1997 Audi A8 Consumer Discussions

Audi A8

• Re: A8 Transmission issues?? [estreed]

  Written by: pits944s on Apr 17, 2007 10:31:37 AM

  I just lost reverse in my 1997 Audi A8 4.2 with 120K miles. The car will creep backward when in reverse on a flat, smooth, surface, but does not respond to throttle - it acts like it is in neutral. Besides the piston failure noted here I have also noted an F125 switch and a ball bearing under the gearshift which is plastic surrounded and wears as other possibilities. Can you ... Read More

• Used A8 feedback

  Written by: monkstermann on Jul 4, 2006 9:47:36 AM

  Hi all. I'm interested in purchasing a well maintained A8 circa 1997-2000 and was wondering if there were any iterations to stay away from. And if so for what reasons; i.e. earlier engine probs; electrical gremlins; abnormal tire wear, etc. etc. whatever. I currently have a 1993 S4 showing 280,000 on the odo and she still is a pistol. Don't ever see another one which I kinda like. Also, it's not ... Read More

High End Luxury Cars

• BlkHemi, Two Tings!

  Written by: drfill on Apr 7, 2006 6:32:23 PM

  1. I didn't call the A8 a loser, but I said "I can see how someone would call it a Loser" There is a difference. The LS might be better than all the premium sedans you can name, but the A8, to me, is the MOST desirable! 2. My point is getting twisted quickly, and often. As I've said several times before, there is more than one way to be a ... Read More

Audi A8

• 1997 Audi A8 4.2

  Written by: jay27 on Aug 11, 2005 1:28:39 PM

  I am in the process of purchaising an 97' Audi A8 4.2 from an auction. The car currently has 104k and is selling the car for a $8500 grand. This is my first Audi and do not know much about the maintenance, reliability, etc. I carfaxed this vehicle and gave me a listing of all the times it has been serviced by the dealership but I still dont know whether the ... Read More

• Re: AUDI SERVICE IS HORRIBLE [grendel]

  Written by: stang22 on Jul 11, 2005 3:17:41 AM

  I NEED SOME ADVICE FROM ALL YOU AUDI A8 AWD QUATTRO EXPERTS!! I have the opportunity to purchase a high mileage 1997 audi awd A8 quattro with 152,000 on it,in seemingly excellent shape considering the mileage. I personally need a very reliable all-season car for the winters and all,and don't have alot of money to spend. DOES ANYONE KNOW IF I SHOULD KEEP AWAY FROM A CAR LIKE THIS, AND HOW ... Read More

High End Luxury Cars

• Re: ljflx [ljflx]

  Written by: merc1 on Mar 18, 2005 8:02:31 AM

  Yes there was a 6-cylinder 735i at one time from 1988-1992, just before the last S320 came out. The previous S320 made up 40 percent of S-Class sales during certain years from 1992-1999. The Audi S8 is/was performance model and doesn't "die" like you say it does. Its the same has MB not having an E55 from 1996-1998, or BMW and M5 from 1997-1999, those models always come a few years ... Read More

Audi A8

• Re: Advise 2000 Audi A8 Quatro [tiny1]

  Written by: rodneyh on Oct 17, 2004 10:54:40 AM

  Hi, Be very, very careful. We bought a 1997 A8 Quattro with 40+K miles on it. It immediately needed a very expensive head casket, control arms, tie rods, and wheel bearings. After that, we had to fix fuel leaks and coolant leaks. The memory seats don't work properly and the automatic-volume-raising-when-speed-increases feature has never worked except to blast the radio whenever it wants. At a little more than 100K, the transmission ... Read More

High End Luxury Cars

• footie

  Written by: merc1 on Apr 4, 2004 10:22:36 PM

  It's just like I said before if you can't count all those taxi Mercedes, then you can't count all those so-called "Lexuses" running around in other countries as leathered up Toyotas. We disagree on what makes a "luxury" car obviously. Leather doesn't define it for me. I'm not trying to say you don't know what you're talking about here, but with the engine thing you really would benefit from doing some ... Read More

• libertycat

  Written by: merc1 on Jul 17, 2003 10:37:48 PM

  You've proven to me that you aren't bringing any facts to the table and if you really believe something like that there is nothing more for us to debate. Do you see that even some of the Q45 supporters don't even agree with some of your out-there rhetoric? Read some of DonFenn's posts. Much more level. DonFenn, You stated: "I also think that a nice car is not always determined by ... Read More

Audi A8

• New A8 and Phaeton

  Written by: markcincinnati on Jan 6, 2003 3:27:54 PM

  I thought the A8 and Phaeton would compete more closely price-wise. But the press keeps quoting the Phaeton at $62K and the A8, depending on who you are reading is significantly more (in the car magazine quotes, that is). The reality may be that they are very close -- but the press is doing a job of confusing the issue somewhat, making the VW "cheaper" than the early early press reports ... Read More

High End Luxury Cars

• fjk57702

  Written by: merc1 on Jun 16, 2003 9:42:06 PM

  Ok I'll go for that. I do think the editors already had it in their mind about the 03 CTS so it's probably best that they get the improved version for a long-term test. ljflx, That board will never be the same without your participation!! Anyway I haven't seen the autospies picture of the GS redo. I'll have to look it up. It's hard to say who is where with redoing ... Read More

• Just joining this discussion

  Written by: markcincinnati on Dec 30, 2002 2:29:33 PM

  What are some of the opinions regarding Audis A8 air suspension efforts (presumably on the upcoming A8 and S8 a couple years later?) I now have 3500 miles on a new allroad and I assume that the allroad was a bit of a mule for Audi to test some of the air suspension technologies on. Of course the allroad does not have a dynamic suspension -- it IS active but it ... Read More

• 1487

  Written by: merc1 on Nov 4, 2002 10:29:22 PM

  You've somehow let the others confuse you. Where did I use "ownership experience" in any of MY posts? Though since you bring up the concept, why don't you take a look at the SL500 board and see what the owners have to say. Are you saying that every SL has to go back to the dealer and that all MB dealers are arrogant? If that is the case all of Cadillac's ... Read More

• ljflx

  Written by: merc1 on Mar 18, 2002 10:05:26 PM

  That's true....*somewhat*, but trust me I know that the LS430 won't be full redesigned until at least 2006. Not even Toyota could re-do the entire car from the ground up in just 2 years of being on the market, it simply doesn't make business sense. My postion on redo is that if a car is a great design it can last 5-7 years, look at the previous 7-Series and S-Class. To ... Read More

Audi A8

• Audi A8 1997

  Written by: wolson on Mar 19, 2000 4:13:32 AM

  I am thinking of buying a used 1997 A8, with all the trimmings. I need to know what to look for in a used car like this one.In other words the good and ugly side. The car has 33,823 miles on it and is coming off a lease program, and has been purchased by a dealer at auction to resell at 40,975. Please if you have any insight on this type ... Read More

• Audi A8 1997

  Written by: wolson on Mar 19, 2000 4:07:45 AM

  I am thinking of buying a used 1997 A8, with all the trimmings. I need to know what to look for in a used car like this one.In other words the good and ugly side. The car has 33,823 miles on it and is coming off a lease program, and has be purchased by a dealer at auction to resell at 40,975. Please if you have any insight on this type ... Read More