Used Audi A8 2003 - 2010 review

What's the used Audi A8 like?

The Audi A8 is a huge saloon that has much to offer anyone in search of a luxury motor that isn't a BMW, Mercedes or Jaguar.

The innovative aluminium body means it's lighter than many rivals, helping performance and economy. Four-wheel drive is fitted to most, as is air suspension, offering a choice between four settings.

Overview

It's a fine car in its own right, but it's not the easiest of its type to live with

Pros

• It's an understated limo
• Beautifully engineered
• Very quick

Cons

• Loses value quickly
• Expensive to run

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Audi A8

3.0 TDI Sport Saloon 4dr Diesel Automatic quattro (224 g/km, 229 bhp)

£1,995

Audi A8

2.8 FSI SE CVT 4dr

£2,495

Audi A8

3.1 FSI SE CVT 4dr LWB

£5,995

Audi A8

3.0 TDI V6 Executive SE Tiptronic quattro Euro 5 (s/s) 4dr

£6,200

Audi A8

3.0 TDI V6 SE Executive Tiptronic quattro Euro 5 (s/s) 4dr

£6,495

Audi A8

3.0 TDI SE quattro 4dr

£6,695

Audi A8

3.0 TDI V6 SE Executive Tiptronic quattro Euro 5 (s/s) 4dr

£6,995

Audi A8

3.0 TDI V6 Executive SE Tiptronic quattro Euro 5 (s/s) 4dr

£7,980

Audi A8

3.0 TDI V6 SE Tiptronic quattro Euro 5 (s/s) 4dr

£7,999

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The interior is vast throughout, while the boot offers more than ample space. The long-wheelbase version is rare but brings even more space in the rear seats. It's a very well-built car and the quality of the materials used matches, and sometimes beats, the competition's.

Even the cheapest models drive well, feeling smaller than they look, while the high-performance models are seriously quick. The diesels are state-of-the-art but the smaller petrols are accomplished, too.

There simply isn't any road noise and, while you'll hear some wind noise, it's completely silent otherwise.

Our recommendations

Which used Audi A8 should I buy?

The 3.0 diesel model makes most sense. Not only does it promise up to 32mpg - a good return for a big, four-wheel-drive car - but it's one of the cheaper models to buy. If that's not enough to persuade you, it also loses value more slowly than other A8s. Otherwise, the smallest petrol engine, the 3.2 V6, makes a fair fist of hauling the car quickly, while keeping buying and owning costs to sensible levels.

Whichever model you look at, you'll have plenty of kit, with sat-nav, leather seats and keyless entry on all. Parking sensors ease the worry of parking in town; they're a real boon, particularly on the long-wheelbase version.

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