Curious: How many of you considered 740i before getting the A8? And why? Thanks.
04-07-2004, 07:25 AM
#3
Everybody's brother has a BMW or a 740. An A8 is more special to me. Also don't mind...
...if people don't know what kind of car I am driving or what year it was produced. And then that nice aluminum...
04-07-2004, 07:28 AM
#4
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Considered BMW 4 years ago...
Not this time - in the Bay area they're everywhere. I like driving a car that has a personality and some soul. Seems like every turn I make, there's a BMW, but oh the thrill, when I spy an A8 
04-07-2004, 08:55 AM
#7
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I went with the A8L because...
1. I hate the Bangled and Mangled design of the 7 Series
2. I dislike dthe iDrive systems whereas the MMI is much more intuitive and intelligent (e.g. the HVAC controls are accessible outside of the MMI).
3. Still angry and disappointed by treatment Ireceived from BMW dealer when I bought a 540 in '94
4. Quattro is a far superior drivetrain, particularly for us New Englanders
Mike
2. I dislike dthe iDrive systems whereas the MMI is much more intuitive and intelligent (e.g. the HVAC controls are accessible outside of the MMI).
3. Still angry and disappointed by treatment Ireceived from BMW dealer when I bought a 540 in '94
4. Quattro is a far superior drivetrain, particularly for us New Englanders
Mike
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04-07-2004, 12:14 PM
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Not only did I consider it. I owned two of them.
I know I may be in the minority on this board, but I was a fan of the new 7-series and a long-time fan of BMW. I waited until the 745 had been out for a good 6 months or so (thinking that the initial glitches would be addressed - aren't I funny?), then traded my X5 in for an '02 745i.
The car IS phenomenal to drive. When it cooperates. After 8 months of constant service visits and increasing problems, BMW stepped in and did the right thing by putting me in a brand new '03. Unfortunately, while the reliability situation was improved with the '03, it was not anything to brag about. On my sixth or seventh service visit in as many months (and several parts that were still on "backorder"), I bailed on BMW. I simply wasn't up for the headache anymore.
To be fair, I have owned (and still own) other Audis, so the jump to the A8L wasn't an enormous leap. But I haven't looked back once. Yes, there is a little bit of handling sacrifice coming from the 745 to the A8L, but it's minimal. For me, the added benefits far outweigh anything lost. [But I am still pissed about the phone (non-)integration.]
The car IS phenomenal to drive. When it cooperates. After 8 months of constant service visits and increasing problems, BMW stepped in and did the right thing by putting me in a brand new '03. Unfortunately, while the reliability situation was improved with the '03, it was not anything to brag about. On my sixth or seventh service visit in as many months (and several parts that were still on "backorder"), I bailed on BMW. I simply wasn't up for the headache anymore.
To be fair, I have owned (and still own) other Audis, so the jump to the A8L wasn't an enormous leap. But I haven't looked back once. Yes, there is a little bit of handling sacrifice coming from the 745 to the A8L, but it's minimal. For me, the added benefits far outweigh anything lost. [But I am still pissed about the phone (non-)integration.]