2006 Audi A8 Consumer Discussions

Audi A8

• Re: 2007 & 2008 Audi A8 [niccolai]

  Written by: crudgy on Feb 21, 2010 3:40:48 PM

  we have a 2006 A8...our needs have changed ..has 12000 km on it...no problems so far

• Re: Considering Audi A8 2004 [abarmard]

  Written by: ptf1 on Jan 5, 2010 5:16:13 PM

  I purchased a 2004 A8L with 26K miles in September of 2006 for $40,000 which was a great deal at the time. The car was pristine when I bought it. I have regretted the purchase ever since. The car has been nothing but trouble, and not just electrical, I've had a lot of mechanical problems too. At first it was under warranty, but once the warranty expired ( I didn't buy ... Read More

• Re: Considering Audi A8 2004 [abarmard]

  Written by: djt21 on Jan 3, 2010 4:52:00 PM

  I purchased a 2006 audi certified pre-owned A8L about four months ago with 47,000 miles on it. prior to the a8 I owned several s430's and s500's. I do feel the audi is a superior car to the prevoius generation mb s class, fit and finish is fantiastic and material quality is first rate. Before I purchased I visited consumer reports and jd power, they both gave the a8 a decent ... Read More

Audi A8 Lease Questions

• Re: Lease 07 A8L Should I wait? [clueless11]

  Written by: rjlaero on Jul 17, 2007 6:46:42 AM

  That doesn't sound too bad of a deal. You're looking at 1400 month + on a new A8 with at least 4,000-5000 down. I would verify that this A8 is certifed. I would never want to own an A8 out of warranty, so be careful about that. Also, be aware that Audi changed it's policy and you can no longer transfer the 6/100k warranty. I think it was Aug/Sept of 2006 ... Read More

Audi A8

• Re: How reliable is a used 2006/2007 A8? [djt21]

  Written by: ayyate on Jun 25, 2009 6:29:40 PM

  As the past owner of a 1999 and a 2005 A8, and now an S8, I can say that my experiences have always been favorable. However, I have not had a high mileage car, generally parting with them at around 50k miles or so. In spite of the car being more technologically advanced than the smaller Audis, it seems like they have fewer problems. I should add that my wife and ... Read More

• How reliable is a used 2006/2007 A8?

  Written by: djt21 on Jun 15, 2009 8:08:36 PM

  I have several friends with older 1998-2003 audi's of various models (with moderate mileage - about 60k), they often complain or electrical gremlins and various other component failures with their cars. I'm looking for feedback from 2006/2007 A8 owners and their reliability experiences.

Audi A8 and S8 Prices Paid and Buying Experience

• Re: Audi '08 residual down? [technar]

  Written by: clembo on Jan 16, 2008 6:58:39 PM

  I have a 2006 A8 as well coming off lease next month, same story applies here. As much as I love my A8, I am reconsidering my options.

High End Luxury Cars

• Re: BMW sets 2006 profit record [hpowders]

  Written by: lexusguy on Mar 9, 2007 7:26:15 AM

  Audi sales are still a tiny fraction of BMW's, especially at the 5 and 7 level. At least in this market anyway. In Europe you can bet BMW is very worried about Audi. In the states Audi still needs to work on their marketing, especially on the A6 and A8. Their rapidly expanding lineup is great, but they need the core models to sell, first.

• Re: Doc [tagman]

  Written by: brightness04 on Jan 24, 2007 5:55:34 PM

  Audi market share in HELC is not just small; it's next to non-existent. You can find the most recent monthly and annual sales number: http://www.aicautosite.com/editoria/asmr/svsedan.asp Lexus LS460/430 sold 3865 in December, 26k in 2005; MB S class 2987 in December, 16k in 2005, 31k in 2006; BMW 7 series over 2k in November, 18k in 2005; Audi A8? 323 in Dec, 557 in Nov, about 5k for both 05/06 Audi is ... Read More

Audi A8 Lease Questions

• A8L (2006 or 2007)

