Emigrating - what's it worth ?

[Godders]

I've just been offered a permanent role in Australia with my employer and having priced up shipping the 8 down under have decided we'll probably have to part ways.

I appreciate any opinions on what the old girl could be worth and best place to get the highest price.

Most details in the signature below but here's some additional info

• 4.2 Quattro sport with LPG
• LPG has 95l torroidal tank (range approx 360 miles)
• Recent replacment LPG injectors and reducer (unable to get a replacement temp sensor)
• Currently on 174k but in daily use and wearing her miles well
• Due a timing belt and will probably change prior to sale to stop being bargained down an unreasonable amount.
• Rebuilt suspension compressor with new seals
• Rebuilt front suspension with replacement arms
• Huge amount of history and receipts
• 10k oil changes whilst I've had it and a g'box flush at 130k

[IT]

If you're eligible to take your 8 into Australia, bite the bullet and pay the shipping costs. It'll be worth a fortune down under.....

[Godders]

Originally Posted by IT

If you're eligible to take your 8 into Australia, bite the bullet and pay the shipping costs. It'll be worth a fortune down under.....

Having owned the car for over 12 months I can export the car and I have a landed, inspected and registered cost of $10kAUD (around £6.5k)

Doing the math I think the car is worth around £5k (approx $7800), adding the 10k means $17800, I'm sure I could profit if I shipped it over.

However I've not been able to find any D3s with my mileage to gauge value but being an import with mph clocks (Australia are kph) and being an import the value would be hit.

I could keep it but I'd have to wait 3-4 months for the thing to be shipped and inspected so I'd have to fund a car in the interim.

I am torn on what to do

[Mutley]

Admittedly I've not seen your car but my 4.2 was advertised recently for 4K with only 106K on the clock, £5K may be optimistic ?

[RickB]

Originally Posted by Mutley

Admittedly I've not seen your car but my 4.2 was advertised recently for 4K with only 106K on the clock, £5K may be optimistic ?

First post, but hoping to become regular when I buy my A8.

Sorry for slightly off topic, but where did you find yours for £4k? I am after a D3 4.2 and even with 100k+ miles the cheapest is for £5k needing a cambelt

I would be interesting in the original posters car but I don't want a LPG, sorry

[daviesbike]

i had a client that lived in aus and he exported his Type R and that cost him 8k and then when it was there it was worth upwards of 30k $ he said if i exported mine there it would be well in the 50k mark as its a rare car there and they are petrol heads over there

but you have to have owned the car for 2 years before you can export to aus because other wise people would make a living out of it i guess

[Godders]

Originally Posted by daviesbike

i had a client that lived in aus and he exported his Type R and that cost him 8k and then when it was there it was worth upwards of 30k $ he said if i exported mine there it would be well in the 50k mark as its a rare car there and they are petrol heads over there

I've been quoted £6k including all costs and with a years registration, all the A8s for sale on carsales.com.au have been there for a while so whilst the asking prices are high they're not selling like hot cakes. If I could get over $18k AUD I'd be ahead but not sure I want to take the risk.

Originally Posted by daviesbike

but you have to have owned the car for 2 years before you can export to aus because other wise people would make a living out of it i guess

It's only 12 months but you have to be able to demonstrate it was for your personal use during that time i.e you have to prove you was not in Australia for that period.

[Godders]

Originally Posted by RickB

First post, but hoping to become regular when I buy my A8.

Sorry for slightly off topic, but where did you find yours for £4k? I am after a D3 4.2 and even with 100k+ miles the cheapest is for £5k needing a cambelt

I would be interesting in the original posters car but I don't want a LPG, sorry

Mine will be fitted with a new cambelt, water pump and thermostat making it more saleable. Whenever I sell a car I won't sell it unless I'd buy it myself. Also its recently had a service so it's good to go for a while yet.

Not sure what you have against LPG but having resolved the niggles with mine (mainly worn out injectors - now replaced with new) I regularly get over 20mpg combined and a 360 mile range, it makes the running a viable proposition plus if you have 2 full tanks a theoretical 700+ mile range.

Plus with the air suspension she sits level when both tanks are full and handling isn't really compromised.

[RickB]

Originally Posted by Godders

Mine will be fitted with a new cambelt, water pump and thermostat making it more saleable. Whenever I sell a car I won't sell it unless I'd buy it myself. Also its recently had a service so it's good to go for a while yet.

Not sure what you have against LPG but having resolved the niggles with mine (mainly worn out injectors - now replaced with new) I regularly get over 20mpg combined and a 360 mile range, it makes the running a viable proposition plus if you have 2 full tanks a theoretical 700+ mile range.

Plus with the air suspension she sits level when both tanks are full and handling isn't really compromised.

Nothing against your choice, just LPG is not for me, personal preference. This will be my first big spend on a car having bargained my way up for 5 years when I first passed my test and I would like a big petrol V8 to satisfy a childhood dream

[Godders]

Originally Posted by RickB

Nothing against your choice, just LPG is not for me, personal preference. This will be my first big spend on a car having bargained my way up for 5 years when I first passed my test and I would like a big petrol V8 to satisfy a childhood dream

I appreciate what you're saying and not sure if you do lots of miles but if you do you should be a bit more open minded - the fuel consumption can be eye watering.

I inherited my LPG set-up which had more than its share of niggles which I've persisted with and now resolved and have got it set up so the difference in performance is not noticable and switchover imperceptible. The reducer is rated for a larger output so it doesn't have to switchover at WOT.

OK I lose some boot space because I choose to carry my spare in the boot but I can remove it if I need the space.

I really am torn about shipping the old girl to Australia but can't justify the cost - my employer, though being generous, with the relocation are not covering everything (we're a family of 4) so we need to be savvy with the budget.

As a side note I hope you find the 8 you're looking for but make sure you take a VAGCOM with you, especially check the HVAC controller and Level Control. if it's leggy it's liable to have faults so factor that into your negotiation.

• HVAC could have a few tired motors or broken horns (Run the calibration if it says 'Lernen Beendet Error' you'll have problems)
• Level control liable to have an Implausible Signal (low pressure) - factor in a compressor or new seal (I've just done the seal)

Don't want to put you off and I'm sure you've done your research but these are complex beasts and not for the faint hearted and require spannering skills and a willingness to learn or expect big bills