I've been looking at a 01 A8L with 106k on it. Was wondering what I should be aware of? The price is right if it checks out. I should mention that I've never driven anything but fords but the look of this car and sound and awd got me interested! Beautiful.

 

D2 has issues with the A & B clutch baskets, as do all vehicles with that particular ZF transmission.

Not sure what else - am more versed in D3 and D4...

 

Yeah the only weak point I've ever heard of in the D2s is the transmission. It seems they all go sooner or later in these cars.

 

I am also new to this site - and am interested in a 3.0 tdi d3, the car I have seen lot's of receipts mostly engine based - from throttle to manifold nothing serious but each year costing £1000 to £2000, mileage about 120000miles , I would like to do the work myself but I am finding information difficult to find - any advice? - or should I go with my second choice a BMW 5 series? -is the engine the same as the A6?

 

The best place to find information is the factory repair manuals.
Relatively inexpensive at $35USD/day and you can get the PDFs so you don't need to pay every time.

Another tool that is highly recommended is VCDS.
Don't waste your time and money on knock-off versions.

I can't comment on the engine since we don't get that one in the US.
If you have the PR code for the engine it is easily searchable online to see what vehicles used it.

 

I did not realize that the 3.0 tdi was European only - that explains why no one speaks about it - I already have VCDS as my wife used to have an A2 (similarly complicated with harder access), but still worried about repairs as manuals don't always help and the audi specialist around my area seem to be incompetent!