Love the channel but...I REALLY wish YT channels would be more responsible in relation to which products/companies they promote. Carly is a prime example of a poor product to be recommending, both based on my own personal experience AND the TrustPilot reviews, which very much mirror my own subpar experience. My list of issues includes: 1. The 'Customisation' options only really work on BMWs and a small number of other vehicles i.e. German marques 2. Auto-renewal that is enabled by default and this isn't highlighted when you purchase to really draw your attention to this 'little' detail 3. Auto-renewal can only be cancelled/turned off by contacting the company directly (even thought you can setup an online account for control other aspects) 4. NO reminder (at all) is sent before the auto-renewal at 12 months (the 1st you'll know about it is when £100+ vacates your bank account seemingly out of the blue) 5. When you query the matter (after the fact) with the company they just hide behind "German law" apparently allowing this behaviour to be legal i.e. no cooling off periods etc and refuse to make any sort of refund Unless your vehicle is on the list that are supported by the 'Customisations' section, it's really not much better than a £20-£25 Amazon OBD2 code reader but it costs a LOT more. To anyone reading this comment, do yourself (and your sanity) a massive favour and just...don't (go look at TrustPilot if you need further evidence beyond my rant). @HighPeakAutos - Matt, I understand that sponsors help make a YT channel financially viable but a large part of why we subscribe to your channel, is that you appear to have integrity in relation to how you operate in an area of business that (in many cases) has a well deserved poor reputation for dishonesty. Recommending/promoting crap products and/or companies that don't give a flying about their customers can only do harm to what you've worked hard to build up. (I've been subscribed since the early days of the channel and usually love the content by the way)
Watch out for their subscription auto renewal policy. You must cancel it immediately otherwise you get charged the full amount on renewal unless you cancel more than one month in advance of expiration.
Matt, I really enjoy your content but please reconsider your sponsors. Carly treats their customers really badly, they have auto renewed my licence with no warning and refuse to give me a refund. I feel like I've been ripped off by them 😕
@@paullillie1980 As per my earlier comment, been there, done that, 100% agree and judging by the TrustPilot reviews we're part of an unfortunate but sizable club!
Love you videos Matt! In my opinion one of the best car channels on UA-cam! no high performance cars, just your very honest and entertaining personality. Keep it up Matt! 😃😃
@@HighPeakAutos I can’t wait for the lawsuit against these robbing governments and their corrupt green taxes when it’s proved that they’ve made no difference to the climate change whatsoever other than filling their pockets and taking millions of good cars with plenty of life in them out of the average man and forced more debt on the population! Trust me, just like ppi etc it will come eventually but how many older cars would’ve bitten the dust by then ? God only knows? The electric car is a greedy scam that will only be truly green when they can truly be powered by non fossil fuelled power and the batteries can be disposed of greenly and more importantly sourced ethically which those of us who are not sheepishly indoctrinated know they simply can’t do! At the end of the day if it was about clean air they’d ban the so called offensive cars completely as opposed to charging you for the privilege! It’s a Political and big corporate war on the car owner, I’m a Londoner and what sadiq khan has done to the roads in London is absolutely criminal! Plus there are many companies offering alternative cleaner fuels that could be used for older cars so that they would meet the emissions standards but guess what? The so called powers that be aren’t interested in that because that’s not part of their agenda!
Great comment. This is why I love larger engined cars. If you can't afford to look after it, any sensible person will sell it on and get a 12 year old Fiesta.
Beautiful looking vehicle Its aged very well Doesn’t look 17 years old Plenty of service history etc Seems as though it’s been very well maintained I hope it’s a good car, with no surprises…
That's the issue for me, see loads of these with books full of receipts, like a badge of honour, until you realise, someone has spent £30k over the life of a car that's done 100k miles
This particular design is timeless to think it looks better than most of its replacement, beautiful from every angle with the understated single grille A8 at peak powers.
You was in my home town (Rayleigh)/ drove past my house, I drove past this audi every day and wondered where it has gone. It was always so clean! Should of popped in for a cuppa 😂
As soon as I saw that my reaction was "That has been the pride and joy of every owner." It's lovely. Back in the day when it was new I thought Audi's styling was kind of safe, a bit dull, maybe even boring, but it's actually timeless. That A8 looks as smart and handsome as it did the day it was sold. And the engine sounded nice and meaty; a little bit of V8 purr to go with the sound of a big diesel. Assuming it isn't hiding any skeletons, that is a proper bargain.
If my memory serves me right' Clarkson's car was the 4 ltr not the 4.2. I used to own a 2013 version of this and got 50mpg on long run at sensible speed. Eagerly awaiting the next instalment.
I bought my 2009 A8 3.0 TDI V6 Five years ago to tow my 5 berth caravan and it is absolutely amazing. No problems towing at all with 325 lbft of torque. Quiet, comfortable and quick. Quattro means no traction problems like a front wheel drive and Air Suspension in Tow Mode keeps the whole rig level which maximises braking efficiency by keeping all tyres in good contact with the road, my last 2 Volvo V70s towed really well but did squat at the rear when coupled to van which did take some weight off the front tyres. Acres of space, a good boot, 34 to 40 mpg solo and 24 to 26 mpg towing she has been from Ireland through England to France, Belgium, Holland and Germany without issue. I was a Volvo fan, I still am, and I have never owned an Audi before but I am smitten. Parts are astronomically priced but you really need precious few anyway. I have only replaced tyres, discs and pads, the original battery and two inner taillamps.
Very nice car with 350bhp with 600 nm of torque. Make sure you change the gearbox oil . The best way to clean EGR valve, dpf, intake, etc, is by feeding Steam from the intake filter .I use a wallpaper remover machine.
Beautiful car. I still can't believe how cheap car prices are in the UK compared to Australia. Out of curiosity, I googled, " 2007 Audi A8 with 4.2 Diesel for sale in Australia". Three matches came up with a price range of $15K to $16.5K. All with the full range of features and service history. I never thought I would say this about an Audi but I think I want one.
