If you are a car guy/gal, there is one giant reason to do it, W12. That is all.
Its not financially wise, A8's drop like a stone in value. But, it's also a bentley for half off ;)
Buy! Maintenence on the W12 is cheap compared to most Audis because of the simplicity of the engine design. Oil was also designed to be changed every 35,000 miles due to a dynamic circulation system. You really can't go wrong. Believe it or not, parts are actually relatively cheap and readily available on the A8 specifically
Except if it needs chains, guides, exhaust manifolds or anything internal, it’s relatively cheap for a car that was 100k. But god save you if/when it needs timing chain guides…
W12 as far is relatively reliable compared to some of the other engines that come out of VAG in recent times… the key to them is scheduled maintenance. If you follow the maintenance schedule your issues should be slim to none. If you can’t afford to follow the maintenance schedule, don’t buy one. Things in German cars always cost more to fix than they do to maintain. In that car, the shittier end of things mean the engine is coming out. Electronics in them are also relatively reliable, but just like any other VAG, they have quirks. Try and find a relatively low mileage well maintained one and keep the maintenance going.. you should be ok.
TL:DR - if you don’t make enough money to maintain it, don’t buy it. If you do, enjoy the roar of the w12(and the massaging seats)
I have only one experience with the A8 W12, and it was frustrating to say the least. Had one come in for an oil change and also concern for CEL. Car had DTCs for intake air leak, found the front crankcase ventilation hoses falling apart due to the age of the plastic making them so brittle they would break just by looking at them.
Turns out they’re also for the oil fill so I couldn’t even do the service until the customer approved replacement as the oil would have just poured right out of the hoses lmao. Also you have to fill SO damn slow so the oil doesn’t back up in the oil separator and get into the intake 💀
Whatever you buy it for plan to spend that amount on fixing it. May not happen. Life is short, if it works in your budget and priorities do it. Cars are an expensive hobby at times, but so is a million other interests.
I would go as:
Do I want an Audi Specifically, or can it be another car? Y/N
If it has to be an Audi, what benefits does the A8 has over any other option?
Does it has to be a sedan? Pro/Cons
Maybe an SUV?
My impression is, that the A8 indeed is for either use it with a driver while you are working while driven. The HP/Torque in the A8 wouldn’t be to run it as in any other Audi sedan, but more to pull its own weight and family included. I know it does have a lot of power, not discussing that.
I wouldn’t use an A8 for daily commutes, nor run it, and if it were for family… well that would be my only use. We want some kind of ‘limo’ or car where I can be driven.
A benefit I usually see in the A8 is that it often comes armored (or it used to/idk).
It would be for those high level executives that want to- I insist - some kind of limo service, without it being that attractive as it would still be ‘only’ an Audi.
I rather drive an A5 or A7, depending on what your real need is.
A8 W12 , drinks too much gas , way too expensive to maintain, not that fast for a 12 cylinder. A S8 is a better buy . The W12 is only for status in my opinion
**{UPDATE} - I've reserved the car. It's pending all good with an inspection, but it looks like a good one so fingers crossed. It's literally on the other end of the country though so it's a long drive back......**
Not yet. BUT I did buy a warranty when I had a Mitsubish EVO 6 Tommi Makkinen Edition. The Transfer Box disintegrated but it was caused by a screw, and screws ("fastners") were excluded from the warranty. So I still had to pay for a replacement. I never trusted warranties after that.
However, I have paid for a comprehensive inspection on the car which will put my mind at ease.
Not sure to be honest, I have to drive it back home which is 400 miles, but it's mostly motorway and A-roads so it'll be a good run for it.
Just all those damned speed cameras :)))))
Ouch 400 miles ...be nice and comfy ....you going up North to get it or down south to get it ...im just outside London...fycking speed cameras galore ...I got 6 last year and I only use the audi car at the weekends ...glad I got a man who can lose them for me or I'd be fucked lol...
Don't forget the timing chain on em it's a replacement at 80-100k miles and not cheep job either probably 2-3k job minimum .... she wont be cheep to run but who cares eh..... I don't care what mine costs to run as every mile is fun when I'm in it.....especially with 449bhp and 520 torque now......those M4 comps and AMG Mercs can't escape me that's for sure now hehehe
Cool thanks. It has Audi documentation which shows it's been done as per schedule which is good news. And I'm also paying for a thorough inspection prior to the sale.
As long as you have (lots of) money and good mechanical knowledge or your own Wizard (mechanic for the uncultured) I think you're pretty much good to go lol
you’re on the wrong sub for a level headed decision about such a car
If you are a car guy/gal, there is one giant reason to do it, W12. That is all. Its not financially wise, A8's drop like a stone in value. But, it's also a bentley for half off ;)
If you're talking wise-financially, then I'll buy a Hyundai i10 or Dacia Sandero. But I'm not an A-B driver.
then grip it and rip it!
What's a Hyundai i10?
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyundai\_i10](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyundai_i10)
Transporter haha
Audi stopped making the A8 W12 so OP is definetly talking about used cars which have already fully depreciated.
If anything the W12 will appreciate tbh
Negative
Buy! Maintenence on the W12 is cheap compared to most Audis because of the simplicity of the engine design. Oil was also designed to be changed every 35,000 miles due to a dynamic circulation system. You really can't go wrong. Believe it or not, parts are actually relatively cheap and readily available on the A8 specifically
Hoping this isn’t sarcasm cause suddenly I’m sold on a W12 A8
35k miles….🤯🤯what!? How have I not looked into this engine before. God I love Audi engineers….sometimes ;)
You can totally do 35k oil change interval. Note that I didn't use that word in its plural form.
