could'a had a v8".

east sussex one of my favorite places, i lived on the eridge park estate for couple of years and still have a farm in frant. i do work on the s8 there sometimes.

i've been an exhaust nut since 16 years old, and here's my list of the best bespoke exhaust fabricators in uk and us (to get ideas from). and in order from f1 fabricators to tube and header/manifold manufacturers to cats. mine done by hayward. search s8-decat in this forum. john

uk

primarydesigns.co.uk

sstubetechnology.com

goodfabs.com

haywardandscott.com

btbexhausts.co.uk

blueflameperformance.com

thermallogic.com

usa

burnsstainless.com

spdexhaust.com

icengineworks.com

kookscustomheaders.com

elstonheaders.com

agtronicmotorsport.com

germany cat specialists

hjs-motorsports.de

emitec.com

Edited by r8dream
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thought i would add exhaust diverter valves as these are very popular now and standard eqipment on rs4,s4, aston v8 vantage,db9 ,porsche turbo,corvette z06,with the sport buttons that open actuators for louder adjustment on the road, electric operation can use rpm speed switch from mallory or msd that open at certain rpm.vaccuum needs solenoid switch.

many aftermarket companys, mostly in the states are offering different types of systems.

as most of us performance car enthusiasts live for the sound of our engines and don't just change exhausts for an extra 20 or 30hp, these are good modifications also if you want to stay friends with your neighbors.

the long tube headers popular in the usa have shown proven dyno results of 50hp alone on 5,6 and 7 litre v8's.

noweeds.net ,electric actuator

atpturbo.com ,ves-virtual exhaust system, vaccuum

pertronix.com ,dougs headers, stainles steel electric cutouts

kreissiegeurope.com ,vaccuum operated

eisenhaus.com

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Edited by r8dream
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hi, first of all your avatar, i dont know if anybody over here in the uk has drank a v8 juice, but as i'm from the states i grew up on it, so they don't know the solgan "you could'a had a v8".

east sussex one of my favorite places, i lived on the eridge park estate for couple of years and still have a farm in frant. i do work on the s8 there sometimes.

i've been an exhaust nut since 16 years old, and here's my list of the best bespoke exhaust fabricators in uk and us (to get ideas from). and in order from f1 fabricators to tube and header/manifold manufacturers to cats. mine done by hayward. search s8-decat in this forum. john

uk

primarydesigns.co.uk

sstubetechnology.com

goodfabs.com

haywardandscott.com

btbexhausts.co.uk

blueflameperformance.com

thermallogic.com

usa

burnsstainless.com

spdexhaust.com

icengineworks.com

kookscustomheaders.com

elstonheaders.com

agtronicmotorsport.com

germany cat specialists

hjs-motorsports.de

emitec.com

I was sad enough to actully buy some of that juice just because it said V8 on the pack.

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AU51 ART: According to the service book of my 2005 A8 3.0TDI, it's the diesel engines that are chain driven and the petrol one's that need a Cambelt every 80,000. :(

Regards - Julian

Thanks Julian.

Perhaps for the smaller engines as I've found this wee picture of the 4.2 engine recently :eek:

I don't suppose it mentions anything in your service book about the interval for servicing the chains?

post-30514-137914438185_thumb.jpg

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Righto, it appears as though everything is pointing toward them being belt driven then and the later models chain driven! That's also the information I have now received from AVPerformance also.

Roberto, neither of those eBay cars are FSI as far as I'm aware as the FSI engine was first introduced on 22/05/2006 (according to Parkers)!

Anyways, to confirm, if anyone can. I am now assuming that if they are belt driven the belt is changable by removing the front end on the car for access?

Thanks all thus far +++

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Though it looks like there's maybe a bit more clearance to do the job in there without taking the front off if you're good :)

Now you're talking :grin:

Thanks again for all your help +++

Hopefully I shall have my right foot firmly planted on the pedal of one by this time next month ;)

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360196662710 or 140333164886

ebay? items

First one LWB, second one not FSI. The grill is the giveaway, if its got the Single Frame Grill then it will be FSI.

There is a bigger problem with getting second hand A8's in that in the last 12-18 months most of the Audi UK cars have gone over to LWB so the supply of fresh SWB cars with loads of warranty left has reduced.

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item .. 150381834372

so originally you wanted a LWB ?

just buy this on ebay and have done with it!

its just around the corner from me too

go on push the boat out !!

maybe hell take a silly offer £12k ?

Now that is a LOT of car for the money. And you can use the change to buy shares in BP to help run it

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