Such a beautiful car, my dad had one in 2004 and I just loved to sit in it. I had a 2002 A4 at the time and this is just its big brother, gorgeous to this day. I also like the LCI with the bigger Grill a tossup between the two.👌💯 Thanks Matt for the excellent content!
My friend had one of these, absolutely fabulous to drive and like travelling around in a massive sofa. Burying the throttle was like being spat out of a cannon once the turbo's had spooled up. Insane engine technology for its time. Keep up the good work 💪
It looks a great car, my only concern would be servicing costs, they are still going to be 2024 prices for an 18 years old car, timing chain, and oil seals are often engine out jobs.
Wystarczy przyjechać do nas do Polski - cały serwis ogarniemy włącznie z generalnym remontem silnika i skrzyni biegów , ale zgadzam sie - to nie sa tanie rzeczy i taki remont silnika v8 d gdzie np uszkodzeniu uległy cylindry i tłoki to obecnie koszt w Waszej walucie Ok 7 tys funtów minimum. Pozdrawiam
Had one for a 5 years- best car I ever owned. Couple of points though. It was the 4.0tdi in clarksons video( sorry I know you will sigh) 😂 not the 4.2 which is more economical still and a more reliable engine ( both twin turbo mind you ). My record from Leatherhead to Chesterfield was 45.4 mpg at a steady 65-70 and overall average over the years including a lot of town was 32.. insane for a car with that power and weight .. the 45 mpg was backed up by the top up when I filled her back up so the London to Edinburgh run would be done easily .I’ve had all sorts of silly and faster cars but she was by far the best but was getting old and the rear lights going were the straw that broke the camels back as they are very pricey indeed. Sure you have sorted glow plugs but if not then try some archoil for a couple of hundred miles first as will likely sort😊 great purchase Matt.. I know them inside and out so any tips let me know my good man.
The little chuckle to yourself when you almost went full Partridge was hilarious. We have a Touareg R line with same motor, the torque is addictive, especially with a remap.
Isle of Arran, road from Brodick to Lochranza would make great shot location! Or loop round from Helensburgh to Isle of Bute then hop on the ferry for a breather / sum up of journey so far then back home...
Had an a8 4.2 tdi quattro on a 08 plate for 5 years now. Had a bmw 530d m sport before. Audi light years in front but they do break down and can be big money to put rite. Had a rear caliper go and genuine audi one was £850, got a patten one but still £400. Run it on premium fuel and last mot the emissions turned out at 0.01, and averages mid 30 mpg. Absolutely cracking car , rate it highly!!!!
Love that generation of A8. Amazing how big of a difference service records makes. My old B5 Audi S4 had service records in a neat binder from new, over 200,000 miles of receipts.
I'm not an Audi fan but, thats the one audi i have considered buying a few years back. Matt i think you have a bargain that you won't massively overspend on😊
I think you've massively underspent. What a car, a true barge with ability. Bet you wished for some winter tyres (Michelin Cross Climates or like just work everywhere) for the braking and steering in the ice? Its a cracker, and a credit to a proper car owner.
Yes, power tailgate is common, door handles common.....Not a quick swap....... Not letting car sleep so flattening battery, led rear lights let water in...... 0ver £200 each x4. Display cover motor cogs go..... Metal replacements available but pain to swap. 10 exhaust sensors... 5 each bank..... Plug in on top of gearbox. Drives lovely, decent mpg. Loved mine but you need a healthy maintenance budget. I had to have turbos off because getting actuator's faults...... All aluminum so could last many years...... But will end up in scrapyard due to electronics.......from memory 40+ ecu's for various gizmos. Had mine for 5yrs, a 2006 4.2tdi v8. If I had got a good income I would have kept it.
My brother had the sister S8 and, when the main dealer screwed up the cambelt change, he was loaned the A8 V8 diesel. We were just hooked on the endless torque - it was mind-blowing (at the time).
One of those cars that are so tempting until you delve right into what is needed to keep these on the road. I've worked in the industry as a mechanic and still keep up to date with current vehicles. Watching several youtube channels on Audi's has put me off owning one. Same with S class and BMW 7 series as a used buy. Great cars to drive but their costs to keep on the road outweigh the real chance of having one. I looked at having the V8 Audi and to change starter motor, it's an engine out job. I know you don't have to do that every service, but it shouldn't be like that. Then there's the carbon build up on the valve heads and intake ports. I don't want to have to keep striping down the top half of the engine to walnut shell blast the intake ports and valves every 60,000 miles.
Yes carbon build up is an issue as I had it on my 100k mileage diesel cars which all needed new inlet manifolds and egr valves at a cost of 3k from an independent specialist
@@fisephalnoxt I have had an S class W221 5.5 v8 (2010) for 4 years, current mileage is approximately 310,000 kilometers (200,000 miles). super comfortable car. I use it on routes, alternating with a BMW 7 E65 4.4 V8 diesel (2006). I am very pleased with both cars. I service them myself and carry out minor repairs. There have been no serious breakdowns in both cars during my ownership (BMW 350,000 kilometers - 220,000 miles)
you're very right, but if you can do basic services and repairs yourself, it's not that bad. of course, if you buy a well-kept car - honestly serviced. as I wrote above, I have a Mercedes S and a BMW 7 with the best times of both brands. I recommend the Audi a8 conditionally - it is the most delicate of the three, the most reliable and has the worst access to components, for example engine equipment - exactly as you wrote. My friend repairs Audis, mainly high models - I went to him a lot for training. To replace something from the engine equipment - he often removed the entire engine and gearbox. He became so skilled that it took him about an hour and a half of his time.
Not quite the same car Matt but last year I bought a 2000, 3.7 petrol A8 quattro for just £950, like yours it had extensive service history and it was minded like a child! There were a few age related marks but nothing major. Like yours its very highly specced, drives beautifully and is pure luxury. You just can't beat the A8 for luxury and value for money. Good luck with this one, would love to see a road trip.
