D3 Pre-Facelift A8 4.2 QS Vs D2 Facelift S8?

[PsYcHe]

Nope... my PF D3 didn't have one.

[Nollywood]

Was there any year the D3 had rear blinds as standard? I'm looking at '03 - '05 models though. If blinds don't come this early (or if I find a nice example without) how easy is it to retrofit?

I know I'll need blinds, door cards, rear parcel shelf and the relevant harnesses / switch / relay etc.

Is it all plug-and-lay, or not worth doing? Perhaps IT can chime in here, thanks guys!

[PsYcHe]

None as standard on any year, except maybe on the W12/S8, but they'd be the manual ones, there was an option of power ones too I'm sure. Should just be door cards and the hooks for the manual ones.

[Nollywood]

I've got two potential cars to view, both 2004 4.2 QS. What I'm not sure of is if they have HID headlamps or seat memory. Both have Navigation, though only one of the adverts mentions TV.

One has a sunroof. Was HID, analogue TV and seat memory standard fitment? My apologies for all these questions, I'm just more used to the D2, and the nearest of these cars is 244 miles away from me!

Thanks for your valued help.

[PsYcHe]

Pretty sure the QS should have Xenon. TV and Nav were standard fit. Definitely driver's seat memory, and fairly sure passenger was standard. They're probably not mentioning the TV as it'll be Analogue so won't work, but you can still drop AV inputs into it.

If they've got the fingerprint reader, then they won't have memory buttons in the driver's side as that's controlled by your fingerprint (a PITA).

[Nollywood]

Thanks, PsYcHe! I owe you big time, I really appreciate all your valuable help.

[IT]

Originally Posted by Nollywood

I've got two potential cars to view, both 2004 4.2 QS. What I'm not sure of is if they have HID headlamps or seat memory. Both have Navigation, though only one of the adverts mentions TV.

One has a sunroof. Was HID, analogue TV and seat memory standard fitment? My apologies for all these questions, I'm just more used to the D2, and the nearest of these cars is 244 miles away from me!

Thanks for your valued help.

Xenons were only standard on the W12 and S8, although reasonably commonly specced @ £500. Sat Nav wasn't standard on the early D3 SWB albeit often specified. MMI was standard, as was the control panel and even the NAV buttons, so check the NAV button actually does something... In 2004 Nav was standard on LWB, and £1000 on SWB.

TV wasnt standard on anything, ever to my knowledge. Even S8 and W12 you'd be ticking the box specially for it @ £705

Elec rear Blind with manual side blinds would be standard kit on a LWB model, otherwise you could have the on a SWB for £475, rear only for £300 or electric rear and sides for £700

The silver lining though is that memory driver and passenger seat were standard from the outset.

I've got a number of D3 price lists to hand, happy to check out any listings if you can post a link to them

[Nollywood]

Thanks, IT. Here are a couple:

http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-m...#photo-content

http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-m...ory/1031327772

Interestingly, both were registered on the same day, with very similar license plates.

[IT]

Ok, firstly OV and OU reg cars tend to be Audi Demo/Press vehicles, which explains the same day reg no doubt along with reasonable spec.

Top one first:

Its low miles, but sounds like it has a couple of silly little bits wrong with it - paint, boot etc. What else did they neglect ?

Not a fan of cream interiors, but if it low miles and doesnt look grubby with the age then they can be ok. This car looks to have adaptive cruise also - or - its had a front end prang and someone fitted the wrong grill. Hopefully the former. No aluminim pack, but an aluminium handbrake lever suggest the MMI controls were swapped at some point, probably a drink spillage which is quite common. Advance key is good to see and facelift rear lights will have set him back a few quid, plus it means you're far less likely to see water ingress from the older units which was common at that age. Overall looks quite good, although with no one buying big petrols right now you should be haggling < 5K definitely.

I'm also not a fan of tinted windows, which it seems to have, but just my personal preference.

Nice body colour. Good to see it supplied with 2 keys as well. Dont worry about the missing phone. You're far better off pulling out the factory motorola thing and fitting a proper bluetooth module anyway.

Good to see seats are heated. It was an option, unlike the D2

Sat Nav and TV is good. DVD is unlikely. It will have a DVD drive for the Sat Nav though in the boot

With Bose too, and new discs and pads all round its looking like a decent option.

[IT]

and the 2nd:

Adaptive xenon lights, but no adaptive cruise. Black interior is more popular than cream, but silver outside is a bit safe imo (each to their own mindst)

Bose is good, with Sat Nav and sunroof but thats about all I can find on this one.

Lack of advance key would rule it out of my shopping list immediately tbh.

No mention of service history, shortish MOT.

If it were my money, the first one is the better one on paper, especially if it has adaptive cruise and you can get it the right side of 5K.