Faults:

Headlight DRL bulbs. Prior owner installed 1156 28W in a 21W rated holder, which required new wiring due to insulation becoming brittle. Probably would have been okay, but I tried to install LED 1156 with resistors, only to find the resistors heat up to 335F, so I removed everything to find cracking wire insulation. Don't mess with perfection, and don't be tempted to upgrade your lights to LED - this year doesn't jive with it. Be happy with Xenon.

General Comments:

I refer to the car as my private jet. It has a Beechcraft private business jet quality interior, and it really doesn't matter what is going on with the weather, the AWD has you covered. A/C is chilly (I'm writing in south Florida for August), the stereo is great, braking is supreme, and most of the maintenance is pretty easy - you can put fingers directly on 7 of the 8 plugs, and the airbox is 6-7 phillips screws to remove and 3 minutes later you are on #8. Coils are standard and like $25 each. Plugs are $6-13 each for premium, and air filters are readily available.

The timing belt is extensive for the 40 interference valves, but judging from another Passat with a timing chain that failed at 70K from a collapsed hydraulic chain tensioner, I'd rather have a belt for timing. Plus, a belt is easier on the head parts. Oonce the front bumper/radiator/condensor/grill are removed, then the belt and spring tensioner are owner replaceable with tools you can rent if you are a reasonable mechanic.

The prior owner was $110K deep in this car and it shows. I love it. It still looks like new, because someone with the rub keeps this level of investment in the shade and babies it. They protect your investment.

Driving - the dynamic mode rules the highway, because it lowers another 1-2" over 75mph and it really grips then. With the L the car looks more like an executive presence than most anything else on the road. Air cooled seats, with massage, and/or heat and like 10 ways to adjust; you don't want to get out. I find myself driving under the speed limit to enjoy more time being in the car and radio, LOL. Two friends that are current Merc owners (S55 and SUV) tell me they want out of the Merc and into an Audi. Audi has thought everything through on this model.

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

Wonderful car, very wonderful. It's extremely powerful and the ride is smooth. It carries a stance that says "I'm here and I'm not moving against my will." Many times during traffic I wish I could turn into "The Transporter" and avoid it all. For a big saloon it handles quite well, and theres very little body roll. I love the way it surges forward at the slightest touch of the throttle.

I have it set up so it's a 2+2, which in turn makes it much more roomier, and my passengers often compliment on the high level of comfort that is offered. Wood trim seems to be everywhere, and that's a good thing. It compliments the sandstone colored leather very nicely. Audi really did a nice job of thoroughly designing this car and adding the little details that matter. I would much rather take this car over a Mercedes or a BMW, though the BMW did come close. Before this Audi I had a BMW 735i, and that was a very nice car, back when it was new. If Audi had made this exact car back then, I would have gotten this one. For some reason, Mercedes just hasn't been meeting the bar for me lately. Oh well, I like Audi better anyways.