1998 Audi A8 Review
1998 Audi A8 Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Light weight. Powerful engine. Sumptuous luxury. All-wheel drive.
Cons
- There is a price to be paid for technology in terms of interior size and MSRP.
What’s new
Tiptronic automanual gear shifting is standard, as is a glass sunroof, dual-pane laminated window glass, an improved stereo and an upgraded antilock braking system.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1998 Audi A8 4dr Sedan and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.36 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$220/mo for A8 Base
A8 Base
vs
$213/mo
Avg. Large Car
Vehicle overview
After 10 years, 40 patents and intensive collaboration with aluminum giant Alcoa, Audi has created the technological tour de force called A8. Sporting senior A4 styling, sumptuous interior appointments and the revolutionary Audi Space Frame (ASF), the A8 is lighter, tighter and more responsive than competitors such as the BMW 7-Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
The ASF employs lightweight aluminum alloy construction designed to provide superior structural rigidity, improved handling and responsiveness, better fuel efficiency and easier recycling. Two models are available; the A8 3.7 with front-wheel drive is powered by a 3.7-liter twin-cam aluminum-alloy V8 engine that produces 230 horsepower, and the A8 4.2 Quattro has all-wheel drive and a 300-horsepower 4.2-liter twin-cam aluminum-alloy V8 engine under the hood. The 4.2 Quattro also comes standard with a 200-watt Audi/BOSE Music System.
A8 3.7s are equipped with the same four-link front suspension design found on the A4. This setup virtually removes torque steer while providing precise, neutral steering. Both models have a fully independent rear suspension, which features passive rear-wheel steering to help stabilize the A8's handling at all speeds. Standard Electronic Differential Locking (EDL) provides low-speed traction control operating through the antilock braking system on all A8s, while the A8 3.7 also benefits from Anti-slip Regulation (ASR) which controls wheel slippage at all speeds by modulating engine power.
Airbags are provided for all passengers. Dual front airbags are supplemented by side airbags tucked into the front seats. Rear passengers also get side airbags, mounted to the seat rather than the door panel. Other features include special glass that blocks 99 percent of UV radiation and 30 percent of total radiation energy and a climate control system that circulates residual heat from the engine through the interior to keep things warm on very cold days. Optional is a warm weather package that includes a power rear window sunshade and a solar sunroof that generates its own electricity to provide fresh air ventilation while the car is parked in the hot sun.
Standard is an ergonomic interior slathered in burled walnut and Nappa leather upholstery. Instrumentation is superb and features soothing red nighttime backlighting. Front seats are power adjustable in 14 different ways, and a memory feature accommodates four different settings for the driver's seat, exterior mirrors, driver's headrest height and steering wheel position. The steering wheel tilts out of the way when the key is removed from the ignition. The automatic dual-zone temperature controls employ two sunlight sensors to help maintain accuracy. A central locking system controls windows, door locks, sunroof, trunk and fuel door. All windows have one-touch up/down function, enhanced by a pinch protection system.
For 1998, Audi modifies little on the A8. The automatic transmission gets Tiptronic shifting controls, technically converting the transmission to automanual status. A glass sunroof replaces the aluminum panel design from 1997. The ABS system and stereos are improved. Xenon gas-discharge headlights are optional this year. New colors include Melange and Andorra Red.
Audi claims that the A8 4.2 Quattro will get from rest to 60 mph a hair under seven seconds. Retail price is exactly $65,000 at this writing. In comparison, the 740iL runs a smidge more, while the Mercedes-Benz S320 short-wheelbase model runs a tad less. The A8 3.7, at more than $57,000, is more expensive than the Cadillac STS, the Infiniti Q45 and the Lexus LS400. Audi is on a roll lately, thanks to the excellent A4 sedan, which manages to undercut nearly all of its competition in the entry-level luxury class without sacrificing the luxury portion of the equation. Time will tell if the rather expensive A8's technological advances are desirable enough to bring BMW, Lexus and Benz intenders into Audi showrooms.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1998 Audi A8.
5 star(72%)
4 star(24%)
3 star(4%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(0%)
29 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.5 out of 5 stars
LOVE THIS CAR!!!!
KD, 08/05/2006
1997 Audi A8 quattro 4dr Sedan AWD
I purchased this car new. I feel it is an AWESOME car, the experience to have this car will stay in my memory forever. I LOVE the way it drives, very powerful and solid, can move QUICKLY when needed and beautiful inside and out! I can't imagine driving another car!
4.63 out of 5 stars
Audi A8
Anonymous, 12/06/2010
1997 Audi A8 quattro 4dr Sedan AWD
Very well engineered car. Interior is awesome. Leather is still soft, no rattles, everything works, very solid car. Engine is teriffic. Smooth, quiet, with enough power to get you where you are going. Suspension is a little loose for my tastes, but very smooth over bumps. Steering is feather light and very nice. Transmission had failed at 170k. Not unexpectedly with the D2 A8. Tranny … shifts are slow and tall gearing can make the car feel slow when not in the correct gear. Fuel mileage is great for a car this big at about 25 mpg average when using cruise most of the time. I've had to replace a couple of things here and there but nothing out of the ordinary.
4.88 out of 5 stars
The Perfect Sleeper
svxit, 08/12/2004
1998 Audi A8 quattro 4dr Sedan AWD
This car is fast, comfortable, low-key
and generally a joy to drive. For a car
with a 300 hp v-8 and all-wheel drive,
it has an unbelievable range on the
highway. And because of the car's
rarity, it's not nearly as likely to
"walk off" (get stolen) as a Camry or
Accord. Also, because these cars
depreciated so heavily, they are a
fantastic buy.
5 out of 5 stars
97 Audi A8 awsome car
Chris, 02/14/2016
1997 Audi A8 quattro 4dr Sedan AWD
This is my second Audi a8 my first one was totaled but it definitely saved my life when hit a huge elk buck on 285 outside of Buena Vista . This car is the safest car structurally I've ever owned
The elk was tossed up into the air when I hit it on drivers side at 70 mph. It landed on the windshield/roof and sunroof. This elk was huge and I would have been killed if not for how … structurally sound this car is
In any other car it would have crushed it up like an aluminum can
For a car that is over a decade old it still turns heads great ageless design. In the past I have owned both a Mercedes S 500 and a BMW 740il. The Audi A8 is by far the all around winner and it's AWD which neither the BMW or Mercedes was in 97 it's a beast in the snow as I reside in Colorado.
I did have to R&R the ZF5 HP24, not an easy job,but we'll worth it. This car is so comfortable to drive on long road trips
Set the cruise control and lounge back in the 12 way adjustable/heated seats
You can feel the quality that was built into this car you can tell that this car was 75k new
We have a limited number of reviews for the 1998 Audi A8, so we've included reviews for other years of the A8 since its last redesign.
1998 A8 Highlights
Base
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 18 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $220/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 17.6 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original0
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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