  Written by: iamtheid on Jan 7, 2007 10:44:33 PM

  I know that I had the best deal in my 2005 A8L, the last year Audi covered everything, not just scheduled maintenance, and sold the tire/wheel package, and had OnStar, etc. But my car was almost $90k plus extra options. How can yours be so cheap? I had the 19" wheels, but I also had every option "except" the solar sunroof, plus the tire/wheel 48 month option, Auto-Armor, VERY IMPORTANT in ... Read More

High End Luxury Cars

• Re: The C&D Comparo [hpowders]

  Written by: merc1 on Dec 25, 2006 9:55:07 PM

  I have never, ever seen so much whinning over a comparo. Now people are claiming to know many editors and how they're such an expert in the publishing industry so they're qualified to say the review was a joke. Knowing editors for non-automotive publications and being in the publishing industry has what exactly to do with testing cars? Yes, Car and Driver, the home of more LS400 and LS430 wins than ... Read More

• Re: Hp [reality2]

  Written by: syswei on Dec 12, 2006 3:30:22 AM

  the A8...is an amazing vehicle that the LS can only aspire to Maybe you should consider test driving an LS before making such a sweeping statement? Here is what one fellow had to say about the LS as compared to A8 (source CL): Wow, I never thought I would finally say this from an age of 24, that the LS460L is one piece of fine machinery! It moves effortlessly and it ... Read More

• LS460 Debacle.....

  Written by: merc1 on Dec 11, 2006 3:31:03 PM

  Sword down for a moment. In reading the LS board I sense that some have decided to leave us again because there hasn't been enough praise of the new LS. In fairness, the review in which one compares the LS460L to the E63 AMG is bunk and not at all fair to the LS460L. Car and Driver's comparo while having some curious points concerning weight and having used a pre-production LS460L, ... Read More

• Turmoil

  Written by: esf on Nov 29, 2006 7:41:07 PM

  I, too, look at AutoSpies sometimes to watch the posts. It's pretty hilarious. The people there are in constant fighting- it's like Lexus vs. Audi vs. BMW all the time! It's much more civilized here. And I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm assessing all the cars in the high-end class, from worst to best: Jaguar XJ: Old-world British charm just doesn't cut it any more. This car is beautiful ... Read More

• Re: I wonder... [blkhemi]

  Written by: merc1 on Sep 14, 2006 3:34:18 AM

  I doubt if we'll see any 6-cylinder or even smaller V8 model from BMW, Mercedes, or Jaguar here anymore in their top sedan models. BMW sells both a 730i and 740i Europe, I6 and 4.0L V8 models respectively. If I'm not mistaken the 740i has 306hp, and the 730i has 230hp? Not really sure about the 730i. Audi and Jaguar also have smaller engined versions of their flagship cars over there ... Read More

• Re: Canadian Driver August 15, 2006 [hpowders]

  Written by: merc1 on Aug 15, 2006 3:49:12 AM

  Well in all fairness it appears that the press introduction didn't include any LS460s with the sportier suspension setup. There is another review, just posted on the British site Autocar. See article. A few quotes: At its core, the new 375bhp, 4.6-litre V8 provides excellent performance (0-62mph in 5.7sec) but needs to be worked hard to deliver it. That strongly suggests that it actually needs its eight gears rather the transmission ... Read More

Audi A8 Lease Questions

• Re: Lease Info for A8L [guedo]

  Written by: Car_man on Jul 10, 2006 2:46:15 AM

  Hello guedo. If you lease a 2006 Audi A8 4.2L through Audi Financial Services right now for 24 months with 15,000 miles per year, its buy rate lease money factor and residual value should be .00145 and 56%, respectively. The numbers for an otherwise identical 36 month lease should be .00145 and 44%. You definitely do not want to lease this car for 48 months. Audi is not providing lease support ... Read More

Audi A8 and S8 Prices Paid and Buying Experience

• Re: The A8 is [blkhemi]

  Written by: coloradoa8l on May 29, 2006 11:59:14 AM

  Dude your dreaming! Try 26.6 Billion in revenue and 1.3 billion in profit! That's 14.6% more than last year. Audi has sold more cars each and every year for 10 years straight. It's not how many sell each month but the overall picture. A8 Sales up 4.1% from previous year. Would you like to Retract that statement that Audi is "not a hot selling car"??? If your dealer had more A8's ... Read More

Audi A8

• Re: 2006 A8 swb WINTER MATS also NEW EXPERIENCES [blkhemi]

  Written by: rspivak on Feb 28, 2006 7:43:57 PM

  I have also found Discount Auto mats that color match and seem to initially fit rather well. Think they may end up sliding around a bit, but should work. Still don't understand why Audi doesn't make mats for the car. Thanks.

