Hi All,

I've been starting to look at a replacement for the Superb, and am looking at the big luxury barges out there.

I've been lusting after VW PHaetons for a while now, but another car that has caught my attention is the Audi A8. I'd been looking at a 3.7 or 4.2 V8 engine, so does anyone have any experiences of these. And probably LPG it as well.

I'd be looking at a 54 plate model and mileage would be probably kept quite low as I am hoping to be using public transport.

Anyone had any experiences of this big barge? And potential prices.

Cheers

I think you mean A8 not R8 :P

No experience of them but i would love to have one! I think i would go for the phaeton over the A8, simply because you get so much car for your money.

The A8 is a better car than the phaeton, and it is a bit better on fuel thanks to being a bit lighter. The 3.7 engine is rubbish compared to the 4.2 as it is almost as powerful on paper but lacks punch on the road plus economy wise it is basically the same.

I have a real thing for the newer shape A8 and quite fancy one myself, but won't buy one until the prices come down a bit more. If your buying it with intentions of selling it on again fairly quickly make sure you buy one that has a good history and has got a few options. The bi-xenon headlights where an option on the earlier ones and also adaptive cruise control is a really cool toy and is one thing I'd simply have to have!

I've been looking into this too. With Phaetons coming in at just over 11k now, they really are becoming affordable. However, the problem now lies with tax and fuel cost!

I have however discovered a potential replacement for my Superb. 2.7 Twin Turbo Diesel Jag S-Type. Lower Tax than my 1,8T Superb and better economy!

From what I've heard from traders who deal in Phaetons; is that you can buy a really nice one or get one that is an absolute dog that hasn't been serviced by a proper Phaeton VW garage.

A8 all the way, I had an old shape A8 4.2 and I loved it. I went from here to Switzerland, Slovakia, Poland and back again in it and I average 28mpg. That includes hurtling back across Germany at mach2.

The intention would be to keep it for quite a while.

Does anyone know the service type costs for the V8, and what the key intervals/prices are.

This is a 54 plate 4.2 example I have seen, and very reasonably priced.

Are the 4.2's good for high mileage as well?

Auto Trader UK - AUDI A8 4.2 V8 QUATTRO SPORT TIP AUTO HIGH SPEC

The 40v 4.2 engine is very easy to maintain but DO NOT ignor cambelts if they let go you'll ruin a very expensive engine. I'm sure you already knew this but just in case.

They'll do lots of miles, that one you've found on autotrader looks like good value for money and the mileage is very good. A very good motorway cruiser indeed.

We had an A8 4.2 Quattro (non-sport) part exchanged here a while ago for an Alfa 159 3.2 and we paid not much less than that one you've found and it was a 53 plate done 67,000 miles.

Edited 11 September, 200817 yr by Allams Skoda
Epic fail at spelling.

The intention would be to keep it for quite a while.

Does anyone know the service type costs for the V8, and what the key intervals/prices are.

This is a 54 plate 4.2 example I have seen, and very reasonably priced.

Are the 4.2's good for high mileage as well?

Auto Trader UK - AUDI A8 4.2 V8 QUATTRO SPORT TIP AUTO HIGH SPEC

That's a bobbydazzler.

I would be hard pushed to decide between the two.

Saw a black 4.2 diesel this morning. Lovely car. I do like big motors.

I like the Phaeton too but I think the A8 is better looking.

There is an S8 I see in town sometimes. It has a disabled badge :confused:

I love the A8, but it would have to be an S8 for me I'm afraid, I've been scouring Autotrader today looking for luxo barges and found these:

Auto Trader UK - JAGUAR XJ 4.2 V8 XJR Supercharged

Auto Trader UK - VOLKSWAGEN Phaeton 6.0 W12 4MOTION

A lot of car for the money

I love the A8, but it would have to be an S8 for me I'm afraid, I've been scouring Autotrader today looking for luxo barges and found these:

Auto Trader UK - JAGUAR XJ 4.2 V8 XJR Supercharged

Auto Trader UK - VOLKSWAGEN Phaeton 6.0 W12 4MOTION

A lot of car for the money

Blimey.. that's a serious amount of motor for 15k! :eek:

I love the A8, but it would have to be an S8 for me I'm afraid, I've been scouring Autotrader today looking for luxo barges and found these:

Auto Trader UK - JAGUAR XJ 4.2 V8 XJR Supercharged

Auto Trader UK - VOLKSWAGEN Phaeton 6.0 W12 4MOTION

A lot of car for the money

my god, we have a guy wanting to down grade from a pheaton as he said the rear space wasnt upto much, and wants a first look at a superb. looking at that picture i can see what he means too!

my god, we have a guy wanting to down grade from a pheaton

What's he got, and how much?

I have a friend selling his 4.2 l Auto model for £4.5k. I think it's a 52plate. It'll be on the autotrader website local to southampton if you're interested.

edit ... got the details slightly wrong ... this is the one ... [link]http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/AUDI+A8/Ne-2-4-5-6-7-8-27-44-49-53-61-64-67-103-133-146-236,N-240-4294966565-4294966997/advert.action?R=200836317980453&distance=4&postcode=SO15+4LW&channel=CARS&make=AUDI&model=A8&min_pr=&max_pr=&max_mileage=[/link]

Or how about one of these for your troubles!!! :eek::eek::eek: £15,950

Auto Trader UK - AUDI RS6 RS6 Quattro 5dr Tip Auto (Sat Nav+++)

This is a 54 plate 4.2 example I have seen, and very reasonably priced.

Are the 4.2's good for high mileage as well?

Auto Trader UK - AUDI A8 4.2 V8 QUATTRO SPORT TIP AUTO HIGH SPEC

That's great value and the A8 is uber cool (IMHO), though not quite as cool as an S8.

The Phaeton is nice too, but they weigh as much as an iron girder bridge. With the same engine the A8 is much better on fuel (though we are talking relative terms here) and has lower CO2 emissions.

A8 gets my vote and if only I didn't do as many miles as I do at present, I'd be very tempted.

What's he got, and how much?

dunno, im even scared to take the cars details in case the value is so shocking he keels over and dies of shock!!

As someone alluded to, perhaps cambelt is due to be changed at 4 years old, which would explain the reason the last owner traded it in. I was amazed at what I could get for £15-£20k but then decided I didn't want to be laden with £10k of debt so got the octavia estate. Huge choice of luxo barges around, not so many luxo estates though. Does show you the fuel costs and tax can become incidental to the overal cost of ownership.

It's an interesting total cost of ownership calculation to do based on expected annual mileage to compare new mondeo vectra with buying one of these luxury 3-4 year old models.

my god, we have a guy wanting to down grade from a pheaton as he said the rear space wasnt upto much, and wants a first look at a superb. looking at that picture i can see what he means too!

I'll straight swap him my Superb!!