Hey, nice thread and I totally agree re: the A7; I did seriously consider one but I wanted Quattro & Adaptive Suspension (the former being a £2k extra on the 7, and Quattro wasn't standard either I don't think & obviously, they’re both standard on the 8).
The engine choice for me was also difficult; I wanted as close as possible to my D3 4.2 Tdi (as they don’t do the 4.2Tdi in that platform
) and after some research, I discovered that the A7 was going to be available with a 313PS 3.0Tdi with a Tip-Tronic gearbox!! (and not a CVT derivative) - which would be extremely quick and light. But, I'd then have to have added the extras to get me close to the 8's spec - and so in the end - I'd have been paying through the nose (much more than an 8) to get in to one - so my decision was made easier by getting an 8.
The 7 is simply gorgeous and for me, looks like no other car - undoubtedly an Audi - but distinct enough to not look like a 4 or a 6 (ok, it kinda looks like an A5 big brother - but appreciate my point!) - whereas the 8, kinda looks just like a newer, bigger 4. It’s funny, driving it around, people do a double take, initially thinking, I think – that it’s an A4 – but then there seems to be a realisation that it’s an 8 and they look for longer!
Something a little annoying now, I’m not “engine sizist” but I do feel that the new 8 should have it’s engine size on the back. Mine looks no different to any other engine model – which is fine – but then, I *think* I’m getting people hassling / pressuring me to get past – usually on a motorway – whereas in my D3, they didn’t seem to bother and kept their distance…Does anyone know what I mean here? I had someone today in a mini – he just had to be past me – regardless of my speed – whereas in my D3 (obviously labelled with 4.2) I *think* people didn’t pressure me as much. It just ticks me off – and of course, this could all just be in my head …..(they’re coming to get me!!)
Back to the 7! - The 1st time I saw one, I was actually in my D3, ahead of one, by a couple of cars, looking at it in my rear-view mirror; I kept slowing, hoping the cars behind would overtake, no one did, (YOU SEE!!), so I could get a good look at it - as I was thinking is it an 8?? Or is it the new 7??– but I couldn’t decide. Anyways - it turned off before I could see it
The next one I saw was when I was in a retail car park just after Christmas – some guy had a new one and I was a bit cheeky and went over to him and just said, "Hello mate, hope you don't think this is weird but I've not yet seen the A7 close up, would you mind if I had a peak?" He was really kind and not at all weirded out! He was really chuffed with it and told me that he'd literally just collected it.
If I'd have been him (his was literally brand new - my occupation / salary doesn’t allow me to be able to buy brand-new!!) I'd have had an armed guard next to it in a retail park - in case of shopping trolley dents and similar!
- to keep it perfect lol
I thought about a Q7 for about .06 of a second, purely because the 4.2Tdi was available in that platform as well - but it's just too bling for me, I like the understated looks of the 8, it's not brash (as I think Mercs are).
I agree with the rear of the 8 - wasn't smitten - though I am warming to it. I tell you what's helping - the rear LED lights cluster - simply fab in the dark - if you unlock the car from a distance, walking back to it (as I did last night!!
)
By the way, the D2 looks lovely next to the D4, I still really love the D2, fab car and in many ways, I miss ever having had one - I wanted a final edition S8 but it just wasn't to be (I think I mentioned on this forum, a dealer I went to see, who had a lovely black, final edition S8 with a blood-red interior and I ended up walking out because he refused to shake my hand??)...
Those pics are great - I was thinking I'd post some up - but except for the interior colour, and to some extent, the exterior colour, the pics would be the same. I'm a fan of light interiors - albeit they do show dirt more easily. I like the interior illumination pack against light-coloured leather because obviously, lighter colours reflect more light. I'll maybe take some and upload 'em
Better stop gassing, you’re probably covered with cob-webs and dust by now having read this – but just quickly, when is the next meet? And where might it be?? YES looking forward to seeing my, no your D3!!