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#1
16th December 2010, 11:11 PM
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Change of heart.
I seem to have owned a lot of cars, scoobies, range rovers, skodas, vauxhalls, fords, audis, vw's and there was no doubt that the D3 quickly became one of those favourites that was an all round 'good idea' and earned itself a place somewhere in the top 10 of motors I'm most pleased with.
Well, its not any more. Its reached the dizzy heights of (probably) being the best car i have ever owned, knocking off the 1993 classic range rover off my personal top spot as that excelled hugely in value for money and practicality, even beyond the umpteen D2's I've had. No, the D3 has won because it 'just gets on with the job'. I dont have to think about anything. It has right balance of power, traction and economy. I dont have to find my keys to get it or to get going, I dont have to waste precious seconds turning the lights on, or slow down manually if the traffic gets heavy on the motorway. The adaptive lights did seem a bit gimicky, but I think I'd miss them now..... The Audi Music Interface is a joy with every track I ever wanted literally at my fingertips saving my precious moments mucking around with those antique disc things. The Sat Nav is fast, and the MMI is very powerful. The air suspension raises up when tip-toeing over snow and hugs down when I want to go fast, largely with no input from me. It grips the road in a more balanced, poised and confident way than most D2's ever did, which has to be the beneift of air suspension, which doesnt sag or get tired over time. I admit I'm really pleased with my particular D3, and some of the options are absolute 'musts' or I wouldnt feel this way, but for the first time in quite some time I've got quite attached to a car, and I would be truely truely gutted if anything happened to it.... Prices continue to fall, pushing the Tdi models well below 10K, and the V8 petrols well below that.... With fuel duty and tax on the increase 1st Jan, I imagine those D3 petrol burners will become even more of a bargain next year ... .... now form an orderly queue chaps... 
__________________
For parts enquiries and Forum User Administration please contact customer services directly, not me  - enquiry@a8parts.co.uk, www.a8parts.co.uk, or call 01642 783537The Daily Town Car - 2023 Tesla Model Y Performance. Black with Black. Giant ipad screen, huge sunroof, 4 wheel drive, Tow bar, lots of ooomph and made in China, so actually built properly unlike the Californian ones. The Family Wagon - 2018 Tesla Model X. Black, 7 Seats, Towbar, Homelink, Enhanced Auto pilot with Summon and self park, Heated front seats, CCS Charger upgrade, MCU2 Upgrade, Falconwing Doors, Self opening / closing doors, Netflix, Spotify, toys, Air suspension, alcantara roof + lots of other stuff...... The 17 year old Driver Wagon 2015 Skoda Citigo Monte Carlo. Alloys, Power steering, Aircon, Leccy windows, Sat Nav, bluetooth, central locking, cup holders, 59 whole bhp. Million times better than my first car. Well jealous..... 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 Most Recent Audis: 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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#2
17th December 2010, 09:52 AM
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Must admit.. I have to agree
 We've been driving the XC90 around for the last week or two with the snow and stuff, and whilst it's been flawless in those conditions, getting back into my D3 the other day after a 2 week layoff has been amazing.. Roasty-toasty heated seats, more MP3s than I can shake a stick at, loads of power and a suitable gearbox to go with it. Let's hope that the snow stays away for me to enjoy it some more.
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2010 Jag XF 3.0D Portfolio S I know.. I know.. 
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#3
7th January 2011, 11:10 PM
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I can also agree, I have owned some seriously nice cars, and my D3 is the top of my list
Well done audi 
__________________
 07 Silver D3 A/S8L Quattro S8 front end, Xenons, Bose, Bluetooth, Voice Control, Autodim mirrors, Heated folding mirrors, Double Glazed Windows, Electric Rear & Side Blinds, Black leather Comfort Seats with front memory seats & mirrors, Front & rear heated seats, Interior/Exterior light pack, TV.I.M, AMI, Parking sensors Front & Rear, Air suspension (soon to be lowered), Keyless entry & Start/Stop, 4 zone climate control, Power Boot Open/Close.
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#4
8th January 2011, 03:54 PM
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Still a bit early to say but my D3 S8 has almost certainly knocked my D2 S8 of the top slot, and that D2 worked hard to get there. I didn't expect it to come near, but it was such a fantastic motor.
The only question mark over the D3 is the niggles. I love the toys, but I do like them to work everytime, without that weird lottery of will it, won't it  For instance, I effectively have no memory on my seat, such is the hit and miss with fingerprint recognition. This in turn affects the heater controls, radio settings etc etc. The list goes on.
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A journey of a thousand+ (epic) miles, begins with a single step, (to the door of an 8). Lau Tzu
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#5
9th January 2011, 09:46 AM
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Definitely agree with the fingerprint memory.. Though I think you can add the key to it as well which may help. What I've found sometimes works better is using my middle finger. That may be because I've stopped showing it to the dash when that happens and put it on the sensor right enough
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2010 Jag XF 3.0D Portfolio S I know.. I know..
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#6
10th January 2011, 08:27 PM
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I already use the middle finger.... Perhaps that's what's bothering it. These Audis are so smart they take offence
 I'll investigate the key option, cheers
__________________
A journey of a thousand+ (epic) miles, begins with a single step, (to the door of an 8). Lau Tzu
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#7
13th January 2011, 08:10 AM
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hmmmmmm.....
Great write-up Ian!
Making me think quite seriously about a D3 S8...
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Present: S4 B8 avant, fully loaded, MRC Stage2, Milltek non-res, KW springs Past: S8 D2 FL, S2 ABY coupe, RS6 C5 saloon, RS4 B7 saloon, S4 B5 saloon, S4 B6 avant, all gone but not forgotten
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#8
14th January 2011, 07:32 AM
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Quote:
I expect the W12's to become the bargain of the century this year....
__________________
For parts enquiries and Forum User Administration please contact customer services directly, not me - enquiry@a8parts.co.uk, www.a8parts.co.uk, or call 01642 783537The Daily Town Car - 2023 Tesla Model Y Performance. Black with Black. Giant ipad screen, huge sunroof, 4 wheel drive, Tow bar, lots of ooomph and made in China, so actually built properly unlike the Californian ones. The Family Wagon - 2018 Tesla Model X. Black, 7 Seats, Towbar, Homelink, Enhanced Auto pilot with Summon and self park, Heated front seats, CCS Charger upgrade, MCU2 Upgrade, Falconwing Doors, Self opening / closing doors, Netflix, Spotify, toys, Air suspension, alcantara roof + lots of other stuff...... The 17 year old Driver Wagon 2015 Skoda Citigo Monte Carlo. Alloys, Power steering, Aircon, Leccy windows, Sat Nav, bluetooth, central locking, cup holders, 59 whole bhp. Million times better than my first car. Well jealous..... 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 Most Recent Audis: 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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