• Re: 2006 A8 swb WINTER MATS also NEW EXPERIENCES [rspivak]

  Written by: blkhemi on Feb 28, 2006 3:54:07 PM

  I went through great trouble myself finding winter/slush mats for my W-12. So I did what my old man would do, go to Wal-mart and buy the color matching interior for $25. Get that: A set of $25 floormats in a $125k car(lol). Funny thing is, they match the cashmere interior of my car exactly. I bought them for the simple reason that they are trimmable, meaning that I can fit ... Read More

• 2006 A8 swb WINTER MATS also NEW EXPERIENCES

  Written by: rspivak on Feb 28, 2006 11:38:31 AM

  Have great trouble finding rubber, harsh weather mats for the car. Cleveland and ski country weather requires mats with sand beige interior. Any ideas - Audi only makes the lwb version mats, correct? Great so far, just out of a BMW 745iL so no drastic shift in cars. Think the A8 better in some respects,(MMI, interior, exterior looks (Northern Blue) 19"), some harshness on the road that the BMW isolated you ... Read More

Audi A8 Lease Questions

• Re: Re: Re: Current Lease Deals on the A8 [smittyj]

  Written by: Car_man on Feb 20, 2006 3:03:04 AM

  Hey smittyj. So your car has finally arrived. You must be excited. I know that I would be. Here is the latest lease info for you. If you were to lease a 2006 Audi A8L through Audi Financial Services right now for 36 months with 12,000 miles per year, its buy rate lease money factor and residual value should be .00185 and 57%, respectively. Again, this car's 10,000 miles per year ... Read More

High End Luxury Cars

• 2006 Detroit Autoshow Pics.....HELM (cont.)

  Written by: merc1 on Jan 22, 2006 10:43:42 PM

  Last but not least, Audi and BMW: Audi: Q7: The S8 with the big grille everyone hates and one regular A8: RS4: S6: BMW: A few more from Mercedes-Benz: M

• 2006 Detroit Autoshow Report!

  Written by: merc1 on Jan 18, 2006 11:23:29 PM

  Well I'm back. I see I haven't missed anything, but 325+ posts about the same stuff we've been arguing about for years now it seems!! I may or may not go back through all of those posts to respond to some of the more curious items. Anyway, down to business. This year's NAIAS was without a doubt the best I've ever been too. The sheer number of new cars and stunning ... Read More

• From the NY Times

  Written by: ljflx on Jan 11, 2006 7:59:38 AM

  Note the View from Here line. Apparently Lexus doesn't think much of the A8 as it excludes Audi completely by considering only two German competitors. Note also the price issue. This will probably be a car that tops out in the 75K-79K range in a fully loaded LWB edition, 65-70K in the SWB edition and probably in the 85-95K range in the hybrid version where there will be some goodies avaialable ... Read More

• Re: 2005 sales [oac]

  Written by: merc1 on Jan 9, 2006 1:36:43 AM

  Oh, wrt the new LS460, so far I have stayed on the sidelines reading everything before commenting. I wanted to read many opinions and see lots of pictures. Appears that overall, MORE people like it than not. That is good. Me, I got my check in hand now. My search for a replacement for my '99 LS is over already. The newly styled LS460 SWB with its 380bhp, mid-20 mpg, 8-speed ... Read More

Audi A8 Lease Questions

• Re: Re: Re: Current Lease Deals on the A8 [smittyj]

  Written by: Car_man on Dec 5, 2005 3:59:13 AM

  Hi smittyj. If you were to lease a 2006 Audi A8L through Audi Financial Services in December for 36 months with 12,000 miles per year, its buy rate lease money factor and residual value should be .00205 and 59%, respectively. This car's 10,000 miles per year residual value would be 1% higher. I'm really not sure what the market is like for the A8 is like right now, so I can't ... Read More

