1997 Audi A8 Quattro review from North America
"Luxury performance cruiser"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Front rotors warped after only 10,000 miles. Repair cost $600 (including new pads of course) and was not covered under the Audi Assured program (which is generally great) since brakes are considered consumable items. Hopefully this was a fluke and will not be repeated 10000 miles from now.
The so-called Multi-function Switch needed to be replaced recently. It controls transmission functionality. This was covered by Audi Assured. Breakdown occurred while on vacation in Vermont, but all was handled well by the Roadside Assistance program and local dealer.
General comments?
Gorgeous piece of automotive art, with impeccable fit and finish. Now five years old and still has a showroom finish. Gobbles up the highway miles. Extremely precise handling under any road conditions. Handles like a big cat, with exceptionally responsive and tight steering and suspension. Only complaint is with the transmission, which has a serious lag when downshifting into passing gear. This is a minor point relative to the overall combination of luxury and performance offered by the vehicle.
Recommended reviews
| Great compromise between luxury and performance |
|
| Still a dream machine after 10 years |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Year of manufacture | 1997 |
| First year of ownership | 2001 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2002 |
| Engine and transmission | 4.2 Automatic |
| Performance marks | 9 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 9 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 10 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 10 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 5 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 58500 miles |
| Most recent distance | 70500 miles |
| Previous car | Pontiac Grand Prix |
| Date of Entry | 26th August, 2002 |