Chickenwinger Posted June 21, 2013 Report Share Posted June 21, 2013 Hi, I'm new to this site, and I've always wanted and Audi A8/S8. I can't afford to run and S8, so an A8 it is. My existing car, A '03 Vauxhall Vectra 3.2 GSI, guzzles fuel and I average 23 MPG! So, I would like to buy, and I think after a bit of digging around, a 4.2 TDI A8. It has the power, grace and better MPG than my car. Do i need to be aware of the D2 going into D3 gearbox issues? Also, what else should I be aware of? Any help at all, would be really appreciated..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted June 21, 2013 Report Share Posted June 21, 2013 Hi CW! I have just bought the 3.0 TDi (March this year). I have a 60 mile commute each way and I average approx 42 mpg. So a fair improvement on your current GSI. Always feed it Shell or BP - non of the supermarket sh1te diesel. I think you'd get 36 - 46 across the diesels in the A8 range. I haven't heard of any gearbox issues on the main, apart from a chap on here with the 4.0 TDi. He had the fluid changed to the stuff they use in the W12 and it's been fine ever since. So, first thing you need to do once you getone, is to get the fluid changed at a proper VAG indy. You'll need to find one though, but many bods on here will or should be able to point you in the right direction of one. They'll be able to service and do all the other stuff too. DO NOT take it to just any garage! Oh, when buying, haggle hard, be fussy, check the spec (some have heated seats, some don't, rare sunroof, some have xenons, some don't have xenons, so be careful!!!) If anything is wrong, walk away. There are 2 different seat specs I think. Sports and comfort. You can tell the difference straight away - depends what you are after or if you care?! Have a look on eBay, check stuff out, then have a drive and be prepared to travel. I'll probably come up with more later! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PsYcHe Posted June 22, 2013 Report Share Posted June 22, 2013 The D3 has a fairly solid gearbox, so no worries there. I'd avoid the 4.0.. The engine can have a few expensive problems. 4.2 is great (that's what I have), but the 3.0 is no slouch either. Spec can vary hugely between cars, so get decent pics and a copy of the build sticker and put the codes into one of the online checkers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickenwinger Posted July 4, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 4, 2013 Thanks for the replies guys. I'm still deliberating what model/version to buy. I've also started looking at D2 models as well. This is hard work trying to find the best spec/engine/quality at the price i can afford.... Another question, what year did the MMI start appearing on the A8's? I think I'm asking the right question, by MMI, I mean the pop-up screen in the middle. That is the MMI isn't it, or is it designated by the knob on the console? As you can tell I'm new to the A8 lol Is the MMI able to be upgraded to the new version, irrelevant of what year of car you buy with it in? Also, i want to add a HD to the unit, for audio tracks, videos etc. Is that possible without much messing around? 1 last question, well for now anyway , what year does Bluetooth appear and what is it specked to do? Is it just phonecalls, or will it play audio etc? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted July 4, 2013 Report Share Posted July 4, 2013 Hey, you've just opened a big can............... My 54 reg has full Bluetooth, and my Nokia C3 connects and I can use the pop-up screen to find and dial. However, it was an option, so depends if it was specced by the original bod. I think they can be retrofitted though. Some cars also came with the AMI (Audi Media Interface) and that allowed you to plug a phone/MP£ player in and use that for music via the MMI and pop-up screen. The AMI (if fitted) sits in the glovebox next to the CD changer. The pop-up screen/MMI appeared on the D3 models from 53? reg onwards. None of the D2's (94 - 03) had MMI/pop-up screen You won't get a diesel engined UK spec RHD D2. (nor W12!). The diesel D2s were LHD continent only jobs unfortunately. I don't think any of the petrol D2s would be much better on juice than your GSi, and only from 2001 (IIRC) were ALL UK spec D2's fitted with quattro drivetrain. Before that, only the 4.2 V8 engined D2's were guaranteed quattros. Hope that helps a bit? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted July 5, 2013 Report Share Posted July 5, 2013 Forgot to add, all D2's have engines that need an £800 belt change every 80K miles. In the D3's, the early petrol engines did. Then they changed to the FSi engines and no cambelt changes needed! All D3 diesels are chain driven and so there are no belt changes - just variable (or fixed) interval servicing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian_C Posted July 5, 2013 Report Share Posted July 5, 2013 The earlier C5 A6 allroad 4.2 V8 (pre FSI version like B6 S4) was definitely camchained, the shortened engine meaning it didn't require the longer bonnet of the S6 and RS6. Surely even the earliest D3 A8 4.2 V8s would be camchain too? Pikey of Audi to fit an older cambelt version! Either way, they are insanely good value nowdays - a 2003 D3 A8 4.2 [petrol] is cheaper and probably a much more sensible buy than a 2003 D2 S8 4.2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted July 5, 2013 Report Share Posted July 5, 2013 The earlier C5 A6 allroad 4.2 V8 (pre FSI version like B6 S4) was definitely camchained, the shortened engine meaning it didn't require the longer bonnet of the S6 and RS6. Surely even the earliest D3 A8 4.2 V8s would be camchain too? Pikey of Audi to fit an older cambelt version!Either way, they are insanely good value nowdays - a 2003 D3 A8 4.2 [petrol] is cheaper and probably a much more sensible buy than a 2003 D2 S8 4.2 On ebay, a few of the early D3 petrols advertise that the cambelt has been changed recently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LostKiwi Posted July 7, 2013 Report Share Posted July 7, 2013 Hi all, Been a while since I last posted on here but I'm contemplating getting another A8 - this time a 4.0TDi. Saw someone mention they have issues but after a good search around I haven't found any info on potential problems. Can anyone shed any light on what the issues they have are? Thanks all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted July 8, 2013 Report Share Posted July 8, 2013 When I was looking, of all the 4.0 TDis about, there were 2 with engine issues. One was for breaking, and 1 had a broken camshaft. So, not really sure! RichardW with his, is fine - especially after his gearbox fluid change which should be carried out asap after getting it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian_C Posted July 12, 2013 Report Share Posted July 12, 2013 I've not heard of any 4.0 TDI issues. I thought the 4.0 and 4.2 were near identical anyway, just a minor bore / stroke / piston shape change to give the different displacement? They both quote an identical 480 lb ft figure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulrstaylor Posted July 15, 2013 Report Share Posted July 15, 2013 The problem with the 4ltr diesel is the plastic intake flaps which seem to bio-degrade and get ingested into the engine with bad results, not sure about cross posting but google something like "a8 4.0 tdi intake flap" for more info Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted July 16, 2013 Report Share Posted July 16, 2013 I've not heard of any 4.0 TDI issues. I thought the 4.0 and 4.2 were near identical anyway, just a minor bore / stroke / piston shape change to give the different displacement? They both quote an identical 480 lb ft figure. Have just had a look at this Mr C, seems the 4.2 is a totally different engine. Bigger bore and same stroke, but a new design all the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian_C Posted July 16, 2013 Report Share Posted July 16, 2013 Richard suggested Audi might have capped the torque for the sake of the gearbox (hence the identical 480 lb ft figures) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted July 17, 2013 Report Share Posted July 17, 2013 Richard suggested Audi might have capped the torque for the sake of the gearbox (hence the identical 480 lb ft figures) About right, judging by some of Audi´s and BMW´s (or rather ZF´s) attempts at making a solid, reliable gearbox! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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