Might be back again soon

[Glync]

Afternoon All
After 18 months away on the dark side driving a merc E350 I have itchy feet again and have been looking at a A8 3 litre CDI again as I miss the big beastie! I also need to rationalise my car collection (orders from SWMBO) so the old XJ needs to go which needs me really needing a decent sized saloon again.

The Merc has been faultless in fairness and totally reliable not one warranty claim in 18 months! but I do find it lacking after the A8 and the engine is very noisy around town which is a shame as it pulls like a proverbial train is quiet on the move and isn't too bad on the juice. Was easier to park though
Seems most of the D4's I have looked at don't have the spec lists of the D3's that were about when I was buying my previous D3 and many seem to be fairly standard SE spec's. I am trying to get a 2011/12 with around 20K miles one if possible as far below 30K as possible. I'd like Bose sounds memory seats Parking camera as a minimum not bothered with sun roofs and things I never use ! I prefer darker externals and lighter internals so the hunt is on now! Will look to hang onto it for three years minimum so I want the right car.

So the hunt is on, I'll report back if I see anything I fancy and perhaps get some thoughts from you guys on what to look/watch out for
Cheers Glyn

[Architex_mA8tey]

Hi Glyn and welcome back!
I do think youve been mercedes-ised too much though - you will need to look for an A8 TDi not a CDi

[Glync]

Blimey your right

Will have to be "de" merc'd !

[Glync]

Well after a month of searching, nearly buying and A7 toying with a B*W and thoroughly driving my wife bonkers I think I have a deal on an A8 a 2013 Sport Exec. They seem to come well spec’d up and come standard with BOSE, the four camera parking system, 20’s and the nice sports seats, as well as all the standard goodies.

I have just viewed another one today with adaptive cruise and night vision, but it’s five grand more expensive and I am already pushing the boat out to get what I want so the line has to be drawn and despite the love of gadgets I think those looks expensive!
I had a close shave nearly buying a 640D B*W. I have to say that engine and box take some beating, and it makes a cracking sound for something drinking from the black pump and supposed to be very good on the mpg too. TBH if it wasn’t for the appalling dealers I think I would have been in one by now as it left me grinning from ear to ear. Really lovely motor and they have started to make them look so much better and the interiors are finished nicely now too.

But I have come full circle and back to the 8 as I loved my last one and there’s nothing covers the miles and makes you feel damn comfortable as a Audi A8 imho. The interior takes some beating as a place to spend time. The biggest plus is they sail under the radar too not shouting about their capabilities like some. The thinking mans motor 
If all goes to plan I will post up some pictures soon the one I am after is in Emerald Black (which looks black till the sun hits it then it looks very dark green) with a Silk beige interior really looks stunning.
Cheers Glyn

[tonupkid]

Good luck with your purchase Glyn

And, if after dealing with Tamworth Audi you find BMW dealers to be bad. Well, they must be really really bad. World class bad. Nicking your kidney bad.
Frankly, I thought Merc were the awfullest of the awful, (after Tamworth Audi of course)

[Architex_mA8tey]

Hi Glyn, glad youve settled on another '8 - what happened with the A7 then? I thought you had gone ahead with it!

[tintin]

Originally Posted by tonupkid

Good luck with your purchase Glyn

And, if after dealing with Tamworth Audi you find BMW dealers to be bad. Well, they must be really really bad. World class bad. Nicking your kidney bad.
Frankly, I thought Merc were the awfullest of the awful, (after Tamworth Audi of course)

I'll wager my Stockport Audi against your Tamworth Audi…recent examples include FOUR weeks to get back to me on replacement parts (after 5 reminders...), and two failures to get someone in sales to contact me after I'd expressed an interest in an RS6 Avant and and RS5!

Definitely a Tesla for me next time….

[Glync]

Originally Posted by Architex_mA8tey

Hi Glyn, glad youve settled on another '8 - what happened with the A7 then? I thought you had gone ahead with it!

Thanks all
I was going to drop you a line Neil as all this kicked off in the last week or so. Long story so make sure your sat with a glass of wine
Strangely I have had bad experiences this month with both Mercedes and BMW
The a7 I was after was at a mb dealers. They told me it had full audi service history and it would be serviced by Audi before I picked it up. Things were a bit delayed as I wanted my plate moved also, this proved to be lucky as the car was misrepresented and I was told a load of bs. This car was sound enough but I started to do more digging. I got hold of Audi customer services who were very helpful and told me the spec of the car and the fact it had never been serviced by Audi. It's three years old. I know it doesn't have to have been serviced there but it was loaded with extras which as we all know can go wrong and I wanted a good warranty.

