2000 Audi A8 Review
Price Estimate: $3,265 - $5,295

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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Lightweight aluminum body, powerful engine, sumptuous luxury, all-wheel drive.
Cons
- Price paid for advanced technology, tight rear-seat accommodations, overly soft suspension.
What’s new
Updated styling in the form of a revised grille, enlarged headlights, added chrome and aluminum trim and reshaped bumpers provides a subtle new look. Inside, new interior surfaces and standard Valcona leather intensify an already richly appointed cabin. Revised switchgear makes it easier to pilot the A8, and a new navigation system is available. A new 4.2-liter, 40-valve V8 resides under the hood, and aluminum suspension components reduce unsprung weight and enhance handling. A long wheelbase version (A8L) is now available for increased comfort of rear passengers, and comes standard with an electronic stability control system and navigation system.
Edmunds says
While the A8 and A8 L aren't top performers in the super-luxury sedan segment, their well-appointed cabins and all-wheel drive make them feasible alternatives to offerings from BMW, Lexus and Mercedes.
For sale near Iselin, NJ
Vehicle overview
Introduced in 1997, he A8 is aging gracefully. Sporting senior A4 styling, sumptuous interior appointments, and the revolutionary Audi Space Frame (ASF), the A8 is lighter, tighter and more responsive than many other super-luxury competitors. But to remain competitive, Audi has subtly updated its flagship sedan with numerous improvements for 2000.
The highly regarded ASF remains intact this year. Employing lightweight aluminum-alloy construction, ASF is designed to provide superior structural rigidity, improved handling and responsiveness, better fuel efficiency and easier recycling. Audi furthers the use of aluminum in the A8 for 2000 by adding suspension components constructed of the stuff to reduce unsprung weight and improve responsiveness and handling. Improvements in ride comfort are also on tap for 2000.
Two models are available for 2000. The A8 4.2 Quattro, which has all-wheel drive, is powered by a new 310-horsepower, 4.2-liter V8 engine under the hood. Sporting 40-valves, this new V8 makes peak power between 3,000 and 4,000 rpm. It's smoother, more responsive, and more fuel-efficient than last year's motor. Then there's the A8 L, which adds five inches to the standard A8's wheelbase, yielding increased legroom for rear passengers.
The safety of your passengers is a priority in the A8. This year, Audi adds its Sideguard head airbag system to the A8. Sideguard consists of inflatable curtain airbags installed in the headliner along each side of the car, which cover the windows in the event of an accident. These airbags, remain inflated for five seconds to protect the head in case the vehicle rolls over.
Audi's vaunted quattro all-wheel-drive system is standard. Additionally, Electronic Differential Locking (EDL) provides low-speed traction control operating through the standard ABS. Optional on the A8 and standard on the L is the Electronic Stability Program (ESP), which is designed to make the car easier to control near the limits of adhesion.
Inside, drivers will find a revised interior slathered in real wood and new-for-2000 Valcona leather upholstery. Instrumentation has also been updated for 2000, and it's superbly user-friendly. A navigation system is standard on the L and optional on the A8, eschewing the traditional in-dash screen in favor of a more subdued readout that shares space with the information center in the gauge cluster.
Despite its rather expensive price tag, the A8's technological advances and long list of standard equipment should prove desirable enough to continue bringing BMW, Lexus and Benz intenders into Audi showrooms.
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in New Jersey
$216/mo for A8 L quattro
A8 L quattro
vs
$196/mo
Avg. Large Car
Reliability
The 2000 Audi A8 has 2 recalls. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.
Recalls
2 recalls foundChecking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.
If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).
- Recall Number:
- 08V397000
- Manufacturer Recall Number:
- 37D5/J2
- Manufactured from:
- 1995-07-19 to 2002-08-14
- Number of vehicles affected:
- 13900
- Defect Description:
- VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 13,900 MY 1996-2003 AUDI A8 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 5-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE LOCKING CABLE MAY MOVE OUT OF POSITION OVER TIME. WITH THE LOCKING CABLE OUT OF POSITION, THE SHIFTER CAN BE MOVED OUT OF THE "PARK" POSITION EVEN IF THE IGNITION KEY IS NOT IN THE IGNITION LOCK.