High-End European Luxury Sedans

• Re: Good topic! [blckislandguy]

  Written by: merc1 on Nov 26, 2005 11:30:24 AM

  I'd say you're right, very few if any S-Class/7-Series/A8 buyers are going to buy a Quattroporte as a direct replacement IMO. The car's ride and tranny are nothing like those cars according to everyone who has driven it. The Quattroporte is more of a 4-door Ferrari. Now reportedly they're working on a regular automatic version and a V12 version also with a regular 6-speed automatic. Adding a regular automatic should open ... Read More

Audi A8 Lease Questions

• Re: Audi A8: Lease Questions [Car_man]

  Written by: lefty3 on Nov 4, 2005 6:48:36 AM

  I received this quote from a dealer I would like feedback. In addition it is possible that 12K miles is too tight but 15K miles way too much. It is a 2006 Quartz Gray with the Black leather interior. It is equipped with the premium package and the Sport package with all-season tires. In addition it also has the XM satellite Radio and the adaptive cruise control. MSRP of this vehicle ... Read More

Audi A8

• Audis on the road

  Written by: emauss on Oct 29, 2005 6:25:38 AM

  I have been looking and have not seen any 2006 A8s on the road. I will be renting from Hertz. It is one of the cars in their prestige program. I have rented Volvos from then in the past. (e)

Audi A8 Lease Questions

• Re: Re: Re: Current Lease Deals on the A8

  Written by: Car_man on Oct 26, 2005 3:00:14 AM

  Here you go smittyj. If you were to lease a 2006 A8 LWB through Audi Financial Services right now for 24 months with 12,000 miles per year, its buy rate lease money factor and residual value should be .00185 and 71%, respectively. The numbers for an otherwise identical 36 month lease should be .00185 and 59%. Its 10,000 miles per year residual values are 1% higher. Car_man Host Smart Shopper / ... Read More

High-End European Luxury Sedans

• Re: New Audi S8 [scott1256]

  Written by: merc1 on Oct 23, 2005 1:36:57 PM

  Well I think they'll both have to be seen in person before making final judgements, imo. The grille on the Audis looks good to me. All 2006 A8s have the big grille not just the W12 version like on 2005 models. As for the wheel arches on the S I think it is severly dependent on angle - at least in photographs. All nice pics imo, even stunning. However........ these same ... Read More

High End Luxury Cars

• Re: 2007 Lexus LS [lexusguy]

  Written by: merc1 on Oct 19, 2005 12:57:04 PM

  We'll people always bashed Lexus for not having any kind of styling "direction" and that each car just kind of did its own thing. Now they are starting to build some cars with a "family" resemblance, and you're bashing them for that. What should they do? No I'm not bashing them for having a family resemblance, I'm just wondering if all the MB/Audi detractors that bashed Audi and especially Mercedes for ... Read More

Audi A8 Lease Questions

• Re: Re: Current Lease Deals on the A8

  Written by: Car_man on Oct 16, 2005 8:39:39 AM

  Thanks for the additional information, keyes. If you were to lease a 2006 Audi A8 through Audi Financial Services right now for 36 months with 15,000 miles per year, its buy rate lease money factor and residual value should be .00160 and 55%, respectively. The numbers for an otherwise identical lease of a 2006 A8L should be .00185 and 57%. These cars' 12,000 miles per year residual values are 2% higher ... Read More

Audi A8

• Re: Surely [anthonyp]

  Written by: zangelina on Sep 11, 2005 7:50:24 AM

  I test drove both the sports and standard suspension versions for the 2005 A8 and ended up choosing the standard suspension for the 2006 A8 I ended up buying. In my opinion, the sports suspension version did not handle much better than the standard one and I found the ride of the sports suspension model to be rather rigid and uncomfortable. So far, I have primarily been driving using the automatic ... Read More

• Re: A8 Lemon? [johnj01]

  Written by: zangelina on Sep 9, 2005 12:36:30 PM

  No problems so far with my 2006 A8 and I already have over a thousand miles on it. I love it. I did not even consider BMW or Mercedes but did look at a Lexus LS and the Lexus RX Hybrid. Once I drove the Audi I knew I wanted it and there really was no comparison between Lexus and Audi from my perspective.

