2004 A8 maintenance / issues thread
1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6
The Extended Warranty is 3rd party and was purchased from Zurich thru the Audi dealership.
1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 4
From: Texas
Hey gabete - Yes, the dealership gave me a 2.5 years or 100K, I believe, so it was thankfully covered.
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 104
From: Chicago, IL
I've been wondering how many miles I could squeeze out of my 2004 A8 before any major maintenance items raised their (expected) ugly head, and here we are, 18 months and 19000 miles later, the first major item is (also as expected) the air suspension compressor. Makes an angry buzzing noise and that's about all it accomplishes now.
So, the replacement part number is 4E0616007C, which I've found at a reasonable price on eBay - pending confirmation of fitment. I've also read that there is a front air suspension maintenance kit. If anyone has the part number for that one, I'd greatly appreciate it. Lastly, I will be replacing a bunch of suspension bushings while I'm tooling around with the car. I've got part numbers for most of them, but if anyone knows of any suspension kits, please let me know. Meyle makes a great kit for the A4, at a great price, but I haven't found anything like it for the A8.
Hmm, might have to look at the brakes too, while I'm at it. Now all I need to do is make some room in my garage ... ugh. As with my oil change, I'll be taking notes and pics as I go along.
l8r)
So, the replacement part number is 4E0616007C, which I've found at a reasonable price on eBay - pending confirmation of fitment. I've also read that there is a front air suspension maintenance kit. If anyone has the part number for that one, I'd greatly appreciate it. Lastly, I will be replacing a bunch of suspension bushings while I'm tooling around with the car. I've got part numbers for most of them, but if anyone knows of any suspension kits, please let me know. Meyle makes a great kit for the A4, at a great price, but I haven't found anything like it for the A8.
Hmm, might have to look at the brakes too, while I'm at it. Now all I need to do is make some room in my garage ... ugh. As with my oil change, I'll be taking notes and pics as I go along.
l8r)
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 104
From: Chicago, IL
Updated first post with a link to some Audi self-study guides.
Oh, and the darn suspension compressor started working again the day I was getting ready to replace it. WTF. Not that I'm complaining ... it stays in until it croaks! I'm guessing it didn't like the super cold January temps, but now that it's above freezing again, it seems to be fine.
l8r)
Oh, and the darn suspension compressor started working again the day I was getting ready to replace it. WTF. Not that I'm complaining ... it stays in until it croaks! I'm guessing it didn't like the super cold January temps, but now that it's above freezing again, it seems to be fine.
l8r)
1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1
Wow! I have a 2003 A8L and the maintenance is becoming a problem. the fuel pump when out along with some sensors and supposedly it was caused by a link from my engine that caused the fuel pump to go bad. I am looking to get rid of my Audi (though it has been an absolute pleasure. why would such a luxury car result in such costly maintenance and what seems to be faulty systems?
1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6
2004 8L Quattro update/ 55K miles
The latest maintenance issues with my car involve replacing the front struts
and repairing the heated driver seat(55K mi.). The costs total about $3000 but are covered by the extended warranty I bought from Zurich(75K mi/5 yrs). I am at the breakeven point on the warranty with 20K miles to go or 2 more years, which ever comes first.
The TPMS stopped working because the batteries in the valve stems are dead. It costs about $200 a tire to fix(the entire sesor must be replaced) and when I replace the tires in a couple of weeks I will see if Zurich will pay for the fix. If they won't I will not replace the sensors(poor cost/value ratio).
Summary: Great car/ext warranty is worth it/ highly complex/would buy again. I bought this car used while it still had the factory warranty and would do it again for the long distant driving capabilites( routine 8 hr trips with only
one 10 min stop for fuel). If you do your own maintenance I would not recommend an 8L. The Audi certified mechanics can barely handle it.
and repairing the heated driver seat(55K mi.). The costs total about $3000 but are covered by the extended warranty I bought from Zurich(75K mi/5 yrs). I am at the breakeven point on the warranty with 20K miles to go or 2 more years, which ever comes first.
The TPMS stopped working because the batteries in the valve stems are dead. It costs about $200 a tire to fix(the entire sesor must be replaced) and when I replace the tires in a couple of weeks I will see if Zurich will pay for the fix. If they won't I will not replace the sensors(poor cost/value ratio).
Summary: Great car/ext warranty is worth it/ highly complex/would buy again. I bought this car used while it still had the factory warranty and would do it again for the long distant driving capabilites( routine 8 hr trips with only
one 10 min stop for fuel). If you do your own maintenance I would not recommend an 8L. The Audi certified mechanics can barely handle it.
1st Gear
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 8
POS? yes! First year? no!
2004 is NOT the first production year of this car and if you don't know that, then you know NOTHING about the A8. this car was introduced, in Europe in 2003. So 2004, even though it did not come to the US until 2004, is actually 2 years into the model. Same goes with the previous model A8: it came out in 1994, but didn't come to the US until its 3 model...people still think 1997 was the first year the car was ever made.
Of course the A8 is a piece of ---- from a maintenance standpoint. they always have been. so is EVERY Audi ever made. Same with ALL German cars. they are very expensive to maintain. Simple as that. Dozens of things go wrong with these cars that never should.
Last edited by kbaum17; Apr 21, 2011 at 05:10 AM.
2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 624
2004 is NOT the first production year of this car and if you don't know that, then you know NOTHING about the A8. this car was introduced, in Europe in 2003. So 2004, even though it did not come to the US until 2004, is actually 2 years into the model. Same goes with the previous model A8: it came out in 1994, but didn't come to the US until its 3 model...people still think 1997 was the first year the car was ever made.
Of course the A8 is a piece of ---- from a maintenance standpoint. they always have been. so is EVERY Audi ever made. Same with ALL German cars. they are very expensive to maintain. Simple as that. Dozens of things go wrong with these cars that never should.
Of course the A8 is a piece of ---- from a maintenance standpoint. they always have been. so is EVERY Audi ever made. Same with ALL German cars. they are very expensive to maintain. Simple as that. Dozens of things go wrong with these cars that never should.
What the hell were we thinking?
What's "Europe"?
Isn't that one of Saturn's moons?
Is that where Audi's come from?
We know nothing..."it" knows all.
OK everyone...go sell your horrible German cars and buy whatever he (she, it?) is driving.
Sorry, the Audi forum is now closed. Everyone drive safely and don't forget to tip your server.
Goodnight.
1st Gear
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 47
2004 is NOT the first production year of this car and if you don't know that, then you know NOTHING...
...Of course the A8 is a piece of ---- from a maintenance standpoint. they always have been. so is EVERY Audi ever made. Same with ALL German cars. they are very expensive to maintain. Simple as that. Dozens of things go wrong with these cars that never should.
...Of course the A8 is a piece of ---- from a maintenance standpoint. they always have been. so is EVERY Audi ever made. Same with ALL German cars. they are very expensive to maintain. Simple as that. Dozens of things go wrong with these cars that never should.
Perhaps a few less beers before you post next time might help...
Thanks for the valuable insight though. That's why I tune in to these forums...