New member: Could use your opinions
 

Hi all:

I currently drive a 745Li but I'm about to buy a CPO 2008 A8 (if I can find a good deal). I just can't decide between the A8 or A8L. Part of the reason is I haven't ever seen them side by side. What are your impressions of each as far as looks? Is handling that much different between the two?

Thanks!

The short wheel base model is a bit lighter and has a better turn radius, they both handle the corners better than you would think of such a large sedan. The body and frames of both cars are all aluminum so they are both still light for their size. I personally like the standard A8 wheelbase because i think its just the right size, the A8L is like a personal limo with enough room to fit SHAQ in the back seat.

So, if you could get a 2007 S8 or a 2008 A8, which would you get? The S8 is about $5-6 more. I don't know much about the S8 options other than the fact that it will get bad gas mileage. :rolleyes: My only concern with a 2007 car is that warranty will run out before my 4 year loan is paid off. I hate being off warranty.

That depends on what kind of driver you are... do you prefer sport or luxury? Do you want something with a firmer, lower suspension and 100 extra horses, or do you desire a refined, well-mannered driving experience? I know that if I could afford it, I would go for the S8, but it all comes down to preference.

I want luxurious and freakin fast! :D I like a car with a lot of low end torque.

I hate owning a car after the warranty runs out that's why I was avoiding a 2007. But, what the heck. What could go wrong? :rolleyes:
What's a brake job cost on one of these things? My bimmer was $750 an axle. I'm so glad I had the maintenance warranty!

Well if you're worried about repairs an S8 is definately NOT something you want out of warranty. Its amazingly hard to work on, and the parts are uber expensive. Its packing a Lambroghini designed V10 (same as gallardo) but with the luxury of an A8. The wood trim is traded out for carbon fiber and it has suede leather inserts in the seats. They usually come with the upgraded bang and olfsen sound system ($6,000 option) navigation, parking camera, and sensors standard. Other than that its pretty much an A8 on steriods.

Thanks auditech79. That's great advice. I'll avoid the S8 unless I can get a warranty for the life of my loan/ownership of the car. Are there generally warranties that can be purchased after CPO runs out?

I told two dealers where I need to be in an S8. They probably won't get to where I need to be but it's worth a shot. If not, I'll go back to the A8 or A8L. Still haven't decided between the A8 or A8L. :rolleyes:

If you want luxury AND power, you could always chip you a SWB A8. 30-50 more hp, agile, and luxury enuff for a Caliphate.

Wait what is a SWB A8? Chip? :confused:

Basically a engine chip to increase performance. If you want a sports car get a small racing sedan like an S4, if you want a full on luxury car buy the A8. The A8 is going to be the closest mix between the two or even an A6. You can't really get a car that's amazing in both categories without paying up the butt for it.

I'm leaning toward the A8 now.

How much does the chip generally run? Also, is there a good place to get OEM rims? I'd like to get the S8 20" rims for the A8.

Thanks!

Maybe he LIKES it up the butt!!!

SWB means (S)hort (W)heel (B)ase. In other words, the non-"L" version.

Chips usually void your warranty, but not always. Depends on who does the install, and how. Some chip installs are easily reversible, so when you hafta take it in for service, they don't bent you over and... give it to you up the BUTT!:eek:

Costs vary. A little research on the interwebs should put you in touch with a few tuners. Off the top of my head (and, I am sure others will ring in with more) I can say there is www.raimotorsport.com (a friend of mine, and "rayveedub," here on the fourms. Helluva mechanic, based outta Baltimore), or www.pes-tuning.com, or possibly www.oemplus.com (if you wanna DIY it, and I am not sure they have chips for the A8).

The A8L doesn't handle too horribly does it? I couldn't find any SWB's that I liked. Probably getting the L.

The L still handles much better than most cars, much better than an S500 would. I would personally buy a unitronics chip http://www.034motorsport.com/index.p...2670_2675_2702 which is probably the best quality chip on the market for the A8L. If you really need to have more power beyond that you can pony up about $5,000 to PES for a supercharger which should add another 50-60 horses on top of that bringing it to around 400 horses, but its not wise to push it too far past design specs.

Dang. They ain't cheap! Any chance it could be installed by a DIYer?

I wouldn't, if you screw up, you're buying a $1,200 ECM instead.

Just bought a 2008 A8L. :D
Pick up on Saturday. Debating whether to get Audi Care. The dealer wants $800.

Ya GOTTA post up some PICS. Maybe one or two with yer CHEESIN grill innit, too. Which Stealersh... Oops. Meant DEALERship...

Details! Details!

What kind of person/mechanic would I go to for the install?

Will do. I hope to get it this weekend. Then I'm gonna throw on some 20" S8 wheels on the sucker. Possible chip too. I'll make my own little S8. :D

Not a mechanic, a shop that specializes in chips in general. Im not 100% sure but i think its just a flash and not actually a chip in the ECM. The older cars get a new PROM chip integrated into the ECU, now a days its just uploaded into the ECM through the OBDII port. Its best to just send in your ECU, have them flash it and it will be back to you in a couple days max.

Is it easy to remove?

Yes and no. Its located under the cowl directly under the windshield on the driver's side. You may need to take off the wiper blades to pull off both the cowl trims to sneak it out of there. The wiper blades tend to get jammed on the gear teeth so it takes some skill to remove them off the gears without breaking the wiper motor.

Ive been told that chipping the petrols wont get you anywhere

you can really only chip the diesels to get performance/economy increases

You won't get as much as advertised no, and anything with a turbo charger will get massive gains out of a chip. However a chip on an N/A engine will get better throttle response, higher rev limiter, no speed governor, better management in all driving conditions which can get you better performance and better fuel economy. I've driven a few chipped N/A audis, and you can feel a difference.

If I were rich I'd get one with a W in it.

Then you might wanna look at the VW Phaeton W12. Waaayy cheaper than the A8L, and, believe it or not, 1000-X more exclusive. Hand-built on the Bently assembly line, too, so its kinda like an entry-level Bently. If you wanna be tha Pimp'd'est, peep the Pheaton 4-seater.

If your going to get a "W" I don't believe you need cheaper lol. Plus any phaetons left are usually pretty well beaten in :) From my experience of seeing at least 15 in person I believe about 3 of them were manageable without repairs breaking my wallet in half. Still its an overstretched passat! Beautiful seats though ;)

All I'm saying is that the 6,0 Audi has the goodlooks and the ride of the A8Long and the power of the S8 (being produced only in short version) including stuff that got forgotten by Mercedes like soft closing doors. I guess they still have them on the $160K S class, but you'll never find them on a plain 550 anymore. And to think my 95 S500 had them... As far as the seats in the phaeton I would tend to disagree

The seats in the Phaeton were some of the best I have ever seen in any car. Ever.

I think I NEED a chip. :D I like a lot of low end torque (loved my Camaro SS) so anything that can help would be great. Anything else I should mod? Air filter?

anything that helps it breathe better... C.A.I. (cold air intake - inexpensive) Stainless-steel Exhaust (not cheap)

What is a good site to by performance parts from?