• Audi A8 L - Lease Terms?

  Written by: audibuyer on Aug 12, 2005 8:50:45 PM

  I am in the process of negotiating a lease for a 2005 Audi A8 L...what do you think about these terms? $76,570 :MSRP $70,570 ($1,000 Below invoice) : Agreed SALES PRICE $2,000 :Down payment Dealer is paying for Taxes Dealer is paying $574 Destination .0009 : Money Factor 56% : RSV 36 Months 12,000 Miles MONTHLY PAYMENTS: $864.50 (I am trying to get them down to $850) Do you think this ... Read More

• Info on Colors, etc for 2006

  Written by: emauss on Sep 4, 2005 11:07:57 AM

  The following was taken from: http://www.audiworld.com/news/05/my2006changes/ ...and I quote " Audi A8 MY 2006 New single-frame grille for all A8s Audi Parking System with graphic display Adaptive front light for all A8s Heated steering wheel controlled by a separate switch available Wood-segment steering wheel available (standard W12) 18" 5-spoke wheel standard New 18" Y-spoke wheel 19" performance tire now only avail w/ sport package Rainsensor standard (added to existing light sensor) ... Read More

• Re: Sports Setting [anthonyp]

  Written by: zangelina on Aug 31, 2005 6:44:00 AM

  I just took delivery of a fully loaded 2006 standard wheel base A8. I test drove both the sports and standard suspension versions. I ended up buying the standard version and have been driving using the automatic setting for the adaptive air suspension. The automatic setting is perfect and is not at all squishy. The lift mode is awesome if you have to drive on any dirt roads. I did not ... Read More

High-End European Luxury Sedans

• Re: Sales etc. [markcincinnati]

  Written by: merc1 on Aug 10, 2005 1:44:55 AM

  Interesting post Mark. I don't think a lot of people look at these issues like we do here on Edmunds. It doesn't surprise me at all that the E outsells the 5-Series. Surveys aside I'm surprised the E and the 5 are selling at the rate they are considering all the new competition in the segment. I think Audi's problem in the U.S. is exposure. I've seen several posts on one ... Read More

Audi A8

• Re: unreasonable expectations?!? [joelk01]

  Written by: esf on Apr 20, 2005 7:03:44 PM

  I just cannot believe this: So many people are having problems with their A8s, and while I don't have an A8, the worst I had on my prior Audi ('00 A6 2.7T) was that the headlight washer caps came off when they were opening in a high intensity storm! I'm about to own a brand new Sprint Blue S4 Cabriolet (coming next week), and I don't think it'll have any significant ... Read More

• Re: 2006 A8 [audios2]

  Written by: esf on Apr 20, 2005 6:51:21 PM

  Wow- you're making a big step up from your A6 2.7T. I recently traded mine in, and we're waiting for a Sprint Blue S4 Cabriolet, at about $60,600; to come next week. It's absolutely gorgeous- I was thinking of a 2005 A6 4.2 or S4 sedan, but after I drove the S4 Cabriolet and saw the looks of envy and admiration from others, I knew there was nowhere else to go. ... Read More

• Re: 2006 A8 [loslobos71]

  Written by: audios2 on Apr 3, 2005 12:18:16 PM

  I am on the waiting list for the new 2006 A8 short wheel base, and my dealer also said that the car would be getting the trapezoidal grill similar to the new 2005 A6. He never mentioned anything about the back appearance. I have driven Audis since 1986 and love the car. I have had the 4000, 90, 90cs, A4, A6, and am currently driving an A6 2.7T. I wish they ... 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

• GS450

  Written by: merc1 on Feb 23, 2005 3:01:35 PM

  Well I think they should sell what is popular in whatever market they're in. Here an S-Class without leather and all the goodies simply wouldn't fly and I'm not sure I'd want one like that either to tell you the truth. The thing I'd like to see from Mercedes and BMW, Jaguar and Audi are smaller engined versions of their flagship cars. You know like the S350, 740i (300hp V8), XJ6 ... Read More

• 2005 Detroit Autoshow Report!

