jimbutler Posted March 5, 2010 Report Share Posted March 5, 2010 I got my A8 4.2 Quattro when my Touareg was stolen... The Touareg was a 3.0 TDI with air suspension and just about every option you could get. I got the Touareg when my Daughter was born, couldn't fit the baby seat in the back of the... 2004 54 plate S4 - the 4.2 Quattro, with less toys than max but it was for driving. I bought that as an upgrade to my 1998 A4 2.8 Quattro which was bloody nice. That was sort of an upgrade from a Clio but it was crashed by family while I was in Australia, so could be considered an upgrade from a 1977 BMW 320 which I pootled about in in Australia. I have a 1983 BMW 316 track car, a 635CSI mid restoration, and a 1982 320 Baur convertible mid restoration. I loved all of my cars up to the Treg - it was too much of a change from the S4. Once the Treg got stolen I realised how much I liked it. Got the A8 for a fair price from a mate, always intended to be a stopgap. It cost God knows how much new, has 340ish BHP 4WD many gadgets, not too many electrical faults (park sensors, headlamp off when driver window shuts, non functional keyless go, and a broken CD player I have a spare for but haven't sorted yet), and should be a car I love. But I just don't. I think it's because it's so good (electrical niggles aside). When it was minus 17 outside it just started first time every time (apart from the battery issue caused by me not recoding it properly when I fitted a new one). I could stick my foot flat on the accelerator on sheet ice and it'd go in a straight line. It does everything a car should, has a big boot, fast performance etc. It just leaves me cold. Anyone else feel like this about their A8? I am pondering another Treg, M3 M5 all sorts. Budget and my Wifes fear that the burglars will come back if I buy another Treg is stopping me doing something at the mo, but I may have to do something rash! Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SneakyMcC Posted March 6, 2010 Report Share Posted March 6, 2010 G'day! (do you lot really say that in Manchester?) Audi's have always been great places to be, not always great drivers cars. An Ariel Atom would be more fun, but crossing continents, which is the kinda brief the 8 has got, would be less fun in the Atom :-p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_B Posted March 6, 2010 Report Share Posted March 6, 2010 I suspect Jim, that any car that evokes that warm, glowy feeling will be a thief target. Sad though it is, dull and anonymous cars don't get nicked like special cars do. I like the A8, and I really am looking forward to having a go in the new D4 later this year (off to drive one in Berlin at the end of April). What about an S8, then debadge it? Nobody apart from a real petrolhead could know it from any other A8 with some big wheels and zorsts on. What about a Q7 4.2 TDI? Same platform as the Treg, but a bit bigger. Again, debadge it and it's fairly anonymous and doesn't have enough of a reputation to be a big target IMHO. I'd imagine M3/M5 would be massive targets for TWOCers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted March 6, 2010 Report Share Posted March 6, 2010 G'day! (do you lot really say that in Manchester?) Only the people who work behind our bars. The charm of the A8 for most owners is, I think, exactly that it is understated. It simply looks less ostentatious than any of its rivals, could be mistaken for any other Audi with a cursory glance from any non-enthusiast, and yet is such a very nice place to be inside (only bettered by the S Class in its sector, IMO). It's a big comfortable barge that's supposed to perform without fuss, cosset its passengers and get you from A to B in quiet comfort. All worthy things, but all things that could leave an enthusiast driver a bit ... bored. It's a good car that doesn't attract attention. I'd say stick with it - you've got your other stuff for fun ... get that 635CSi on the road! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PsYcHe Posted March 6, 2010 Report Share Posted March 6, 2010 It's definitely not the most exciting car... But as said above, that's the charm. I want something that will eat up the motorway miles with almost no effort from me (glasgow to london and still feel fresh) with plenty of gadgets, but again, understated and simple to use, but when I want to, it can go round the windy bits of road with no drama. I used to have an Astra SRi 200, a fun car, great to drive on the windy bits and really involving, but I know the A8 would be as fast. I agree with garcon.. Keep the '8 and get the 635 on the road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbutler Posted March 6, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2010 Chaps You've all summarised the car and my relationship with it very well, So it's not just me then, thank God for that! I think the problem is that I need to invest a bit in the car - get the electrical niggles fixed and maybe refurb the wheels. Don't want to spend money on something I don't feel commited to. I think I need to sort the niggles, fit a towbar so I can get my track car to the circuit without needing to persuade people with towtrucks to help out, get the 635 back OTR, sort out my Baur and play in the play cars. I almost bought a jeep a few weeks ago which would have met a few needs/wants but insurance was stupid thanks to the theft last year (5-600 quid to insure a 400 quid car!). Maybe if the A8 can do the towcar job as well I'll start to appreciate it more! Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PsYcHe Posted March 6, 2010 Report Share Posted March 6, 2010 Never towed with the '8 personally, but they are awesome tow-cars apparently. Mine had a few niggles when I got it, and I was nearly getting rid a couple of times, but when I started to waft down the roads I always changed my mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IT_S8 Posted March 8, 2010 Report Share Posted March 8, 2010 Maybe if the A8 can do the towcar job as well I'll start to appreciate it more! Jim In its classic style, the A8 is also a brilliantly under-rated tow car. I've towed with D2's, and with range rovers, and the only thing the Range rover had over the D2 was the height and levelling suspension... ... but the D3 has that, so I would imagine it would be pretty dam perfect. More power a lot of range rovers, 4 wheel drive and the factory towbar is invisible when removed.... The D2 was definitely no slouch, even with 2 tons behind it, so as long as MPG isn't a huge concern, it should definitely do the trick Enjoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
w12oilyrag Posted March 12, 2010 Report Share Posted March 12, 2010 Just had a towbar fitted to my A8 W12 so I will see how it performs towing my caravan.... £480 Inc Vat fitted (removable/invisible Bosal) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trikezx6r Posted March 14, 2010 Report Share Posted March 14, 2010 I've towed my track toy with my D2 S8. 500kg trailer and 500kg Rage Buggy + the boot swallows a 53 litre jerry can, a big jack(motorcycle lift), tool kit, fuel pump and anything else i need on a trackday if my truck isn't available The old saying 'you don't even know its on the back' springs to mind. More stable towing at 80mph than my F150 Lightning Although 9 times out of 10 i use the truck for trackdays i always use the S8 when i take the buggy to the Rage factory for a service,repairs, upgrades etc as i leave the buggy and trailer there then shoot back up the M1.. 340 mile round trip, towing one way always feel fresh compared to doing the same journey in the truck. Try it, you might like it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbutler Posted March 16, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2010 Just had a towbar fitted to my A8 W12 so I will see how it performs towing my caravan....£480 Inc Vat fitted (removable/invisible Bosal) Where did you get it done? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
w12oilyrag Posted March 19, 2010 Report Share Posted March 19, 2010 Mobile Fitter from Ipswich area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A8_Tony Posted March 20, 2010 Report Share Posted March 20, 2010 Is the A8 boring? Hmmm. I started mine up last night just for the hell of it....I had a smile that covered my entire face afterwards, so is it boring in my opinion? No. Whilst the A8 is a very subtle car, that is probably why most of us have bought one. A quick glance from the front 3/4 view, and you'd be forgiven for mistaking it for a B5 A4, or an early A6. Pop around the back, and you realise something is different. Then get behind the wheel. I'm not talking about motorway trips, because in any car they're boring. But take it down some twisty lanes, or good, sweeping A-roads....in Tiptronic mode. These cars are simply unbelievable! A car weighing in at 1700kg, capable of holding its own down the lanes. There's a topic on here called "unsuspecting sports car drivers" and the stories told in there really demonstrate the "street sleeper" effect that this car has. I remember some chavs once upon a time, who were giving me all sorts of crap, after one of them claimed to have a corsa that would beat a brand new porka (this was about 6 years ago), and how the porka driver had "given up" at 130mph!! As