Although it is slightly dated, this car still looks very recent, if it wasn’t for the 2007 registration plate, it wouldn’t look out of place alongside much newer vehicles. It looks to be in very good condition too, I definitely agree with you, this must have been some car when it was new. Enjoy it Matt, I’m looking forward to its next appearance on the channel, maybe a road trip ❤.
What a car for that outlay. I know you could say this every week Matt, but I'd do what's needed and hold onto it. Be a real shame to sell that to an owner with no money who could just neglect/wreck it. I'd much prefer put 20 or 30k miles on it and enjoy the waft!
Kudos on the video editing. When you start the A8 and hear the engine roar and the camera pans immediately to the power designation on the tailgate (4.2 TDi)… a touch of class
I've got one of these with a V6 Petrol engjne in the same colour. Had it 2 years and it's been rock solid - completely reliable. Also doesn't seem to eat consumable parts like the Lexus LS460 I had before as it's 300kg lighter (mine is not a quattro). Vast boot as well so works as a family car
Clarksons A8 - 4.0l V8d pre face lift version on an 03 plate, eeked 37mpg out of it cz he had to. Pretty decent for 2003's standards must be said, great cars arent they.
You need to change the tailgate boot struts that's why it's not opening smoothly. Also you'll need to dismantle and refurbish the parking brakes and not the epb. sensor.
Bare in mind, the road tax is £695 a year & it's Euro 5 compliant, which means you'll have to pay the green zone charge in certain areas, like Bristol, Birmingham & a few others (currently).
@@bigfist255 Exactly the problem that kills off older cars even if the parts and expertise to keep them running is still available. Madness from an ecological POV when you consider that at that time many (but not all) cars had reached a peak of materials and build quality that could have them usable for decades. Things went downhill after about 2007.
You have found another brilliant car I love this era of car builds. Please update us on what you have done to the car and what your mechanics have said. Thank you great episode
What a gorgeous car. That engine good for 500k. There's another 17 years in that. Needs an update to the ICE and some alloy wheel upgrades but that's about all. I'm in Ireland, it would cost over €1800 per year for road tax. Not many big engine cars in Ireland for theis reason.
11:48 The Quattro system isn’t much help when you need to brake. It helps a bit if you’d have to go up a snowy hill but not nearly as much as good winter tires will.
@@jameslennard4062 I had zero interest in either when they were new and they've been done to death on UA-cam. Their only saving grace is that they do sound quite nice.
@@seedybee7201 the simple solution then is to not bother watching them. I think it is a car lots of people aspire towards, it offered super car looks and performance for the cost of an expensive sports car. The fact that some of its design elements have been widely used elsewhere by other manufacturers to this day is testament to its aesthetic. Just look at its LED running lights - they’re now a staple everywhere. I would argue further that the R8 is in a distinctly different class of car to the TT entirely. The fact you can pick one up now for
@@jameslennard4062 Thank you for your sage advice. For your information, daytime running lights originated in Sweden in the mid-late 70s so they were hardly a new idea when Audi used LED lights.
Hi Matt, your channel is my lullaby, it cures my insomnia, and I just want to buy every single car you drive in your videos, so enjoyable to watch, keep up the good work.
If I was looking for a new car I would have this from you in a flash. That is a quality motor and I wouldn’t worry about the snow in it at all. I had my old Audi A5 Quattro out in five inch of snow one year and it had no problems. That said 2008 car managed 312,000 miles on a 3.0 v6 tdi before I heartbreakingly had to say goodbye due to escalating rust corrosion underneath. 110,000 miles on your A8 is nothing at all.
Hop on a ferry to Dublin or Belfast and hit up some of the Wild Atlantic Way - either option will give a nice mix of motorway before hitting some of the more scenic and twisty coastal roads all before the silly season starts and it gets backed up with camper vans!
Two years ago I picked up a 2008 A5 Coupe 3.0 TDI from Scumthorpe, or be it had it transported over to N Ireland. It was a grand dearer than this A8 but still a lot of car for the money. I had it three weeks or so when I decided to 'try' out the quattro system on the first snow of the winter, with no winter tyres, an untreated road, and yes decending back downhill was much more difficult. I did indeed write the car off by understeering on a corner and scraping along the side of a transit. 🤦♂️
I had a 2009 one of these, the SE spec one which had a few optional extras, one of the most comfortable cars I've ever driven and a lovely sounding V8. Great car to anyone looking at buying one. (Just be careful as to where you park it because mine used to lower the air suspension when I locked it, could probably turn that off but I never looked into it.)
not always mate - sometimes thats the opposite, they just run a car until its goosed and replace it with another one, sometimes the backstreet enthusiasts who genuinely look after their cars and service them etc are better buys!
Great car. I have have 2 of this shaped A8 and enjoyed them both. I have had 15 Audi cars over the years and loved them all. I have a 2019 Audi A4 just now.
Heh the funky problem i had is water getting in passenger side (keep rubber pipes outside clean!), other than that good car very light and fast, aluminium also doesn’t rust
Already in 2024 your merch shop will need a revamp . Can't see a massive overspend on this one either. Nice motor, although not a diesel or audi fan I can appreciate a well kept example.
I have had a number of A8s. D2, D3 and D4. The D2 was the best. The problem is parts like windscreens, minor trim items and also the air ride. I got a new windscreen and it was the 'one of the last two in europe'. Loved them all though😊
Brilliant Matt, had to smile that some things you always sort were sorted, even to the point of a well ordered service history and number plates which you seem satisfied with 😂. Not even a gearbox service required either - what a strange year 2024 has started out as! Please do the follow up soon.
I had 3 Audi a8 and they were the best cars with this engine. Now I'm looking for a d4 4.2 tdi but there aren't many of them with good specs. I love a8 d3 4.2 tdi …
The best feature of that carly thing is turning the bloody start stop off so i dont have to drive round it sport mode or turn it off EVERY time. You should re-do the Clarksoin trip but see how much you beat an EV by.
