2005 Audi A8 Consumer Reviews

My Wife Will Miss Me

Written by: Reggie in Atlanta on 06/16/2008

Vehicle

2005 Audi A8 L quattro AWD 4dr Sedan (4.2L 8cyl 6A)

Review

I love my wife. I really do. I try to miss her as I drive my A8 (that I just purchase 3 days ago). So far, no luck! This is an amazing car. Mine is black and loaded with every available option. 36k miles, lease turn in, certified w/ 6yr-100kmile warranty. Used is the way to go; especially if you aren't completely sold on the new grille yet. I have owned a 1999 A8 and a 2001 A6 (for the aforementioned wife). Enjoying this one and looking forward to the next one.

Favorite Features

Ventilated seats! It was 95 in Atlanta today. God bless ventilated seats. Power, control, MMI, automatic unlocking doors, push button start. The look on the faces on BMW, Mercedes and Lexus owners.

Suggested Improvements

None so far

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Best Of Class

Written by: willman on 10/11/2007

Vehicle

2005 Audi A8 L quattro AWD 4dr Sedan (4.2L 8cyl 6A)

Review

The Audi A8L is the best 'value for the dollar' vehicle on the road today. Hands down, no contest. Beautiful inside and out in a sophisticated kind of way. Elegant in presentation and powerful of stance. Handles better than any other car in its class. Rain, snow, whatever the weather, drive with complete confidence. Big and strong going down the highway. When those four rings appear quickly in your rearview mirror, MOVE!!!

Favorite Features

ALL OF IT !

Suggested Improvements

Bigger better cupholders. Bigger and higher front armrests.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Outstanding A8L

Written by: William H. Malone II on 06/19/2007

Vehicle

2005 Audi A8 L quattro AWD 4dr Sedan (4.2L 8cyl 6A)

Review

This my second A8 experience. The first is a 2000 A8 that now has 122000 flawless miles. This is the reason that we purchased the 2005 A8L. Best vehicle that I have ever owned. Outstanding in ALL areas and a complete pleasure to drive. You can keep the BMWs and Mercs. No contest. Audi understands and understates their cars. The car speaks for itself. It shouts 'OUTSTANDING' as it passes everything on the road.

Favorite Features

The complete package. Especially the suspension adjustments.

Suggested Improvements

The A8Ls should all have 19" wheel / tires packages as standard.

7 out 8 people found this review helpful

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Finally a competitor to big Germans

Written by: nick on 06/18/2007

Vehicle

2005 Audi A8 L quattro AWD 4dr Sedan (4.2L 8cyl 6A)

Review

Gorgeous body, fit and finish. Impressive looks, great engine, agile, stately, big but easy to drive like a midsize sedan. Few flaws however: CD changer in the glove compartment must go, bad location for cup holders, short lived original equipment tires (Continental CH95), problems with automated trunk, immediately after purchase navigation upgrade was issued for $299 (should be covered at least for a year or upgraded with a discount).

Favorite Features

Looks, engine, air suspension, performance, comfort.

Suggested Improvements

Use better tires (18" 255/45 Continentals CH95, too soft, gone by 12000 miles without agressive driving), problems with trunk, bad location for cup holders (next to shifter, if water bottle in place, can not easily reach for the shifter), CD changer in the glove compartment is very impractical.

3 out 4 people found this review helpful

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A luxury sedan wannabe

Written by: ggill on 05/15/2007

Vehicle

2005 Audi A8 L quattro AWD 4dr Sedan (4.2L 8cyl 6A)

Review

I've had problems with this car ever since it was delivered. Immediately had a problem with the instrument cluster. Outside temp read below zero, so a/c would not work. Transmission noise required 10 days in shop to fix. Had several recalls. Now electronic controls (MMI) don't work. Although still under warranty, Audi wants me to pay, so they can pull and inspect unit before covering. If you call their customer service center in Michigan, be prepared for a long wait before you can speak with an "advocate", and expect a poor result. I'm buying a Lexus 460, and pity whoever buys my used Audi.

Favorite Features

Great road car. Excellent handling and ride. Good road mileage, but absolutely terrible stop and go mileage (under 10 mpg). Because of back head rests and pillar placement, visibility is not good.

Suggested Improvements

Electronics need a drastic overhaul. Initial quality has to be improved in numerous areas. Visibility issues cannot be completely resolved, but drop down rear headrests would be a start. A minor thing, but the chrome strip on the dash reflects into the side view mirrors, which is annoying.

