<FONT face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" color=black size=2>Does anyone know of any problems that come up with the A8 - specifically around 60K miles, model years 97 - 99?</FONT></P>


<FONT face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" color=black size=2>The prices are beginning to become irresitable at $18 - $24K, but if a used A8 is a problem car I would definetly want to know about it before looking any further into getting one.</FONT></P>


<FONT face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" color=black size=2>I know Audi doesn'thave too great a reputation in the customer service area... but how are the average repair and maintenance costs at Audi dealerships?</FONT></P>

I would probably look at consumer reports, Carreview.com, Audi recall bulletins, and stuff like that. I personally haven't heard anything bad about them because not many people have them.

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I started reading some posts on the AudiWorld.com forums...</P>


It seems the A8s are not doing too bad. The transmissions do tend to fail kinda early at 100K miles especially on the '97 model. There are some minor electrical problems and rattling noises that come up.</P>


But basically if the A8is serviced at the correct times it is a reliable machine.</P>


I Like </P>

I love my '97 A8, but the tranny did fail at 94kmi. Audi wanted to replace the transmission for $7,500 plus 20hr of labor. Had my local mechanic find a transmission shp to work on the VF (BMW/AUDI/Merc?) maintenance free tranny and was rebuilt for $5,000.</P>


Car is great...I would buy a '98 or '99 if you are in the market. the Tip Tranny does not have the problems of the '97.</P>


Good luck...</P>


Black/Gray 17" sport with tinted windows and yakima bike rack...</P>



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I just bought one (new) last week and I love it. It's the best car I've ever owned. I looked at everything. It is definitely the most bang for the buck. It looks awesome too. I didn't get the s500 or the 7 because they are changing the body style on both. Mine has the 4 year 50000 muile warranty so I don't really care if anything minor goes wrong with it. Besides, it can't be worse than the problems they are having wiht the 7's. The guy at the BMW dealership wouldn't even sell me one because of some new recall on the '04's.

The only thing I don't like about the A8 is that it does not have the integrated phone system yet. Those things have been around since the 80's, what's the problem? Also, XM radio is not set up in them yet. Again, why not? Outside of those 2 things which I hope they remedy soon it's great.

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I have heard of minor automatic tranny issues and door seals degrading over time. Other than that, I think the A8 has been very trouble free.

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