Lovely motor Matt! I had an A8 (transporter 2 spec) and it was one of the best cars I ever owned! Another thing to watch out for is the solenoids on the rear brake callipers, as they can fail. But all the other gremlins you mentioned are standard really! If you get some quality tires for it snow and ice isn’t a problem at all 👍
Here in Porto , I’ve driven by a used car stand daily for the last 20 years. For a great deal of that time a cream colored A8 has sat behind the wire fence looking splendid. The color makes me think it might have started life as a taxi, but as much as the driving public has been reluctant to buy it, the dealer obviously doesn’t want to let go. I somehow doubt that you will grow quite so attached despite your obvious enthusiasm and your plans for across trip. Enjoyed the snow scenes above Marple almost as much as the car.
An awful lot of car for the money and sounds like it was well cared for by its previous owner which is a huge bonus so a pretty good days work👍 Could do with a part 2 to see just what it needed and what it cost!
Matt, another excellent video. If you do consider taking the car on a long drive, how about from Manchester to Neckarsulm, back to the factory where it was made? Perhaps even arrange a tour of the Audi factory before you go.
You pointed out that the car is from Chelmsford. Chelmsford is twinned with the French city of Annonay which is about 680 miles away from there. See if you can get there on a tank of diesel!
How good is this interior?? It's great to have proper buttons and switches for the important stuff, and a pop up screen for everything else-the perfect combination. Modern car designers take note!!!
An £80k vehicle initially has service costs to match once out of warranty. As it ages it devalues quickly but the service costs escalate just as quickly + with increasing frequency. Good luck to whoever buys this.
Hi Matt, Great video as always and what a great purchase! I've got one the same and I can't bring myself to ever sell it . FYI, Clarkson drove the 4.0 Tdi to Edinburgh and back, and this 4.2 that replaced it is an improvement in every way..
I was very smug with the quattro in the snow as well, they're so capable. That's a proper bit of kit for the money. Wherever you go, you need the 24 style mileage countdown clarkson had
Get 15% off your Carly purchase with code "Highpeak24" (auto-applied) when you click: bit.ly/Carly_HPA
Love the channel but...I REALLY wish YT channels would be more responsible in relation to which products/companies they promote. Carly is a prime example of a poor product to be recommending, both based on my own personal experience AND the TrustPilot reviews, which very much mirror my own subpar experience. My list of issues includes:
1. The 'Customisation' options only really work on BMWs and a small number of other vehicles i.e. German marques
2. Auto-renewal that is enabled by default and this isn't highlighted when you purchase to really draw your attention to this 'little' detail
3. Auto-renewal can only be cancelled/turned off by contacting the company directly (even thought you can setup an online account for control other aspects)
4. NO reminder (at all) is sent before the auto-renewal at 12 months (the 1st you'll know about it is when £100+ vacates your bank account seemingly out of the blue)
5. When you query the matter (after the fact) with the company they just hide behind "German law" apparently allowing this behaviour to be legal i.e. no cooling off periods etc and refuse to make any sort of refund
Unless your vehicle is on the list that are supported by the 'Customisations' section, it's really not much better than a £20-£25 Amazon OBD2 code reader but it costs a LOT more.
To anyone reading this comment, do yourself (and your sanity) a massive favour and just...don't (go look at TrustPilot if you need further evidence beyond my rant).
@HighPeakAutos - Matt, I understand that sponsors help make a YT channel financially viable but a large part of why we subscribe to your channel, is that you appear to have integrity in relation to how you operate in an area of business that (in many cases) has a well deserved poor reputation for dishonesty. Recommending/promoting crap products and/or companies that don't give a flying about their customers can only do harm to what you've worked hard to build up. (I've been subscribed since the early days of the channel and usually love the content by the way)
Watch out for their subscription auto renewal policy. You must cancel it immediately otherwise you get charged the full amount on renewal unless you cancel more than one month in advance of expiration.
Matt, I really enjoy your content but please reconsider your sponsors. Carly treats their customers really badly, they have auto renewed my licence with no warning and refuse to give me a refund. I feel like I've been ripped off by them 😕
@@paullillie1980 me too , no notification and buried in small print. Don’t mind auto renewal but having to cancel a month an advance is unfair.
@@paullillie1980 As per my earlier comment, been there, done that, 100% agree and judging by the TrustPilot reviews we're part of an unfortunate but sizable club!
Love you videos Matt! In my opinion one of the best car channels on UA-cam! no high performance cars, just your very honest and entertaining personality. Keep it up Matt! 😃😃
I appreciate that!
What a motor! Hard to believe you can buy a proper Audi A8 for the cost of a 12 year old Fiesta. Look after a car and it’ll last a lifetime. ❤️
Couldn't agree more!
@@HighPeakAutos I can’t wait for the lawsuit against these robbing governments and their corrupt green taxes when it’s proved that they’ve made no difference to the climate change whatsoever other than filling their pockets and taking millions of good cars with plenty of life in them out of the average man and forced more debt on the population! Trust me, just like ppi etc it will come eventually but how many older cars would’ve bitten the dust by then ? God only knows? The electric car is a greedy scam that will only be truly green when they can truly be powered by non fossil fuelled power and the batteries can be disposed of greenly and more importantly sourced ethically which those of us who are not sheepishly indoctrinated know they simply can’t do! At the end of the day if it was about clean air they’d ban the so called offensive cars completely as opposed to charging you for the privilege! It’s a Political and big corporate war on the car owner, I’m a Londoner and what sadiq khan has done to the roads in London is absolutely criminal! Plus there are many companies offering alternative cleaner fuels that could be used for older cars so that they would meet the emissions standards but guess what? The so called powers that be aren’t interested in that because that’s not part of their agenda!
Great comment. This is why I love larger engined cars. If you can't afford to look after it, any sensible person will sell it on and get a 12 year old Fiesta.
I Said the same thing about my Previous Wife, and She Lasted 6 Months 🤣🤣
@@TheoriginalbigbrilloOuch!
