19th May 2006, 06:32

I have owned a 98 A8 Quattro for nearly two years. I bought the car with 80,000 miles and have put 25,000 trouble free miles on it. It handles amazingly well, and has an unbelievable ride. So far my repair costs have been only oil changes. The car also gets 23 mpg when driving gently on the highway. The only problem I have had is an intermittent fault in the ABS system which I am still trying to diagnose. The ABS light comes on when driving about 5-10 mph. It happens about once every two weeks. Any thought on this would be appreciated (nomoss@verizon.net).

27th May 2006, 07:44

I have owned my 1999 A8 with now 76000 miles for around two years.

Unfortunately my ownership has been plagued with problems. While I did purchase an extended 4 year warranty I am still concerned about the problems and their repeated inconvenience.

Service from the two Audi dealers I have the car repaired at are very poor. Very unprofessional and poor commitment to the customer.

So far I have accrued more than $14 000 in repairs to the vehicle I nthe two years I have owned it and sadly there are more to come. The transmission was replaced for genuine New unit at a cost of more than $8000. This new transmission with now 4000 miles has concerning shifting problems that Audi cannot diagnose. The last replacement took 26 days before I received my car back.

There are just a lot of small nagging problems too. The HID lights are now lighting only 20 feet in front of the vehicle and I cannot determine how to adjust them out (I never adjusted them in, but this is a recent phenomena).

As far as quality of drive, performance, traction, economy, styling - I would give it a 10/10. But as far as owning one. I would be thinking more 4/10. I really am glad I paid the $2600 for the warranty. While at the time it seemed a lot - it does not any longer.

29th May 2006, 20:39

I have a 1998 A8. I too have replaced the transmission. Audi couldn't diagnose it: I took it to AAMCO and they found metal shavings in it. Fortunately I had an extended warranty. Beginning about a month ago my ABS light comes on about once a week, and although the dealership replaced two sensors at a cost of $600 two days ago it happened again today.

21st Feb 2007, 18:18

My 1999 Audi A8 is on it's fourth transmission. Audi claims that they have never heard of any problems with the transmissions on this car. My mechanic has told me that there is a design flaw in the transmission.

This year I have had to replace a head gasket ($3,800), transmission rebuilt again ($3,000), new radiator ($500), new oil coolant pipe ($10 part, 7 hours of labor) new front end - A arms and such ($1,000).

My airbag light is on and my ABS light is on. I have tried to diagnose those problems, but apparently some of the computer components are dead and the diagnostic tool will not read them. There is a gas smell in the cabin if I put the engine covers on. The headrests don't go up and down anymore (once again). Several other items that I can't think of right now.

My wife's 98 Mercedes has been virtually trouble free, so it can't be the European experience.

In my spare time I build hot rods so I do know a few things about cars. This is my third Audi and probably my last.

4th Mar 2007, 17:28

My 1999 A8 4.2 Quattro with 91K miles has to date been fabulous to drive but just began to experience a 'whirring' sound seemingly from the transmission area while under load at low rpm/high torque, e.g. driving up a steep grade from a stop. I am also noticing what I'll describe as a 'sputtering' of power at cruising speeds at certain rpms/torque levels. It feels like a short cycling between 5th and 4th gears - almost a 'bucking' sensation albeit mild. I plan to have an independent transmission shop change-out the 'lifetime' filter and fluid, as is recommended strongly by another enthusiast site (every 25,000 - 40,000 miles is suggested). I will report back on findings. Frankly, I am concerned that I am reading far too many comments re (serial) transmission replacements, overhauls, etc. The A8 is marketed as a world-class product not a world class maintenance problem. We shall see.

7th Mar 2007, 15:46

Update on the comment of March 4. The transmission is a 'goner' with either a gear or bearing slipping. Working in conjunction with an independent transmission shop my tranny, the notorious ZFHP24A, will be replaced with a unit rebuilt by the regional ZF distributor. Cost for the rebuilt is $2500 from the ZF distributor versus $3500 from Audi. $1100 more for the removal and installation by my shop. So, $3600, all in with the failed unit returned to the ZF distributor as a 'core' swap. Not that $3600 is cheap or excusable in light of the clearly chequered history of the HP24A, but any A8 driver being quoted or assessed more should challenge. Stories of $12,000 circulate! FYI: A transmission shop in Phoenix, AZ advertises on the web (and E-bay) its most 'popular' European replacement transmissions. The ZFHP24A holds 'pride of place' on the list, be it installed originally in an Audi, BMW, Jaguar or Peugeot. The term 'lemon' springs to mind. So, a word to the wise: change that fluid and filter regularly!

29th May 2007, 11:26

Low trans fluid level was the problem with my 99. In my case the leak was from the output shaft at the rear of the trans. A new seal here, along with a fluid and filter change to be safe cured all the problems.

Telltale signs that you have the same leak are the smell of burning fluid on the catalytic converters.

Trans will go into limp mode, locking itself into (I think) 3rd gear before the thumping, clunking and gear missing begins.

17th Jun 2007, 15:55

2002 Audi S6 Avant- Our car has 51,000 miles on it. The other day my wife tells me something is wrong with the transmission. I drive it and discover the car bucks and jumps in reverse while the transmission bands begin to slip. I take it to Livermore Audi where their head mechanic "Freddie" says "Ope, your tranny is dead and needs a R & R. They want to do further analysis, but lead me to believe it would require 30 hours to pull the entire engine, trans, front of the car (Radiator, AC Condenser, bumper, etc. They suggested it would run somewhere around $9000-10,000!!! 51,000 miles on a car that just left warranty last year and has been maintained by Audi dealerships it entire life is inexcusable. I brought Redline Tranmission fluid in at around 40,000 miles and they told me it was lifetime fill and they discouraged replacing it. The car still requires repair, I don't know what to do at this point. This will be the last Audi I own!!! I have had three thus far. Any advice?

2nd Aug 2007, 14:12

We own a 1998 Audi A8. We had the car in the shop for an oil leak and somehow also got zinged for a major tune up. 10 days after leaving the shop, the car suddenly has no reverse. There was absolutely no indication of transmission difficulties prior to the down right failure to engage. The shop is quoting us the 12,000 price to do a full replacement on the transmission. I would be interested in feed back on the reconditioned transmission. This car has 85,000 miles on it and isn't worth 12,000.