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  #1  
Old 16th October 2015, 10:44 AM
Chaz Chaz is offline
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Default D3 4.2 TDI Prefacelift versus Facelift

Hi,

I was researching different options for me for a luxobarge to do 110 miles per day round trip.

I started to read about 745i versus Audi A8 versus Lexus, long story short, someone mentioned that the Facelift cars are a lot better, specifically in the handling areas due to changes on the suspension.

I duly went and drove a facelift car, this one - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...08te&logcode=p

I was well impressed. Ive driven 745i before and whilst more of a driver's car, The A8 was great. I drove a Lexus 430 yesterday and whilst a lot cheaper, very numb. I also prefer the torque from a diesel engine.

The car linked above is fairly cheap for a facelift car. Its got a lovely spec but there are a few things wrong with it too.

It has no service history after 114K, its now on 168K. The car looks well maintained and clean. The dealer is indicating that he was told it was serviced although he hastens to add that he cannot show that this was done.

I dont like the interior colour but its not horrible. The steering wheel has wear on it and I believe someone has smoked in the car previous.

There is a small cut on the passenger side leather and the front left speaker grill has some damage.

The car however is clean, has new decent tyres on it and is well specced.

So question time.

If I wanted something cheaper, are the pre facelifts worth looking at. I could buy a 3.0 TDI facelift but I really like the drive of the 4.2, having come from very sporty cars previously.

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance.
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Old 16th October 2015, 10:53 AM
Chaz Chaz is offline
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I also have more questions regarding audio. I am a big audio head (SQ, not SPL), the bose system is average at best. If I found a prefacelift with B&O (supposedly a bit better), is it worth sacrificing the newer car for?

My journey is 95% motorway.

Alternately I would consider installing something custom. I still have some decent quality stuff stored in the garage that I could use. DLS Amp, CDT speakers and sub. How difficult is a retrofit on these cars?

I know with the Beemers, if it runs Logic 7 (mostly fibre optics) its near impossible.

Ideally Id like to keep the head unit and tweak the rest. I presume the MMI system on a 2008 card can read SD cards. I didnt take note of what was in the dash. I also have a Dension unit that I previously used on my 535D for when mp3s suffice.
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Old 16th October 2015, 11:12 AM
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IT IT is offline
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That looks pretty good spec for the price.

The only issue with 4.2 Tdi is the DPF's, but that usually occurs around 100K. Otherwise they are pretty robust. I've had 4 of them.

If they've been fixed great. If they've been removed it might cause you issues later as the MOT tightens up.

I'm not aware of any suspension changes on the facelift, but if you prefer a sportier drive you probably want to find a 'sport' model rather than an SE or at least an SE with sport suspension.

The 4.2 wins hands down over the 3.0 every day of the week and twice a day at weekends. There is no comparison when it comes to power and the 3.0 Tdi isn't that much more economical really. + the V8 sounds less commercial than the V6 one...

There might be a small difference in tax disc, but that's small fry in the grand scheme of things.

If you do 95% motorway this has adaptive cruise too, which will be nice....

If you're an audiophile, then the B&O is worth every penny. The Bose is very good. But for perfection, you can really hear the extra 4 grands worth in the B&O system. Rare though, you'll find you have to compromise on many other things to find B&O....

I guess one other comment I have is that the 4.2 Tdi suffers the same problem as the W12 - Its a bit nose heavy. If you really press on you'll feel the car nosediving a bit. The 3.0 Tdi doesn't suffer that so badly, but its not a big enough issue to avoid the 4.2....
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The First 20 Audis:

2001 D2 4.2 QS Silver, 1997 D2 S8 Silver, 1999 D2 4.2 Silver, 2002 D2 S8 Dolphin Grey,
2003 C5 RS6 Blue, 1998 D2 S8 Black, 2000 D2 4.2 QS/S8 Ming Blue, 2003 D3 4.2 Ming Blue,
2005 B7 S4 Blue, 2006 D3 3.0 Tdi Black, 1999 D2 4.2 Silver, 2003 D3 4.2 LPG Crystal Blue,
2000 D2 S8 Silver, 2007 3.0 Tdi Q7 Black, 2009 B8 S4 Black, 1998 D2 S8 Agate Grey,
2006 D3 4.2 Tdi Blue, 2006 D3 S8, 2007 Q7 3.0 Tdi, 2006 C6 S6,

The Second 20 Audis:

2011 A7 Sline, 2001 A2 1.4 Tdi Black, 2002 A2 1.4 Tdi Silver, 2006 A8 4.2 Tdi Blue,
2007 4.2 Tdi Q7, 2006 S4 Cab Silver, 2010 RS6 Saloon Black , 2007 TT Roadster,
2010 A8 D4 4.2 Silver, 2006 C6 A6 2.7 Tdi Quattro, 2000 D2 4.2 QS/S8 Ming Blue (again), 2008 Q7 4.2 Black,
2009 C6 RS6 Saloon Daytona Grey, 2001 Fully Loaded A2 Tdi, 2006 Avant S6 Black, 2007 VW Caravelle Exec Black (almost an Audi)
2009 TT Roadster Daytona, 2015 Q7 4.2 tdi lava grey, 2002 GmbH D2 demonstrator, 2006 D3 A8 LWB 4.2 Tdi Black

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2001 A2 1.4 Tdi Black, 2007 4.2 FSi Q7 ABT Blue, 2016 S5 Coupe Launch model, 2004 S4 B6 Cabriolet, 2016 Q7 Sline White, 2006 Q7 4.2 FSi Black, 2012 Q7 Sline+ 4.2Tdi White, 2008 Blue Audi S8

Everything Else

1989 Subaru Justy, 1986 Vauxhall Cartlton 2.0 GL, 1985 Vauxhall Carlton 2.2 CDi, 1987 Ford Sierra XR4x4, 1983 Vauxhall Senator, 1985 Vauxhall Senator 3.0i, 1997 Polo Saloon, 1997 Peugeot 306 1.9 TDi, Ford Sierra Sapphire 2000E, 1990 Subaru Justy, 2000 Subaru Impreza, 2000 Subaru Impreza RB5, 1993 Range Rover LSE, 2005 VW Bora, 2003 Skoda Superb, 2003 VW Passat V6 4 Motion, 1996 Peugeot 106, 2000 Range Rover 4.0, 2019 Tesla Model 3 Performance
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  #4  
Old 16th October 2015, 11:25 AM
Chaz Chaz is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by IT View Post
That looks pretty good spec for the price.

