john banks

Now they are caving in

Matteeboy

My word; time to go for the full £800...

john banks

Done. Collect Wed.

Matteeboy

Nice one; pics when you get it! Don't see many around here; or anywhere!

john banks

It just looks like an A4, but will oblige

Even in the showroom you can hardly tell the various models.

I've just realised I've become a ****.

Matteeboy

Doesn't the A8 have a radar activated "tailgating" mode?

john banks

Yes but I suspect even on **** setting it doesn't get close enough, so I bought the mid trim level that doesn't have that stuff The optioned up cars are a bit nicer but have a lot of fripperies that aren't worth the premium to me. Double glazing, air suspension, 8 speed auto, good leather, good nav/media, quattro and the midrange 3.0 diesel (like 30d, not 25d or 35d), elec seats/steering wheel are enough which is all SE spec which is why it is good value as if you take an A6 you have to go up the range and options list to get everything and ends up costing more and weighing the same. Reversing camera, electric boot close, 19s etc are SE Exec spec which I could do without but it has them. Speaker system is competent, but not Bose/B&O, that is probably the main weakness but there is always aftermarket if necessary. There is a factory amp and sub in the basic audio.

Matteeboy

Well if there's a sub and an amp, I'm sure it sounds fine.

We "mid specced" the M135i and interestingly (to a bore like me) the mid range options (middle nav, middle speaker system) have by far the best GFV values compared to the top end stuff.

I'm sure an A8 is dripping with kit as standard though; prestige car brands love their customers because most just blindly tick all the top options, making huge margins (way more than the cars themselves), often for very little extra outlay.

hodgy0_2

The Audi 8 was in Ronin, so pretty cool

billythekid

Also because when you get to the higher end Audi stuff there is often big discounts on offer on new vehicles. You can get 5-10% off list price without even pushing them.

john banks

£10k was being offered off an A7 factory order whilst barely showing some interest.

Matteeboy

The A8 was the better choice. The A7 looks like a melted A6. And most have a little 2.0 diesel engine.

alanbell

iTrader: (6)

Swopping my Audi C6 this week for a Audi A8 4.2 tdi, really good cars with good high spec, cars on Shaks Specialist Cars website , its the grey one.

Dingdongler

Hi John, congrats on the new car.

Did you look at lease deals as well?

john banks

Lease deals I found were poor, in 3-4 years I would be paying about the same as I would be to own a 6 month old one.

Very nice alanbell, found your car there. Not tried that engine, hear it is excellent.

alanbell

iTrader: (6)

Hi John, The A8 is a excellent car , (but I do like Audi.s) Ive had a few , But to me this one is the best out there, The 4.2 engine is really good, I will get used to it first, then a remap , good luck with yours John.

john banks

How are the DPFs with remaps?

alanbell

iTrader: (6)

Ive had 6 Audi TDIs remapped never had a problem, oldest car 57 plate newest 61 plate all 3L, have a look at your post on 22b .

john banks

Cheers. Did you keep them long enough to find out?

bustaMOVEs

iTrader: (31)

Ah good old shak, good friend of mine, has some nice exotics too.

Lol at John playing hard well done, and welcome to the '*****' club. If you can't beat em, join em

Dingdongler

Hi John

I have to ask, why did you buy such a big car? My 5 series handles like a barge and doesn't stop well, the A8 is even bigger/heavier. I've vowed never to buy such a big car again, next time I'll drop a size to 3 series, C class etc.

john banks

I wanted AWD and luxury to replace the Subaru. That means an Audi or an SUV (ignoring Bentley, Panamera because of price vs age/mileage). A8 is less compromised to drive and cheaper at given age/mileage/condition than a quality SUV, similar to lower end SUVs but you don't get air suspension, high spec and double glazing on lower end SUVs. A6/A7 Audis don't ride in any way I could call luxury and weigh as much as an A8 which is leagues apart in quality but has restrained park anywhere looks. I still have the GTR, this is a polar opposite.

Just searching on Autotrader for a >=3litre engine, automatic, AWD, less than 5000 miles and a year old (my almost guarantee of getting something in great condition as I'm fussy and end up hunting for ages at older stuff to find something good) in the mid £30k range and an A8 knocks them all into a cocked hat for value IMHO when you consider the refinement, ride quality, spec. It is a compromise like all things, not the car I would have chosen, but as a value proposition I find it suits. Most luxurious car I've had is M3. Loved the interior, ride was good on smooth roads.

Matteeboy

While our van is a 2.8 tonne beast, I really have been appreciating shedding around 200kgs and some size going from estate to hatch.

Always liked cars nice and compact.

john banks

A8 weighs 140kg more than GTR and 56mm wider.

Suspect I will wonder what the point is of the GTR for a while since the A8 will feel complete and make it feel like a box of spanners until I drive it again. It accelerates 2-3 times harder and tears at the tarmac keeping you quite busy. I've always wanted a proper luxury car, but always been too consumed by performance stuff. Pug 406 V6 probably had the best ride and refinement so far, E46 M3 best interior, but they were wannabes, been looking at Lexus LS on Autotrader for years, but as winter car would be LS600h, makes sense old due to reliability and new price.

hodgy0_2

Prob age creeping in, I have a A4 Quattro for work, nice interior and v comfortable

A car you have to constantly "drive" everywhere would get a bit waring tbh

And a Caterham kit car for a bit of fun

john banks

Sorry no pics as not had time, but quick review.

I like it very much indeed, does all the understated luxury stuff as you'd hope. Gearbox selector takes some getting used to. Engine sounds nice and is surprisingly competent, over 400 lbft is enjoyable. 8 speed tiptronic gearbox is predictably excellent like everyone says they are in lots of recent cars, I prefer to dual clutch. There is a misfuel protection in the filler neck so I didn't need the idiot cap I bought (my first diesel). Standard rather than premium stereo is very good, DAB is nice (not had before). Voice control actually works. Electronics are very well thought through with many nice touches.

The steering is the last of the hydraulics, they just changed to electric, but feels no worse or better than Mk V Golf GTI which is electric so competent. Occasionally some odd weighting in auto mode, seems better in dynamic and you can split the settings so have the sharpest steering with the soft suspension for example. In comfort the steering is predictably sloppy, it weights up just fine in dynamic. Front brakes look to be 4 pots and are fine. The suspension is impressive, not just impressive for an Audi. The range of adjustment is much more than the GTR's and in the firmest mode is about as firm as our Mk V Golf GTI and it can be pedalled in the twisties like that car, at least so it feels, and it is interesting and rewarding to do so.

Service schedule is interesting, apart from inspecting things, the things to actually do are basically pollen filter and brake fluid every 2 years, and with my miles the oil/filter will be the same. Air filter 38000 miles. Implies lifetime fill for diffs and trans, although if I have it that long will probably change them at 60000 miles.

Matteeboy

Sounds good - the BM is our first DAB car and it's definitely a good thing. SO many stations, even here in Cornwall.

Do get some pics up when you can - an A8 is a pretty rare car, especially round 'ere!

alanbell

iTrader: (6)

Sound good John, Get mine in the morning,

john banks

Enjoy!

Dingdongler

Come on then John, let's have the pics please.