2004 Audi A8 Review
Fuel Economy
18 mpg
Summary
What Edmunds.com says
This fast and comfortable premium luxury sedan easily holds its own against more expensive competitors.
Pros
Performance, passenger space, exquisite interior, standard all-wheel drive.
Cons
Shorter-wheelbase version not offered in the states, CD changer mounted in glovebox.
What's New for 2004
Audi's flagship is completely revamped and sports a lighter chassis, more powerful V8 and a treasure trove of comfort, safety and suspension upgrades.
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
Expensive Unreliability
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 1 | Fun-to-Drive: | 5 | Build Quality: | 1 |
| Comfort: | 4 | Interior Design: | 2 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 5 | Exterior Design: | 3 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Audi A8 L quattro AWD 4dr Sedan (4.2L 8cyl 6A)
Review
We expected Audi quality and attn to customer service when we purchased this vehicle. Our experience has been terrible. Mechanical car repairs since 80,000KM have exceeded $7,500. Examples of necessary repairs are, replacing starter cost $992.16, dysfunctional remote which has had batteries replaced 5 times. Four upper control link bushings cost $1130.53, breather valve atop manifold cost $240.81. Decarbonization of air intake system cost $216.57. And the car stopped functioning on HWY 81 last night requiring towing, stranding us in Wilkes Barre, Penn and now requiring replacement of the mass air flow sensor cost unknown. It apparently was also misfiring on some cylinders.
Favorite Features
Room in back seat for passengers.
Suggested Improvements
Expensive repairs for this supposed quality of car should not be necessary. Our letter to Audi did not even receive the courtesy of a reply!!!!!
Love Hate Relationship
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 5 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 1 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Audi A8 L quattro AWD 4dr Sedan (4.2L 8cyl 6A)
Review
Most of the reliability issues owners have experienced are electronic problems. Interestingly, I have had major mechanical issues - transmission, suspension, cooling system and more. All these problems started right around 51K miles, just out of warranty! So far I have spent over $6,000 in repairs. About $4,500 of that is parts, because you won't find aftermarket parts for this car. If you are reading this review you are probably considering purchasing a used 2004. My best advice would be to get the best extended warranty you can. Get a warranty that has "stated exclusions" only, so you know exactly what will not be covered. With all that said, I really do love driving the car!
Favorite Features
Top notch interior finishes, comfort, style, luxury features, all wheel drive. I really love this car when it's not in the shop!
Suggested Improvements
Reliability, which I've read is greatly improved in recent years.
Great car but...
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 7 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 4 |
| Fuel Economy: | 5 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Audi A8 L quattro AWD 4dr Sedan (4.2L 8cyl 6A)
Review
I traded a 2001 BMW 740iL for the A8L. The car seems great but less than 3 weeks after I bought it, it was in the shop for a system failure and the entire dashboard display has to be replaced plus several other items. Check the service history. I was told by the tech that the '04s are "just temperamental". If you can, hold out for a 2006/07 Get a CPO and still under Audi warranty or you will be in big trouble. Gas mileage seem very poor.
Favorite Features
Sleek design, smooth quiet ride, double pane glass reduces noise, sport mode and AWD. Bose system is a symphany in your car. The subwoofer is very deep and rich sounding.
Suggested Improvements
MMI for radio is terrible, nav maps, electrical issues, gas cap holder & plastic door. Rear headrest should drop down and many of the features on my old 740iL do not show up on the A8 until 06/07. Blue tooth/iPod would have been nice. More steering wheel controls.
3 out 3 people found this review helpful
Just a great car
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 7 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Audi A8 L quattro AWD 4dr Sedan (4.2L 8cyl 6A)
Review
A dream car. Excellent pick up, great MMI, really simple to use, very few steps to do anything important (i.e. radio, heated seats etc.). Spacious like you wouldn't believe. Great handling, fun to drive. Highly recommended, but you do have to expect issues when you buy German.
Favorite Features
MMI works great, for me anyways. Nice stereo, heated/cooled seats, space, driving feel and acceleration. Excellent looking car.
Suggested Improvements
More storage space. No spot for my cell phone, a drink and my change. No space for CDs except for a couple in the glove box. Work out the electrical glitches.
Great car, but...
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 5 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Audi A8 L quattro AWD 4dr Sedan (4.2L 8cyl 6A)
Review
This is a great car, but you will get to know the service manager on a first name basis. An extended service policy is a must or you will go broke. A dream car to drive on long or short trips. I will purchase another A8L when my extended service policy runs out.
Favorite Features
I like everything about the exterior and interior. It is so comfortable you cannot believe it. The back massager is nice after a long day at the office.
Suggested Improvements
Make the components more reliable.
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