- Defect Consequence:
- THIS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL, CAUSING A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
- Corrective Action:
- DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LOCKING CABLE BY INSTALLING AN ADJUSTING PIECE THAT WILL SECURE THE LOCKING CABLE IN PLACE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.
- Recall Number:
- 01V259000
- Manufactured from:
- 2000-02-01 to 2000-07-31
- Number of vehicles affected:
- 600
- Defect Description:
- VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A FUEL AND VAPOR LEAK DETECTION SYSTEM. A "BLIND COVER" AT THE FILLER NECK OF THE FUEL TANK MAY NOT SEAL PROPERLY ALLOWING FUEL VAPOR TO ESCAPE.
- Defect Consequence:
- SHOULD THIS HAPPEN, THE FUEL TANK PRESSURE WILL BE REDUCED, WHICH WILL ACTIVATE THE LEAK DETECTION SYSTEM AND ALERT THE DRIVER OF A SYSTEM'S FAULT INDICATED BY AN INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHT.
- Corrective Action:
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILLER NECK/EXPANSION TANK ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 21, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT AUDI AT 1-866-892-2834.
Audi A8 Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
1999 Audi A8
4.75 out of 5 starsaudi99, 07/19/2013
1999 Audi A8 quattro 4dr Sedan AWD
Great Car. I have owned this car since 2000 with 18,000 miles and now have 152,000. I have minor repairs done to this car like a few of the 4 ball joints that are on both sides of the car. Cruise control brake switch and thermostat. The front seat is sagging a little bit and I may take it apart to adjust. The center arm rest broke so I repaired it myself. I replaced the timing belt and … water pump at 100,000. I recommend changing the thermostat at same time as timing belt and water pump. I have not had any transmission problems and I have not changed transmission fluid. I don't drive it hard and fast and that policy seems to help longevity of any car.
Deep pockets required
3.25 out of 5 starsnomoreaudi, 02/26/2006
1999 Audi A8 quattro 4dr Sedan AWD
A beautiful car; smooth and quiet ride. Was looking forward to several years of ownership and driving pleasure. However, transmission trouble, numerous MIL error codes and gasket leaks generated enormous shop bills, (primarily the labor to diagnose problem & access components for servicing). There are few options for service outside of the dealer network. Yet, dealers and independent … shops that specialize in German automobile service alike seemed puzzled by some of the issues this car presented. At purchase time, it looked like a bargain in comparison to the Lexus LS400. However, long term cost of ownership is outrageous. 1 year repair/maint. costs exceeded $7K with no end in sight.
Excellent car, but be warned..
4.63 out of 5 starsJeremy, 12/12/2007
2000 Audi A8 quattro 4dr Sedan AWD
I purchased my A8 used w/ 56K. It handles wonderfully for a large sedan and I average about 17/25 on premium fuel. I have found it to be both sophisticated and understated; and if you are looking for such a vehicle, it should be verboten for one not to at least consider the A8. That being said, I have had reliability issues. My thermostat had to be replaced, which required replacing … the t and s belts, as well as the water pump, the CV boot tore causing my brake pad light to go off (?), my driver's interior door handle randomly broke and my radio randomly died. I have spent nearly $3,000 in the last yr. on this vehicle.
Unbelieveably Bad Experience
3.88 out of 5 starspaul, 05/22/2005
2000 Audi A8 quattro 4dr Sedan AWD
I've always loved the A8 and was pleased as punch when I finally found mine. But I've had nothing but trouble from this car. A year after purchase the 'check engine' idiot light came high. Audi diagnosed it as a bad tank of gas and reset it. A few months later, same thing. I wanted a true diagnosis. $4300 in diagnostic fees later, it's diagnosed as a broken valve spring requiring … the heads be removed. Just this past week (May 2005) the steering started making noise. This diagnosis? An irreplaceable bearing in the electronic steering column -- the entire column needs to be replaced. The cost? Estimated at $2200.... Audi offered blue book on a trade, I declined. I'm turning Japanese.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2000 Audi A8, so we've included reviews for other years of the A8 since its last redesign.
2000 A8 Highlights
quattro
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 18 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $216/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 17.6 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | all 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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