Unlike almost all other Audi models the older A8 has a distinguished look about it.
It's the best design of all time
Minimal "Design Language" on these early ones makes them look as you say "distinguished", I would also add understated...I have nothing to prove...😉
@@baffourohene-kena4962 So right. Every time I look at an E - type I think, I just wish it was as good looking as a mid 2000s Audi A8.
Unlike my previous Wife 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
@@LRSTGS Love the design of the auld A8, but your comment got a big laugh from me.
Beautiful looking vehicle
Its aged very well
Doesn’t look 17 years old
Plenty of service history etc
Seems as though it’s been very well maintained
I hope it’s a good car, with no surprises…
That's the issue for me, see loads of these with books full of receipts, like a badge of honour, until you realise, someone has spent £30k over the life of a car that's done 100k miles
premium cars cost money, shocker isnt it@@stuarthepburn6508
insane find Matt !! props to the original owner 👏🏾👏🏼👏🏿👏🏽👏🏻
Thanks!
Hi UA-cam! 😊
Hi Matt, thanks for your great videos, as always!@@HighPeakAutos
i wasn't expecting yt to be here 😂
Even UA-cam is impressed!
This particular design is timeless to think it looks better than most of its replacement, beautiful from every angle with the understated single grille A8 at peak powers.
You was in my home town (Rayleigh)/ drove past my house, I drove past this audi every day and wondered where it has gone. It was always so clean! Should of popped in for a cuppa 😂
As soon as I saw that my reaction was "That has been the pride and joy of every owner." It's lovely. Back in the day when it was new I thought Audi's styling was kind of safe, a bit dull, maybe even boring, but it's actually timeless. That A8 looks as smart and handsome as it did the day it was sold. And the engine sounded nice and meaty; a little bit of V8 purr to go with the sound of a big diesel.
Assuming it isn't hiding any skeletons, that is a proper bargain.
I have to disagree, I think late 2000s Audis’ have aged incredibly poorly, and this one is no exception. It looks 17 years old if you ask me
If my memory serves me right' Clarkson's car was the 4 ltr not the 4.2. I used to own a 2013 version of this and got 50mpg on long run at sensible speed. Eagerly awaiting the next instalment.
I bought my 2009 A8 3.0 TDI V6 Five years ago to tow my 5 berth caravan and it is absolutely amazing. No problems towing at all with 325 lbft of torque. Quiet, comfortable and quick. Quattro means no traction problems like a front wheel drive and Air Suspension in Tow Mode keeps the whole rig level which maximises braking efficiency by keeping all tyres in good contact with the road, my last 2 Volvo V70s towed really well but did squat at the rear when coupled to van which did take some weight off the front tyres. Acres of space, a good boot, 34 to 40 mpg solo and 24 to 26 mpg towing she has been from Ireland through England to France, Belgium, Holland and Germany without issue.
I was a Volvo fan, I still am, and I have never owned an Audi before but I am smitten. Parts are astronomically priced but you really need precious few anyway.
I have only replaced tyres, discs and pads, the original battery and two inner taillamps.
Jeremy Clarkson London-Edinburgh-London on one tank of fuel springs to mind 👍🏻
Diesel is expensive these days. Maybe eco-driving past Edingburgh, until half-tank, and say you beat jeremy 😎
Yeah, try that in an EV🤣
9:55 - He said the exact same thing
Very nice car with 350bhp with 600 nm of torque. Make sure you change the gearbox oil . The best way to clean EGR valve, dpf, intake, etc, is by feeding Steam from the intake filter .I use a wallpaper remover machine.
good tip, that. I wonder if my little steam cleaner would do the job on my pickup's EGR.
While the engine runs or with engine stopped?
Doesn't steam condense into water potentially creating big issues ?
Beautiful car. I still can't believe how cheap car prices are in the UK compared to Australia. Out of curiosity, I googled, " 2007 Audi A8 with 4.2 Diesel for sale in Australia". Three matches came up with a price range of $15K to $16.5K. All with the full range of features and service history.
I never thought I would say this about an Audi but I think I want one.
Same here, way more expensive
Such a beautiful car, my dad had one in 2004 and I just loved to sit in it. I had a 2002 A4 at the time and this is just its big brother, gorgeous to this day. I also like the LCI with the bigger Grill a tossup between the two.👌💯 Thanks Matt for the excellent content!
‘Punch it Chewie” 🤣 You’ll tell us next it can do the Kessel Run in less than 12 parsecs!
I’ve never seen a single Star Wars in my life so I’m afraid I don’t get the reference
@@HighPeakAutos 😱😱😱
@@HighPeakAutosNext you'll tell us you've never seen a Harry Potter film
I envisioned the previous owner being middle aged, not a spotty teen.
Harry potter was over 20 years ago...
My friend had one of these, absolutely fabulous to drive and like travelling around in a massive sofa. Burying the throttle was like being spat out of a cannon once the turbo's had spooled up.
Insane engine technology for its time.
Keep up the good work 💪
It looks a great car, my only concern would be servicing costs, they are still going to be 2024 prices for an 18 years old car, timing chain, and oil seals are often engine out jobs.
Wystarczy przyjechać do nas do Polski - cały serwis ogarniemy włącznie z generalnym remontem silnika i skrzyni biegów , ale zgadzam sie - to nie sa tanie rzeczy i taki remont silnika v8 d gdzie np uszkodzeniu uległy cylindry i tłoki to obecnie koszt w Waszej walucie Ok 7 tys funtów minimum. Pozdrawiam
Had one for a 5 years- best car I ever owned. Couple of points though. It was the 4.0tdi in clarksons video( sorry I know you will sigh) 😂 not the 4.2 which is more economical still and a more reliable engine ( both twin turbo mind you ). My record from Leatherhead to Chesterfield was 45.4 mpg at a steady 65-70 and overall average over the years including a lot of town was 32.. insane for a car with that power and weight .. the 45 mpg was backed up by the top up when I filled her back up so the London to Edinburgh run would be done easily .I’ve had all sorts of silly and faster cars but she was by far the best but was getting old and the rear lights going were the straw that broke the camels back as they are very pricey indeed. Sure you have sorted glow plugs but if not then try some archoil for a couple of hundred miles first as will likely sort😊 great purchase Matt.. I know them inside and out so any tips let me know my good man.
