2004 A8L common problems??

[B8Brit]

A buddy is looking to “adopt” a 42k mile 2004 A8L. Not sure if these suffer from the same issues as the S4 of the same era. What should he look out for?


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[Audibot]

The A8 has a belt-driven V8, not chain-driven, so it doesn't have the timing chain tensioner issue the S4s have. I know the air suspension tends to go bad. It's also got a lot more modules, so a lot more to potentially go wrong.

[hahnmgh63]

My wife had a 2004 and it was a great car. It was the first year of the D3 so many of the modules were the first software and/or hardware versions so when I did have a fault from a module I checked out Ebay for a later D3 module replacement and it always solved my problems. I rebuilt the aircompress for the suspension from Ebay user 'bagpipipingandy', he sells all of the new seals for all of the Wabco compressors in Audi's, Porsche's, Mercedes, fast shipping and cheap. Trunk opening motor in hers was weak but Ok, most in that age are failed and most just do it manually although I guess there was a later/stronger motor revision. I liked the car, I myself would rather have a shorter wheelbase S8 but the A8 has massive rear legroom. Oh, MMI probably needs software and map updates if you want to use the Nav. Ebay or one of the forums will have people selling what you need.

[mattlqx]

I just picked up a '04 A8 L that has a coolant leak for cheap. After a bit of research, it tends to be fairly common for the plastic coolant union pipe on the oil filter housing. It manifests as a large leak happening above the oil pan on the passenger side. There are aluminum replacement pipes on eBay for $10, but it's a fair amount of disassembly to get the housing off. I'm basically there, now I need to do some searching for the engine carrier stretch bolts I removed. The prior owner had a quote from a local repair shop at $4000 on labor, I think the dealer was pretty close to that. So these cars are going to be pretty cheap for people willing to do the work to fix some of the weaker points.