Rofl
Except if it needs chains, guides, exhaust manifolds or anything internal, it’s relatively cheap for a car that was 100k. But god save you if/when it needs timing chain guides…
Is this sarcasm, or? lol
W12 is sick
W12 as far is relatively reliable compared to some of the other engines that come out of VAG in recent times… the key to them is scheduled maintenance. If you follow the maintenance schedule your issues should be slim to none. If you can’t afford to follow the maintenance schedule, don’t buy one. Things in German cars always cost more to fix than they do to maintain. In that car, the shittier end of things mean the engine is coming out. Electronics in them are also relatively reliable, but just like any other VAG, they have quirks. Try and find a relatively low mileage well maintained one and keep the maintenance going.. you should be ok. TL:DR - if you don’t make enough money to maintain it, don’t buy it. If you do, enjoy the roar of the w12(and the massaging seats)
Posting like you’re talking to chat gpt lmao
I just need to make a decision. My heart says yes but my head says no.
But my bodddddy, is telling me yasss
Dude just needs a little bump n grind
Just buy an extended warranty and buy it, it was worth it to me but I’m not too financially smart😂
With money anything is possible
Buy 100%
I have only one experience with the A8 W12, and it was frustrating to say the least. Had one come in for an oil change and also concern for CEL. Car had DTCs for intake air leak, found the front crankcase ventilation hoses falling apart due to the age of the plastic making them so brittle they would break just by looking at them. Turns out they’re also for the oil fill so I couldn’t even do the service until the customer approved replacement as the oil would have just poured right out of the hoses lmao. Also you have to fill SO damn slow so the oil doesn’t back up in the oil separator and get into the intake 💀
Only if you let me drive it.
Would be pretty nice if you had an A8.
This one is very, very nice.
Whatever you buy it for plan to spend that amount on fixing it. May not happen. Life is short, if it works in your budget and priorities do it. Cars are an expensive hobby at times, but so is a million other interests.
What year is it?
2015
Don’t.
Back it up with why?
I would go as: Do I want an Audi Specifically, or can it be another car? Y/N If it has to be an Audi, what benefits does the A8 has over any other option? Does it has to be a sedan? Pro/Cons Maybe an SUV? My impression is, that the A8 indeed is for either use it with a driver while you are working while driven. The HP/Torque in the A8 wouldn’t be to run it as in any other Audi sedan, but more to pull its own weight and family included. I know it does have a lot of power, not discussing that. I wouldn’t use an A8 for daily commutes, nor run it, and if it were for family… well that would be my only use. We want some kind of ‘limo’ or car where I can be driven. A benefit I usually see in the A8 is that it often comes armored (or it used to/idk). It would be for those high level executives that want to- I insist - some kind of limo service, without it being that attractive as it would still be ‘only’ an Audi. I rather drive an A5 or A7, depending on what your real need is.
Thanks. I currently have an Audi A4, and I had an S4 a couple of years ago so I'm used to them I think.
A8 W12 , drinks too much gas , way too expensive to maintain, not that fast for a 12 cylinder. A S8 is a better buy . The W12 is only for status in my opinion
Great car with the right maintenance
DO IT!!!! You will have more cylinders than 99% of the other cars on the road. Plus the sound I'm guessing is amazing.
V8 is a simpler engine.
**{UPDATE} - I've reserved the car. It's pending all good with an inspection, but it looks like a good one so fingers crossed. It's literally on the other end of the country though so it's a long drive back......**
Saw your update, but do you have a warranty? I wouldn't get one unless there was a warranty.
Not yet. BUT I did buy a warranty when I had a Mitsubish EVO 6 Tommi Makkinen Edition. The Transfer Box disintegrated but it was caused by a screw, and screws ("fastners") were excluded from the warranty. So I still had to pay for a replacement. I never trusted warranties after that. However, I have paid for a comprehensive inspection on the car which will put my mind at ease.
Wouldn't it be best to advise if we actually knew the price, the age, the mileage, exact model ?
Too late, I've bought it :) Will be asking lots of questions now! :)
Enjoy bud ....UK car ?
Yes mate :)
That's going to hurt at the petrol station 😆...I run an audi S5 cab stage 1 and that does 25mpg at best ....im guessing the W12 is high teens ?
Not sure to be honest, I have to drive it back home which is 400 miles, but it's mostly motorway and A-roads so it'll be a good run for it. Just all those damned speed cameras :)))))
Ouch 400 miles ...be nice and comfy ....you going up North to get it or down south to get it ...im just outside London...fycking speed cameras galore ...I got 6 last year and I only use the audi car at the weekends ...glad I got a man who can lose them for me or I'd be fucked lol...
Can't be many w12 about ....?
Don't forget the timing chain on em it's a replacement at 80-100k miles and not cheep job either probably 2-3k job minimum .... she wont be cheep to run but who cares eh..... I don't care what mine costs to run as every mile is fun when I'm in it.....especially with 449bhp and 520 torque now......those M4 comps and AMG Mercs can't escape me that's for sure now hehehe
Cool thanks. It has Audi documentation which shows it's been done as per schedule which is good news. And I'm also paying for a thorough inspection prior to the sale.
I'm in the beautiful west coast of Cumberland. So will get the train to the south coast and drive it back.
Oh lovely part of the world chap
As long as you have (lots of) money and good mechanical knowledge or your own Wizard (mechanic for the uncultured) I think you're pretty much good to go lol
Can you afford to buy it twice over?