The little chuckle to yourself when you almost went full Partridge was hilarious. We have a Touareg R line with same motor, the torque is addictive, especially with a remap.
“ It’s nine and a half thousand pounds “!!😂
Isle of Arran, road from Brodick to Lochranza would make great shot location! Or loop round from Helensburgh to Isle of Bute then hop on the ferry for a breather / sum up of journey so far then back home...
Had an a8 4.2 tdi quattro on a 08 plate for 5 years now. Had a bmw 530d m sport before. Audi light years in front but they do break down and can be big money to put rite. Had a rear caliper go and genuine audi one was £850, got a patten one but still £400. Run it on premium fuel and last mot the emissions turned out at 0.01, and averages mid 30 mpg. Absolutely cracking car , rate it highly!!!!
what do you mean light years in front?
@bazosmarek7981 build quality and reliability in my ownership.
Lovely car - I had a 2009 one for 6 years, loved it!
Love that generation of A8. Amazing how big of a difference service records makes. My old B5 Audi S4 had service records in a neat binder from new, over 200,000 miles of receipts.
I've currently have the 2007 A8 lwb 3.0 diesel. Ex Audi demo car, 80k miles, I'm 2nd owner and love the car. Eats motorway miles like nothing else.
This era was a high point with build quality, last well if looked after.
10:00 hehe don’t forget Jeremy drove 3L one and if i remember correctly it was model next gen after this one
Are you talking about the London- Edinburgh - London on a singe tank? That was this A8 generation but pre facelift in 2003.
I'm not an Audi fan but, thats the one audi i have considered buying a few years back. Matt i think you have a bargain that you won't massively overspend on😊
Love the optimism Ian!!!
the car is in immaculate condition. its a steal deal.
I think you've massively underspent. What a car, a true barge with ability.
Bet you wished for some winter tyres (Michelin Cross Climates or like just work everywhere) for the braking and steering in the ice?
Its a cracker, and a credit to a proper car owner.
Yes, power tailgate is common, door handles common.....Not a quick swap....... Not letting car sleep so flattening battery, led rear lights let water in...... 0ver £200 each x4. Display cover motor cogs go..... Metal replacements available but pain to swap. 10 exhaust sensors... 5 each bank..... Plug in on top of gearbox. Drives lovely, decent mpg. Loved mine but you need a healthy maintenance budget. I had to have turbos off because getting actuator's faults...... All aluminum so could last many years...... But will end up in scrapyard due to electronics.......from memory 40+ ecu's for various gizmos. Had mine for 5yrs, a 2006 4.2tdi v8. If I had got a good income I would have kept it.
I had a 2007 4.2 tdi v8 from 2016-2018. Its was amazing car. Would have one again in a heartbeat ❤
My brother had the sister S8 and, when the main dealer screwed up the cambelt change, he was loaned the A8 V8 diesel. We were just hooked on the endless torque - it was mind-blowing (at the time).
That’s a classy looking car with loads of what I like! Good looks,lots of toys and lots of power 👏🏻👍🏻love it 😀
Nice motor.saw you today getting a coffee in a certain posh cheshire village among a sea of range rovers and Bentleys.great video as usual
One of those cars that are so tempting until you delve right into what is needed to keep these on the road. I've worked in the industry as a mechanic and still keep up to date with current vehicles. Watching several youtube channels on Audi's has put me off owning one. Same with S class and BMW 7 series as a used buy. Great cars to drive but their costs to keep on the road outweigh the real chance of having one. I looked at having the V8 Audi and to change starter motor, it's an engine out job. I know you don't have to do that every service, but it shouldn't be like that. Then there's the carbon build up on the valve heads and intake ports. I don't want to have to keep striping down the top half of the engine to walnut shell blast the intake ports and valves every 60,000 miles.
Yes carbon build up is an issue as I had it on my 100k mileage diesel cars which all needed new inlet manifolds and egr valves at a cost of 3k from an independent specialist
I heard that the S Class W221 is super solid, the NA V8 here in the US.
@@fisephalnoxt I have had an S class W221 5.5 v8 (2010) for 4 years, current mileage is approximately 310,000 kilometers (200,000 miles). super comfortable car. I use it on routes, alternating with a BMW 7 E65 4.4 V8 diesel (2006). I am very pleased with both cars. I service them myself and carry out minor repairs. There have been no serious breakdowns in both cars during my ownership (BMW 350,000 kilometers - 220,000 miles)
you're very right, but if you can do basic services and repairs yourself, it's not that bad. of course, if you buy a well-kept car - honestly serviced. as I wrote above, I have a Mercedes S and a BMW 7 with the best times of both brands. I recommend the Audi a8 conditionally - it is the most delicate of the three, the most reliable and has the worst access to components, for example engine equipment - exactly as you wrote. My friend repairs Audis, mainly high models - I went to him a lot for training. To replace something from the engine equipment - he often removed the entire engine and gearbox. He became so skilled that it took him about an hour and a half of his time.
@@gregbelial4613 I am particularly interested in that exact car, 2010 or 2011 NO TURBO W221, great car!
Not quite the same car Matt but last year I bought a 2000, 3.7 petrol A8 quattro for just £950, like yours it had extensive service history and it was minded like a child! There were a few age related marks but nothing major. Like yours its very highly specced, drives beautifully and is pure luxury. You just can't beat the A8 for luxury and value for money. Good luck with this one, would love to see a road trip.
Looks a stunning car,beautiful styling and build quality.
It's amazing value at the price you paid Matt.
Very enjoyable video
Production quality of this video is top tier, well done HPA team !
