Faults:

Oil pressure sending unit leak at 43,000 miles.

Air conditioner evaporator leak and replacement required at 47,000 miles (buried inside the dash panel).

Front upper control arm required replacement at 47,000 miles.

Valve cover gasket leaked oil onto exhaust manifold at 47,000 miles.

Left front wheel speed sensor fault continues to trip off anti-lock brake system, which has been chronic since 50,000 miles (still does this).

Irregular transmission shifting, especially in 5th gear ("D" position), particularly when under light throttle under 2000 RPM. This has been happening since 60,000 miles (still does this).

General Comments:

This is my third large Audi Quattro sedan, and my first with an automatic transmission.

My previous two Audis were the '87 5000 CD Turbo Quattro and the '91 200 Turbo Quattro 20V (forerunner of the "S-4" engine). The 20V was simply an awesome engine!

The '98 A8 is a phenomenal automobile, but I honestly miss the manual transmission.

I think the transmission in the A8 is over-engineered and it "thinks" too much. During hard off-the-line acceleration, there is a nasty delay while the transmission decides what gear it wants to choose. Here's a suggestion: Use low gear!

Also, I have been having trouble with irregular shifting patterns where the transmission "hunts" for a gear up and down. This happens mostly when under light throttle under 2000 RPM. However, it has come to my attention that the transmission may require a fluid and filter change, and this could be the culprit.

During my first several months of (used) ownership, I was hit by a flurry of mechanical repairs that amounted to about $3500. Although, this was more related to the previous owner's failure to get things fixed.

Audis are such great cars that I can't quibble over repair costs or the occasional glitch.

Faults:

The engine's timing chain has broken twice, after warranty.

The water pump failed, resulting in an expensive engine overhaul.

The transmission had to be replaced.

General Comments:

This is a fairly good car. The looks are nice, and it is luxurious and comfortable without being ostentatious. The performance could be better. The engine is a great engine, but more power is needed for such a large car. It has many nice features, including rear heated seats.

Faults:

Passenger's airbag fired during an accident when I was the only occupant DRIVER and no parcel on the passenger's seat. The lock out for no passenger no airbag deployment did not work. The driver's bag did not fire and considering the impact I'm surprised it did not.

The car was taken in for its first service after 18 months (5800 miles) with an intermittant remote control problem. The car has been in twice for a total of twenty three days and there are no clues when it will be ready. Dealer service has been unpleasant and not of high quality.

General Comments:

Audi and I are engaged in an enthusiastic discussion concerning the air bag issues, safety, and two areas of rear vision difficulty. The head rests for the rear seat obstruct vision directly to the rear and the passenger's outside mirror was deprived of growth hormone and is a very small and ineffectual mirror assemby. Audi and the dealership want over $400 USD to install a 1991/2 mirror assembly that has at least 100% greater field of vision than the original. The driver's mirror is marginal. When driving I do not remember owning a car with as many driver blind spots in rear vision as the A8. The sad part is that both the mirror, head rest and very fat C pillers could have been changed in the early to mid 1990s. Audi needs to look at the S class and Lexus 400s to see how to do rear head rests correctly. OR LOOK at their own 1991/2 A4 with head rests for the rear seat that can be lowered into a recess in the top of the rear seat. The A4's rear vision is not bad with new mirrors and modified head rests.