1999 Audi A8 Base review from UK and Ireland

Alarm repeatedly went off of its own accord. Dealer replaced a sensor under warranty.

No other problems in 126,500 miles!

Great car. Comfortable, lively, reliable, amazingly economical (28-35 mpg and beautifully built.

Audi's 2.8 V6 engine is beautifully smooth and torquey and gives much superior performance and economy to BMW's 2.8 litre straight six in the 728i thanks to the A8's lightweight aluminium space frame chassis. The auto gearbox was delightful, changing gear almost imperceptibly, with only with a minor slur in engine note to give the game away.

Ride was a little fidgety over poor surfaces, but it handled positively and with reasonable feel from the controls. As a motorway cruiser, the car was flawless. You can whisper to your passengers at 100 mph and they will hear every word. In fact the car was as smooth, quiet, reliable and squeak free at 126,000 miles as the day I drove it away from the dealership. The BMW was not.

Even though my A8 was the entry level model it came comprehensively specified with every piece of equipment imaginable including one of the best climate control systems I've experienced, a superb Bose hi-fi with CD autochanger, electric windows, seats, mirrors, sunroof, remote locking, ABS and build quality to rival the QE2. The only "luxury" appointment missing was leather trim which I despise anyway, so it was no great loss.

The A8 is a cruelly underrated car, and I liked mine so much, I took delivery of my second (new shape) A8 last month. Better looking, swifter and more capable than its predecessor and with none of that ridiculous I-Drive nonsense that BMW are irritating potential buyers with.