Then I was told it was in with Audi for a service but again this was bs the Merc dealer had serviced it the week before I put the deposit on it! I was sent a copy of the internal bill for it when I pushed to evidence the service history properly. Obviously service books are old hat now everything is digital so you have to dig around .
Then after a few weeks of chasing I managed to get a copy of the comprehensive warranty. This stated amongst other things it did not cover the sat nav and any related items. I pointed out this was a major flaw and without the mmi not much could be operated on the car if this were to go wrong. So I asked them to arrange an Audi warranty and I would pay the difference. Or lower the asking price and I would buy it ...Not a chance they wouldn't stating their warranty covered everything. I pointed out my observations but only after a week of debating it did they agree I was right and agreed to refund my deposit. They claimed their warranty was £650 I had a quote off Audi for £670 with 15000 miles and and excess of £100 which I thought was reasonable.
I am still waiting for the deposit cheque, trading standards may be my next step with these idiots.
The bmw dealer was great to start with sorting test drives and sourcing a car. I only decided to try one as a chap that works for me has a lovely 650i and we got chatting about the new 640d. I test drove one and fell for it, they really are a lovely bit of kit.
Again deposit placed, then when I was supposed to have the car ... This Friday they ring up and say sorry we didn't managed to get the car we said we could get! So after a brief conversation where they tried to sell me another one they could get from another branch of their dealership ....I asked for my deposit back ...oh that will take a few days he said......having already been caught with the last one I blew my stack and demanded a bank transfer be organised. That should be actioned Monday with any luck. He had the nerve to get shirty with me too which really wound me up
To be honest I nearly gave up and carried on driving the Merc (which incidentally has been a great car reliable and quick) but I have never really settled with it since moving away from the last a8.
I had already touched base with a few dealers on A8s so I rekindled the interest and over the weekend have had a couple of interesting offers of nice cars with very low miles. Year old cars virtually half price.
What I have also realised is that I know more about all these models than any of the so called sales people. I study the brochure or ask questions, but they don't seem to have a clue about the specs and rather than say I don't know I'll find out they give you a load of flannel
My wife even knows what spec a 6 series comes with and she is a dab hand with the various specs of the a8s now. God bless her she has stuck with me over the last month, spent too many weekends sat drinking coffee waiting to test drive cars or whilst these plonkers go and talk to their manager to squeeze more into the deal.
Even today another three hours in an audi showroom waiting to test drive an 8 and speak to the chap I had been dealing with .......and when she asked one of the flunkies for an brochure on the a8 he replied you'll have to ask one of the girls downstairs. Customer service at it's very best we even got our own drinks sorted as no one appeared interested
All in all a month from hell just trying to spend money on a new car .
Is it me am I expecting too much

[David's8]

"Is it me am I expecting too much "

Jeez, what a story! No, you are not expecting too much. Its a lot of money by any measure and cheap-suited, gel-haired, pointy-shoed spivs whose pay you are contributing to need to realise that. They would be (should be) living under the arches if it wasnt for people like you/us. You really ought to send that story (certainly the Audi bit) to Mt Konsberg (Audi UK CEO) who Sarg emailed successfully the other day. *See Annual meet - prizes thread (I think).

[Glync]

Well I am hoping the chain of events is reaching a good conclusion
The bmw credited my bank today
I have agreed terms on the Audi a8, really pleased with it too should be sat behind the wheel this Friday if all goes to plan.
Now just waiting for the other deposit to arrive which I am assured in in the post . Why they need to use a cheque in this day and age I will never know. But it keeps the money in their account I guess.
@ davids8 I can't point any fingers at Audi mate the dealer selling the a7 was a Merc dealer. I have only been to Audi to view a8 but even they haven't exactly seemed to want the business.
Anyway I am now so looking forward to getting myself back in an a8 after a two year break. All this new tech to try LED headlights sat nav linking to the gearbox I can't wait.
I will post up some pictures and first thoughts over this coming weekend
Cheers Glyn