Ok I think I have the dreaded coolant leak from the oil cooler housing as I can see clean drips of coolant near the oil pan. I want to confirm that it is a DIY on the D3 A8. The articles I've found are for the D2 body.
The other reason I ask is because for the 2004 A8L, Elsawin is calling for ENGINE REMOVAL as the first step OIL FILTER HOUSING REMOVAL.

Oil cooler repair on 40v 2000 +A8 - LONG post..even for me - AudiWorld Forums

audipages A8 Oil Cooler Removal and Reinstall

2000 A8 40V Oil Cooler Plastic Pipe Replacement | AudiAudi

 

Also applies to changing wiper blades, rotating tires, adding fuel

I'd recommend getting the actual manual from erWin to verify for that year.

 

Thanks for the reply! Yea I think you have to take certain things with a grain of salt from the manual. Unnecessary steps that add to labor revenue for the shop