Test drive Audi A8 D3 2003 - 2005 Sedan

Audi A8 (1994-2002 of the release)

Audi A8 became the first serial car with an aluminum body. But light metal repair is associated with heavy financial costs.
Audi's concern has come a difficult path to create a flagship of the brand. Audi 200, Audi V8 - The right steps in the right direction, but the ultimate goal was achieved only in A8. No one had such a car. Aluminum body - one. Aluminum multi -link suspension - two. Full -wheel drive - three. The representative sedan is four.
Audi A8 has been produced since 1994 and has been constantly modernized. The most noticeable update occurred in 1999, but only a fan of the brand will determine the outwardly distinction.
In addition to the usual A8, two interesting versions were produced. For fans of sports style, the modification of S8 was intended. Reduced road clearance, forced motor, sporting elements of decor. With a mechanical box, acceleration to 100 km/h takes only 5.4 seconds. Unfortunately, a little more will have to pay for the operation of the ESKA. Especially in winter: a low front spoiler remains in the ruts of the yards, which costs $ 300-400 for a new part with painting. This problem is unknown to the owners of A8 L ??- an elongated representative version. There are almost no differences in the operation of the Longs, but the price tag is higher.
In aluminum pants. As already mentioned, the A8 body is aluminum. Light weight, resistance to corrosion - plus. The cost of the body repair is minus. Most of the details are not worn, but changes entirely. Aluminum panels of the road on their own, add special fasteners, materials, qualifications of the master, special equipment to them. We assure you that after a major accident you will want, firstly, to restore the presentation as soon as possible, and secondly, to quickly recoup expenses and even sell the car. It is possible that the previous owner was guided by the same messages. When purchasing a car, look for traces of electrochemical corrosion - a certificate of poor -quality body repair.
A8 salons are very different in quality of materials depending on the motor and year of release. But any interior of the eight is practically not exposed to time. Even 300,000 runs do not affect the condition of the salon. It is better not to look for scuffs, but to sniff. It’s good if you smell expensive pipe tobacco. Worse, if the previous owner preferred Belomor. The skin of the upholstery absorbs smells for a long time, and even more so from cigarette smoke. Moreover, the car itself tries to detain it longer - the failures of the servings of the damper in the ventilation system are not uncommon. Repair cannot be called cheap-$ 200-300.
Light but strong. Four leading wheels, four liters under the hood - this is the portrait of a real A8. Eight -cylinder units are perfectly balanced, and the power plant in general is a reasonable compromise between power and operation costs.
Contrary to the established opinion, a six -cylinder engine of 2.8 liters is not so bad at all. Yes, its accelerated dynamics cannot be called hurricane, but there will be enough power for calm people. As well as a 2.5-liter diesel engine. Its 150 --180 horses are supported by a good torque, and there is no traction deficiency. From the category of exotic-12-cylinder A8 and diesel 3.3-liter V8. There are few such cars, riding them is a conscious choice of a person who knows what he spent money on.
The competent owners have not yet left its resource. If you attribute yourself to this, then power units will only bother with small problems. For example, moisture disables engine control unit ($ 2000), so once a year you need to look into a black box.
Audi diesel engines with unrequited combustion chambers are one of the best in the world and worthy of admiration. But this is not a reason to buy them. The economy of the A8 with a diesel engine is amazing-about 7--8 liters on the highway. But the cost of operating such a motor is higher. The new high -pressure fuel pump costs $ 3000, but we do not like fuel. Because of it, fuel, it is recommended to reduce interval intervals to 10 thousand km, and in dysfunctional regions - up to 7.5 thousand km. But gasoline versions require only every 15 thousand km. And then what savings are we talking about?
V-shaped gasoline six is \u200b\u200bmuch simpler and cheaper. In addition to periodic failures of lambda-zond ($ 200), she has no characteristic diseases. With a high mileage, an uncertain cold launch appears, and if the engine is troit, smokes, then the time has come to repair the cylinder head ($ 500-800).
Any Audi A8 gasoline engine cannot be pulled out - only the replacement of the cylinder block (up to $ 10 thousand). Therefore, when you are cheaply offered A8 with engine defects, do not agree.
The total feature of all gasoline versions is the probability of a timber belt break a little earlier than the period of 120,000 km prescribed by the manufacturer ends. A set of belt, rollers and pump pump costs, depending on the modification, $ 700--1000 is not so expensive compared to the consequences of a possible major repairs.
So, gasoline eights existed in two versions: 3.7 and 4.2 liters. When choosing between them, pay attention to a more powerful motor. The difference in dynamics is much more significant, and for maintenance it is still the same.
Tiptronic gearbox, although technically complex, but almost trouble -free. She first appeared precisely on A8, and there are no complaints about her work. If you want, you go on the machine, if you want - switch the programs yourself. Do as you want, but you will be unlikely to repair. If you do not kill the box consciously, except for the replacement of oil and filter ($ 200 for everything every 45 thousand km), it requires nothing. True, on the oldest machines, a manual gear mode often does not work, but this problem is solved inexpensively - $ 150. Sometimes seals flow, but their replacement costs mere pennies-$ 150--200.
  Solder of problems. To the question about the suspension: what is the same loose as on old A6? - Experts answer: otherwise! Aluminum, be it wrong. In Russia, the suspension requires sacrifice money for its aluminum altar every 20-30 thousand km. In details, the operation of the fight against Russian bumps looks like this: the lower levers ($ 500 apiece), stabilizer racks ($ 50)-every 20-30 thousand, steering tips ($ 100 apiece) and all other levers-60-70 thousand km . Shock absorbers change around 80 --100 thousand km, although it makes sense to put new ones a little earlier, while replacing levers.
The back suspension is stronger. About 50 thousand km are designed for stabilizer racks, for 80 thousand km-silent blocks, and shock absorbers for 90-110 thousand km.
You can talk about the brake system either well or nothing. The resource of the pads and disks depends on the driving style. With a 4.2 liter engine, you can cut the pads of thousands per 15 km, and on weak machines with a mechanical gearbox, the pads are enough for 40--50 thousand km. Judging by the price, platinum is added to the original Audi brake pads. $ 350 is more expensive than discs!
And the last. The market has front -wheel drive Audi A8 with mechanical gearboxes. You can’t say anything bad about such machines, good - too. Why is front -wheel drive when there is an absolutely trouble -free and reliable Quattro? For years, the worked out scheme has no hereditary defects. Know control the condition of the anthers of the Shrusov ($ 30) and go to your health.
Text Dmitry Novitsky, drawing Alexander Krasnov
 
