A8s

[Tom Nas]

Aleksander Mierzwa <alexaudi at kki.net.pl> wrote:

>Luxury cars are usually pretty much overpriced when new, hence their
>depreciation is pretty high. As they are getting older they get much
>cheaper, but not the parts, insurance and service. Those who have to look
>for a 5 years old A8 in order to be able to afford one usually can't afford
>maintaining such car. Respectively, those who can afford maintaining it are
>not interested in purchasing a 5 years old one - they're usually capable of
>purchasing a new one. As long as Audi keeps asking $$$$ for replacement
>parts for older cars their depreciation will be high. Over here Mercedes
>dealers used to have discounts on OE parts for older models. BMW dealers
>arrange free technical inspections and serious discounts on spare parts and
>service for owners of E32s, E34s and E36s. Audi does nothing like this.

Ditto here, and it's IMO typical of how Audi treats the owners of their 
vehicles. There seems to be some change coming on though- prices of some 
older car parts have been reduced but that's only for parts you'd go 
aftermarket for, like struts and exhausts. Nothing has changed for body 
panels, seat covers and other similar items for which there is no 
aftermarket alternative.
When we were in Ingolstadt for 20 years of the quattro, someone was 
introduced as the new contact for Audi clubs all over the world. That's a 
start, at least Audi is starting to realize how many people are seriously 
interested in their product, as opposed to 'users of a means of 
transportation'. Let's hope something clicks in Ingolstadt, and they start 
similar reduced price programmes like the excellent initiatives by 
Mercedes-Benz and BMW.

Tom