4 out 8 people found this review helpful

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Best sedan yet

Written by: The2thmover on 08/16/2006

Vehicle

2005 Audi A8 L quattro AWD 4dr Sedan (4.2L 8cyl 6A)

Review

After 2 Mercedes, and 1 BMW I can easily say this is my favorite sedan I have owned. After one year of ownership I can say that reliability has easily exceeded that of Mercedes with no issues to report. It plays up to the "driver's car" side of me without being as unforgiving as the BMW. Fit, finish, and quality of interior matierials are remarkable. Every car has quirks, but the quirks with this one are either petty or livable. An outstanding automotive value.

Favorite Features

Stlye/elegance and relative rarity on the road.

Suggested Improvements

CD changer placement, MP3 player input.

10 out 11 people found this review helpful

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A8 L Perfection

Written by: Tony C on 07/26/2006

Vehicle

2005 Audi A8 L quattro AWD 4dr Sedan (4.2L 8cyl 6A)

Review

Owned other luxury cars and there is NOTHING like my Audi. I DEFINITELY will trade for another. My gas mileage exceeds 24 MPG on highway and 18 city. The highlight is Tiptronic transmission and all wheel drive. An absolute pleasure in the winter. Believe me the car doesn't know the difference between summer driving and winter roads. Try one you will fall in love.

Favorite Features

All wheel drive, gas mileage, Tiptronic trans, ride

Suggested Improvements

GPS could be more detailed and a touch screen addition would be great. Analog telephone service is a low spot. Oh yes the mirror control switch feels like weak plastic. Actually feels out of place with all of the fine interior appointments.

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

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Audi A8L

Written by: allan gushue on 02/14/2006

Vehicle

2005 Audi A8 L quattro AWD 4dr Sedan (4.2L 8cyl 6A)

Review

The Audi A8 l has been a pleasure to drive. Great for long trips...perfect high way auto.

Favorite Features

MMI system is easy to use. The navigation system is easy to use.

Suggested Improvements

Low end performance, not other complaints. Bumper sensors and turn signals should be louder...can not hear either with the radio on low volume. Better side mirrors...still has blind spots

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WOW, what a car!

Written by: Simontemplar265 on 01/10/2006

Vehicle

2005 Audi A8 L quattro AWD 4dr Sedan (4.2L 8cyl 6A)

Review

I've had them all, Beemers Mercs, Lexus LS 430 and SC430's, none come close. This is the finest of the big boys. Commodius, like a limo, drives and handles and fun with the triptonic. Eats up the miles and I have 7 speeding tickets to prove it (time for a radar detector). At 130 mph it's like sitting in your living room and watching television in a very comfortable seat: If you try it, you'll buy it!. No squeaks or rattles after 20,000 miles. What a car!

Favorite Features

Tiptronic, MMI, Sirius Radio, 19 position seats, memory seats, bose stereo, huge trunk, lots of leg room front and rear.

Suggested Improvements

none

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Best money I ever spent on a car.

Written by: Ken on 01/09/2006

Vehicle

2005 Audi A8 L quattro AWD 4dr Sedan (4.2L 8cyl 6A)

Review

The car is quiet - a great mobile office. But, with the optional paddle- shifters, it's also like driving my S4 sport convertible, only heavier. It corners, accelerates, and responds phenominally. I've driven them all - this is the best interior, most luxurious, fun, responsive luxury sport-sedan in the $80-120K range. Go for the paddles, the massage & ventilated seats, and the large multi-spoke wheels. I love my black, but it's sweet in the grays too. Awesome in snow or on a sunny, winding road. MMI computer system is easy to read. Bluetooth phone system is excellent. Best $$$ I ever spent on a car!

Favorite Features

Paddle shifters, hydraulic options, luxurious interior, excellent handling, acceleration, and navigation. corners vwell, very quiet. Fun, dynamite sound system. Pampering front AND back seat for passengers, friends, family, clients, to be treated like royalty. Sport, luxury, mobile office all 1.

Suggested Improvements

Heads-up display for MMI. more voice commands including numbers in hundreds for phone or radio. Voice for lights. More voice vocabulary. Better gas mileage & even more power - hybrid or cruise on 4 cylinders??? Slightly more aggressive styling. Definitely needs chrome exhaust tips, PLEASE!

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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