The only issue with 4.2 Tdi is the DPF's, but that usually occurs around 100K. Otherwise they are pretty robust. I've had 4 of them.

If they've been fixed great. If they've been removed it might cause you issues later as the MOT tightens up.

I'm not aware of any suspension changes on the facelift, but if you prefer a sportier drive you probably want to find a 'sport' model rather than an SE or at least an SE with sport suspension.

The 4.2 wins hands down over the 3.0 every day of the week and twice a day at weekends. There is no comparison when it comes to power and the 3.0 Tdi isn't that much more economical really. + the V8 sounds less commercial than the V6 one...

There might be a small difference in tax disc, but that's small fry in the grand scheme of things.

If you do 95% motorway this has adaptive cruise too, which will be nice....

If you're an audiophile, then the B&O is worth every penny. The Bose is very good. But for perfection, you can really hear the extra 4 grands worth in the B&O system. Rare though, you'll find you have to compromise on many other things to find B&O....

I guess one other comment I have is that the 4.2 Tdi suffers the same problem as the W12 - Its a bit nose heavy. If you really press on you'll feel the car nosediving a bit. The 3.0 Tdi doesn't suffer that so badly, but its not a big enough issue to avoid the 4.2....
Many thanks, I was reading your threads with eagerness last night.

Yep, this car has ACC from what I could tell. Its a lot of car for £8K. Is the lack of service history a concern? I could just get it serviced, do the 20K miles I am expecting to do in 6 months and if I no longer need the car, sell it on.

Im only aware of one B&O car for sale at the moment, but need to find it. I dont really want a 3.0 TDI or a LWB car. This rules out most.

The suspension changes are documented, I need to find them again but supposedly it makes the car more sporty.

I dont see many sport version cars. At present, this car for £8K seems the 'best' for what I need albeit with minor risk with lack of service history. The car is fairly clean though and Im sure the steeringwheel could be replaced and/or touched up. A black interior car would be better for me.

Lovely interior on this (IMHO) - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-AUDI-...gAAOSwQTVWBpOx pity its only a 3.0 TDI.
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  #5  
Old 16th October 2015, 11:29 AM
Chaz Chaz is offline
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Facelift changes:-

- road noise finally brought down to class competitive levels, i.e similar to Phaeton and S-class;
- ride improved over expansion joints and cats eyes to the point where a facelift car on 20s felt like an earlier car on 18s;
- a more direct steering rack fitted for less arm twirling into slow bends.

as well as other things like DAB being standard etc.
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  #6  
Old 16th October 2015, 11:34 AM
mattylondon mattylondon is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chaz View Post
Lovely interior on this (IMHO) - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-AUDI-...gAAOSwQTVWBpOx pity its only a 3.0 TDI.
This car is round the corner from me. Happy to take a look if you wish.

Best of luck in your search
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  #7  
Old 16th October 2015, 11:36 AM
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Conquistador Conquistador is offline
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Welcome

You can rule out the Lexus immediately.

A colleague of mine has a pre-facelift 745 and it's comfortable, packed with tech but not fast and is nothing special to drive.

D3 4.2TDI would definitely be the winning choice for long distance cruising on motorways
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  #8  
Old 16th October 2015, 11:40 AM
Chaz Chaz is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mattylondon View Post
This car is round the corner from me. Happy to take a look if you wish.

Best of luck in your search
Thanks. Its been remapped, that appeals to me. I know it doesnt, to many others. The interior looks nice (IMHO) and for the cost of the car, its not bad at all. I wonder how close a remapped 3.0TDI will be to a base 4.2TDI. In the same breath, if most of my driving will be motorway .... not sure how much it matters.
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Old 16th October 2015, 11:43 AM
Chaz Chaz is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Conquistador View Post
Welcome

You can rule out the Lexus immediately.

A colleague of mine has a pre-facelift 745 and it's comfortable, packed with tech but not fast and is nothing special to drive.

D3 4.2TDI would definitely be the winning choice for long distance cruising on motorways
I agree. The older 7 series are problems. I could get one for £3K but then worry about it giving issues. I can get a facelift 3.0D for around £5K, thats the only other option at the moment.

The Lexus was lovely but too far removed for me. I think Id rather spend £5K and buy an XJR 2003 Jaguar. I had a 2000 model before and whilst heavy on fuel, was a lovely car. The X350 shape is supposedly a lot better and lighter on fuel too due to the alu body.

The 4.2TDI still ticks all the boxes but Id need to sell my motorcycle to get it. I have a buyer, just need to nod.

Id guess even with the lack of FSH and another 25K miles, If I wanted to sell the £8K FL 4.2TDI, Id probably still get £7Kish for it.
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  #10  
Old 16th October 2015, 11:49 AM
Chaz Chaz is offline
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Was it an option to have gear change paddles on the steering wheel? Can they be retrofit?
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