Thanks
Although it is slightly dated, this car still looks very recent, if it wasn’t for the 2007 registration plate, it wouldn’t look out of place alongside much newer vehicles.
It looks to be in very good condition too, I definitely agree with you, this must have been some car when it was new.
Enjoy it Matt, I’m looking forward to its next appearance on the channel, maybe a road trip ❤.
37.8 mpg on my 2000 A8 4.2 gas. NOT a misprint ....700m cruising range @65mph .. Love it
What a car for that outlay. I know you could say this every week Matt, but I'd do what's needed and hold onto it. Be a real shame to sell that to an owner with no money who could just neglect/wreck it. I'd much prefer put 20 or 30k miles on it and enjoy the waft!
This is one of your best videos. I feel an urgent need to buy an old Audi A8 after watching it.
Ooo lovely car, I’m eagerly awaiting the first “I’ve massively overspent” of 2024😂
Kudos on the video editing. When you start the A8 and hear the engine roar and the camera pans immediately to the power designation on the tailgate (4.2 TDi)… a touch of class
I already know you have massively overspent
😂
😂😂😂
😂😂😂
😂😂😂😂😂😂
Let Matt tell us he does it so much better😂😂
I think the Clarkson one was a 4.0 Tdi pre facelift. It's a beautiful car though and you can add bluetooth a few different ways.
I've got one of these with a V6 Petrol engjne in the same colour. Had it 2 years and it's been rock solid - completely reliable. Also doesn't seem to eat consumable parts like the Lexus LS460 I had before as it's 300kg lighter (mine is not a quattro). Vast boot as well so works as a family car
Hi Matt, here you go, no more complains about video quality, 4K that’s what I wanted, to watch you on TV and enjoy it 😎🙌🏼
Thanks 👍
Still a good looking car, impressed.
I think so
Clarksons A8 - 4.0l V8d pre face lift version on an 03 plate, eeked 37mpg out of it cz he had to. Pretty decent for 2003's standards must be said, great cars arent they.
My dream car this is..
Jason Statham is to blame
Early 2000 *Transporter*
You need to change the tailgate boot struts that's why it's not opening smoothly.
Also you'll need to dismantle and refurbish the parking brakes and not the epb. sensor.
Bare in mind, the road tax is £695 a year & it's Euro 5 compliant, which means you'll have to pay the green zone charge in certain areas, like Bristol, Birmingham & a few others (currently).
Yeah thats what kills these type of cars ,mine is 395 and if I went up 2 years newer would be 695 so stick with the older one .
@@bigfist255 Exactly the problem that kills off older cars even if the parts and expertise to keep them running is still available. Madness from an ecological POV when you consider that at that time many (but not all) cars had reached a peak of materials and build quality that could have them usable for decades. Things went downhill after about 2007.
You have found another brilliant car
I love this era of car builds.
Please update us on what you have done to the car and what your mechanics have said.
Thank you great episode
Even by today’s standards, they are still quite some car. Hope this one works out well for you.
Thanks!
What a gorgeous car. That engine good for 500k. There's another 17 years in that. Needs an update to the ICE and some alloy wheel upgrades but that's about all. I'm in Ireland, it would cost over €1800 per year for road tax. Not many big engine cars in Ireland for theis reason.
Well worth the 2800 pounds.
Looks amazing and is still very modern for its age.
Great video and work as usual Matt! :D
Thanks a ton!
Great video as always and don’t over spend 😂😂 it could bite you in the …….. well what ever you want to be 🚙 bitten in !! 👌👌😎😎 but great vid 👍👍👍
11:48 The Quattro system isn’t much help when you need to brake. It helps a bit if you’d have to go up a snowy hill but not nearly as much as good winter tires will.
I used the snow last week to test out the Quattro in my 2013 A5, I was so impressed. So smug driving past people struggling!
We need a used supercar video. Mark 1 Audi R8 V8, for example. Would love to see how they've held up after 16+ years!
No more R8s please. Just buy a TT and save some money. No-one could tell the difference.
@@seedybee7201 there’s a pretty huge difference, the Mk1 R8 was an out-and-out poster car with a monster NA engine.
@@jameslennard4062 I had zero interest in either when they were new and they've been done to death on UA-cam. Their only saving grace is that they do sound quite nice.
@@seedybee7201 the simple solution then is to not bother watching them. I think it is a car lots of people aspire towards, it offered super car looks and performance for the cost of an expensive sports car. The fact that some of its design elements have been widely used elsewhere by other manufacturers to this day is testament to its aesthetic. Just look at its LED running lights - they’re now a staple everywhere. I would argue further that the R8 is in a distinctly different class of car to the TT entirely. The fact you can pick one up now for
@@jameslennard4062 Thank you for your sage advice. For your information, daytime running lights originated in Sweden in the mid-late 70s so they were hardly a new idea when Audi used LED lights.
Top tip if you have a 3.5mm audio auxiliary in socket really easy to convert to Bluetooth for around ten pounds.
Hi Matt, your channel is my lullaby, it cures my insomnia, and I just want to buy every single car you drive in your videos, so enjoyable to watch, keep up the good work.
i just got a 2003 Audi A8 D3 4.0 TDI with 130000 miles for 900 pound. I LOVE IT. leaky transmission which is getting fixed very soon. Amazing car
How is the car if you don’t mind me asking? Thinking of getting a 4.0 myself
If I was looking for a new car I would have this from you in a flash. That is a quality motor and I wouldn’t worry about the snow in it at all. I had my old Audi A5 Quattro out in five inch of snow one year and it had no problems. That said 2008 car managed 312,000 miles on a 3.0 v6 tdi before I heartbreakingly had to say goodbye due to escalating rust corrosion underneath. 110,000 miles on your A8 is nothing at all.
I had a 2008 A6 C6 with the 3.2 and absolutely loved these cars! I always wanted a A8/S8 but for $2800 its a bargin!