is the case with stories like this, a certain amount of banter was given, which the aforementioned chavs really didn't like. And this turned into a "come to Cheltenham and meet my 400 mates" type row. Needless to say I told the little fecker to go grow a pair, and meet me on his own, then we'd see who's car was better. Up until this point, he, nor his 400+ buddies, new I had an A8. Until a "friend" offered that gem of information up to them. To which there were raucous comments of "oh that's a grandads car" or "An A8? What's one of them?" Yup, my A8 would certainly have shown them a clean pair of heels, especially on a twisty road, if his corsa claims were to be believed. Straight line racing proves nothing about a cars all-round ability. So, I have to disagree with the A8 being boring. This is the best car I've every owned, and even after 6 1/2 years of ownership, I still thoroughly enjoy driving her. Right, I'm off now to drool over her :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlillywh Posted March 30, 2010 Report Share Posted March 30, 2010 What is it they say - if you cant get out, get in deeper Mine was just out of Warranty, the MMI had stopped working, I'd had a load of niggly stuff repaired and wasnt sure whether I was in or out Went to the lexus dealer, looked at a trade in, and found the price difference too much to stomach: 1 X 2nd Hand MMI + 1 X Bluefin + 1 X RS6 alloys and Voila Now happy as a pig for another while - got a chance to make the depreciation per year more palatable, and the 8's seriously quick... whilst going to Manchester and back in a day no problem Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trikezx6r Posted March 30, 2010 Report Share Posted March 30, 2010 Been to Luton and back in mine today..340 mile round trip to pick the Buggy up after its been for a service.. Journey down..Steady 99mph for many miles where the private road was quiet Always stay below 100mph as anything above is an instant ban.. This car will sit at these speeds and more all day long without any drama..Saw a couple of D3's on the opposite carriageway Journey home..Towing Buggy..1 ton total towing weight.. Will cruise at 75-80 all day no trouble until you come across the overtaking lorrys who gain an inch per mile Saw 2 D2's on the way home, One an '02 plate navy blue, not sure on engine but he was looking at mine as he aproached in the third lane, I saw him coming in my mirrors. A knowing glance shared by both of us, appreciating each others car as he went by.. All the other drivers in their run of the mill company cars probably didn't notice us at all. Thats the beauty of A/S8's.. Understated elegance that them in the know, know, and them that don't, don't. I'm just glad that i know I can't think of any car other than an '8 i'd replace it with now.. And as for old mans cars, I'm 30 and love it.. This aint a boring car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenn Posted March 31, 2010 Report Share Posted March 31, 2010 I've always thought that the main point of the A8/S8 is that it's not "shouty" -it's the essence of the old adage -walk quietly and carry a big stick.When I had a Porsche 928, it was a great car, and very fast, but on any trip you had some clown wanting to have a go - on Motorways, a police car would ALWAYS pull out of traffic and follow you for a few miles, whereas the S8 trundles around unnoticed by most.and can be parked inconspicuously As to boring - I've had many many "drivers" cars, including almost all the BMW M series variants, and an Alpina 5 series, the aforementioned 928, Overfinch Range Rovers AMG Mercs.etc. and i rate the S8 as good as.if not better, than them all -why do you think I've kept my 2000 S8 for nigh on 7 years (easily the longest I've ever kept a car for) -because I can't find anything that much better.at least without spending silly amounts of money. and even then it'as questionable How much better I could get.Yes. the likes of Ferrari's, Lambo's etc. are purer driving machines, but not usable on a daily basis in a real world, and certainly without the overall breadth of abilities of a fast saloon. My current "daily" car is a 2001 Merceded E55 -it's pretty fast true, but on anything but a Motorway, the S8 eats it, and the S8, despite being a year and 30.000 miles older. is in much better overall condition. At the risk of "jinxing" it, my S8 starts every time,takes me, my luggage.and whoever is with me wherever I want to go, quickly. comfortably and unobtrusively -true -so does the E55, but I know which one is the working car.and which one is kept just for the fun of it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now