Have all service records from day one that came with car when I purchased. Too many failures to list, clutch assembly, inherent hydraulic pump failure (3 times),transmission from time to time goes into limp mode,indicating fault, but upon diagnosis is never found, inherent brake pedal fade at times when turning right while applying brakes (has been problem since car was new),once again upon diagnosis, problem not found, hydraulic fluid line failures, fuel rail line leakages, rear seal failure, inherent power window switch and connection failures. Just to name a few. Even with proper service and maintenance as all records prove to date, this car began expensive failures at relatively low mileage.
This car conquers all in cold weather climates. Comfortable,well appointed interior. Only one intermittent wiper speed. Weak blower motor speeds with climate control. Awesome braking and steering capabilities. Tiptronic transmission is awesome, but must be handled with care. Sporty high-end fun, AAA Plus is a requirement. Even with good independent mechanic, service and maintenance costs are 30% higher than your average car. This is not your average car. Good well built car that requires extra care and maintenance and also spirited driving requires utmost ability as car is sensitive to this style of driving. disappointing v8 on the low-end, but high-end is,oh so much fun. Car was built with more luxury in mind.
I have the 4.2 model 1993 (one of the last before the A8) and can only agree with the review. Not yet 100K miles and the list of repairs is impressive. The car averages 3 workshop visits a year and the parts are not cheap. My repairs include the hydraulic pump, a cylinder head gasket, the air-con cockpit flap motor, the lambdasonde, idling problems and a gearbox that won't change into third until over 36 mph even on a downhill with foot off the accelerator. The instrument lighting needed three hours labor to fix as it needs the whole dash to be removed (unlike the Audi 100 from which it stems). The lumbar setting in the front seats has long lost its function.
However, the positive side is also valid. I live in Europe and have tried both German Autobahns and Swiss mountain passes. The car is a great cruiser, but lumbers bit on winding roads. But as a previous commentator said, why not buy a Lambo. But wait till you see a Lambo in two foot of snow on the same mountain pass.
In all fairness, one must bear in mind that the car was 14 years old at the time of the original writeup. All cars have failures. Audi V8's, due to their complexity and extreme rarity, are very expensive to repair.
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