Audi A8 2000 in. 2.8 4.2 Quattro Tiptronic
Length/width/height 5034/1880/1436
Working volume (cubic meter) 2771 4172
Power (L.S.) 193 310
Equipped mass (kg) 1510 1750
Maximum speed (km/h) 236 250
Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (sec.) 8.4 6.9
Fuel consumption, average (l/100 km) 9.9 12.9
The cost of then for Audi A8 4.2 2000.
Mileage (km) cost
15 thousand $ 120
30 thousand, 60 thousand, 90 thousand $ 150
45 thousand, 75 thousand, 105 thousand $ 140
120 thousand $ 420
Normal is a hundred $ 65 for a proprietary
The cost of branded spare parts and consumables for Audi A8 4.2*
Spark plug $ 28 ($ 11.5)
Air filter $ 40 ($ 23)
Fuel filter $ 40 ($ 16)
Oil filter $ 35 ($ 18)
Filter of the salon ventilation $ 50
Front brake pads (set) $ 350 ($ 160)
Rear brake pads (set) $ 150
Brake front disc $ 270 ($ 86)
Front shock absorber $ 185 ($ 140)
Rear shock absorber $ 173 ($ 118)
Hub bearing (reprimatum) $ 170
Tip of steering rod $ 105 ($ 47)
Front headlight (xenon) $ 1450 (ordinary- $ 408)
Front wing $ 530
Front bumper $ 680
Hood $ 1430
The back of the muffler $ 1080
Faculty (with installation) $ 1700

 

Source: "Autopilot"