A few questions on this car.
Does it need 91+ octane?
The car I am looking at looks mint, but it has 119,000 miles on it, is it going to break 200K with regular oil changes etc. Or is major work in my near future?
Keep in mind they are asking 8K for it.

I have fallen in love with this car. I am just afraid of making a bad choice. I was originally looking for a accord like car with under 100K and then found this...

 

yeah im in the same boat.. i found a 97 A8, 4.2L, black on black, great condition but it has 105,000mi on it.

 

Welcome to the forum. I'd be careful of that car. It might quite well be very reliable but small repairs can be very costly on Audi's. Yeah you need to use the good gasoline.

 

It could be a great deal or a collossal headache. MAKE Sure you have checked on all the service history. If the owner can't provide, walk away... pure and simple. There's a bunch of major work that needs to be done on the A8s around 100k miles including the timing belt and steering mechanics that can't be ignored and can cost thousands of $$$. The 97's are a bit of an oddball because they used a slightly different ZF transmission that doesn't have the Tiptronic. They are clunky and have been known to go bad. A new or rebuilt transmission can run you $8-$12k!!

 

The transmissions are the same ZF 5HP24A, they modified them through out the years, I believe the 97-99s are the DPZ. They are prone to hunt and thump. The next model 99-01 were prone to losing reverse. The 97 doesn't have tiptronic but that can be modified.

The tranny is definitely the weak link in the A8. A rebuild will be between $2800-3800.

Other things to be aware of:

Timing belt needs to be done at 90K miles. $1000-2000.

Control arms/tie rods tend to go bad. $600 + labor.

Valve cover gaskets that leak.

Rear differential that leak.

The engine is pretty much bulletproof as long as it's cared for.

Good luck, read audipages.com for the buyers checklist and avoid the dealer at all costs.