Wanted: D3 A8
 

Hi guys. New here, and looking to dip my toe into A8 ownership. So just wondered if anyone had anything for sale?

I have a budget of between £6500-7000. So hopefully looking for a facelifted example. Would prefer closer to 100k rather than 150k too.

Engine doesn't really matter so much. I'd live with the 3.0 TDI, but would prefer the 4.2 TDI (would be the ideal engine). Would also consider petrol's in the 4.2 or 6.0 variety. Not so keen on the 4.0 TDI or the 3.7 petrol if I'm honest.

Spec-wise, the ideal would be to have 3G MMI, but I think that'll be a tough push at my budget. As would B&O. But if an example pops up, then I'm in. Would also prefer LWB, but that is not a deal breaker. Being that I have 2 young kids to come with me most of the time, I'd prefer black leather ideally, as it might be easier to keep clean. But, again, not a deal-breaker.

I live in the North East of Scotland, but I am willing to travel (recently went to look at a car in Durham, have, in the past, flew to London for a car).

Any ideas on what I should be looking for? Where I should be looking? I'm scanning AT several times a day, as well as Gumtree. Also facebook groups, but they only really give a 100km radius, so it's difficult to know where to set the starting points to cover everything.

This did just pop up, but it doesn't seem to compute: https://www.gumtree.com/p/audi/2009-...tro/1282396938

That looks entirely too new, and well specced, to be that cheap. Maybe they don't know what they have? But, to me, it looks a good couple grand under-priced (i.e. I wouldn't have expected that to be so well in my budget). Of course, it does have cream leather, and the 3.0 TDI, and no LWB, all of which I'd rather not have, but the age and MMI, and MOT history on it has me wondering.

I know of a 2005 3.0 SE LWB with around 86k on the clock for sale and in stunning condition

I would have preferred something a bit newer (facelifted ideally), but low miles might work too. Especially as it'll no doubt be cheaper to tax.

Any more info?

Hi and welcome +++

There's this on ebay, https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/162842023232?

Car looks to be in good condition and fit's part of your wish list. A few other extras would have been nice such as sports or comfort seats, sunroof.... but does have good kerb appeal.

Check out my signature for a 2010 3.0 TDi I have for sale (135K miles)

Its in lovely condition and just been serviced. Would be supplied with full MOT and warranty etc, but would be a bit above your budget. Good car though, drives like half the miles and all the toys work exactly as they should +++

The 3G does make for a more modern feeling interior along with the other facelift touches.

Yes. I'd imagine the 3G does make for a more modern feel. To be honest though, I only wanted it for the SD card slots, lol. Looks a bit complicated to get an older A8 to play your own music via BT / USB / SD otherwise.

To be honest, my budget is a bit strict just now. I wouldn't be able to push it I'm afraid.

What is the colour combo out of interest?

The colour is quite rare factory option: Cardamom Beige seats over black carpet with black dashboard and beige alcantara headlining. A really nice contrast.

All wrapped with a Daytona Gray paintwork:

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1515701429

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1515701429

Yes that is an unusual interior, I've never seen that combo before

Works well - All the benefits of a nice light interior, without having to worry so much about dirtying the floor mats +++

That does look lovely.

That is a one lovely interior I must say.

Ian, how far apart standard and Bose sound systems really are ??
Thanks.

Depends how much of an Audiophile you are.

The standard system is perfectly acceptable, but, the D3 Bose is pretty good and the difference is noticeable if you've enjoyed D3 bose before. Coming from a D2 or smaller model, even with Bose you'd probably be quite at home in fairness.....

I would take an offer on my facelift D3: http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/showthread.php?t=13618

heres one but no Bose
 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2008-Audi-...E/183001009269

and another,,loads on ebay to be honest

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2010-Audi-...S/172781803085

Yes. That first one does look nice. But as you say, no Bose, and is a touch higher miles that I would be completely happy with. Although it is fine realistically. Is 120k really considered low mileage nowadays?

