Any Opinions on a 2002 A8 2.8?

[gunman]

Not to go into too much detail, but my parents have just inherited a 2002 A8 2.8 quattro in mint condition.

They cant really afford to run it as their only car nor can they afford to keep it as a 2nd car. The car has sentimental value to them so they would be sad to see it go. An option is that I keep is as my 2nd car and add them to my insurance so they can still take the odd run in it etc.

Problem is that although I like the car I have no experience or knowledge of them. I would also have to part with my URS6 avant. I know the A8 will be a very different car but I'd quite like a bit of luxury for a while.

How are these for reliability etc? I imagine it wouldnt be much worse than the S6 to run, similar mpg etc, as in both terrible


Any comments welcome.

[kninio]

its a good car and engine is reliable just do the timing belt

[gunman]

The full timing belt kit was fitted a year ago, car has covered about 2000 miles since.

It also had 4 new tyres, engine and gearbox mounts changed and serviced as it should be. Everything on the car is perfect, the previous owner kept is as their pride and joy and did everything it ever needed and if I'm honest quite a lot it didn't really need but they wanted it kept right.

[Bowie69]

MPG is not that bad, but the 2.8's are a bit of a slug.

[gunman]

MPG is not that bad, but the 2.8's are a bit of a slug.

I didn't think it would be that bad but I'm not that worried anyway, I know it's an old man's car

I was surprised to learn it was lighter than the S6 tho.

[Bowie69]

Aluminium construction....

[riche164]

hi I actually have one of these a quattro sport. dont drive it much but a super car handles very well for a big car. spares can be a bit pricey but apart from that there a great car

[ash2050]

if its an auto get gearbox oil and filter changed as the box tends to fail if not serviced with proper oil

[gunman]

Thanks all, yep it's auto but as far as I know they all were.

I'll look into the gear oil service, thanks.

[Henkjan]

Great car the A8, and yes it's lighter than an A6, so even the 2.8 should be fine. if you control your right foot, you'll be able to get a decent mpg out of it, I get approx 10 l/100km (~28mpg) from my 3.7q, the 2.8 should do about the same I guess.

for the auto box: try to fine a ZF service station, they know these things best

[Zoig]

The A8 is a nice car but if this would mean selling off the UrS6 then that would not sound like a worthy deal to me. Good as it might be, its not better than old 20vT.

[gunman]

The A8 is a nice car but if this would mean selling off the UrS6 then that would not sound like a worthy deal to me. Good as it might be, its not better than old 20vT.

I would agree and if this was just a car that came up for sale I wouldn't sell the S6 to buy it, but this is a car which has sentimental ties to my family and this would be the only way it could be kept on the road and not sold off.

[chiefmechanic]

A8

Put the s6 on classic insurance and the a8 as a second car. Split the cost.

[Cottis]

my opinion is that cars should only be bought with the heart if you have plenty of money and space. If not, you should buy with at least some part of your head. That is easily said when I am not the one with the sentimental attachment though.

I did once "take on" on a car that had a degree of sentimentality attached to it. Without going into detail, it was one of the worst automotive decisions I made.

[gunman]

Well guys, the S6 had to go, I have 2 every day cars plus a kit car so I just cant justify a 4th insurance policy, plus tax etc.

I picked up the A8 last night and as usual it ha a minor running issue ( I think). At speeds of 30-40mph there's a slight fluctuation on the revs, only about 50-100rpm. At idle the car is 100% smooth so I'm not sure what the cause would be.

I'll hook up vagcom tomorrow and see what it says.