Audi A8 (1994 - 2001) Reviews, Pricing & Specs

"he ergonomics for this car are excellent. The car is smartly designed with purpose and a handsome exterior. For 2001, they included many things that are now only being added to others now (2012). Luxurious materials abound...the floor mats are 3 layers deep...the quality is shown throughout. Unfortunately after 100k miles, a few fender benders, attempted theft, the car is showing some age. The reason I purchased the car is that is ideal family car. The "L" edition provides amazing rear seat leg room, ample space for large adults and then some. Moreover, at the time, it was one of the safest cars, 7 airbags, multiple crumple zones, and an innovative tubular front crash zone. Not to mention the frame is alluminm, making it lighter and quieter. The handling is ok, not great, but it is elected for such a large car. Hp is good too. All in all it has served me well." Nov 02, 2012

what more can be expected fron a car,as driving conditions change so does the car,im not in any way rich i picked it up at a very good price,but then when you have this car anything else you look, at does not compareso you can never change. for the price i paid .its a family car,it can give you a thrill,you can fit shoping in it,the dog the kids aqnd the missis (maybe not in that order)can all travel long distances in total comfort.ps.please dont ask what i paid for it. Oct 05, 2011

This car is perfect. Awesome performance with still great fuel economy unlike the S8 (lower gearing). Most people have no clue of the performance of this large luxury car. It is a car made mostly of aluminum, with a 4.2l V8 and Quattro. Heated seats and steering wheel make this a blast in the winter for traveling and sporty driving while in pure luxury. A far better built car than the C5 A6 if you compare quality side by side.Jun 01, 2010

Huge amount of car for the money but not without huge running costs (13mpg of super unleaded to name but one). Since it is all aluminium, it weighs around 1800kg despite its massive size. It is a really, really big car. The 4.2 V8 gives an effortless 300bhp and with well over 300lb/ft of torque it is extremely quick (limited to 155mph). It pulls up to the legal limit as hard as V6 cars I have owned before would pull up to about 40mph. This just doesn't stop pulling at all. Ever. Its like a train. Coming off road islands and giving it a bootful is something you have to learn to tame because with the 4wd and 300bhp it has the wierd rubbery feeling - like it has been shot out of a catapult or something. The auto gearbox has tiptronic so it can be used as though sequential. The cruise control and auto box are uncannily smooth - you can't feel it change gear or maintain speed. In fact most of the time you can't even tell the cruise control is on. I like the way its a quiet easy to drive motorised sofa for when you are wanting to waft about, but can instantly become a mentalist when you poke it. The quattro 4wd is superb and it simply doesn't need traction control - and yes, on a gravel car park, it really will swing about like a giant rally car which considering its size is quite hilarious. On dry roads the stability is such a massive improvement over a fwd or rwd car. Stores road in Derby has weird surfacing and any car or van I have driven down there wanders about all over the place - the A8 is dead straight. In the wet it never feels anything other than fully gripped. It understeers a bit at speed, but is very predictable, and hasn't once given any dramatics. The only real downside is the amount of fuel it drinks. On the way to work everyday, in traffic, it averages just under 14mpg, which would be bad except it needs to drink super-unleaded which is more expensive. To be honest though, anything with a 4 litre engine is going to be a bit thirsty, and even if I had got £20k to spend on a car right now this minute, I still don't think I could sell it - well, maybe for the newer 4.0TDI diesel version. I was after a BMW M5 (e39) before this, and even after going out in one, I think I would keep the Audi.Aug 29, 2008

This car is a dream to drive--considering that it is a full-size luxury sedan. Even at almost eight years old, it still is a great car. I love it. At 4068 lbs. dry weight, this car is lighter and faster than the S430 and equal with the BMW 740iL. The 0-60 was 6.9 secs to 60, and the S430 was 7.6 secs to 60. This car even has the smallest engine in the Bavarian class luxury shootout. The 310hp, 302 ft. lbs. 4.2L V8 develops its peak horsepower at 6200 rpm and peak torque at 3000 rpm, giving it the most horsepower in the comparisons also. Although this car has the shortest wheelbase, though, it has the widest turning radius due to being the only car equipped with all-wheel-drive. The car comes standard with a 5-speed Tiptronic ZF transmission to put the power down to the all-wheel-drive system. The brakes are Zimmermann and Brembo contracted 323mm rotors in the front and 269mm rear rotors stopping this car from 60 in 133ft. Inside is obviously trimmed generously with burl wood, leather, and a touch of stainless and chrome. Leg room is not a problem, front or back, for anyone under 6'5", even in the Standard Wheelbase Model. Heated seats, steering wheel mounted shift buttons, suede headliner, alloy rims, and Electronic Stability Programs are options. On L models there is even the option of trays for the passengers in the rear and a center console with a chiller for drinks which takes out the middle seat.Jun 22, 2008

Power is what this car is all about. First off, nothing on this car is manual, even the headrests and seatbelt adjusters are power, somewhat ridiculous but cool at the same time. Rear heated seats, the steering wheel even moves to meet you when you start the car and moves away when the key is removed. Forget to close your windows all the way and already locked the doors? just walk away, it has motion sensors on the inside for the alarm! Double paned glass, Bose 6-disc changer, large sunroof, 4.2 V8 with a ton of power (300HP) and decent mileage 19-26mpg. The all-wheel drive is the best, it takes so much to ever get stuck, even when you want to slide you have to really try. It goes through deep snow, rain, ice like its nothing. Also it handles so smoothly, takes corners like a champ. All of that plus tiptronic tranny makes it so fun to drive.Mar 18, 2008

I purchased this car after seeing it online. The A8 looked brutish and with a cream leather interior it looked stylish as well. Because it drinks like George Best, people do not seem to want to purchase cars like this anymore, and it`s a shame. The world would be a better place if politicians would stop worrying about people driving their so-called polluting cars, (Heathrow Terminal 401?). So far I have replaced the head gasket (£1000+ under warranty) and the Idle valve/ Throttle Box (£380), but that`s all. Although petrol is £70 a tank full now, (thanks Mr Brown). But I have come to love this car now and will definitely shed a tear or two when she goes. Feb 26, 2008

I got this car as a gift and picked it up in Southern CA and drove it to CT in 4 days. What a great opportunity to test the car's true potential...unfortunately, the Texas trooper was impressed too! This car was ahead of its time and is current now 8 years later! It is fully loaded with every imaginable feature (except GPS) even the rear passengers get heated seats!! I could go on, but there isn't enough space (or time) to write about how fabulous it is and I have only had it for 4 days!Oct 15, 2007