Blade04

It's been a while since I posted. I had a low serial # (1972) that had a bad transmission out of the box, and then was haunted by electrical gremlins. My dealer took the car back and gave me a new model (9000 series) serial #. It too has been plagued by the battery draining to zero, leaving me stranded on five occassions now. No problem with the electrical system has ever been found. Most recently, some device was placed on the battery to determine the source of the drain. Still nothing. Anyone else out there having any electrical issues? I've been in an Audi since 1985. In an A-8 since 1997. I'm looking hard at that new MBS500 or BMW530x if my dealer can't get this right.

Douglikesaudio

Is yours a D3?

Audi S5 TC

If you think you are having quality and reliability issues with your A8, you haven't seen anything until you have owned a 2004+ 5 Series and all late 1990s+ Benzes. Consumer Reports rates the quality and reliability of all 2000+ Benzes and the 2004+ 5 Series significantly worse than any Audi, old and new. Lately, CR rates the quality and reliability of Audi nearly as high as Toyota, Lexus, Honda, Acura and Subaru and much, much higher than BMW, Mercedes, Volkswagen, Porsche, Gaguar-err-Jaguar, Junk Rover-err-Land Rover, Slob-err-Saab and Volvo. JD Power and Associates and Strategic Vision strongly beg to differ. CR surveys 800,000+ vehicle owners a year vs. considerably fewer than 800,000 vehicle owners a year surveyed by JD P&A and SV combined (I don't know the exact numbers). I guess that makes CR a more reliable automotive source than JD P&A and SV. I used to bash CR to no end like a stupid a$$hole. But truth be told, CR is right on the ball much more often than they are full of sh*t. I honestly believe that CR is right on the ball here. JD P&A and SV are right on the ball as often as they are full of sh*t. I honestly believe that JD P&A and SV are full of sh*t here.

Blade04

2004 A-8L

Blade04

So should I be looking at the Acura RL or another 4WD rice burner. They're boring but reliable and I need a car that will start every day, especially in the winter.

Audi S5 TC

I would also consider the Subaru Outback 3.0R sedan, which is AWD, ultra reliable and lots of fun. Throw the Cadillac SRX V8 AWD in there, too. BTW, is your A8 or A8L 4.2 a D2 (1997-2003) or a D3 (2004+).

Der Kimbo

Are you having problems with the battery draining at home? Other locations? Where do you keep your keys and do you lock the car when it sits for long periods of time?

sfumato

We now have an '06 W12 after 12 BMW's and 2 Mini's in last 8 years. Had V12 750iL bought as last one when we drove new 745 and hated it. 750 drove great, stranded wife x2 and 5 visits for cooling problem. I made them buy it back after 3yrs and 34k miles. I had Z8, spent 160 days in shop in 3 yrs/9k miles. My M5 and M3's were great, but Mini's, though fun, are not what they should be...my Works S had 12-15 software re-programs, squeaks that would never get fixed, and needed a new clutch @ 8k miles. I haven't put a clutch in a car in 15 years and hundreds of thousands of miles. Local dealer used to be great, now sux. My business was theirs to lose, they did.
My LS 430 was bought because of the dealer service, reliability, and ignore-ability of it. If I need fun cars, I have them. LS sits outside, is ignored, used to haul water-softener salt, dog food, plants, etc. Don't care where I park it, if it is raining, and it does it all silently, effortlessly, and reliably. Dealer is amazing.
Get the Ultra, or equivalent. Laser cruise, vent seats, shades, nav, Mark Levinson stereo, pwr close, etc. Best Corolla in the world.
My zwei pfennig.

Blade04

Occurances have been in my driveway and garage. Never has it sat for more than 12 hours before dying. Once at the airport lot it had sat for 3 or 4 days. In the driveway it was locked. In the garage left unlocked. Keys are kept indoors, not in the auto.

Blade04

D3, 2004 A 8L.