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#1
26th September 2016, 12:45 PM
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A8 musings.....
So 6 months has passed, and it really is time to let the D4 move on, but its always grated on me that for a car that was better than a D3 in every possible way simple didn't get me excited until probably the last fortnight.
To put this in perspective, in the last 6 months I've done 2000 miles in the A8, and 6000 miles in the TT. The low spec, smallest engine, 2 wheel drive noisy soft top variant that on paper is the one not to have, and yet I've driven it daily. Commuted hundreds of miles and raved about how its so good I'd love the RS version. And I still do. All whilst the D4 sat on the drive, with its radar cruise, massage seats and sumptuous trimmings did nothing but grow slightly older. This wasn't a conscious decision. Both cars were taxed, insured, road legal and good to go, but I kept picking up the keys for the TT. Every time. Its not like you can even pick them apart on running costs. They both nail mid 30's on the motorway, it'd be tough to suggest one is more frugal than the other. If I absolutely had to pick, then the D4 uses slightly less fuel. And the D4 is more comfortable, more prestigious and virtually effortless to drive. I even look infinitely more hetrosexual stepping out of the D4, and its believable I work in IT for a living. So why didn't I drive the D4 then ? I couldn't work it out. I Even drove my D2 a few times this summer and I Feel something in that that the D3 often lacked, and the D4 is lacking completely. 'Urgency' With hindsight, this answer is so bloody obvious than i'm kicking myself hard for missing it, and it goes a lot like this: In 1994 Audi created the A8, and in their wisdom at the time, us lucky UK folks only got the petrol versions. This meant, that everytime you press the throttle, the car actually moves forward immediately, and if you're lucky enough to have 8 cylinders it will do this rather quite quickly. In 2002 along came the D3, and fortunately although a diesel model was around, many sensible folk continued to burn the faithful T-rex juice so that getting out of a busy junction was a throttle press, and not a 2 hour planning exercise. But by the D3 facelift, we're seeing a lot more brontosaurus fuelled cars out there, and they're happy plodding up and down the motorway but when you actually, really want to do something quickly. It just can't. But this is ok, because we all remember the D3 petrol variants and we know its a fundamentally good car, but will some laggy engines. So here is 2010. The D4 arrives with a choice of petrol of diesel. Everyone buys diesel. There is a 4.2 FSi but no one buys it. There is a 4.0Tfsi and the S8, both of which rely again on Turbos to really deliver the kick. Start/stop is here and everything has been downtuned to be eco. If you want a D4 with non-turbo torque off the line, then its going to have to be one of the handful of W12's that are kicking around, and even then only in long wheel base. And this people, is the crux of my conclusion. For a car to feel sporty, it just simply has to have some go from a standstill. Turbo lag cannot be excused simply because it does twice the MPG. I am now more interested than ever to try out the new SQ7 with its electric turbo charger on its diesel V8. I wonder if this is the answer to making a diesel feel sporty again ? If so, will we see it in the D5? I'd like to think so. For me, I now love the D4. I've reset my expectations from a 'newer version of the classic sporty D2' to simply being the best motorway mile munchers I've ever been in, and it fits the bill perfectly. So, if you want a simply excellent motorway cruiser, get a D4. You absolutely will not be disappointed. Its step up and then some from a D3, never mind the D2. But, if you've been a D2 enthusiast, or looking for that launch of the line, and MPG isn't the most important factor then join the growing queue of folks looking out for tidy D3 S8's imo 
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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
26th September 2016, 01:33 PM
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I could feel this gradually crescendoing to the conclusion that a D3 S8 would fit the bill
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Currently '8-less Previously: - Aqua Blue Pearl D3 S8 - Kamut Beige leather, ACC, B&O, factory RSE, solar sunroof, electric blinds, ski bag, Homelink, comfort headrests. - Aqua Blue D2 S8 - Grey leather/Alcantara - D3 A8 3.0 CVT - D3 3.7 V8
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#3
26th September 2016, 01:39 PM
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I know exactly what you mean. I had a D4 3.0TDI for a couple of months, it was a lovely car and, being new, felt much more luxurious compared to my D2. However there was no acceleration from standstill without really putting your foot to the floor, and then it still lagged. Reverse was even worse, it didn't want to move backwards unless you prodded the pedal with enough force.
Even my wife complained about the lack of progress the D4 made!  The stop/start made pulling out junctions a planned exercise, unless you had remembered to switch it off, which I often did in stop/start traffic. Getting back in the D2 was such a good feeling, even if it's not quite a refined, maybe that's part of it...
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Cars... '93 Audi Coupe 2.0 Alpine White (sold) '99 Audi S4 Merlin Purple - K04 upgrade to 412hp (sold) '00 Audi S8 Agate Grey (Sold  )'11 Audi Q7 4.2tdi Unknown Red (Classic Red Pearl Effect - thanks MJ) 
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#5
26th September 2016, 02:56 PM
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Quote:
I'd happily drive it daily if it was sort though....
__________________
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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#6
26th September 2016, 03:38 PM
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Nothing like a D3 S8....
Hi Ian,
I know what you mean after over 100,000 miles behind the wheel of the lovely V10 engined device. The urgency off the line and the thrill of real revs is still intoxicating. I am looking forward to stretching it's legs at ADI next month. My only reservation is the sheer physical size. We have elected to take our BMW 130i for the trip round Scotland's North Coast 500 because of the narrow/single track roads. Missed S8 on trip up to York! Are you going back to a D3 S8 again? Richardracer
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 2006 Audi S8 V10 Now Sold.  Akoya Silver with black/grey leather, standard 20" wheels, hybrid TV, Bang & Olufssen audio, Heated seats front and rear, Dension ipod integration, DAB radio, keyless entry, rear electric blind, bluetooth connection to Apple iphone6S. Started at 60,000 miles end April 12. Now 171,500 miles as at Oct 2017. Now sold to fellow forum member.
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#7
26th September 2016, 04:07 PM
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I know what you mean... My pf d3 wasn't as fun as the d2, but the 4.2tdi d3 was pretty decent.. Especially remapped
 The a7 with the supercharged 3.0v6 is pretty nippy from a standing start
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2010 Jag XF 3.0D Portfolio S I know.. I know.. 
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#8
26th September 2016, 04:19 PM
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Quote:
But that's not a 'never'...
__________________
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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#9
26th September 2016, 04:21 PM
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Quote:
Somehow, they've amplified the lag on the D4. It does have 800nm from the factory, so to be honest its probably a relativity thing. Its so bloody quick when its going, that you really notice when its not That A7 is ripe for a remap to get it moving along just a little nicer still...
__________________
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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#10
26th September 2016, 05:30 PM
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I think you need to invest on some lead for your right boot
Seriously I have a naturally aspirated V8 (granted it is only an S4) and a V8T diesel A8. The difference is the S4 feels and sounds fast, where as the A8 simply is faster without the "fuss" or maybe "fun"..... The current loan car is the latest version of the 4.2TDI, ~380bhp..... maybe because it is a loaner (and they are always faster right) but it seems to trouble the traction control easily on a 4wd car with huge tyres Is your car on autotrader now?
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