[A8] Prospective A8 Buyer

[Rich, Jack]

Barry,

Try this, from Audiworld forums:
My 97 A8 transmission always hunted for the right gear. Brought to Audi
Certified Mechanic I know and he showed me how to reset the transmission
computer NOT using VAG-COM.
Turn the car on(don't start the eingine), depress accelerator pedal
slowly until it is floored. Slowly lift the pedal.
This was potentiometer is reseting the full thorottle position and
resets the transmission computer. Try this if your transmission is
hunting for the right gear. It has resetted and my tranny is learning
the way I drive.

This changed the character of my shifting back to how it had been when I
first got it.

Jack Rich

-----Original Message-----
From: a8-bounces at audifans.com [mailto:a8-bounces at audifans.com] On Behalf
Of lenoble at optonline.net
Sent: Monday, April 25, 2005 20:37
To: David Greaves
Cc: a8 at audifans.com
Subject: Re: [A8] Prospective A8 Buyer


Hello David,

This may not be what you want to hear, but I will be honest. I have a
1999 A8. I bought it in 2002 with 70K miles. It now has 101K miles. 

I am very disappointed in this car, and I would never recommend an A8. 

These cars have numerous problems that are endemic to all. This
includes: Transmission - most, if not all A8's will develop transmission
problems. My car shifts poorly, frequently  upshifing too soon, and
hunting. Then there is the dreaded 'thump' that occurs when are on the
highway at 70 or so, and lift off the throttle like when you are exiting
the road. When the car slows down to 60 or so transmission drops to
idle, then thumps back up to RPM. Very annoying. Cruise control - seems
to be broken on most cars. Seat heaters and steering wheel heaters break
often A/C drains clog. This causes water to pour out of the dash vents
and puddle on the floor. Mechanically, expect lots of oil leaks - from
the valve cover gaskets, cam seals, transmission output shaft seals,
etc. 

All in all, the car has many wonderful qualities. The looks are great,
stylish but inderstated. The power is awesome. The handling is great.
However, the Audi service is terrible, and parts prices are ridiculous.
My antenna mast wore out (who ever heard of a fixed mount antenna
wearing out?) and the replacement was $65.00.

My next car will probably be a Subaru. The new Legacy GT has 250 HP,
AWD, BBS wheels, etc.

Barry


----- Original Message -----
From: David Greaves <da5150_2000 at yahoo.com>
Date: Monday, April 25, 2005 5:20 pm
Subject: [A8] Prospective A8 Buyer

> Hello everyone.  I currently own a 1994 Pearl White
> S-4 and am considering selling it and buying a
> 2000-2002 A8.  I would welcome anyone's thoughts
> regarding reliability, desirable/undesirable options, pricing, and 
> general owner satisfaction. Thanks a

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