Faults:

Needed a new coolant temperature sensor.

General Comments:

Beautifully built luxury exec car that allows you to cross huge distances in total comfort. For me, it is practically a mobile office.

The keyless entry and finger print recognition are a particularly nice function.

The steering is solid and direct, but does not have the feel of a BMW. It is worth playing around with the tyre pressures, particularly on the fronts as that improves handling no end. The paddle-shift also make it good fun on an A road.

Petrol consumption is high. I'm averaging 21.4 at the moment. I can get about 26 on a motorway run, but that is the absolute best I've had. I'm thinking of LPGing it to make it more affordable.

The build quality is great, and the MMI system works well, as does the SATNAV.

Faults:

Squealing from the front brakes; new discs and pads fitted at no cost to me.

Front off-side brake caliper seals perished; replaced.

Rear near-side brake caliper seals perished; replaced.

Water ingress in front foot-wells; this was caused by blocked plenum tubes in the front bulkhead; fixed by removal of the tubes.

Rear exhaust mount failed; required new rubber mount.

Battery replaced at huge cost by Audi; 3rd battery in this car. Previous battery was installed by Kwik-Fit and was the incorrect rating.

Knocking noise up through the steering column; investigated by Audi but problem was never traced. Most annoying!

General Comments:

Having previously owned an Audi A6 2.8 SE, I decided to go for the more luxurious A8; I had always loved the shape and look of this car.

It turned out to be one of the best cars I had owned; it had everything I wanted in a car; the cabin was comfortable and airy, well equipped, excellent Bose sound system, quality leather, front / rear parking sensors, SATNAV, Ronal alloys which gave the car a lovely look, etc.

It wasn't an out and out performance machine; in fact, the 2.8 struggled from standing start but once it was rolling, it was quiet, smooth and efficient. It was quite economical as well. And the four-wheel drive set up with the sport suspension, and excellent Tiptronic 'box, gave it a reassuring ride on wet roads and in heavy rain.

I now have a Lexus GS which I'm still getting to know, so for now, I would say the Audi is up there with previous cars that I've owned (BMW 540, BMW 535 Sport and Audi A6 2.8SE).

Faults:

The auto gearbox is a problem.

50% of the time the gearbox is OK.

For the other 50% it goes into limp home mode (3rd gear).

I have tried changing the oil and filter twice, but no luck.

General Comments:

I would appreciate any advice on my gearbox.

Apart from this the car is wonderful. I get 29mpg which for a 4x4 V8 is outstanding.