[s-cars] A8 Question

[Derek Pulvino]

True enough.  They do loose value, but how!  My dad owns one and has had a
lot of "interesting" issues, with only 50k on the clock.  We looked at
independent shops, but they see an A8 coming and...the dealer isn't so
expensive.  I've tried to mention that bit of maintenance that gets you over
the hump (my experience anyways), but compared to a no maintenance japanese
luxo car, it doesn't fly.

So far interesting problems have included new rotors and pads about every
8000 miles (he replaced the current pads and rotors about 8000 miles ago,
and those pads and rotors were replaced around 8000 miles previously, around
the time of assuming ownership); a tranny fluid leak that made it's way to
the engine only to go up in smoke; leaking rear differntial drive flanges; a
dead battery; a tow that the tow truck driver said "Audi would cover," which
Audi then said "the tow truck driver said that, not us."

All of these are not cool, however WRT to the leaking transmission fluid,
and given the high liability associated with the situation, the dealer
service shop said "your transmission should be ok."  To which my dad asked,
"say it isn't, what could we be looking at?"  "Oh, about 12k."  Seems pretty
neglingent to me.  A simple hose clamp or a bad hose?

At this point, he is contemplating selling the car, especially given the
wife driving a Lexus that has replaced a timing belt in 5-6 years of
ownership.  With Audi's lack of customer service and the not cheap problems,
no matter how good looking or even fun to drive the car is, another
manufacturer may reclaim the business.  The fact that he's dealing with
brakes again after 8k, and his buddy that just bought a S500 with 100k
guranteed on the brakes is only adding fuel to the fire.

So even though most high dollar cars depreciate pretty quickly, maybe we
should also talk about market share, brand equity, and perception of value.
I know this is Audi's first foray into this market share, but it doesn't
seem right to saddle owners with the company's mistakes.  150-175k is a
little more understandable for wear and tear, but 50k?  Brake issue seems
reminiscent of the UFO's. The rest just seems to be plain uncalled for.

This is the same company that is dominating Le Mans?

In other news, does anybody have any good resources for researching general
owner experience with these cars?  Seems like this would be fleeting given
the age and price.

Derek P

Message: 6
Date: Thu, 22 Aug 2002 15:37:03 -0400
From: Dan Simoes <dans at audifans.com>
To: UrS492 at aol.com
Cc: s-car-list at audifans.com
Subject: Re: [s-cars] A8 Question

mrgondo at aol.com has posted a stunning A8 (which I have seen), still
under warranty, for $29k I think.  Maintenance should be reasonable,
especially as parts become cheaper.  Pricey Audis depreciate, it's just
a fact of life.

UrS492 at aol.com wrote:
>
>--
>[ Picked text/plain from multipart/alternative ]
>Does anyone know why the resale value of the A8 is so poor?  I have not
>heard
>anything bad about these cars that should drive the resale down so far.  My
>sister is looking for a newer car and wants to spend no more than 30K.  I
>think an A8 would be great for her.  Any thoughts?   Is maintainence
>outrageous?  I know the old V8 90-94 can eat people alive for regular
>maintainence.  Is the A8 the same story?
>
>Mark in UT
>'92 S4
>Past
>86 Coupe GT
>92 100 S
>97 A4T


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