  Written by: merc1 on Jan 19, 2005 2:22:47 AM

  Fear not! Your annual Detroit Autoshow Report is here!   First off I'll say that the show is getting to crowded. There simply isn't enough space for every maker to display all their products. Only the luxury brands will be elaborated on here.   Audi - Each and every vehicle seemed to be a winner to everyone there. I personally love the new A6, grille and all. Ditto for the updated ... Read More

• The 2004 NAIAS Report (the luxury version)

  Written by: merc1 on Jan 21, 2004 10:50:19 PM

  I'll shorten this from the News and View version which covers "everything". I spent two days total at the show, it's so much more than Chicago's autoshow. Acura has proven to me that they don't hold water to the Euro luxury brands past the TL class. The RL and NSX sat unloved with all the attention at the Acura display going to the TL and TSX. I heard one person say, ... Read More

• merc1 - Your # 3876 Post

  Written by: jamesfletcher2 on Jan 7, 2004 7:43:18 PM

  merc1, Interesting observations from the Detroit Auto Show press/industry previews. I actually attended the Washington DC Auto Show this last weekend and am planning on going to the Detroit Show the weekend of the 18th. I will also be going to the NYC show in April since it is just a quick train ride from my NYC/NJ apartment. At first, I was puzzled by the new MY06 GS but the more ... Read More

Audi A8

• A8 SWB, A8L W12, S8 ?

  Written by: ksurg on Dec 16, 2003 4:31:27 PM

  By all accounts we should be seeing an A8SWB in the U.S., likely with identical 4.2l V8. The A8L will probably come with a W12 option or upgrade. The real question is will the S8 come with the twin turbo'd V8 presently in the RS-6 or the V10 featured in the Audi Le Mans. I favor the latter especially considering that they are talking about putting the V8tt in the RS-4 ... Read More

High End Luxury Cars

• New A8's coming???

  Written by: oriente on Nov 28, 2003 9:11:33 PM

  The item below comes from Autoweek, yet I could not verify the news at the USA Audi site. Can anyone confirm? (2239 Nov. 27, 2003) Audi says shorter-wheelbase A8, performance variants likely on way to U.S.   The 2004 Audi A8 L will probably have some company soon. (Photo © 2003 Ingo Barenschee) Don’t look for Audi to stand pat with its 2004 A8 L in the North American market. Though ... Read More

Audi A8

• Short Wheelbase A8

  Written by: oriente on Nov 27, 2003 8:10:16 PM

  Here is my latest finding on my favorite subjet. This comes from Autoweek, yet I could not verify the news at the USA Audi site. (2239 Nov. 27, 2003) Audi says shorter-wheelbase A8, performance variants likely on way to U.S.   The 2004 Audi A8 L will probably have some company soon. (Photo © 2003 Ingo Barenschee) Don’t look for Audi to stand pat with its 2004 A8 L in the ... Read More

High End Luxury Cars

• i_drive

  Written by: merc1 on Oct 20, 2003 9:43:42 PM

  Just a little ahead there....there won't be a new S-Class for the 05' model year. It's not scheduled to be shown until the Frankfurt autoshow of 2005, which means a spring 2006 debut here. It could debute at the Geneva show next spring, but I seriously doubt that. There won't be a "S430" or "S500" either, there will be all new direct-injection engines of different displacements. Now Mercedes might ignore the ... Read More

• my ranking of ultra luxury sedans

  Written by: libertycat on Jul 3, 2003 5:12:36 PM

  1)'04 Jaguar XJ Type 2)Infiniti Q45 3)'04 Audi A8 4)Lexus LS430 5)Mercedes-Benz S Class 6)BMW 7 Series 7)Volkswagen Phaeton Every one of these is a good car but this is the order in which I like them. I think Volvo needs to make an S100 to compete in this class. If you are interested in signing an internet petition for Volvo to make the S100 go to that chat under Future ... 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