That second one looks good too. Although I'd prefer black leather. But WAY outta budget.

There are loads on ebay, sure. But they are all 140k+ on the miles. Or if they are not, they are missing some key spec. Or if they are low enough miles, and not missing spec, then they are either out of budget, or simply too far away from me to travel to just see one motor.

That last point is pretty much the main point really. Living in the North East of Scotland, there is nothing near me. I'm lucky if I can view one in Glasgow, and that's a 2 hour drive, each way, so all day, to look at one car.

I'm not against travelling for the right car. But if I am going to go deep into England again, I would, ideally, want to look at 2 or 3 whilst I'm down. So I am making a shortlist of potential candidates just now.

It may well be a moot point just now anyway, as it looks like I will be going abroad with work on Tuesday for a week or so. Then potentially again a few days after my return. So I wont actually likely be able to do anything for 3 weeks now regardless. By which time, the whole market may well look a little different.

You could do what I did when I bought mine, paid an Audi indie local to the car to look at and provide a report on it. I live just north of Glasgow and the car was in Cambridge..can be a gamble but mine paid off, you can also get a feel for the car/owner from the way it's presented and the way they come over when you talk to them on the phone I think+++

Welcome :)

Welcome to the forum, at least you are in the right place for advice on an '8.

I know what you are saying about the miles but it would be better to consider average miles per year rather than actual current mileage. If the car is nearly 10 years old then an average of ~13k miles would push it closer to 120k than under 100k.

Good luck with your search though, I hope you find what you are looking for +++

Thanks for the welcome.

I know what you are saying regarding the average mileage. My problem is more with the miles I will be putting on the car, than what are currently on it. And thus what it does, not necessarily to its value, I can live with that. But to its desirability. And ability to sell.

While I am sure there is a market for 12 year old luxo-barges with over 160k on them, I suspect the actual point where people really lose interest is closer to 130-140k.

I have, however, decided that my budget doesn't quite get what I am looking for. So I am arranging a cheap second car just now, until I gather the required funds, in a few months, to up the budget a little. Then, of course, I will be ever closer to the bottom of the barrel of D4 / D3 S8 ownership. Which might be too much of a draw to not wait a few months more.

This being the case, you need to really think about what you actually want.....

The D3 S8 is the last of the decent sporty 8s', and the D4 is luxury and tech off the scale but so well refined its a bit of a dull drivers car (imo)

I think of it like this:

If you want an 8 that gets you there with a grin on your face, you take a D2.

If you want an 8 that gets you to a distant destination as fresh as you set off, take a D3.

If you want to get there feeling more relaxed than when you set off, take a D4 +++

I have a similar quandary (re mileage) as I'm looking for my first foray into A8 ownership and I'm in no rush, quite happy to wait six months to find the right car after I've decided what I actually want!

However I look at it like this; If i'm looking to spend £7000 on a car, that's not far off 10/15% of it's new price. The depreciation, the biggest cost, is mostly out of the car entirely so my cost is maintenance.

Now I can't speak specifically for A8's as I've never had one but I know from previous incarnations of other reasonably large engine barges that I always want to buy on condition over mileage.

I once paid £1000 for a Lexus LS400 with 187,000 and in 25,000 miles over 18 months it never cost me more than a service at the local garage and a set of wipers! It looked amazing at 200k and I sold it for £1400 and it was worth every penny.

This type of car can often be difficult to shift into old age so relax, buy the best cared for example you can find and enjoy it knowing that someone once paid £50000 more than you did for the same privilege! And you'll probably only lose £3000 over 3 years. Buy a good one and you're laughing! You're gonna lose more money in maintenance than depreciation so buy the best in the first place!

Audi A8 D3 For Sale
 

hi

I've seen a few of you looking for an Audi A8 D3, I've got one for sale if you are interested - 83,000 on the clock

I've got one if you are interested!

bump
 

just bumping this up if anyone is interested

Selling my S8 D2 next month if interested +++