How it all began
 

Heres a quick story about A8 Parts and how it all began.

This photo was taken on 30th April 2007 and was an A8 that I picked up for 'spares / repairs'. It had suffered light panel damage all the way round and thus wasn't really viable to fix. Specwise, it was excellent:
http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...5&d=1232634695

1996 Pre facelift 4.2 Quattro Sport in Silver
Black leather interior
Bose
Blinds
Solar roof
Ski Hatch
Headlamp wash
Cruise control
Fully electric, heated seats front and rear
MOT, Taxed and 120,000 miles on the clock

I had lots of spare time, and a 2000 non sport facelift 4.2 quattro that I wanted to convert into a 'sport' model at the time. I figured by changing over the seats, suspension and wheels I'd be pretty much there.

Of course, there would be a lot of spare parts but I'd just chuck them on Ebay...

Needless to say that the demand for the spare parts off this one car far outstripped the stock I had, and it was clear that there was more sales to be made if we had more parts.

So, 18th July 2007 saw the birth of 'A8parts' as a trading name of 'Prestige Motor Services Limited'... And David & I set about buying up as many tired or poorly A8/S8's that we could get our hands on. We've tried to avoid accident damaged cars as if they are too mangled, you can't run them to test all the parts before you can remove it - We'd rather pay a little extra for a car that still runs, so we can be sure all the bits we stock are worthwhile.

We've since chewed our way through numerous Pre facelift cars, including three 2.8's, three 3.7's and numerous 4.2's. We've done a couple of facelift S8's, a long wheel base, a 2.8, 3.7 quattro and a few facelift 4.2's too.

and heres how that car ended.....
http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...6&d=1232636132
Once it was down to a bare shell, it was cut up for scrap and taken to the metal recyclers. We still strip them down to the bare ally, but they get collected in once piece and taken whole now. It was a lot of cutting +++

It's being towed by an S8 of course...

Kind of sad to see it like that, but at least it was getting a good send off!

hahaha that may happen to my old A8, how much is an old M reg 2.8 worth?? think its done 160k but had new engine at 60k. a fella down the road wants it, think he going to offer 1400quid. That sound about right? will have a years mot on it for him. Half of the car has come from you lot lol

£1400 aint a bad price at all, if he offers that I'd snap his hand off if I were you +++

What sort of S8 you seeking ?

not too sure, what S8 i want, still got a large superchanger in the workshop and i want to put it on one, think it will make good power. Worried about the gearbox, been told they aint very good. easy see 600+ with out to much work.

I need a bigger signature


YEAH!+++

Don't know what makes you think the gearbox wont handle it, sure they are prone to failiure but it seems to be a bad part not a power related problem as such.

If they are failing with the 360bhp, then dont think they will take good power, Maybe wrong, depends what breaks in them, if any one knows that would help. Other option is to strip box and all drive train and shotpean ( think thats the right name) that will help.

The issue is not with gearbox strength but reliability if not maintained. The 5 speed box was a fill for life with ATF. The life of a gearbox is until it fails. As long as this failure is out of warranty Audi don't care.

If you maintain your autobox with ATF and filter changes there is now reason for it not to do big miles.

As for power handling it's basically the same box on the W12 at 414BHP and 400lbft +. There is now reason the box shouldn't handle another lage chunk of horse power as long as it is not fed in a one big hit (drag racing style). I expect to see 550Bhp and 470lbft without any problems and still remain docile on the roads.

Mike