Faults:

Alarm repeatedly went off of its own accord. Dealer replaced a sensor under warranty.

No other problems in 126,500 miles!

General Comments:

Great car. Comfortable, lively, reliable, amazingly economical (28-35 mpg and beautifully built.

Audi's 2.8 V6 engine is beautifully smooth and torquey and gives much superior performance and economy to BMW's 2.8 litre straight six in the 728i thanks to the A8's lightweight aluminium space frame chassis. The auto gearbox was delightful, changing gear almost imperceptibly, with only with a minor slur in engine note to give the game away.

Ride was a little fidgety over poor surfaces, but it handled positively and with reasonable feel from the controls. As a motorway cruiser, the car was flawless. You can whisper to your passengers at 100 mph and they will hear every word. In fact the car was as smooth, quiet, reliable and squeak free at 126,000 miles as the day I drove it away from the dealership. The BMW was not.

Even though my A8 was the entry level model it came comprehensively specified with every piece of equipment imaginable including one of the best climate control systems I've experienced, a superb Bose hi-fi with CD autochanger, electric windows, seats, mirrors, sunroof, remote locking, ABS and build quality to rival the QE2. The only "luxury" appointment missing was leather trim which I despise anyway, so it was no great loss.

The A8 is a cruelly underrated car, and I liked mine so much, I took delivery of my second (new shape) A8 last month. Better looking, swifter and more capable than its predecessor and with none of that ridiculous I-Drive nonsense that BMW are irritating potential buyers with.

Faults:

Transmission failed in first week of ownership, car replaced by dealer as a result.

General Comments:

A very high performance and comfortable car.

An alternative luxury car to the offerings from Mmercedes and BMW.

Faults:

The climate control failed a few months after I acquired the car. The dealer was very helpful and it now works well.

Warning light on the air bag showed. Not a real problem however just a malfunction with the electrics. Again fixed by dealer.

General Comments:

This is a car that is at home on the outside lane of the motorway.

However with petrol prices in the UK reaching 80p per liter (over $1) the thirst of the 4.2 liter is not good news at all.

The 4wd system provides great grip when it is off the motorway (not very often!)