Hop on a ferry to Dublin or Belfast and hit up some of the Wild Atlantic Way - either option will give a nice mix of motorway before hitting some of the more scenic and twisty coastal roads all before the silly season starts and it gets backed up with camper vans!
Two years ago I picked up a 2008 A5 Coupe 3.0 TDI from Scumthorpe, or be it had it transported over to N Ireland. It was a grand dearer than this A8 but still a lot of car for the money. I had it three weeks or so when I decided to 'try' out the quattro system on the first snow of the winter, with no winter tyres, an untreated road, and yes decending back downhill was much more difficult. I did indeed write the car off by understeering on a corner and scraping along the side of a transit. 🤦♂️
I had a 2009 one of these, the SE spec one which had a few optional extras, one of the most comfortable cars I've ever driven and a lovely sounding V8. Great car to anyone looking at buying one. (Just be careful as to where you park it because mine used to lower the air suspension when I locked it, could probably turn that off but I never looked into it.)
1:20 a nice clean driveway with a nice house and two nice cars park on the driveway. Straight away that shows the car has been looked after
not always mate - sometimes thats the opposite, they just run a car until its goosed and replace it with another one, sometimes the backstreet enthusiasts who genuinely look after their cars and service them etc are better buys!
Always loved the space frame Alu A8 Mk1 and Mk2. Just proper cars.
I had a 2009 4.2 tdi version with a huge spec, tv, B&O. And chipped, bloody miss it. And I got 42 on a long run, 37 round town
Great car. I have have 2 of this shaped A8 and enjoyed them both. I have had 15 Audi cars over the years and loved them all. I have a 2019 Audi A4 just now.
This was the best generation of audi. The a4 to a8 were brill
IIRC These D3s have bluetooth phone and you can buy an adapter lead for about £20 to use bluetooth streaming via the MMI input in the glove box.
Heh the funky problem i had is water getting in passenger side (keep rubber pipes outside clean!), other than that good car very light and fast, aluminium also doesn’t rust
Already in 2024 your merch shop will need a revamp . Can't see a massive overspend on this one either. Nice motor, although not a diesel or audi fan I can appreciate a well kept example.
Take it on a road trip ‘home’ - head down to Ingolstadt. German road tripping is great fun, everything goes blurry at 250kph on the autobahn
I have had a number of A8s. D2, D3 and D4. The D2 was the best. The problem is parts like windscreens, minor trim items and also the air ride. I got a new windscreen and it was the 'one of the last two in europe'. Loved them all though😊
Brilliant Matt, had to smile that some things you always sort were sorted, even to the point of a well ordered service history and number plates which you seem satisfied with 😂. Not even a gearbox service required either - what a strange year 2024 has started out as! Please do the follow up soon.
Haha I don’t know what I’m going to do with this one. Barely needs my help
One of favourite in your series of “I have bought a cheap”, looks a very good car with the perfect engine option
Big long road trip to Scotland or Cornwall, measure MPG, get it remapped and rolling roaded at destination, drive home, measure MPG, compare.
I had 3 Audi a8 and they were the best cars with this engine. Now I'm looking for a d4 4.2 tdi but there aren't many of them with good specs. I love a8 d3 4.2 tdi …
The best feature of that carly thing is turning the bloody start stop off so i dont have to drive round it sport mode or turn it off EVERY time.
You should re-do the Clarksoin trip but see how much you beat an EV by.
Yes!!
Lovely motor Matt! I had an A8 (transporter 2 spec) and it was one of the best cars I ever owned! Another thing to watch out for is the solenoids on the rear brake callipers, as they can fail. But all the other gremlins you mentioned are standard really! If you get some quality tires for it snow and ice isn’t a problem at all 👍
Here in Porto , I’ve driven by a used car stand daily for the last 20 years. For a great deal of that time a cream colored A8 has sat behind the wire fence looking splendid. The color makes me think it might have started life as a taxi, but as much as the driving public has been reluctant to buy it, the dealer obviously doesn’t want to let go. I somehow doubt that you will grow quite so attached despite your obvious enthusiasm and your plans for across trip. Enjoyed the snow scenes above Marple almost as much as the car.
An awful lot of car for the money and sounds like it was well cared for by its previous owner which is a huge bonus so a pretty good days work👍 Could do with a part 2 to see just what it needed and what it cost!
Matt, another excellent video. If you do consider taking the car on a long drive, how about from Manchester to Neckarsulm, back to the factory where it was made? Perhaps even arrange a tour of the Audi factory before you go.
I think you should do the exact journey that top gear and Clarkson done, even try and travel from the same service station!
You pointed out that the car is from Chelmsford. Chelmsford is twinned with the French city of Annonay which is about 680 miles away from there. See if you can get there on a tank of diesel!
How good is this interior?? It's great to have proper buttons and switches for the important stuff, and a pop up screen for everything else-the perfect combination. Modern car designers take note!!!
that motor is brilliant. My suggestion for the road trip would either be NC500 or follow the Car Throttle SC500 route
+1 for the Wild Atlantic Way.
Superior to the NC500 in many ways. Many sections are not motorhome friendly so far less busy too.
I've wanted one of those ever since Jezza did that trip you mentioned. I have no need for one but still want one 😂
Please, keep us updated with running costs, what to look after, what would you like to do/upgrade
An £80k vehicle initially has service costs to match once out of warranty. As it ages it devalues quickly but the service costs escalate just as quickly + with increasing frequency.
Good luck to whoever buys this.
Lexus
Hi Matt, Great video as always and what a great purchase! I've got one the same and I can't bring myself to ever sell it . FYI, Clarkson drove the 4.0 Tdi to Edinburgh and back, and this 4.2 that replaced it is an improvement in every way..
the Derbyshire border to the Audi factory in Ingolstadt is bang on 600 miles. Surely that has to be the drive to do.
I was very smug with the quattro in the snow as well, they're so capable. That's a proper bit of kit for the money. Wherever you go, you need the 24 style mileage countdown clarkson had
Was following one just before Christmas and the owner must have selected the option not to have the wing mirrors fold out when moving.