[s-cars] A8 Question

[DeepPurple]

I have a 1990 V8 with 106K on the clock.  I must say that the V8 is
cheaper to maintain than the my S4.  The car is a real nice change of
pace to drive.  The brake rotors are expensive by still better and
less expensive than on my former 94 Saab 9000 CSE.  I found that once
I got the "major" maintance stuff out of the way I found the car to be
trouble free.  At the end of the day the V8/A8 is a highway crusier,
it is not a urban car or a communter (A4 or A6 is much better here).
Yes parts are expensive, but show me an Audi part that isn't
expensive, there are hoses that list for $400, it a HOSE man, a hose.

Anyway, that being said, I do know a couple of people that own the A8
and they love the car.  Good Luck.



On Thu, 22 Aug 2002 23:12:47 -0700, you wrote:

>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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Fred
90 Lago Blue V8q
92 Black/Black UrS4
Philadelphia, PA