4.0 Audi diesels - any good?

[ChinaTom]

Despite my previous bad experience with 2 A8's, I am still curious about them. Both the cars I drove were Sport spec mega wheeled things with terrible ride. Smaller wheel "normal" spec ones may be better. I am being tempted by a 38k mile 4 year old 4.0 diesel. Any horror stories about these torquey monsters?

[Volksy]

As of next month I'm going back on Mileage, so I'm gonna start looking around for a car, Fancied an A8 myself, what were your nightmares?Or a Phaeton maybe or a Passat W8.....Then again, I may just get the Volvo minted and do the miles in that..

[MrRegieRitmo]

The W8 is a thing of great mystique, I've only knowingly seen 1 in the flesh before - I've seen more Phaetons than that!

[ChinaTom]

A good friend of mine has an A8 in China - a 3.0 petrol with 20" wheels and sports suspension. We used to drive it to his sugar factories on good roads and bad roads and regardless of what surface we were on, we both arrived with back-ache and tooth-ache. Even the massage seats didn't help. He bought it for the adjustable suspension and 4wd to cope with the crappy back-roads. He ended up parking it up and buying a Discovery instead. He even offered me the car for free so I didn't embarass him with my collection of shite, but it was so bad I declined. Anyway, I enjoyed the autoshite feeling of mooching around in a really old Pajero. The other A8 was a 3.0TDi that I leased for a while when I needed to do a series of France/Germany/Poland/UK trips. Once again, the car was a Sports-spec car with massive wheels. Looked great, but I chopped it in for an Octavia having reached Munich with a migraine and back-ache. No other car (other than an A6 S-line) has given me such a rotten experience - even my buggered old Great Wall pick-up has a more forgiving ride, and that is an XXXLWB on cartsprings.I just fancy a big diesel next, and the thought of a V8 diesel appeals. Can't realistically afford a RR TDV8 yet, and the Mercs leave me cold. Phaeton considered, but again, leaves me cold considering the cash I would have laid out. I'd rather spend half that on a decent 604 diesel, but I guess I wouldn't be very popular with the high-fallutin passengers when we take 20 seconds to get to 60 between roundabouts. Passat W8 interesting, but too small for what I need.I'll probably settle for a TDV6 RR, but as I pace around the garden for cig breaks, I keep talking myself into the Audi. But these 4.0V8's are pretty rare beasts and I can't find much about them good or bad.

[Tayne]

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[Pete-M]

(it had some nasty GM box I think).

ZF boxes in the P38a.I think the new 'proper' Rangies have the Jag auto box.

[Tayne]

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[ChinaTom]

Interesting stuff. I was considering a 3.0 diesel in the RR, or possibly a Disco with the 2.7. I will be much more cautious now regarding the box. They appear to be holding their value pretty well. I can't see myself happy with another sub-20mpg car (I still find it amazing that my 6.0V12 jag will get similar economy to a 3.6V8 diesel but it appears to be that way - seriously, I get 19-21 on a steady run with no town work). The Audi "suggests" 30-33 mpg average and this is just about bearable - most of the miles will be at 80 on the motorway.I want something that doesn't make me cane the nuts of it between the southbound A11 roundabouts. Petty, but when every journey starts that way, it becomes important!I'm going to see that Audi tomorrow and test drive it.

[Tayne]

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[peter9000uk]

Citroen C6 diesel is the answer ! Providing the best of both worlds

[ChinaTom]

Hadn't thought of a Citroen. The 3.0 240 engine sounds OK but I'll need to wait a few months for the catastrophic depreciation to happen. I bet a year old 35k miler will be pocket money. Epic autoshite potential too.

[peter9000uk]

Depends on your idea of pocket money but they can be had for a shade under 13 grand now

[TagoraSX]

I have an A6 2.7tdi S Line with 18's and agree with the with the harsh ride comments.Fine on the motorway and good roads but it would knock out your fillings on the bad stuff. On the plus side it looks fantastic and the interior is the best I've been in so far. I will never buy a car with 18' wheels again so next on the list is an A8 3.0 tdi SE I think.On the RR, Disco question.Three of my friends have LR's, 1 Disco and 2 RRS's all three have been VERY unreliable.

[Jonnyvalenta]

Simply cannot recommend a Discovery 3. The vehicle is plagued with problems,mostly concerning the electrics and suspension. Warning lights on all the time,suspension compressors,height sensors,overlay harnesses,front balljoints,wear in steering rack track rods,rear suspension arm bushes wearing out and failing first MOTs,tailgates that won't open..The list is endless ! EGR valves on the 2.7 V6. Sports are better,only the front ball joints and EGR to worry about.Both should have been replaced with modified units by now. Best one to get is a TDV6 Sport SE that runs 18" rims and cheap(ish) 255/55x18 rubber.